Christ Jesus “Gave Himself a RANSOM for All” [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“The church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

Christ Jesus “gave himself a RANSOM for all.” “Ransom” refers to a redemption price.

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a RANSOM for many.” Matthew 20:28

“Who gave himself a RANSOM for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:6

“Ransom” means the redemption price, the atonement.

As this post is doing, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” Let Jesus Christ and His perfect work of redemption “be testified” of by His beloved people today.

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Psalms 107:2

“Amen! Thank you for this encouraging podcast. How do you ever thank someone for saving your life? That is exactly what Jesus did! He found me and pulled me out of the horrible pit, the miry clay. I was unable to escape on my own! I was in hopelessness, and despair. He reached right down with His mighty hand of grace and mercy and set my feet upon the rock. The rock of my salvation. He gave me new life and changed my heart which no longer lived in despair and hopelessness. Instead He put a new song in my heart. A song about the goodness, mercy and grace of God. Psalm 40:2-3. Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran

Most profoundly, Allison Layne Gruber writes:

“Did you know that Judas sold Jesus out for the price of a woman, not a man? Women at the age of 33 were worth 30 pieces of silver, men worth 50.

Leviticus 27:3-4 set the value of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel; for a female, her value was set at thirty shekels.

Matthew 26:14-15: ‘Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.’

He was being paid for the bride Jesus came to save, not for Jesus. Jesus took on the sins of His bride. Not His own. He wasn’t paid for himself but rather for who He came to save.

Jesus needed Judas to betray Him for His purpose to take place. He had to be turned in for prophecy to keep moving forward.

There are people you love in life that will betray you. There are people who will turn you over to the enemy. Let them. God will use that betrayal for your purpose to come to fruition.”

The ransom price, the very and precious blood of Jesus, shed on that cross, fully satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind.

Karen Cochran testifies:

“Thank You Jesus! My redemption has been paid. Jesus took our unrighteousness (which is filthy rags) and made us righteous by way of the cross. I could never repay Him for dying for me!”

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Jesus didn’t die for us because we are good. Not one of us is good – but rather every single one of us is utterly wicked right now outside of the glorious saving love and grace of God in Jesus Christ (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9, etc.). Read Romans 3 and 7.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10

“Nothing in my hand I bring

Simply to Thy cross I cling.”

We are not good but rather intrinsically evil, depraved, “desperately wicked” and can only throw ourselves headlong into the lap of His saving love, mercy, and grace in Christ (Jeremiah 17:9). If there is no inherent evil, why then did Paul declare that “There is (not was but presently “IS”) no good thing in me.” (Romans 7:18) Why does God mandate that His people “put off the old man” if there is no “old man” to “put off” – by the cross, the crucified life Jesus says must be taken daily (Luke 9:23-24; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:8-9, etc.). Why is there the necessity of the crucified life if there’s nothing to crucify? (Matthew 6:24-25; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; 6:14; Colossians 3:3, etc.) Beware the the false theology of Charles Finney, which are being spread by a cult following of preachers today who spent their early years studying Finney’s falsehoods instead of the Bible.

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

Jesus Made “Peace through the Blood of His Cross”

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20

Jesus Christ was the only One qualified to accomplish the redemption of fallen mankind.

“…when he (Jesus) had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:3

Mankind has fallen, is sinful. Therefore the claims of the Father’s justice must be satisfied.

Divine justice necessitates that someone pay the price for sin!

Jesus paid the only price, the ultimate price to bring fallen mankind back to God!

Let us be reminded that:

Jesus chose to come and die for us, rather than live without us!

Let us ever relish the price our God paid to bring us back to Himself:

Jesus was momentarily forsaken, that we might be forgiven! (Matthew 27:46)

Either you carry your sins to Jesus and let Him forgive them all now, or you carry them into eternity and pay for them yourself – irrevocably in hell forever!

