Which Among The Many Is The True Denomination?
A man in a dream found himself at the gates of hell. He knocked and inquired as to who were inside:
* "Are there Baptists in here?" he asked. "Yes" was the answer.
* "Are there any from the Born Again group?" he asked again. "Yes, we have some of them here." came the answer.
* "What about Methodists?" Again, the answer was "Yes."
* "How about Roman Catholics?" he curiously asked. "Yes, we have them too," was the reply.
As he continued asking, he realized that there are people in hell coming from all denominations. He walked away perturbed, puzzled and perplexed. When he found himself in heaven, he asked the angel standing at the gate:
"When I went to hell, I discovered that there are people there coming from all denominations. I am in distress because I belong to one of them. Which then, among the many, is the true denomination in order for one to go to heaven?"
The angel replied: "You are greatly mistaken! Going to heaven and being with God and enjoying Him forever is not a matter of which denomination you belong to. It is what you do with His Son whom He sent as the Savior of sinners. Have you trusted in Him or not? That's the issue. That's the question."
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET #259
NBA Championship
NBA basketball has reached fever pitch these days now that the NBA Finals is on. The first team to win four games merits the trophy.
The Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy is only awarded to the team that deserves it. Only the hungrier, more talented team that works hard for it will earn the prestigious and coveted NBA title.
Many people think that obtaining salvation from God is like winning an NBA title. They think that a sinner must work hard for it. That he must earn it in order to get it.
But thank God, He does not give salvation and eternal life this way. If God decided to grant eternal life as an award, none of us can bag it. God demands a perfect field goal percentage in order for one to get it.
In His mercy and grace, He decided to give salvation not as a trophy to be won but as a gift to be received freely: "...the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
NBA basketball has reached fever pitch these days now that the NBA Finals is on. The first team to win four games merits the trophy.
The Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy is only awarded to the team that deserves it. Only the hungrier, more talented team that works hard for it will earn the prestigious and coveted NBA title.
Many people think that obtaining salvation from God is like winning an NBA title. They think that a sinner must work hard for it. That he must earn it in order to get it.
But thank God, He does not give salvation and eternal life this way. If God decided to grant eternal life as an award, none of us can bag it. God demands a perfect field goal percentage in order for one to get it.
In His mercy and grace, He decided to give salvation not as a trophy to be won but as a gift to be received freely: "...the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET#258
Salvation Principles Taken From Events In Life
Clair scanned the small secluded bathroom he was accidentally confined in. The door just refuses to open.
His hands were clammy and a trickle of cold sweat can be seen on his forehead. His heart raced and skipped a beat. The walls around him seemed to close in on him as he struggled to catch his breath.
Trapped, alone, isolated and helpless he frantically called out for help but no one could hear his cries as it was drowned by the deafening noise outside. A band was playing, filling the place with war music.
His efforts to extricate himself were to no avail. He could not do anything at all. The situation was beyond him. Forever went by and then help finally came. But one by one, they proved to be no match to the situation. They were all not equal to it. He was still tightly shut in and jammed as he was.
Deliverance only came when a carpenter was called in who skillfully undid the door knob.
What we have here is nothing less than a picture of salvation. Man as a sinner is jammed and shut in by sin. He could never free himself from the penalty, power and presence of sin. He is totally helpless.
Man-made helps like religion, morality and other self-help schemes could never pull him out. Deliverance could only come from the Carpenter from Nazareth, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He alone who can undo sin and who can successfully pull you out from the spiritual rot and detention you are in.
Clair scanned the small secluded bathroom he was accidentally confined in. The door just refuses to open.
His hands were clammy and a trickle of cold sweat can be seen on his forehead. His heart raced and skipped a beat. The walls around him seemed to close in on him as he struggled to catch his breath.
Trapped, alone, isolated and helpless he frantically called out for help but no one could hear his cries as it was drowned by the deafening noise outside. A band was playing, filling the place with war music.
His efforts to extricate himself were to no avail. He could not do anything at all. The situation was beyond him. Forever went by and then help finally came. But one by one, they proved to be no match to the situation. They were all not equal to it. He was still tightly shut in and jammed as he was.
Deliverance only came when a carpenter was called in who skillfully undid the door knob.
What we have here is nothing less than a picture of salvation. Man as a sinner is jammed and shut in by sin. He could never free himself from the penalty, power and presence of sin. He is totally helpless.
Man-made helps like religion, morality and other self-help schemes could never pull him out. Deliverance could only come from the Carpenter from Nazareth, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He alone who can undo sin and who can successfully pull you out from the spiritual rot and detention you are in.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET #257
Father's Day
The Fatherhood of God is a thing that has been misunderstood by many. In a ***CREATOR---CREATURE*** sense, we are all His children. God was the one who created us, He is the source of our existence and so in that sense, He is our Father and we are His children.
AC 17:28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
However, not everyone is a child of God in a ***SPIRITUAL REDEMPTIVE*** sense. In a spiritual redemptive sense, only those who have received the Savior by trusting in Him are God's children.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
When Gal. 3:26 says: "...YOU are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus", the writer did not mean automatically you and me. The pronoun "you" refers to people in a place called Galatia long ago who trusted in the Savior alone for salvation.
The apostle John is very clear: "as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe/trust in His name."
This Father's day, is God your Father? Have you trusted in the Savior alone for salvation?
