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excerpt from “Unveiled at Last” by Bob Sjogren

As high schoolers, we were thrilled the moment our year-books finally arrived. Yet (let’s be honest) none of us looked for the principal’s picture, and few searched out our best friend or sweetheart. We went for “good ol’ number one”: we wanted to see ourselves.

Little has changed. Over and again, as we “study” the Bible, we are really looking out for ourselves. Sure, we sing to God and talk a lot about Him. We talk about God and His power made manifest in our lives, but soon we draw our attention inward. We pray for a good parking spot at a local restaurant. We love ourselves, and are really thankful that we can devote some of our time to a God who loves us even more.

Unfortunately, what we’ve really done is written ourselves in as the main characters, the protagonist of God’s Word. Something’s got to change! If we confess Christ as Lord, His lordship must be increasingly evident in every aspect of our lives.

“Why did Jesus Christ come to the earth?” Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, the answer is “to die for man’s sin.” A correct answer, but notice how man-centered that answer is! It revolves around what humans get out of it, not what God gets.

To fully understand the Scriptures, we must see God as the main character. Dying for man’s sin wasn’t Christ’s ultimate purpose, for Jesus is quoted as saying that He came to glorify the Father, and that we in turn should follow His example and give our lives to the task of bringing glory to God.

Jesus Christ directed His attention to what God received out of His actions, not primarily to what people received. It was Jesus who turned the attention of the woman at the well away from people and where they’d worship, and directed it toward God and what He was seeking: worshipers.Worship goes beyond singing praise songs; it becomes a lifestyle continually pointing upward, honoring the God of the universe. Remember, He always has been, and still is, the main character.

Hence, we must ask ourselves the questions: “What does God get out my life as I surrender to Him? What did God get out of saving me?
How can I please God by glorifying Him and directing my energies toward Him?”

by Jimmy Williams

As we’re considering how we as Christians can have an impact on our increasingly fragmented society, we need to keep in mind that many do not share our Christian view of the world, and some are openly hostile to it. Some very important principles to keep in mind if we want to be effective in seeing others come to know Christ through our individual witness.

1. GO TO PEOPLE

The heart of evangelism is Christians taking the initiative to actually go out and “fish for men.” Acts 17:17 describes how Paul was effective in his day and time: “He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the gentile worshippers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.”

2. COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE

Engage them. Sharing the Gospel involves communication. People must be focused upon and then understand the Gospel to respond to it. It is our responsibility as Christians to make it as clear as possible for all who will listen. “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11).

3. RELATE TO PEOPLE

Effective witness involves not only the transmission of biblical information; it also includes establishing a relationship with the other person. Hearts, as well as heads, must meet. “So, affectionately longing for you,” said Paul to the Thessalonians, “we were well pleased to import to you not only the good news of God, but also our own lives, because you have become dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8).

4. REMOVE BARRIERS

Part of our responsibility involves having the skills to eliminate obstacles, real or imagined, which keep an individual from taking the Christian message seriously. When God sent the prophet Jeremiah forth, He said, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth . . . and I have ordained you to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Sometimes our task as well is one of “spiritual demolition,” of removing the false so the seeds of truth can take root.

5. EXPLAIN THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS

We need an army of Christians today who can consistently and clearly present the message to as many people as possible. Luke says of Lydia, “The Lord opened her heart so that she heeded the things which were spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14). Four essential elements in sharing the gospel:
- someone talking (Paul)
- things spoken (gospel)
- someone listening (Lydia)
- the Lord opening the heart.

6. INVITE OTHERS TO RECEIVE CHRIST

We can be clear of presentation, but ineffective because we fail to give someone the opportunity and encouragement to take that first major step of faith. “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we beg you in Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

7. MAKE EVERY EFFORT BY EVERY MEANS TO ESTABLISH THEM IN FAITH

Stay with them, ground them in the Scripture, help them gain assurance of their salvation, and get them active in a vital fellowship/church.

How to answer the tough questions. By Rusty Wright

Hurting people everywhere need God. Many are open to considering Him, but they often have questions they want answered before they are willing to accept Christ. How then do you deal with these questions? Here are some short responses that might be useful.

Why is there evil and suffering?

God, though sovereign, gave people freedom to follow Him or to disobey Him. This response does not answer all concerns (because He sometimes does intervene to thwart evil) but suggests that the problem of evil is not as great an intellectual obstacle to belief as some imagine.
Pain’s emotional barrier to belief, however, remains formidable. Jesus understands suffering. He was scorned, beaten, and cruelly executed, carrying the guilt of our rebellion against God (Is. 53:10). In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection I have seen enough to trust him when he says he “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28).

What about all the contradictions in the Bible?

Time and again, supposed biblical problems fade in light of logic, history, and archaeology. The Bible’s track record under scrutiny argues
for its trustworthiness. An example: omission does not necessarily create contradiction. Luke, for example, writes of two angels at Jesus’ tomb after the Resurrection. Matthew mentions “an angel”. Is this a contradiction? If Matthew stated that only one angel was present, the accounts would be dissonant. As it stands, they can be harmonized.

What about those who never hear of Jesus?

God’s perfect love and justice far exceed our own. Whatever He decides will be loving and fair. A friend once told me that many asking this question seek a personal loophole, a way so they won’t need to believe in Christ. C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity wrote, “If you are worried about the people outside [of Christianity], the most unreasonable thing you can do is to remain outside yourself.”

How can Jesus be the only way to God?

He claimed it. His plan of rescuing humans (“by grace … through faith … not … works,” Eph. 2:8-9) was distinct from those requiring works, as many other religions do. These two kinds of systems were mutually exclusive. Both could be false or either could be true, but both could not
be true. Was Jesus’ plan true? Historical evidence for his resurrection, fulfilled prophecy and deity, and for the reliability of the New Testament,
convinced me I could trust his words.

Isn’t Christianity just a psychological crutch?

Bob Prall has often said, “If Christianity is a psychological crutch, then Jesus Christ came because there was an epidemic of broken legs.” Christianity claims to meet real human needs such as those for forgiveness, love, identity, and self-acceptance. We might describe Jesus not as
a crutch but an iron lung, essential for life itself. Christian faith and its benefits can be described in psychological terms, but that does not negate
its validity. Evidence supports Christianity’s truthfulness, so we would expect it to work in individual lives, as millions attest.

I could never take the blind leap of faith that believing in Christ requires.

We exercise faith every day. Few of us understand everything about electricity or aerodynamics, but we have evidence of their validity. Whenever we use electric lights or airplanes, we exercise faith—not blind faith, but faith based on evidence. Christians act similarly. The evidence for Jesus is compelling, so one can trust him on that basis.

It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.

A person could be sincere in what he believed, but be sincerely wrong. In the 1960s, many women took the drug thalidomide sincerely believing it would ease their pregnancies—never suspecting it could cause severe birth defects. Ultimately, faith is only as valid as its object. Jesus demonstrated by His life, death, and resurrection that he is a worthy object for faith. Your questioners may be turned off because
many Christians haven’t acted like Jesus. Maybe they’re angry at God because of personal illness, a broken relationship, a loved one’s death, or
personal pain. Ask God for patience and love as you follow Peter’s admonition: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

by A.C. Dixon | Submited by Marini

“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” - Psalm 119:25

“I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.” - Psalm 119:107

“Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.” – Psalm 119:154

A true revival is a quickening (or reviving) according to God’s Word, not according to some
man’s magnetism or eccentricity.

We need revival because we need more from God. David already had life; what he wished for was life more abundant. We have love for God and men; what we need is more of the same quality. Or maybe, like the Psalmist above, your soul feels like cleaving unto the dust, or you feel afflicted and in need deliverance. If so, you need revival!

We must pray for it: “Quicken thou me according to thy word.” It is good to pray for the pastor, for the church and for the world, but it is better to begin by praying for one’s self.

“Quicken me.” It is a personal prayer, as all quickening must be an individual happening, just like the tongues of flame at Pentecost sat not upon the crowd but “upon each of them.” A revival that comes in answer to prayer is God-given, the only kind worth having. A revival produced by a series of mechanics, whether
of song or invitation or eccentricity, can be destroyed by an opposite course of mechanics.

