Friday, November 05, 2004

The Disciples Willing To Die? Why Jesus' Disciples Were Willing to Die What compelled the 12 apostles to endure persecution and martyrdom? Three days after being crucified and buried, Jesus was missing from his burial tomb. Some say Jesus' disciples stole his body and concocted a story that he rose from the dead. If that's true, why would the 12 apostles die for something they knew was a lie? Would you? And theirs wasn't a mass suicide, where they bonded together in some delusional facade. Each of the 12 apostles left family and jobs, traveling to distant countries, preaching that Jesus died and came back to life. If the 12 disciples were making it all up, each of them chose to die prematurely for something they knew wasn't true. Doesn't make sense. What does make sense are the historical facts. Even while being tortured, Jesus' disciples insisted that they, as well as hundreds of other Jews, had seen Jesus alive. When some were arrested and ordered not to speak about Jesus' resurrection, they responded, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard!" The 12 apostles and others knew Jesus had been beaten, whipped, nailed to a cross, where he died in public display. A spear was thrust into his side to confirm his death. Roman soldiers were stationed at Jesus' tomb, because Jesus had stated that three days after being crucified, he would rise from the dead. On that third day, the guards fled, the two-ton boulder sealing the tomb's entrance was up a slope, and Jesus' body was gone. Inside the tomb, the apostles Peter and John saw the burial cloths still lying there, empty. After that, Jesus' disciples saw him physically alive multiple times. They even had lengthy conversations with him and ate with him--all after his death by crucifixion. These 12 disciples went to their deaths proclaiming what they had no doubts about--that Jesus had risen from the dead, proving that he was everything he claimed to be...the Son of God. What do you think? You may not ever have to die for your belief in Jesus like the 12 apostles did, but you can become just as sure. To learn more about Jesus and the facts supporting his resurrection, read the section called "John" in the Bible. And see the feature article Beyond Blind Faith. Taken From EveryStudent.com 4:32:32 PM    comment []

How To Talk To Skeptics About God Great article from Christianity Today by Randy Newman on "how to talk to skeptics, unbelievers, and mule-headed friends and family about God". Ask Before You Answer I like answering questions with questions. Maybe it's because I'm Jewish. I grew up with dialogues that went like this: Me: How's the weather down there? Granny Belle: How else could the weather be in Florida in the middle of July? As long as we are on the defensive, the questioners are not really wrestling with issues. They're just watching us squirm. Me: So, how have you been? Uncle Nat: Why do you ask? Me: How's your family? Aunt Vivian: Compared to whom? I'd like to think I answer questions with questions because I'm trying to follow the example of Jesus. Isn't it uncanny how often our Lord answered a question with a question? When a rich man asked Jesus, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responded, "Why do you call me good?" (Mark 10:17-18). When religious leaders asked him if it was right to pay taxes, he asked whose portrait was on the coin (Matt. 22:17-20). When the Pharisees were "looking for a reason to accuse him" and asked him "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" Jesus' response was a question, "If any of you has a sheep, and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not lift it out?" (Matt. 12:9-12). But the most likely reason for my use of questions instead of answers is that I'm tired. After years of answering questions that non-believers posed to me, I'm simply tired of seeing that an answer is not really what they want. There have been times (far too many of them, I'm afraid) when I have answered a question with what I knew was a biblically accurate, logically sound answer, only to see the questioner shrug his shoulders. It was as if he now had more confirmation that Christians really are simpletons. Instead of my answer moving him closer to salvation, it pushed him further away. Rather than engaging his mind or urging him to consider an alternate perspective, my answer gave him ammunition for future attacks against the gospel. So, I've started answering questions with questions and have gotten far better results. For complete text of this article click here. (Christianity Today). Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today International/Today's Christian Magazine. 12:22:16 PM    comment []

The Consequences Of Delight This Week's Memory Challenge reminds us of the consequences of "Delighting Ourselves in the LORD". Psalms 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Past Memory Challenges: Psalm 4:4 - In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah. Hebrews 13:2 - Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18  But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.  "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Romans 8:38-39 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:13-14 - 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Romans 12:1-2 : 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Matthew 17:27 "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 1 John 3:18  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Psalm 145:8  The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 11:16:40 AM    comment []