‘NEW REVELATIONS’: BASIC CHRISTIANITY (CHRISTIANITY FOR “BEGINNERS and DUMMIES”)
Tags: Christianity, Jesus Christ, Jesus, faith, Alpha course, Alpha, Nicky Gumble
This extract is from/for a manuscript, which may be titled ‘New Revelations’ (which is “kinda writing itself”)
Introduction
And each day the devout “Prophet” diligently read his green-jacketed Bible and made notes. He also passed on his knowledge to his disciples, who visited him in his small flat, which was known as the “Church of Holy Truth and Wisdom” in the local community.
The “Prophet” was an excellent teacher, explaining the beliefs of Christianity simply to his frequent visitors. Though he had little money, he was a very generous man with a wonderful gift of hospitality bestowing tea, coffee and biscuits on all who called, many of them “lost souls” (the “ten percenters” as he called them), those poor people, who had lost meaning and direction in life)… and he got even better at his simple teachings to his friends, as the holy spirit filled him with even more clarity with the slow passing of the years.
Today our lesson is THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST, he quietly spoke, as he opened then thumbed through his well-worn holy Bible.
The “Prophet declared …
“Jesus said,
“I am the way, the truth and the life.”
- John 14:6
This truth is something that has to be experienced.
Christianity is NOT irrelevant in today’s world, as it transforms the whole of people’s lives.
What did Jesus say about himself?
Much of his teaching was centred on himself.
“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35)
“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25,26)
“I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14.6)
“My kingdom” (Luke 22:30)
“Come to me” (Matthew 11:28,29)
“Follow me – Receive God (Matthew 10:40)
“Welcome me – Welcome God’ (Mark 9:37)
“To have seen me is to have seen God” (John 14:9)
Claims our supreme love (Mathew 10:37, Luke 14,26)
Jesus’s Indirect Claims:
* To forgive sins (Mark 2:5)
* To judge the world (Mathew 25:31,32(
Jesus’s Direct Claims:
* Messiah (Mark 14:61,62)
* Son of God (Mark 14:61)
* God the Son
“before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58)
“My Lord and My God” (John 20:28)
claim to be God” (John 10:33)
“When someone follows Christ, they become a brand new person inside. They are not the same anymore. A new life has begun.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
The Word of God
We must not trust our feelings, which are changable and deceptive; but rely instead on God’s promises.
“I will come in.” (Revelation 3:20)
“I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)
“I give them eternal life.” (John 10:28)
Faith is taking God’s promises, then daring to believe them.
The Work of Jesus
We cannot earn God’s forgiveness; but Jesus Christ died on the cross, so that we may be reconciled to God.
God loves us and died to prove it (John 3:16)
The Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit transforms us from within.
The Spirit brings a deep, personal conviction that I am God’s child (Romans 8:15,16)
Does God Always Answer Prayer?
Matthew 7:7-11)
BUT…
Yes/no/wait
Use Common Sense
“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (2 Timothy 2:7)
“God’s promises of guidance were not given to save us the problem of thinking.”
- John Stott
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
The Holy Spirit
The promise of a ‘new thing’
“They will all know me.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
“I will put my Spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26,27)
“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28,29)
In the New Testament
With the coming of Jesus there is a great activity of the Spirit.
Jesus, the Spirit-filled man:
Jesus received power through the anointing of the Holy Spirit at his baptism (Luke 3:22, Luke 4:1, 14.18)
New birth (John 3:5-7)
The Spirit of God can come to people in many ways, yet the effect is the same – a new birth
Everyone is different (and has unique life experiences); so everyone “experiences” God in different ways.
‘Questions of Life’ and ‘A Life Worth Living’ by Nicky Gumble (Kingsway)
How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of my Life?
(Romans 12:1-21)
What Should We Do?
Break with the past
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” (v2)
In other words (those of JB Phillips): “Do not let the world around you sqeeze you into it’s mould.”
Make a new start, a bright new dawn
“Let God transform you inwardly by a new change.” (NEB)
Finally,
This changed (the Awakened Spirit) comes about through:
* love (sincere)
* enthusiasm (for God) and
* harmonious relationships
Sourced from Alpha Manual by Nicky Gumble (Publisher HTB Publications, which was based on the book ‘Questions of Life by Nicky Gumble’)
Changing the universe… for the better starts with YOU!
Shared by craig
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God , to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
About the Submitter
Craig believes in the great potential of every human being
in the journey of life and loves to encourage people to
share their individual spirits, so that they become all
that they are CAPABLE of being.
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Let the light of God shine brightly on your path up ahead
Tags: Alpha, Alpha course, Christianity, faith, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nicky Gumble