It is simply a battle of force with force, with which God has nothing to do. The revival which we call the Reformation was born in prayer. Pentecost was preceded by 10 days of supplication and prayer. Oh, for Elijah
who can break up the spiritual drought by praying rain out of the skies!

What we need for quickening is not so much money and wisdom as the spirit of supplication. We need not riches nor honor nor position to have the ear of the King, but the weakest may be made powerful by the mere quickening of the Spirit.

If you cannot pray, then try David’s petition: “Quicken Thou me, and I will call upon Thy name.” Pray for the grace to pray; pray for the spirit of prayer; and the God of all mercy and grace will show forth His power.

By: Noreen Tjindra

Praying has always been one of the powerful tools to get connected with God. You can do it at any time of the day wherever you are; while driving, cooking, waiting for the bus, etc. Even a simple but fervent prayer is pleasant to His ears (Proverbs 15:8). All He needs is for you to open your heart, invite Him in and let Him know your heart’s desire. Just as it is written in Matthew 7:7-11,”Ask and it will be given to you …. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? …. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.”

In 1 Chronicles 4:10, “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain. And God granted his request.”

Imagine that. His name is Jabez and it means “he causes pain”. Jabez had nothing but one thing that many of us do not have. It is the keen heart to seek counsel in God through fervent prayer with boldness and 100% total reliance on Him.

Apparently, many of us have taken praying as a routine of being a Christian. Many of us have also distant ourselves from Him, thinking that being faithful is taking too much of ourselves; it gets exhausting. But I urge you to be people of prayer and to make God the centre of your life. Proverbs 16:3 states “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” It is so important that we keep ourselves close to
Him and build a relationship with Him. Draw near to Him until He is our 101% and we are 0%.

The prayer of Jabez also reminds us of our struggles as faithful Christian. Broken as we are, it is never too late to humbly come to God and invite Him into your life. Let Him break, shake and mold you into how He wants you to be. Maybe, there are certain areas in your life that you want to change or that you have
anxieties about. Lift them up to God through prayer (Philippians 4:6). Do not be anxious but just wait patiently upon Him, and the peace of God, which goes beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen!

By: Rachmat Hartojo

This few weeks have been hectic in my work place. There are so many datelines that we need to chase, events that we need to plan and execute and not forgetting MBA class on Monday night and two online class. “HELP!!!!!”

But praise GOD that I am still able to work and do all those things today. There are many times in our lives that our work, studies, relationship and family seem to “eat us alive” without us realizing it. Our time
and energy unknowingly are being consumed by our daily busyness and as the result our relationship and time with JC are taken away. But this month theme for our church is “Centrality of the Cross” reminds me that Jesus Christ is the Center of our lives. HIS sacrifice on the cross becomes our STRENGTH and HOPE for us to live our lives fully according to HIS will. AMEN? AMEN!!

The centrality of the cross is actually the starting where you are able to live FREE. And there are three points that I want our beloved readers to remember about the centrality of the cross: KNOW, REMEMBER and LIVE IT.

“KNOW”: If you have not gotten the chance to know and to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you should check him out. In my opinion, He is the coolest guy, the most faithful friend and most importantly He loves you more than your family, friends and spouses. When you know Him, you will be brought to the cross and understand what He has done for you 2000 years ago (John 3: 16). For those of you who have received Jesus Christ as your savior, I encourage you to KNOW our savior even deeper, appreciate the cross more and KNOW what power and authority you get by being the Children of GOD. Amen? Amen!!

“REMEMBER”: Three weeks ago we just had our Easter celebration. For those of us that feel and experience problems, sickness, distressed, confusions, etc, you always need to REMEMBER that GOD has paid for all of those negative stuffs. There are many times in my life where the “tornado of life” is hitting me. But when
I REMEMBER what GOD has done for me in the cross, I was being encouraged. That is because this world full of sins, there is one person that still love me, care for me, be by my side and answer my prayer, and that’s
when I can start to slow down my thoughts, kneel and pray. REMEMBER-ing is important. It helps you not to see life from the world’s perspective but from GOD’s point of view.

Last but not least, “LIVE IT”. LIVE your life based on what you KNOW and BELIEVE. If you know that your GOD loves you so much by dying on the cross to pay for your sins, you need to believe and LIVE your life like a person that is FREE. Don’t let any bad habits tie you down anymore, don’t let bitterness or hatred eat your heart. You need to let it go. You need to forgive. In Galatians 5:22-26, it says : But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Let us live our LIVE like someone that has been FREED! Amen? AMEN!

