Hi Friends, I am in the process of changing some things around at this site, exciting for me and hopefully for you too. I’ll be letting you know, as they happen what precisely is happening, but what I will say for now, is that I’m taking my hosting off blogger.
In the mean time this old site can always be accessed at evangelismtheology.blogspot.com . Any requests or questions email to gareth@evangelismtheology.com
Yours very sincerely and in Christ
Gareth
christianaudio.com has offered us a real gem this month for free with the classic book by J.I. Packer called Knowing God. Considered by many to be one of the best books out of the 20th century and probably the best known of the writings of Packer, this is an great opportunity.
Also considering the subject addressed, namely, that of knowing God, its well worth reading/ listening. I could truthfully say that, without knowing God and being known by Him, no-one would go to heaven. So take the time to download this classic.
Also, if you live near me, I am prepared to download this classic for you. I know that internet is precious and slow in South Africa, so if you’d prefer, I’ll do the downloading bit. What you have to do is go on the site, register (if you haven’t already) and purchase (for free) the book. Once that is done, drop me a line at gareth@evangelismtheology.com and we can work something out.
Christmas is the day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The date itself has been the source of much debate, and while the 25th of December is an unlikely date for the event, that doesn’t change anything. Because for many hundreds of years that’s the day which we celebrate it.
What God accomplished at Calvary, He started that day. What He proved by his resurrection, started its manifestation in the manger. What had been planned and prophesied over for many years and on many occasions, finished and was fulfilled finally as Jesus Christ bore the sins of His elect on that Cross.
But at His birth, His humiliation began. He laid aside many aspects of His divine nature, instead, he took for Himself the lowliest for of humanity, namely a baby, at the same time, to a poor family, a not yet married teenage mother, under Roman occupation and generally a very hard life, or to quote the hymn writer, a ‘mean estate’.
He grew up, under the rule of His parents, subjecting Himself to His subjects. He lived as the son of a carpenter, manual collar work. He once fasted for 40 days, while staying in a wilderness and undergoing the strongest temptations Satan could throw at Him. He spent 3 years absolutely packed with ministry work, preaching, miracle working. During that time He didn’t even have a place to lay His head. He also had many enemies, mostly from the religious rulers of His time. Eventually they arrested Him, subjected Him to an extremely cruel torture and finally breathed His last, naked, nailed to a wooden cross. And in that action, God poured out His wrath onto, and Christ bore it. On His shoulders were placed the sins of those God had chosen to save. Finally, He was laid in a borrowed tomb, and for three days, His body remained. Then on the third day He rose, resurrection, the culmination. What began in Bethlehem, had finished.
The Gospel is the good news that despite a man’s rebellion, despite every single sin done, every lie, every blasphemy, every act and moment of hatred, very lustful thought, and of selfishness, Christ has provided a way for that wicked man to be reconciled to God, forgiven of his sins, to ease his conscience and give him eternal life. Jesus Christ, the God-man, provides the only way to God. He commands you today to repent, and to put your trust in His son, Jesus Christ. Don’t delay, tomorrow is not promised, please be reconciled to God, put your faith in Him, He will save you.
To sum up. Jesus Christ, the God man, bore the sins of people on the cross. At Christmas, we celebrate is birth, the day he began to live on the earth, the start of His humiliation, which culminated in His exultation, and our salvation.
The Wretched Radio folks are often putting out spoofs, and they are often both pointed and funny. Here are two Christmas ones for your consideration.
The women who say “snow persons” gets the tone exactly right. I’ve been on the end of a similar tongue lashing
This is the Grace Gem I got in my inbox this morning, excellent as usual. It reflects on the same topic as the post below. Read it, and reflect on it
Let us settle it in our minds, that grace must have a beginning in every believer's heart; and that we have no right to say a person has no grace, because it does not come to full ripeness at once. We do not expect a child to do the work of a full-grown man--though he may one day, if he lives long enough. Just so, we must not expect a new Christian to show the faith, and love, and knowledge of an old soldier of the cross. He may become a mighty champion of the truth by and by. But at first we must give him time. There is great need of wisdom in dealing with all young disciples.
Kindness, and patience, and gentleness, are of the first importance. We must not try to pour in the new wine too quickly, or it will run over. We must take them by the hand and lead them on gently. We must beware of frightening, or hurrying them, or pressing them on too fast. If they have only got hold of the main principles of the Gospel--let us not set them down as godless, because of a few lesser matters. We must bear with much weakness and infirmity--and not expect to find old heads on young shoulders, or ripe Christian experience in those who are only babes.
~~ J. C. Ryle