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive) by the Spirit:” 1 Peter 3:18

No man will experience peace both here on earth or eternally outside of being born again, knowing the Prince of Peace!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:20-23

The peace between God and man was accomplished single-handedly by Christ (v. 20). Also revealed here is that in order for those who’ve been reconciled to God initially to be with Him eternally, they must remain, must abide, must “continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (v. 23). | Eternal Security is a lie from hell.

John Wesley on Colossians 1:20

“Through the blood of the cross – The blood shed thereon. Whether things on earth – Here the enmity began: therefore this is mentioned first. Or things in heaven – Those who are now in paradise; the saints who died before Christ came.”

F.B. Meyer on Colossians 1

“In view of the fact that we are being qualified for an inheritance in light, there should be a song of perennial thanksgiving proceeding from us. What a wonder that the sons of ignorance and night can dwell in the Eternal Light, through the Eternal Love! It is not enough to receive the forgiveness of sins, we must be conformed to the image of the Son, who is Himself the image of the Father, Col_1:15. Notice the pre-eminence of Jesus-in creation, Col_1:16; in the Church, Col_1:18; in resurrection, Col_1:18; and in the great enterprise of reconciliation and restoration, Col_1:20. Let Him be pre-eminent for us also!”

Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:20

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross – Peace between God and man; for man being in a sinful state, and there being no peace to the wicked, it required a reconciliation to be made to restore peace between heaven and earth; but peace could not be made without an atonement for sin, and the consequence shows that the blood of Christ shed on the cross was necessary to make this atonement.

To reconcile all things unto himself – The enmity was on the part of the creature; though God is angry with the wicked every day, yet he is never unwilling to be reconciled. But man, whose carnal mind is enmity to God, is naturally averse from this reconciliation; it requires, therefore, the blood of the cross to atone for the sin, and the influence of the Spirit to reconcile the transgressor to him against whom he has offended! See the notes on 2Co_5:19, etc.

Things in earth, or things in heaven – Much has been said on this very obscure clause; but, as it is my object not to write dissertations but notes, I shall not introduce the opinions of learned men, which have as much ingenuity as variety to recommend them. If the phrase be not a kind of collective phrase to signify all the world, or all mankind, as Dr. Hammond supposed the things in heaven may refer, according to some, to those persons who died under the Old Testament dispensation, and who could not have a title to glory but through the sacrificial death of Christ: and the apostle may have intended these merely to show that without this sacrifice no human beings could be saved, not only those who were then on the earth, and to whom in their successive generations the Gospel should be preached, but even those who had died before the incarnation; and, as those of them that were faithful were now in a state of blessedness, they could not have arrived there but through the blood of the cross, for the blood of calves and goats could not take away sin. After all, the apostle probably means the Jews and the Gentiles; the state of the former being always considered a sort of Divine or celestial state, while that of the latter was reputed to be merely earthly, without any mixture of spiritual or heavenly good. It is certain that a grand part of our Lord’s design, in his incarnation and death, was to reconcile the Jews and the Gentiles, and make them one fold under himself, the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. That the enmity of the Jews was great against the Gentiles is well known, and that the Gentiles held them in supreme contempt is not less so. It was therefore an object worthy of the mercy of God to form a scheme that might reconcile these two grand divisions of mankind; and, as it was his purpose to reconcile and make them one, we learn from this circumstance, as well as from many others, that his design was to save the whole human race.”