In conclusion, the centrality of the cross is in essence when Jesus is everything. Everything because He is my SAVIOR, He is my FRIEND, He is my FATHER, He is the one that LOVES me, He is my HEALER, He is my PROVIDER, He is EVERYTHING! So, live your life FULLY because when JC is with you who would be
against you? (Romans 8:31) AMEN!!!

original by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, submitted by Simon Prasetyo

“Raised from the dead? Sure. Right.” Thomas responded so to the news of Jesus’ resurrection. He was only convinced when Jesus appeared to him, reached out his hands and said, “Put your finger here.”

Others who did not have that privilege were not as easily convinced. It was a mere self-hypnosis, they argued. The disciples wanted to believe that their Lord was not dead; thus, they invented a resurrection story.

Really? Let’s look at some of the evidence:

1. Jesus’ body was missing. If the Jews found Jesus’ body, they could have silenced the news of Jesus’ resurrection that spread throughout Jerusalem. But they could not.
2. The body wasn’t stolen. The Romans had no motive. The Jews had no motive. Ah-ha, you say, the disciples stole it. Could it be possible? Which brings me to my third point.
3. If the disciples had stolen the body, you wouldn’t expect them to risk their lives. People don’t die for what they know is not true. But nearly all of the disciples ended up being martyred for their faith. They certainly believed it.
4. The church mushroomed size in Jerusalem, the very place he was crucified. Followers of Jesus in Jerusalem grew from a few dozen to thousands soon after Jesus’ resurrection. They believed it was true.
5. Contemporary documents refer to the event. Thallus the Samaritan, Suetonius, Tacitus, Pliny contain references to Jesus. Jewish historian Josephus writes about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

In conclusion, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is actually more plausible than any other explanation. And since Jesus is not dead, people can encounter him today! You can know him through a personal relationship. Many can testify that Jesus has delivered them out of disaster to peace, meaning and joy. He changes people for good!

IT’S EMPTY! Original story by Harry Pritchett, Jr. submitted by Theresia Seniawati

A little boy named Philip was born with Down syndrome. He faithfully attended his third-grade Sunday School each week, but the other children didn’t go along with him well, because he was different than the rest of them.
The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in colorful plastic egg-shaped containers – one for each child – for an assignment. The children were told to go outside, find symbols of new life, and put them in their egg-shaped containers. So they ran wildly all around the church grounds, gathering their symbols, and eagerly returned to the classroom, excited to share their findings.

The teacher opened one egg, and there was a flower, and they oohed and aahed. She opened another, and there was a little butterfly. “Beautiful,” the girls all said. The teacher opened another, and there was a rock. Tommy, one of the kid in the Sunday School, laughed and said, “I brought a rock, because Jesus is the rock!” The teacher told Tommy, that was very good.

Finally, it got to Phillip’s turn. He came up, opened his egg, and it was empty! The other kids laughed at him and exclaimed, “That’s stupid!” “He didn’t do it right!” “He doesn’t understand!”

The teacher asked Phillip why didn’t he bring anything in his egg? With his lips quivering, and a few tears in his eyes, Phillip said….”My egg is empty because Jesus’ tomb is empty.”

The whole class hushed. The teacher cried a bit. Everyone was ashamed. Little Phillip had understood it right. Jesus’ empty tomb is indeed, more than anything, a symbol of new life for those who believe Him. As we celebrate the centrality of the cross this month, let’s not forget to remember the empty tomb. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth … through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

PRAYER CHALLENGE:

Praise God that you serve a risen Savior! Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for defeating death so that you and I may experience eternal life with Him one day.

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

I don’t belong here. I really don’t. Paradise is the last place I expected to end up. I got here because of an amazing grace. Let me tell you my story …

I am — I was — an armed robber. Me and the others lived in caves in the Judean hills and made our living by violence. I met Jesus when I got invited to a party at Zacchaeus house. Jesus looked at me with a kind eye and smiled. “You know,” He said, “there’s forgiveness for you in my
Kingdom. How about it?” But I shufed away. I wanted to take His offer, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

It wasn’t much later that Jake and I got caught by the Roman patrol. And on the same day that they crucied Jesus, they cruciied us by His side. The Pharisees were mocking Jesus, and Jake began cat-calling, too. I yelled over at him, “Show a little decency! We’re getting exactly what we deserve, but he ain’t done nothing wrong!”

