Bible Bit:

Know the Truth – Going through the basics Christians believe so that we are better equipped to tell our friends about Jesus

 

1 – God is God
2 – God is the creator of all things
3 – Man was originally created to be in perfect relationship with God
4 – Man has rejected God and His rule
5 – Man’s punishment is death and judgment.
6 – God has got a rescue plan for people

7 – Jesus was my substitute

 

This week:

8 – Jesus smashed death to pieces

 

If you were asked ‘what is the greatest problem you face today’ I wonder what your answer would be?  My guess is that there would be loads of different answers, from injuries to exams and relationships, to plans and all in between.  What if someone asked you ‘what do you think is the greatest problem every single person on earth faces?’ What would your answer be?

Stop here and think this through – what is the biggest problem we face in life?  What is the issue that we all have to address – is it not death?

The greatest problem to mankind is death. For it comes to us all. There is no escaping it. There is no shirking it. It is the greatest problem!

 

We have a problem – who do you trust to fix it?

In a recent survey taken in an Australian college of 3,000 students 87% said the biggest problem they faced in life was their death. The next question on the survey asked:  What is your philosophy in life that fixes that problem?

Almost 100% said they didn’t have one!

 

That’s a remarkable thing isn’t it? – People know the problem yet are not prepared to look for an answer.

The Christian believes that they have an answer to the greatest problem the world faces.

Jesus Christ died a death in their place, he took their sin on his shoulders, he went on to take the punishment that we all deserve – death. Yet that surely isn’t the end of the story. Jesus rose from the dead. The grave could not hold him and he was made alive again. What news this is – Jesus Christ died for you and he also dealt with your punishment so that you will never have to die. He dealt with the punishment – smashing it to pieces so that it no longer is a threat to the Christian. For when the Christian dies they look forward to eternal life with the father in heaven with every other Christian believer!

 

For the resurrection is the bedrock and the very backbone of our faith. Paul states this case in the later letter of Corinthians:

 

1 Cor 15 v14,17

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…v17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins”

 

Such is the importance of Jesus rising from the dead.  If it didn’t happen we would not have a faith!

We all face the greatest problem in the world – the big question is: Who do you trust to fix it?

It reminds me of an old song we used to sing in church: ‘On Christ the solid rock I stand – all other ground is sinking sand’ - It’s so true!

 

Christ is risen and next week we’ll have a look at how he reigns!

 

Until Friday sporting dudes!!

Live out Christ and make a difference
!