Unfinished Business with God

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 01:52:47 GMT

It was just before Christmas, 1944. Bombs were falling in Europe and snow was falling in Idaho. Staff Sergeant Walter Carney was stationed at the Army Air Core Base in Boise. His commanding officer reminded him that he could easily ride out the war shooting pool—a long way removed from the killing fields of Europe. Still, Carney was persistent in his pursuit to serve his country and see the action on the other side of the Atlantic. So he begged the C.O. regularly until he finally received his overseas orders. It seemed like a good idea…at the time.

Just a few months later, Carney questioned the wisdom of that decision as he jumped into the smoke-filled sky from the belly of a B17. He had watched the shrapnel from the German artillery shred the airplane’s number one engine, then the number two. From the ball turret on the underside of the plane, or the “fishbowl” as they called it, he watched number three burst into flames. In his headset, he heard an anxious voice ordering him to bail out. Less than a minute later he was floating to the earth…and to the battle raging far below.

The Nazi infantryman pointing a rifle at him didn’t look a day over 14. Carney tugged his Colt 45 from its holster. Then suddenly (noticing that the soldier had several comrades) Carney dropped the gun on the ground and raised his hands in the air. For a split second he thought about his parents and wondered how they would learn of his capture.

For the next 11 days he “enjoyed” the hospitality of the Nazi army. In German custody, Carney (who was not really all that religious) found time to pray. In his prayers he tried to bargain with God. “God, please get me out of this place and I promise that I’ll….” (The list of promises was long.) Even though he was sincere, Carney found that the promises were easier to make than to keep. Just a few hours after his liberation, he had already broken most of them.

The memories of war stayed with him for several years. Sometimes in his sleep he would hear the shrapnel hit the engines. At other times, a thunderstorm in broad daylight would revive the sounds and scents of war. And those promises he made on his knees—they were never far away. They were an intricate part of the nightmares and daydreams of a long ago war. Those broken promises were a nagging reminder of his brush with death—and his unfinished business with God.

Six Amazing Claims of Jesus Christ!

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 01:25:29 GMT

Introduction

Robert Ripley loved to collect oddities from around the world. From shrunken heads to clothing made of human bone, he filled his museums with unbelievable curiosities. What person doesn’t associate the phrase, “Believe it or not!” with Ripley? In his travels, he made discoveries so bizarre that some accused him of being a liar and a con man. Amazingly, his claims have proven authentic through the years.

I wonder if Ripley ever considered featuring the claims of Jesus Christ. The things that people have attributed to Jesus are certainly incredible. What makes them even more amazing is that they have persisted for more than two thousand years!

Jesus Christ is unquestionably one of the most fascinating characters on the stage of human history. Furthermore, he is certainly one of the most famous. (After all, even our calendar begins with his birth.) Ironically, he is also one of the most controversial.

This controversy is credited to the legend that concerns his identity. Historic Christianity identifies Jesus as the Son of God, sent to earth by the Creator. According to Christians, Jesus performed miraculous signs—the greatest of which was His own resurrection from the dead. The implications of such ideology are profound. If the legend is true, then God has reached out to humanity in a most remarkable way! If Jesus is who he claimed to be, then we dare not dismiss his claims.

So, what did Jesus have to say about his identity? Did he have anything to say about God? Did Jesus himself claim to be from Heaven or did fanatic followers create a myth through the centuries?

Well, we could speculate on those questions—like some have through the years. Or, we could simply allow Jesus to speak for himself. The writings of his closest disciples record the events and words of Jesus’ life. These “scriptures” were written shortly after Jesus’ death and were considered by the earliest Christians to be entirely trustworthy.

The closest of Jesus’ inner circle of friends was John. He spent every day of three and one-half years in the company of Jesus. He was with Him at the beginning of his public ministry and he was with him at the end. He recorded the following six claims—just as he heard them from Jesus’ lips. Whether you believe them or not, you will find these claims truly amazing.

Claim #1: God exists…and I am the only one who can lead you to him.

…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (1)

It seems to me that this statement would not make Jesus very popular in our modern world. He would most certainly be accused of intolerance towards the views and opinions of others. After all, who would be so bold and so brash as to declare that they own the market on truth—that they alone know the way to God?

The answer to that is: almost everybody. Every major religion of the world identifies itself by unique spiritual values and beliefs. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists are all distinguished by their distinctive doctrines. Even atheists are united around the idea that God does not exist.

Today, religion is like a huge choir of voices, each singing a distinctly different tune, while protesting that only they are on key. All of the voices, with their divergent doctrines and conflicting concepts cannot be correct. They represent opposing worldviews and radically different ideas. How can one pick a single voice of clarity out of this global choir of confusion?

On this point, Jesus has made the decision a little easier for us. He has stated his position in such a way that he must be true or false, right or wrong. He is either the Son of God, the single most significant person in all of history—or he is not. He left no room for middle ground. Jesus claimed that his voice is the only one in tune with God. Examine the exclusive nature of his claim:

There is only one way that leads to God— my way .
There is only one truth concerning God— my truth .
There is only one life that bridges heaven and earth— my life .

The authentic message of Jesus Christ does not mesh with any other competing religious view. In fact, it does not even jibe with all that is included in modern Christianity. According to Jesus, truth is not relative and all paths do not lead to God! Jesus taught that spiritual truth was absolute and exclusive. In fact, he declared that spiritual truth was absolutely and exclusively— HIS !

Of course, just because a man says it is so, doesn’t necessarily make it so. All of the voices in the choir insist that they can sing. The proof is in the performance. Performance is the one thing that sets the message of Jesus apart from every other religious voice in the crowd. For those willing to listen, He will provide compelling, tangible evidence that supports his claim of exclusivity. The performance of his life proves that there never has been, and never will be, a voice like that of Jesus Christ.

Claim #2: I am the Son of God…and my miracles prove it.

…Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. (2)

Claim #3: I will die…and then rise from the dead.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (8)

The greatest miracle associated with Jesus Christ concerns his own death and resurrection. In the verses cited above, Jesus prophesied that he would give his life for others and then rise from the dead. It is vital to recognize that he made this claim before it actually occurred! A man could conceivably exert some measure of control over his death, but what man ever had power to rise from the dead?

Those responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus considered his death an ordinary execution. In reality, a more extraordinary story was actually unfolding. Jesus’ death was part of a plan enacted by God before He created the world. (9) Jesus own words in the verses above hint at what he also stated in other places—he came to die.

The Old Testament Scripture is the Creator’s record of human history. Beginning with the story of the very first created couple, Adam and Eve, it tells of their rebellion and disobedience towards God. (10) The rest of Old Testament history reveals a tragic story of man’s unending sin and rebellion against God. Against this sad background, God initiated a system of mercy and forgiveness for his wayward creatures. A sacrificial system was enacted to “forgive” the sins of man. (11) These animal sacrifices were never intended to fully appease God’s anger over man’s sin. (12) They were merely symbols of a perfect sacrifice that God promised to one day provide. (13)

The New Testament tells the rest of God’s story. Sent from God, Jesus was God’s perfect and complete sacrifice for mankind’s sin problem. (14) By his death, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, accepted the punishment that mankind deserved. Then on the third day, according to prophecies (15) (including His own), Jesus Christ arose from the dead!

Though some through the ages have disputed the validity of the resurrection, one very important fact is indisputable. His own disciples, those that knew Him best, were absolutely convinced that Jesus arose from the dead! Their witness as recorded in the New Testament is unified and unshakable.

In fact, most of them died martyr’s deaths contending that their testimony was true. Why would rational men willingly die for what they did not believe? We are forced to conclude that their courage sprang from their conviction that Jesus Christ had indeed died for the sins of the world and then risen from the dead—just as he said he would!

Claim #4: Judgment Day is coming…and I am the judge.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (16)

Claim #5: Eternal life is available…and I alone dispense it

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. (20)

Of all of the claims of Jesus Christ, none is more practical or powerful than this—Jesus gives eternal life to those that follow him! This claim touches the very core of man’s deepest longing—immortality—life beyond the grave. Who doesn’t want to live forever? This immortality (the opposite of the eternal damnation that awaits the unrepentant sinner) is exactly what Jesus offers to those that He calls his “sheep.”

Notice how Jesus describes this eternal relationship that he shares with his followers. His sheep hear his voice. In other words, they recognize the unique claims and teachings of Jesus Christ. Of course, this infers what John has plainly stated in other places: they not only hear, but they believe! (21) This same concept is also hinted at by Jesus when he said that the sheep follow him. The true identity of Jesus’ sheep is revealed by their actions. Those that really hear…truly believe, and those that truly believe…follow after Jesus! Their simple faith in Jesus Christ produces a sincere desire to follow him.

Interjected between the sheep hearing and following, we find another important phrase that Jesus uttered: “I know them.” Jesus knows his sheep. As the Son of God, he understands the true nature and intent of every man’s heart. (22) He knows those that truly believe and follow him. In fact, he warned that He will turn many away on Judgment Day that mistakenly thought they knew him. (23)

When one knows Jesus and he knows them, they have his promise of eternal life. To make certain that we understand the scope of his promise, Jesus declares that his sheep will “never perish.” He goes on to explain that they are held forever safe in the dual grasp of Jesus and His Father. As long as God the Father and the Son exist, the sheep are safe and secure. That is indeed eternal life!

What would a man give for this eternal life? Jesus insinuated in his parable that the sincere person would gladly trade anything that he had for such a priceless possession. (24) What makes it so amazing is that this eternal life is a gift—the free gift of God. (25) There is nothing that we can do to earn it. Jesus Christ, by his death, has purchased the exclusive right to freely give eternal life to those that sincerely believe on him. This gift (or grace, as it is called in the Scriptures) comes not by our works , but by our genuine faith in Jesus Christ! (26)

Claim #6: I’m going to Heaven, but don’t worry…I’ll be back.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (27)

Jesus Christ promised to return to the earth someday! His disciples have been waiting more than two thousand years for the fulfillment of this promise. Even though the centuries have passed, true followers of Jesus Christ believe that He will soon return.