THE ESSENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTOLOGY [podcast]

WHO do WE say that Jesus is? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8), and He is asking us the exact questions today that He asked His disciples while on earth. “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13 “But whom say ye that I am?” Matthew 16:15 Jesus is asking each of us “What are others saying of Me and Who do you say that I am?” In other words, perhaps He’s asking us “In a world of many swirling ideas about Me, who do you say that […]

Cons and Crooks who Do Not Preach the Cross [podcast]

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Those who do not preach the cross prove that they believe the cross is “foolishness.” The know that many will leave if they were to preach the crucified life. And they are in it for the money, the acceptance of mere men, not Christ. Make no mistake, the Holy Ghost through Paul warned us specifically about this generation of counterfeits, these “evil men and seducers” who “wax worse and worse.” (2 Timothy 3:13) […]

"Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith" [podcast]

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67 WHERE O WHERE are we going to go if we depart from Jesus? …. does He, the eternal God and Creator of all things not hold the future of every living soul in His holy hand? FB Meyer on John 6:60-71 “THE SIFTING OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS Christ’s pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their souls. […]

Complete Victory in Jesus [podcast]

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 Is there hope and victory in your preaching? Or, just condemnation? Did Jesus not come and die and rise again from the dead to give His people complete victory? Memorize 1 Corinthians 15:57 today. We are fighting the good fight of faith, “striving against sin” and are “more than conquerors” over sin […]

Why We Need not Fear Death: Resurrection Joy – Fearless in Death [podcast]

Resurrection Joy – Fearless in Death – Dancing on Hell’s Grave “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33 Dancing on Fear’s Grave! “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 Those who are ready to die and be with Jesus do not fear death. 1 John 4:16-18 In Christ, when we close our eyes in death, we awake to the resurrection bliss of eternal joy with Him who is “the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) “For if the dead rise not, then is not […]

Abiding

The Harvest is Coming for all those Sowing the Seed of the Word [podcast]

The Joy and Expectation of Seed Sowing

What we sow, we can expect to reap (Galatians 6:7-8).

As we continue to sow the good, the incorruptible seed of God’s Word into the hearts of men, good news will continue to flow, will continue to be reaped – because God’s Word prospers in the thing where He sends it! See also 1 Peter 1:23.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

The following song captures the need, the importance, and the urgency of reaching the lost souls around us:

Voices, by the band Harvest

Words and Music by Jerry Williams

Voices in the city, voices in the street.

Voices in each home across the land.

Voices in the churches, saying “Peace, be still.”

Where are all the voices in My fields?

Chorus:

Millions and millions dying.

Millions and millions crying.

Millions and millions don’t know who I am.

Children on the highways

Children on the run.

Mothers in the alley ways,

They’re killing all their sons.

The world is blinded in darkness.

I’ve given them the way.

Where are all My voices to lead them out today?

(Repeat chorus)

Where are the millions who love Me?

Where are the millions who say they know Me?

Where are the millions who’ll stand and follow Me?

Exactly where you are is part of “all the world.”

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16

Also, Jesus gives His Gospel as an ultimatum. Is Jesus intending that we bring the hearers of His Gospel to a decision? Seems like it. Read the passage again.

“So today I was driving through our town and saw a guy sitting on his porch reading a Jesus tract! Praise Jesus. I prayed that the words he was reading would be sealed in his heart! They are being left throughout our town. Everyday I put one on top of a newspaper stand. It is always gone next day! Seeds of God’s Word are being planted all over our town and will not return void! Isaiah 55:11. Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran

As Christ’s laborers our duty, getting the seed of our LORD’s Word into the hearts of the people, is of the utmost divine priority.

“The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11

Sinners are brought to Jesus, are born again, by way of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God being sown into their hearts.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 2:23

When His seed is sown, God can bring the increase of conviction, drawing, and salvation (John 12:32; Romans 1:16, etc.).

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

The conversion of the soul to Christ comes by way of the Word of God.

“The law (Word) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

What’s the future look like for those who sow, plant God’s Word in the hearts of men?

