Question – Jesus, 6

~ Regarding Answers ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.  Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world.  I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.  Why do you ask Me?  Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them.  Indeed they know what I said.’  

And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, ‘Do You answer the high priest like that?’  Jesus answered him, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?’

Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest” (John 18:19-24). 

Comment  ~  Many times the questioner does not receive the answer they are expecting.  Many times the one being questioned does not know how to answer appropriately.  Fortunately, Christians have the Spirit of God ready and willing to assist us when answering difficult questions. 

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak . For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” (Matt 10:16-20). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Came To…, 9

~ Jesus Christ Came To Testify To The Truth  ~

Passage  ~  “Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’  Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’  Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew?  Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me.  What have You done?’  Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’  Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’  Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’  Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’  And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, ‘I find no fault in Him at all’” (John 18:33-38).

Significance  ~  Jesus not only came to present truth He is the truth!  “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’ (John 14:6).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Myth, 10

~ You Are Experiencing Problems Because of Your Sin ~

Introduction  ~  Many Christians believe and some leaders teach that Christian life is just one happy paradise on earth.  The Bible clearly teaches something else.  Others believe and some leaders teach that troubles in the Christian life are the direct result of sin in that person’s life.  Again the Bible does not teach that. 

Key Passages  ~  “You may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).  This verse alone clearly refutes both those beliefs outlined in our Introduction! 

But wait, there’s more!  Jesus told His followers:  “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b).  We can see that life’s problems come to both the believer and the unbeliever.  In fact, Christ assures His followers that they will have problems—but because of their faith they can be calm! 

Consider the Book of Job in the Old Testament which makes it clear that the tremendous suffering that Job experienced was not due to his sin. 

Consider also the New Testament account of the storm rising on the Sea of Galilee and the perplexed disciples—the presence of Christ did not keep the storm away (Matthew 8:23-27).

The Reality  ~  Storms will arise in the life of the Christian even if they are doing exactly what God wants them to do!

Application  ~  Learn to trust your Lord so strongly that when you are perplexed by the difficulties of life you run to His arms instead of away from Him.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).  Where are you today? Are you fully prepared for the difficulties of life?  When difficulties arrive will you maintain the perfect peace which only comes from God?  Is your trust so strong that when you are scared you have peace because you know your heavenly Father will take care of you? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .