“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:3
If “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hid in Christ, why would we look anywhere else?
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42
Other bible translations of this verse say, “preach Jesus as the Christ.” The point is that the message that the disciples preached was one of proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah whom they have been waiting for. In America, there are few that have not heard of Jesus. Even the cults and false religions heard of Jesus. We believers in America, no doubt preach that Jesus is the Savior of the world, but we have even a more difficult work before us. We need to preach and demonstrate who the real Jesus is. Preach the real Jesus, not the one made in man’s image.
“Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.” Dt. 9:4
One mistake Christians make is they compare themselves to others. The worse others behave the more righteous it makes others feel. But we must never compare ourselves to others, they are not our standard, Christ and the bible is our standard. We must not look down for our example we must look up. Even when you find a man or woman of God that is a great example, you must understand that they became that way by looking to Christ and His word, not others.
“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Lk. 6:48-49
Notice that the scriptures did not say “if the flood,†but instead “WHEN the flood.†Saints, you can be certain that the flood will rise and the stream will beat against you. Is your Christian foundation built on a favorite minister, favorite Christian author, favorite denomination or church, or is your foundation built on Christ? As certain as you can be that the flood and the stream will come, you can be certain you will stand if your foundation is built on Christ.
“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mt. 22:11-13
Heaven is only for those who put on Christ.
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Rom. 3:28
As Christians, we are called to good works. What happens after some years of serving the Lord, Christians can subtly start trusting in their good works. I am simply reminding you that good works will never ever justify you, it is still through Christ alone.
“The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.” Pr. 13:8
The rich man won’t exchange his riches for Christ. The true believer won’t exchange his Christ for riches.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Eph. 5:25
I love going to church because it’s a gathering of people who get the focus and attention of Christ’s love. He gave Himself for the church. For those who are independent of the church, they miss out on that special love.
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” II Thes. 2:3-4
What a contrast. Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to earth, not to be worshipped, but to serve. Satan, when he comes as the antichrist, is not coming to serve, but to be worshipped. By this you can know what spirit you are of. Do you willingly serve, or do you want to be served (worshipped)?
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” I Cor. 15:20
The first fruit to ripen on an apple tree is an apple. The rest that ripen after that are also apples. So then, if Christ is the first fruit of them that sleep, then that which follow are of the same fruit. That fruit is Christ. Let Christ ripen in you saint of God. Hallelujah!