Then I remembered the day I met Jesus at Zacchaeus’ house. I couldn’t forget Jesus’ eyes, his words, his invitation. So I called over to him, “Jesus! I met you at a party at Zacchaeus’ house. Remember?”

He looked at me and nodded His head just a little. He remembered. He was in bad shape — exhausted, in excruciating pain, breath labored. But somehow despite all that I could see that He was the Messiah. “I never forgot what you said. I wanted to say yes at that time, but just couldn’t.” I could see that He is the Messiah. And when He died, He would be with God. I could see that He
would reign in that Kingdom He told us about! “Jesus,” I asked, “When you come into your Kingdom, would you remember me?” His reply was very labored, “Truly, I say to you….” His voice cracked, then got stronger. “Truly, this very day you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Then, He faded quickly. But I believed him. I did! That was what got me through the next few hours until I died. I believed Him!

And then I found myself here in heaven with Him. I sure know that I don’t deserve to be here, but here I am anyway. I guess that’s what a man like me gets when the King himself grants a pardon. Full forgiveness … Amazing grace.

By Mary Fairchild

This incredibly important question involves a matter central to Christianity, yet effectively answering it is often difficult for Christians. We will take a careful look at the question and lay out the answers offered in Scripture.

However, before we answer the question, “Why did Jesus have to die?” it’s also important to understand that Jesus clearly understood his mission on earth involved laying down his life as a sacrifice. In other words, Jesus knew it was His Father’s will for him to die.

He proves his foreknowledge and understanding of his death in these passages from Scripture:

Mark 8:31 says.”… the Son of Man, would suffer many terrible things…He would be killed, and three days later he would rise again. (NLT) (See also Mark 9:31)

Mark 10:32-34 says,”… the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans…” (NLT)

Mark 10: 38 says,”… Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? …” (NLT)

Mark 10:43-45 says,”… the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” (NLT)

Mark 14:22-25 says,”… This is my blood, poured out for many, sealing the covenant between God and his people…” (NLT)

John 10:17-18 says,”…No one takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. ..” (NKJV)

This last verse also explains why it is pointless to blame the Jews or the Romans—or anyone else, for that matter, for “killing” Jesus. Jesus, having the power to “lay it down” or “take it again,” freely gave up his life. It truly doesn’t matter then, who “killed” Jesus. The ones who nailed the nails only helped carry out the destiny he came to fulfill by laying down his life on the cross.

Now, on to answering the question, “Why did Jesus have to die?”

God is Holy

Though God is all merciful, all powerful and all forgiving, God is also holy, righteous and just.

Isaiah 5:16 says,”… The holiness of God is displayed by his righteousness.” (NLT)

Sin and Holiness are Incompatible

Sin entered the world through one man’s disobedience - Adam, and now all of us are born into this “sin nature.”

Romans 5:12 says, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race…” (NLT)

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (NLT)

Sin Separates Us from God

Isaiah 35:8 says,”And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. (NIV)

Isaiah 59:2 says,”But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (NIV)

Sin’s Punishment is Eternal Death

God’s holiness and justice demand that sin and rebellion be punished. The only penalty or payment for sin is eternal death.

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB)

Romans 5:21 says, “so just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT)

Atoning Sacrifice

Our death is not sufficient to atone for sin because atonement requires a perfect, spotless sacrifice, offered in just the right way. Jesus, the one perfect God-man, came to offer the pure, complete and everlasting sacrifice to remove, atone, and make eternal payment for our sin.

1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life…He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (NLT)

Hebrews 2:14-17 Says,”…Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death…For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way…”(NIV)

Only Through Jesus Christ

Only through Jesus Christ can our sins be forgiven, thus restoring our relationship with God and removing the separation caused by sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says,” God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)

The Messiah - Savior

The suffering and the glory of the coming Messiah was foretold in Isaiah chapters 52