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

“Just letting you know I’ve been putting those JESUS tracts in empty gym lockers when I go to the gym and praying that God’s Spirit moves on the hearts of the people that get one! And as you know He can do it! Have a Blessed Day.” Laurie Cox

Read, download the print-ready pdf of the JESUS tract here.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“1 Corinthians 15: 58. This verse is for all of us who labor for the Lord. We are to be unshakable. Letting nothing move us from the hope of the gospel. We are servants of Christ ever ‘abounding in the work of the Lord.’ Abounding in the furthering of the gospel. Our labor ‘in the Lord’ will be rewarded. Yesterday the Lord gave me a small reward seeing that man sitting on his porch reading the Jesus tract. And since we are laborers together it is a small reward for all of us! We, each member of Christ’s body, the world over, are team Jesus! And He is our eternal reward! We shall be with Him forever in the New Jerusalem!” Karen Cochran

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You sent Your only begotten Son to rescue, to forgive, to save me. If You can find and save me, You can find and save anyone! Please prepare and use me LORD Jesus. Into Thy holy hands I here and now submit my spirit to Thee dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus [tract] Read, Download it Here

[JESUS tract English (click to download print-ready PDF) this is the actual text of the JESUS tract of both the English and JESUS tract SPANISH (click to download print-ready PDF] [Okay here’s the text also:] The most astounding event of human history occurred when this man, Jesus Christ, died on a Roman cross. When He died, an untimely darkness covered the land at 3 p.m., and an earthquake occurred as He took His final breath. This man called Jesus was crucified. Three days later He was raised from the dead! Here’s why He died: “But your iniquities (sins) have separated […]

The Joy of Seed Sowing

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 Always remember, there must be a seed sown before there can be a crop reaped. BEFORE Jesus saved me, He had several of His people along the way drop His precious Word into my alienated heart. Some of this included the tangible, the printed page. These things all culminated into His saving me into His glorious kingdom (Isaiah 55:11). “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto […]

The Demand for the JESUS Tract is at an all-time High! [podcast]

[this is the actual text of the JESUS tract] [JESUS tract English (click to download print-ready PDF)] JESUS tract SPANISH (click to download print-ready PDF] UPDATE: “Thank you for sending me this JESUS tract PDF. I can’t wait to print them out. God is good. His light is going shine. He’s taking ground that the enemy has been taking. I will be praying for you too. I actually pray for you alot. God Bless you as you go forth with God’s Word ” Laurie Cox This week a man came into the coffee shop smiling at me. I smiled back instantly, […]

Articles

“The Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” [podcast]

Don’t Miss This Blessing!

EVER Seen This Verse? Just Wow! PRAYERS appropriate the divine fuel from Heaven saints!!!! Check out this verse! Please hit SHARE to bless Christ’s body!

Do we even begin to realize the profound and immeasurable potential that lies in the power link of prayer? Jesus Christ is forever at His Father’s right hand making intercession for all of His beloved people (Heb. 7:24-25; 10:19-22).

Okay are you ready for a truth that is going to change your life forever? Read the following Bible verse slowly and for all it’s worth, drinking it in:

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (blessings, deliverance, and provision) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19

Whatever you do today, grab this Bible verse which will then be with you all your days!

In speaking to Christian people he was in fellowship with, this disciple of Jesus – no different than you and I – said that it was “through your prayer” that “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” was given to him in his life! Did you catch that?!

How does the LORD bless His people when we pray for them? Is it not by giving them a greater portion and measure of “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”?

LIFE CHANGING NUGGET FROM GOD’S WORD

How many of us are thrilled that “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” comes upon us by way of, as a result of the prayers of His saints? Wow!

Let’s read it again:

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (deliverance, safety, blessings) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19

Did you realize that the person or people you pray for are given a fresh and greater portion of “the Spirit of Jesus Christ”? According to this insightful truth out of the Holy Spirit inspired pen of the apostle Paul, the Father in Heaven blesses those we lift in prayer with the blessed Person and work of the Holy Spirit. “The spirit of Jesus Christ” is dispensed and poured out into the hearts and lives of those we pray for! This is what Paul told us was happening to him as the saints prayed for him.

