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J Jesus, the christ, savior
"Holy Communion is the sign that Jesus Christ is our beginning and we may rise up and walk into the future where we shall live. The Lord himself gives us strength, food, and drink for our journey, from one bread and from one cup, because he is One, he the One for us all."
— Karl Barth
Source: "The Minister's Manual for 1994," p. 72.
Topics/Tags: Communion; Jesus, the christ, savior
"Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed, the young man had been killed while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands.
He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his, not to mention his father’s, love of fine art. "I am an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this."
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the old man thanked the soldier, proposing to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease his grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The man passed away, and the day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim, "I have the greatest collection."
The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100," he asked. Minutes passed, and no one spoke. From the back of the room came a voice, "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son." "Let’s forget about it and move on to the good stuff," more voices echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a neighbor of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I ’d like to have it."
"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice . . . gone." The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on the real treasures!"
Yet, the auctioneer looked at the audience and announced … that the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is going on!"
The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all."
_________
The heavenly Father, who saw his Son go away and give his liferescuing others, has likewise willed: Whoever takes the Son will get it all."
Source: Unknown
Topics/Tags: Jesus, the christ, redeemer; Jesus, the christ, savior; Treasure
Here's a poem to help us reflect on the loved ones we may have lost in the preceding year…
"First Christmas With Jesus"
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
with tiny lights, like heaven's stars, reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart,
But I am not so far away. We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones. You know I hold you dear
and be glad I'm spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory, of my undying love.
After all "Love" is the gift, more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do,
for I can't count the blessings or love He has for each of you.
So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember, I'm spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
— Author unknown
Source: "SBC Ring" email discussion list
Topics/Tags: Jesus, the christ, savior; Death; Eternal life; Christmas
An elderly gentleman was out walking with his young grandson. "How far are we from Home?" he asked the grandson. The boy answered, "Grandpa, I don't know." The grandfather asked, "Well, where are you?" Again the boy answered, "I don't know." Then the grandfather said good-naturedly, "Sounds to me as if you are lost."
The young boy looked up at his grandfather and said, "Nope, I can't be lost. I'm with you." Ultimately, that is the answer to our lostness, too. We can't be lost if He is with us.
Source: unknown
Topics/Tags: Jesus, the christ, savior; The Lost; Salvation; Fellowship, with god
"I am a nobody telling everybody about Somebody who will save anybody who will call on Him."
--Reggie Jackson
Source: Adrian Rogers
Topics/Tags: Testimony; Evangelism; Salvation; Jesus, the christ, savior
Many years ago I read an interesting story about the late D. L. Moody witnessing to a well known judge. At first Moody was reluctant to witness to the man, because the judge was highly educated while Moody was an uneducated shoe clerk. But at the Judge's wife's insistence he finally relented and agree to visit the judge in his private chamber.
Now the judge was an Unitarian and did not believe in the deity or the atonement of Christ. Mr. Moody entered the judges inner office and the conversation was brief. Before he left he asked the judge to promise that if he were ever converted to tell him about it.
In less than a years time the judge was saved. Moody found out about it and went back to see the man reminding him of his promise. The judge said, "One night, when my wife was at a prayer meeting, I began to grow uneasy and miserable. I did not know what was the matter with me, but finally I retired before my wife came home. I could not sleep all that night. I got up early, told my wife that I would eat no breakfast and went down to the office. I told the clerks they could take a holiday and shut myself up in the inner office. I kept growing more and more miserable, and finally I got down and asked God to forgive me of my sins.
"But I would not say 'for Jesus' sake,' for I was an Unitarian and did not believe in the atonement. I kept praying God forgive my sins, but no answer came. At last in desperation I cried, "O God, for Christ' sake forgive my sins, and I found peace at once.
Source: Strauss
Topics/Tags: Jesus, the christ, atonement by; Jesus, the christ, savior; Atonement; Repentance
A missionary was speaking to a group of fishermen in a little village on the coast of Labrador. He had told of Christ's death on the cross and was trying to get the message of salvation across. He wondered if he was getting anywhere, if the men understood him, so he asked a question:
"Will you tell me in your own words what Christ did when He died upon the cross?" he asked.
"Yes," said a weatherbeaten fisherman, tears coursing down his face, "I just now saw what He did. He swapped places with me. He took my place on the cross and left me here in his place, a man without sin in God's sight. Oh praise His name!" (1 Peter 2:22-24).
- Hazel D. Artis
Source: Robert G. Lee, SERMONIC LIBRARY, pp. 10-11.
Topics/Tags: Jesus, the christ, savior; Atonement; Salvation; Substitution
The world says, "Get all the gusto you can out of life."
Jesus says, "Give your life to Me and let Me make something wonderful out of it."
- Bill Gordon
Source: Bill Gordon
Topics/Tags: Life; Surrender; Jesus, the christ, savior
A Christian from China was giving his testimony. He said:
"I had slipped into a great ditch and the ditch was sin.
- Buddha came along and said, 'Come up halfway and I will lift you up.'
- Muhammad came along and said, 'Here are five pillars that will get you out.' But I couldn't get up those five pillars.
- Confucius came along and said, 'You're not really in that ditch, you just think you're in it.'
Then Jesus came by and saw my predicament. He didn't say a word but laid aside his regal robes and got down in the ditch along with the sin and the mire and he lifted me out of it by his grace. The difference was his love and who he was! He who was God was willing to come down to my level in order to lift me out of sin."
Source: unknown
Topics/Tags: Salvation; False Religion; Jesus, the christ, savior
My salvation does not depend upon me holding on to Jesus. Rather, Jesus holds on to me (and he does not have slippery fingers!).
Source: unknown
Topics/Tags: Salvation; Jesus, the christ, savior
Browse By Topic J Jesus, the christ, savior