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I’ve been retired for several years and studying God’s Word faithfully.  Over that time I’ve created a lot of letters and emails.  I’m going to memorialize those that I have by creating a series of blogs so they’re in the archives for future reference:

ETERNAL LIFE:

God’s commands are for our benefit and obedience is not onerous.  Our obedience ensures the fulfillment of God’s promises contained in His Word.  We know anything God speaks comes to pass because the Word is truth and God cannot lie.  We are truly blessed by God’s promises.  God promises resurrection, glory and eternal life in heaven as sons of the living God and royalty in heaven.  Nothing is better than that.

Rom. 8:11 – But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through  His Spirit who dwells in you.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 14:2 – 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.

1 John 3:1 – Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Matt. 13:43  – Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!     

Human beings are aware of being self-existent in a world perfectly suited for our survival.  Our logical minds tell us there are only two possible answers to why we’re here.  We are here because a loving God created us along with the universe and placed us here on this earth fully formed for His own purpose.  God made us with eternity in our hearts so we know there is a God and want to seek him out.  We feel it in out gut.  The second option is life started as one-cell organisms in our oceans that moved to land and evolved into numerous complex lifeforms, one of which is man.  The universe itself was also created by chance.  There is no soul, no spirit and this life is all there is.  This is the humanist world-view.

I know the first view to be the correct one.  The three sure signs of God are the universe, Jesus Christ and God’s Word, the Holy Bible.  Study and meditate on all three of these signs from God and you’ll come to the same conclusion I have.  I’ve always said it’s impossible to read God’s Word through twice without becoming a believer.  Prove me wrong!  Belief in an omnipotent God is logical.  It’s a leap too far to believe a one-cell organism can morph into a complex human being comprised of thirty trillion specialized cells organized into tissue, bio-systems and organs with a brain to match that is the greatest supercomputer in the universe.  The universe is not old enough for that to happen even if evolution were true.  In all of recorded human history there is not one documented case of any species having evolved.  The theory of evolution is just that, a theory!  It’s preposterous on its face but it’s believed by most people because the humanists control our education system and have crammed it down our throats to the point people are brainwashed into believing it.  Think for yourself!     

 

I’ve been in overdrive since I started blogging six days ago.  I’ve been studying God’s Word for years and emailing my family and friends about it.  I was blogging before I even knew what blogging was.  Now I have an outlet so I no longer have to fill up the inbox of my family and friends.  I’ve posted 26 blogs in six days which I consider the bedrock of my blog site.  The purpose of this site is to WITNESS FOR CHRIST and to encourage and exhort others to do the same.  Of course to witness you need to be knowledgeable about the Bible so we must all continually STUDY GOD’S WORD.  Witnessing and studying are two sides of the same coin and we should never cease doing both.  Since the crucifixion of Jesus God has continued to spread the gospel message to an unsaved world.

It started with the disciples of Jesus who traveled throughout the known world preaching the gospel of Christ.  The pagan world was ready for a personal God who cared for them.  Small group gatherings continued to grow and morphed into established churches with leaders preaching the good news.  Those who by faith accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior became known as Christians.  Missionaries have fanned out throughout the globe sharing God’s Word.  We have Christian writers, revivals and then evangelists preaching to worldwide audiences on radio and then television.   We have Christian television stations broadcasting continuously.  God takes advantage of new technology as it’s created in order to spread the gospel more effectively.

We find ourselves at this point in history where blogging is the latest innovation to reach an unsaved world with God’s salvation plan for man.  Everyone doesn’t go to an established church and blogging is also a way to connect the with the body of Christ for those of us who know the truth and want to discuss it in a safe forum.  I believe God has been preparing me to be a blogger all my life.  My talents and mindset lean in that direction.  The Holy Spirit has been pushing me in this direction for some time now I just didn’t know it.  God had a fellow believer come to me with the suggestion that I start a blog site.  I thought, “Of course, that’s the answer!”  All I know is I love it.  I need to blog like I need food and water.  I have a continual thirst for God’s Word and I feel compelled to share it and discuss it with anyone who’ll listen.  I need to reach out to my brothers and sisters in Christ regularly.

Q3 (cont’d).  Do you believe Jesus died on the cross so that your sins might be forgiven?

With the obvious proofs it’s not too hard to get someone to believe in God and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The hard part is convincing someone an omnipotent God knows them personally and cares deeply about them. Once that connection is made people can understand why God sent Jesus to redeem them. I always start with the best known verse in the bible:

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (GOD LOVES YOU)

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (ALL ARE SINNERS)

Jehovah is a loving God but also a just God. No sin can enter heaven and through Adam sin was imputed to all men. That doesn’t stop God from loving us, it just means our sin prevents us from having fellowship restored with our heavenly Father. We are separated from God by our sin.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (SINS MUST BE PAID FOR)

Because of God’s justice blood must be shed to remove the sins of man by a sacrifice without sin. Only God Himself met the criteria demanded by His justice for such a sacrifice.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us. (JESUS PAID OUR SIN DEBT)

God came off his throne and came to earth as Jesus to to live a sinless life and die a terrible death on the cross in our place. Jesus took our sins on Himself that we might have our sins forgiven and be righteous before the Lord because of what Jesus did for us.

Romans 10:9 – That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

You will hear no bells or whistles but you have the promise of God that you have eternal life in heaven with Jesus and God cannot lie. Your name goes in the book of life based on faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Q5. Do you believe God authored the Holy Bible and poured out his Holy Spirit on the earth to indwell believers?