Prayerlessness is Sin

Make no mistake, prayerlessness is a sin. Prayerlessness is direct disobedience to the command of God. Prayerlessness is a manifestation of faithlessness. Prayerlessness is the epitome of self-trust and self-dependency. Prayerlessness is the rejection of God in your life – the refusal to trust Him (Matthew 26:41).

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

YOUR PRAYER LIFE IS A CLEAR MEASURE OF HOW MUCH YOU LOVE GOD-OR NOT. love, to seek, to worship, and to trust Him. No need to seek God in prayer when pride and self-sufficiency reign on the throne of one’s heart.

The power of God working in us will be according to that which comes into us as we pray (Matthew 26:41).

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for taking prayer communion, supplications (humble requests), praying for others, and prayer requests for granted. Forgive me also for the sin of prayerlessness and for not lifting others in prayer more. Thank You LORD for the unspeakable, incredible blessing of prayer. Your perfect sacrificial blood on that cross made our access to the Father possible and speaks for Your people in Heaven right now and forevermore! Jesus, please bless Your people to be faithful to request those things You have revealed in Your Word for each other! Thank You Father for pouring out Your Holy Spirit upon Your people afresh this hour and also every time we lift each other to You in prayer! Thank You right now for the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ being poured out on Your beloved people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

His Grace is Sufficient for Thee [podcast]

“WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3 ALL “BY HIMSELF” Jesus redeemed us, bought, brought us back to God by the shedding of His precious blood on that cross. Jesus needed no help: He alone was sufficient to propitiate, expiate, atone for the sins of mankind. The grace of Christ which saved us through His perfect sacrifice is the same and only grace that keeps us and enables His perfect will in our lives! Here’s how that works in His kingdom economy: He who died, was buried, and […]

The Riches of His Grace

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7 It’s been said that “God bankrupted Heaven to buy us back to Himself!” “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15 Jesus judged sin on the cross so we don’t have to be judged for our sin and so we can experience “the exceeding riches of his gracE” both now and forever (John 12:31-32; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7). The claims of the Father’s justification to redeem mankind could only and exclusively have been satisfied in the perfect […]

Resurrection Grace [podcast]

NOTHING – NO MAN, NO DEVIL CAN STOP THIS! Just as no man, no devil could possibly stop the resurrection of Christ, no entity or army can stop the resurrection life of Christ in His saints, as they submit to their own death and burial. Resurrection follows! “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 […]

Articles

“I Love You Son” [podcast]

THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS: (author unknown)

“I LOVE YOU SON”

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS,

THE CHURCH’S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,

WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND,

BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,

HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER

WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE

CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS

ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND

THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS

TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER

HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE

PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

“A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE

SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,” HE BEGAN.

“WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY

ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.

THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE

FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT

KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT

INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.”

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT,

MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE,

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,

LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY,

“GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE

MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY

WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE.

HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND

HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON’S FRIEND WAS NOT.

THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY

THE TORRENT OF WAVES.

AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, ‘I LOVE YOU, SON!’

HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON’S FRIEND.

BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK

TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH

THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.

HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP

STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT

WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER’S MOUTH.

“THE FATHER,” HE CONTINUED, “KNEW HIS SON WOULD

STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT

BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON’S FRIEND STEPPING INTO

AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED

HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON’S FRIEND.”

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE

SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY

BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO

ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE

LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.”

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN

HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.

THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND

DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE

END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO

TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN’S SIDE.

“THAT WAS A NICE STORY,” POLITELY STATED ONE OF

THEM, “BUT I DON’T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A

FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON’S LIFE IN HOPES THAT

THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”

“WELL, YOU’VE GOT A POINT THERE,” THE OLD MAN REPLIED,

GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED

HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS

AND SAID, “IT SURE ISN’T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,

I’M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES

ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD

TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE…

I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON’S FRIEND.”

Making Peace with God | Fresh Start with God TODAY!

One Boy's Miracle Faith - Tissue Required [podcast]

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