During the previous series together, we have explored Faith on the Road to Emmaus. Jesus taught and proved to his disciples and His apostles that He was the Messiah. Every part of His birth, life, death and resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament. Furthermore, it was all necessary to be fulfilled. Therein lay the true gospel message. After His resurrection He was seen many times and by many people. He spent 40 days telling them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). They would face many hardships, pains, rejection and sorrow as they went forth to spread the True Gospel Message to all nations. Jesus needed them to keep their eyes on the finish line. Just as He needs us to keep our eyes on the finish line.
After all the pain, suffering, fear and confusion they felt following His crucifixion, they needed peace, hope and joy. He appeared to them in His resurrected body. Furthermore, He walked with them, talked with them, and He commissioned them to spread the gospel message to all the world. A message for which they most likely would have to die. Yet, He knew there would be many who would persecute them. He also knew that many would confound the truth with lies and distortions. The task before them would require abundant power from on high, for it was more than they could do in their own strength. It still does today. We cannot stand firm and spread the true gospel message in our own power.
As we begin a study into the book of Acts, my hope is that we find encouragement and strength to continue the work He left for us to finish before He returns for us.
Luke 24:44-53
And He (Jesus Christ) said unto them, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. He said unto them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. (So) that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
“Ye are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up His hands, and blessed them.
It came to pass, while he blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. They worshipped Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The True Gospel Message
The promise of the Father He spoke of in these passages was the Holy Spirit which He had foretold them of in John 14: 16-20. “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him. But ye know Him for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me. Because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, ye in me and I in you.”
Just as promised, He returned after His resurrection so they might see Him and know all that He had spoken was true. He Is the True Gospel Message. Furthermore, He told them of what is yet to come, giving hope that this is not the end of the story. Until then, their mission, our mission, my mission is telling all of whom I meet the true Gospel Message. Earthly comfort, worldly power, nor prosperity is of any value compared to the joy that will be ours standing before Him, in all His Glory. As we begin this series through Acts, we too must learn of the importance of remaining faithful to the True Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We must not be swayed to the right or the left.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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A Sample of Post from the Series: Finding Faith on the Road to Emmaus
How Faith is Found as Christ Appears Today
What of the Prophecies About Jesus Yet to be Fulfilled?
How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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