The Fatherhood of God is a thing that has been misunderstood by many. In a ***CREATOR---CREATURE*** sense, we are all His children. God was the one who created us, He is the source of our existence and so in that sense, He is our Father and we are His children.
AC 17:28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
However, not everyone is a child of God in a ***SPIRITUAL REDEMPTIVE*** sense. In a spiritual redemptive sense, only those who have received the Savior by trusting in Him are God's children.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
When Gal. 3:26 says: "...YOU are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus", the writer did not mean automatically you and me. The pronoun "you" refers to people in a place called Galatia long ago who trusted in the Savior alone for salvation.
The apostle John is very clear: "as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe/trust in His name."
This Father's day, is God your Father? Have you trusted in the Savior alone for salvation?
Thursday, June 13, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET #256
Independence Day
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE INDEED”
Many people living in this free country are under bondage. They are under the bondage of lust, selfish ambition, pride and many other sinful attitudes.
When Master Lust says: "Go and do this!" They find themselves unable to resists him. They go and do his bidding.
When Master Selfish Ambition says: "Go and aim for this!" Off they go and chart their lives after his wishes.
When Master Pride says: "Go and exalt and promote yourself!" They go and seek great things for themSELVES!"
Countless other masters have enslaved many of us here. At the end of the day, these slaves find themselves hurt, devastated and bewildered. They have pierced themselves with many sorrows with the consequences of their slavery to Master Sin.
Do you want to be freed from the slavery of sin? Come to Christ, The Emancipator!
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE INDEED”
Many people living in this free country are under bondage. They are under the bondage of lust, selfish ambition, pride and many other sinful attitudes.
When Master Lust says: "Go and do this!" They find themselves unable to resists him. They go and do his bidding.
When Master Selfish Ambition says: "Go and aim for this!" Off they go and chart their lives after his wishes.
When Master Pride says: "Go and exalt and promote yourself!" They go and seek great things for themSELVES!"
Countless other masters have enslaved many of us here. At the end of the day, these slaves find themselves hurt, devastated and bewildered. They have pierced themselves with many sorrows with the consequences of their slavery to Master Sin.
Do you want to be freed from the slavery of sin? Come to Christ, The Emancipator!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET # 255
The Worst Kind Of Death
Many people say "Strangulation! To die from strangulation is a terrible way to die. Can you imagine dying by being choked?"
Others say "Decapitation! To have your head chopped off from you is the worst of all deaths."
Still others say "Incineration! To be burned alive is the worst of all deaths."
Some say "Deterioration! To have your body eaten up bit by bit by a disease is a very painful death."
But none of these can qualify as the worst kind of death. In the Bible, the worst kind of death is to die without a Savior. Imagine facing God with all your sins and spending eternity away from Him in hell forever and ever?!!? That would be like strangulation, decapitation, incineration, deterioration and more all in one! That's the worst kind of death!
My friend, you can avoid dying the worst kind of death by having the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Trust in Him alone for salvation!
Many people say "Strangulation! To die from strangulation is a terrible way to die. Can you imagine dying by being choked?"
Others say "Decapitation! To have your head chopped off from you is the worst of all deaths."
Still others say "Incineration! To be burned alive is the worst of all deaths."
Some say "Deterioration! To have your body eaten up bit by bit by a disease is a very painful death."
But none of these can qualify as the worst kind of death. In the Bible, the worst kind of death is to die without a Savior. Imagine facing God with all your sins and spending eternity away from Him in hell forever and ever?!!? That would be like strangulation, decapitation, incineration, deterioration and more all in one! That's the worst kind of death!
My friend, you can avoid dying the worst kind of death by having the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Trust in Him alone for salvation!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET #254
Pay Attention Or Pay The Price
(The Danger Of Ignoring God's Warnings)
A young man took a hike with loud rock music blasting in his ears, while, at the same time, reading a comic book in his hands.
His attention was so riveted to what he was reading and listening that he was totally oblivious to the frantic shouts of people around and the blare of the oncoming train's horns, all warning him of the danger he was in.
He did not pay attention. And his inattention cost him his life.
In the same way, many people are so engrossed with the passing and trivial things of this world, without paying attention to God's warnings of a coming judgment through gospel tracts, radio messages, Facebook messages, concerned Christian classmate or co-worker or friend who told about them about the wrath to come.
How about you my friend? Are you so absorbed with the fleeting things of this world that they blind your eyes and deafen your ears to the danger which is rapidly approaching?
"Flee from the wrath to come" (Mat. 3:7) and run and hide and take refuge in the Rock of salvation, the Savior, Jesus Christ.
(The Danger Of Ignoring God's Warnings)
A young man took a hike with loud rock music blasting in his ears, while, at the same time, reading a comic book in his hands.
His attention was so riveted to what he was reading and listening that he was totally oblivious to the frantic shouts of people around and the blare of the oncoming train's horns, all warning him of the danger he was in.
He did not pay attention. And his inattention cost him his life.
In the same way, many people are so engrossed with the passing and trivial things of this world, without paying attention to God's warnings of a coming judgment through gospel tracts, radio messages, Facebook messages, concerned Christian classmate or co-worker or friend who told about them about the wrath to come.
How about you my friend? Are you so absorbed with the fleeting things of this world that they blind your eyes and deafen your ears to the danger which is rapidly approaching?
"Flee from the wrath to come" (Mat. 3:7) and run and hide and take refuge in the Rock of salvation, the Savior, Jesus Christ.
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