2 Tim 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

Eze 36:27 – I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you will keep my judgements and do them.

Q6. Do you believe in a physical heaven where all Christians who die go to live with the Lord forever?

John 14:2-3 – In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am.

Q7. What assurance do you have that you are going to heaven?

Rom 10:9 – That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 14:6 – I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Q1. Do you know what would happen to you if you died tonight? (I quit using this approach as the lead question)

(Saved) 2 Cor 2:6 – To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord in heaven.

(Unsaved) Rev 21:8 – When you die without Jesus your spirit goes to hell and you’ll be in torment 24/7 for eternity.

Q2. Do you believe in the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost?

Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.

Q3. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross so that your sins might be forgiven?

This is what I focus on now and it will be covered more thoroughly in a later blog.

Q4. Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and later ascended to heaven where he sits at the right hand of God?

Matthew 28:5-7 – The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid,” for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him, Now I have told you .

Mark 16:19 – After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

I have always been a planner and a writer.  It’s my nature.  I realized during my study of God’s Word that witnessing for Christ was not optional but a command from God:

Proverbs 14:25 – A true witness delivers souls.

I set about writing a procedure, an outline, that I could study and follow.  I ended up with seven questions I could use to determine where a person was in their personal belief.  After each question I listed Scriptures answering each question.  I was like a hunter seeking prey.  I found out pretty quickly you put people off if you ask them directly if they’re a Christian (most people think they are) or if you ask them if they are saved (most people think they are).  If you asked someone what would happen to them if they died tonight the same thing happens.  These questions scare people.  Yet this is where most books on personal soul winning tell you to start. This approach didn’t work for me.  I had to come up with something better suited to my personality.  Instead of a hunter I’m more of a casual fisherman who is always trolling. 

When I talk to people now I get around to talking about my passion in retirement for witnessing for Christ and doing good works.  If you’re passionate about something it shows.  I don’t challenge anyone directly.  I just share what I’m about so everyone knows I’m available.  Another good way to start is telling someone “God has great plans for your life.”  Who wouldn’t want to hear more about that?  After all, everyone’s favorite topic is themselves.  There are people out there who want a personal witness about Christ.  They just don’t want to be assailed by someone who may be crazy.  We just need to make ourselves known as normal person who is sincere and available to them.  They’ll come to you.  When the unbeliever’s heart is ready for the gospel message the Holy Spirit will lead them to you.  It doesn’t matter whether we sow the gospel seed or reap the harvest.  All will be rewarded equally by God in due time.   

I have eight personal Bibles I’ve collected over the years.  My primary study Bible is the New King James Version (NKJV).  I couldn’t stand the thought of writing in my study Bibles so I bought an old Scofield Bible at Goodwill for $1 and I use that as my witness Bible.  I’ve written extensively on both inner and outer covers plus all the extra pages at the front and back.  I’ve tabbed the key verses most pastor’s use to witness for Christ.  In my witness Bible I also keep folded copies of the proofs of God I’ve mentioned in previous blogs.  I have the 23 physical proofs of God, the 6 proofs God authored the Bible, and the 36 Bible prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ confirming him as the Son of God.  I also have a written outline for witnessing for Jesus which I’ll cover in a later blog.

Getting back to my proofs, the physical proofs of God can be used to reach those who don’t believe in God at all.  If they can’t believe by faith in an invisible God who controls everything maybe they can see the logic in how our universe is fine tuned for life at every turn.  If someone believes in God but can’t accept the Holy Bible as God’s Word you can use the six proofs I’ve provided.  The evidence is undeniable.  Finally, if anyone finds it hard to believe that God would come to earth in human form and die a horrible death on the cross for us I have provided the written proof in the 36 fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah by the man Jesus Christ. 

Prophecy is simply history written in advance and God has done this to prove to us he is God and the Author of history.  Only Jehovah knows the end from the beginning.  Over 500 Bible prophecies have been fulfilled and all the other false religions of the world have exactly zero fulfilled prophecies.  Satan has done his best to lead people away from the truth and our job as witnesses to the truth is to gently point people in the right  direction.  Then it’s up to the Holy Spirit to convict people of their sin and save them unto eternal life.  Whether we reap or sow we are simply the messenger bringing the “good news” of the gospel of Christ Jesus to a fallen world.  The Lord commands us to work in his harvest and to do that we must first study God’s Word and then learn how to witness effectively.  Everyone needs a witness plan they are comfortable with.  Through trial and error you’ll find what works best for you.  The important thing is to begin!     

35. That he would be raised from the dead.

OT, Psalm 16:9-10 – Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

NT, Matthew 28:2-4 – There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him they shook and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:5-7 – The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.  Now I have told you.”

36.  That he would ascend.

OT, Psalm 24:7-8 – Lift up your heads, O you gates, be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in.  Who is this King of Glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

NT, Mark 16:19 – After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Luke 24:50-51 – When he had led them out of the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.  While he was blessing them, he left them, and was taken up into heaven.    

33. That he would be stared at in death.

OT, Zechariah 12:10 – And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

NT,  Matthew 27:36-37 – And sitting down they kept watch over him there.  Above his head they placed the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.

34.  That he would be buried with the rich.

OT, Isiah 53:9 – He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence.

NT, Matthew 27:57-60 – As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.  Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.  Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.  He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance and went away.