ONE BODY
I wish to start by stirring up your faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Archaeology
Archaeologist Joseph Free has said that "Archaeology has confirmed countless passages which had been rejected by critics as unhistorical or contrary to known facts." [1] Renowned Jewish archaeologist Nelson Gluek confidently said that "It...may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible." [2] Christian apologist Josh McDowell tells us that "After personally trying to shatter the historicity and validity of the Scriptures, I have come to the conclusion that they are historically trustworthy." [3]
1. Joseph Free, Archaeology and Bible History (Wheaton, Illionis: Scripture Press, 1969), p. 1.
2. Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert (New York: Farar, Straus and Cudahy, 1959), p. 136.
3. Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter (Wheaton, Illionois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1977), p. 57.
http://www.inplainsite.org/html/bible_historical_evidence.html
Science
Job 26:7 (KJV) He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
In this verse alone we have two scientific facts. First, the fact that the earth is not sitting on the back of Atlas or floating in ether like vapor; it was believed up until the early 1800’s that outer space was full of some form of gas.
He stretcheth out the north over the empty place,
It wasn’t until the 1970’s that astronomers found a gap in the northern hemisphere.
“The universe has a huge hole in it that dwarfs anything else of its kind. The discovery caught astronomers by surprise. The hole is nearly a billion light-years across. It is not a black hole, which is a small sphere of densely packed matter. Rather, this one is mostly devoid of stars, gas and other normal matter, and it's also strangely empty of the mysterious "dark matter" that permeates the cosmos. Other space voids have been found before, but nothing on this scale.”
Mitchell Waldrop, Delving the Hole in Space, Science Magazine, Nov. 27, 1981.
This is only a tiny fraction of the historical and scientific proof of God’s Word.
Not one archaeological find has refuted the Bible. Science has proven over and over that what God said thousands of years ago was true.
One body
Acts 1:9 - 11 (NKJV) 9Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 - 18 (NKJV) 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Jesus is coming back. There is no debating this. Those that try are just banging their heads against the wall.
The problem is -
He is not coming back for a bunch of bloody body parts fighting among themselves.
Jesus prayed for us. For you and me, He prayed that we would be one in brotherly love so that the world would believe that he is.
John 17:11 (KJV) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 17:20 - 23 (KJV) 20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
We have allowed satan to rob the spirit of unity and brotherly love from us.
We have failed the lover of our souls in this.
Because of our bickering among ourselves the world does not believe.
James 4:1 (NKJV) 1Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
Galatians 5:17 (RSV) For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.
Jesus is coming back for ONE BODY of believers.
If you can not live in peace with a true believer in Christ, then maybe you should check your own spiritual state. Are you one, that the Lord will say, “depart from me, I never knew you.”?
1 John 3:14 - 15 (RSV) 14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
A few years ago I was teaching on end time prophecy. I was going to churches and telling the pastors what I did to see if they would let me speak at their church. I went into a small church and met the senior pastor. He asked me what denomination I was and when I told him he said, “I have not decided yet whether you people are emotionally unstable or demon possessed. Either way I want you to get out of my church, NOW.” I feel sorry for him and his flock.
1 John 4:20 - 21 (KJV) 20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
God never called for denominationalism. He has always asked for unity.
that they may be one, as we are.
1 Corinthians 1:12 - 13 (NKJV) 12Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
We have allowed satan a great victory.
The basics of salvation are important and can never be compromised. The Lutherans, Presbyterian, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Jews for Jesus, Etc. Etc. Etc. all teach that the only way to heaven is through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 (NKJV) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only way to eternal salvation.
If we are in total agreement on what matters most, then we have to let God help us with the other areas of theology.
We have to be kind to one another.
We can debate on the unimportant things,
Proverbs 27:17 (RSV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
but we can not let these things cause us to curse one another.
I can assure you I have never cursed those ridiculously, emotionally unstable people. OH, did you hear the one about the Baptist, the Lutheran and the Pentecostal? 15Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. How ridicules to put my jokes about them on the same level as a murderer.
James 3:5 (RSV) So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
James 3:13 - 14 (NKJV) 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Matthew 12:35 - 37 (NKJV) 35A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The world does not see the peace and love of God in us, so why should they come to us and to the Lord through us?
Another problem hindering the non believer- So many people have gone to the alter and did the repeat after me thing, they spoke it with their mouth but have never believed in their heart. These people have been told they are going to heaven no matter how bad they act. This has also put a bad light on Christianity.
Rom 10:9-10 NKJV 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. :10 NKJV For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Again if they see no difference in us then why should they want what we have?
Jesus is coming back for one body of loving caring believers. Those that refuse to embrace a true brother or sister in the Lord will have a rude awakening, in hell.
But how can you tell a true Christ like person from a Judas, I mean even the disciples that lived with Judas didn’t realize he was a traitor.
John 13:35 (KJV) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Matthew 7:20 (KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Galatians 5:22 - 24 (KJV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
God said it-
1 John 3:15 (NKJV) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. God meant it.
Matthew 5:44 (KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
The choice is yours, where are you going to spend eternity?