So, where is Jesus Christ? In his words above, Jesus stated that He was returning to his Father—literally, to His Father’s house. His disciples recorded that approximately 40 days after his resurrection; they watched Jesus ascend up into Heaven. At this advent, two angels also promised that Jesus would return to the earth in the same manner.28

What is Jesus doing now Heaven? According to his own testimony, Jesus revealed that he was going to prepare a place in his Father’s house for his followers. He encouraged his disciples to not be afraid or concerned by his absence, but to believe in him.

Why did Jesus promise to return? He promised to return to take his followers to heaven to be with him. Did you know that the Bible speaks of this “second coming” of Jesus much more frequently that it did of his first coming? The prophecies are as plain as Jesus own words. Jesus promised to return for his followers.

Although the return of Jesus offers great comfort and joy for some, it also spells disaster for many. The return of Jesus will set end-time events in motion that will ultimately lead to the destruction of the world and the judgment of mankind. For his disciples, Jesus’ return brings joy and eternal bliss. Sadly, for his enemies the return of Christ will bring everlasting judgment.29

Although many have ridiculed the return of Jesus through the years, the scripture itself answers the mocker. Peter predicted that Jesus’ return would be delayed (for perhaps thousands of years) so that the greatest possible number of people could repent of their sins and believe on Jesus.30 God, in his mercy, doesn’t delight in the destruction of his creatures. To the contrary, he wishes to rescue us through His Son, Jesus Christ. To that end, Jesus died for our sins and rose again. He has ascended to heaven to prepare a place for his followers. When everything is ready, he has promised to return to lead his disciples to their heavenly home.

Closing:

Unbelievable—some may say! Are these claims of Jesus Christ too fantastic to be true? Or, is God indeed reaching out to mankind through Jesus Christ? Consider once more these claims of Jesus Christ:

God exists…and I am the only one who can lead you to him.

I am the Son of God…and my miracles prove it.

I will die…and then rise from the dead.

Judgment Day is coming…and I am the judge.

Eternal life is available…and I alone dispense it.

I’m going to Heaven, but don’t worry…I’ll be back.

After witnessing the miraculous life, death and resurrection of Jesus, John gives us insight into why he wrote about Jesus. He wrote his gospel so that others would believe that Jesus is the Son of God and receive eternal life. 31 That is a message that John and the other disciples defended with their reputations and their lives.

If you can believe it, this great promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ extends through the ages…even to you. 32 With the overwhelming evidence—straight from Jesus’ words—will you not believe and receive God’s great gift? Jesus has promised to never turn away the sincere person who comes to him for mercy.33

Even now, as you read these words, do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you trust the testimony of the scripture and his disciples? Do you accept the good news that Jesus was sent to earth by the heavenly Father? Do you acknowledge that he died for your sins and arose from the dead? Do you admit that you must one day submit to his judgment? Will you flee to him for mercy and forgiveness, confessing your sins? Will you follow the Son of God?

Even while Jesus was here on earth, many who were curious (but never really his followers) began to abandon him. Jesus confronted his disciples with the question: “Will ye also go away?” Peter’s response revealed the attitude of his heart: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” 34

In other words, Peter stated what every true disciple believes: We believe that Jesus is the Son of God—there is no one else we could ever follow! Against the landscape of religious ideas, Jesus stands alone. He claims the title that no one before, or since, has so successfully defended—Son of God! Believe it—and live!

1John 14:6 (See also John 10:9 and Acts 4:12)

2John 10:36-38 (See also John 5:17, 18, 23; John 8:23; 14:10-11; 16:28)

3John 5:17-18

4Mark 4:35-41

5Matt. 4:23-25

6John 11:1-44

7John 20:30-31

8John 10:11, 17-18 (See also John 2:18-22 and John 3:14-17)

9Rev. 13:8

10Genesis 1-3

11Exodus 20:24

12Hebrews 10:4

13Isaiah 53:1-6

14Hebrews 10:1-18

15Psalms 16:8-11/Acts 2:24-32

16John 5:25-29

17John 11:41-44

18Acts 1:1-3

19Revelation 20:10-15

20John 10:27-30

21John 3:16; 5:24; 6:40-47; 8:30-32; 12:25-26; 16:27; 20:27-29

22John 2:24, 25

23Matthew 7:21-23

24Matthew 13:44-46

25John 4:10; Romans 5:15-17; 6:23

26Ephesians 2:8-10

Articles by Pastor Joseph Costa

Unfinished Business with God

Six Amazing Claims of Jesus Christ!

Claim #1: God exists…and I am the only one who can lead you to him.

…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (1)