THINGS JESUS LEFT ON
EARTH Dr. Tom Berry
As always, the
Christmas season has been a wonderful time of celebrating our
Savior's birth for the Berry family. A special part of our
Christmas celebration involved our trip to Georgia to visit with
my older son, Dan, his wife, Kathy and two daughters, Heather and
Megan. A real highlight was joining approximately 1500 other
Christians at a candlelight service that included an observance of
the Lord's supper. On Christmas day we were joined by
Kathy's parents, Mark and Billie Anderson, for a gift exchange and
dinner. Mildly put, our fellowship was joyful and jovial.
During our visit my
mind went back to a time when Dan was about five years old.
We were preparing to spend the Christmas holidays with my parents
in Dallas, Texas. Dan wanted to do his own packing, so
we thought we would let him have a go at it. When he was finished
we examined his suitcase and found his Bible; a set of handcuffs;
a lump of modeling clay; a gun and holster; two pairs of pants;
one pajama bottom and two encyclopedias. Needless to say, if
we had not intervened he would have left some very needed
things behind.
When Jesus left
earth and went back to Heaven He left some things behind.
Unlike my young son, everything He left behind was left with His
full knowledge and approval.
JESUS LEFT AN UNFINISHED
TASK
Luke wrote, "The former account I made, O
Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach..."
(Acts 1:1) Jesus began a work which He left us to
finish. He died for our sins in order that we might not have
to be punished for our sins. He rose from the dead as a
guarantee that He can raise all Christians in victory over the
grave. He ascended to Heaven to be our high priest with
authority to forgive sins. But, He left behind the
unfinished task of telling all men this gospel story of salvation.
It will remain unfinished as long as there is one person who has
not heard how to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. We
must witness to individuals; preach to the masses; send the gospel
around the world. By personal soulwinning, public preaching,
gospel literature; radio and television; and every means we must
work at letting every human being know of the salvation available
through faith in Him.
JESUS LEFT BEHIND AN
UNDENIABLE MESSAGE
Luke continued, "...To whom He also
presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible
proofs, being seen by them during forty days..." (Acts
1:3).
John Singleton Copley, known as Lord Lyndhurst, is
considered one of the greatest legal minds of British history.
He served Britain as Solicitor-General, Attorney General and High
Chancellor of England. He was also the High Steward of the
University of Cambridge. When he died, a document was found
in his desk which gave an account of his Christian faith. It
included the following statement, "I know pretty well what
evidence is; and I tell you, such evidence as that for the
resurrection has never broken down yet." The evidence for
Christ's resurrection include infallible proofs.
1. Jesus foretold His resurrection.
2. Nothing else reasonable explains the emptied tomb which
was guarded by Roman soldiers.
3. Only resurrection explains His appearances to so many
people: Mary Magdalene; the woman returning from the grave;
Peter; the Emmaeus disciples; the ten apostles on the first
Sunday evening; the eleven Apostles one week later; the disciples
fishing at Galilee; over 500 brethren at once; to James and
the apostles and the disciples at the time of His ascension.
4. Only a resurrected Christ could transform clinging
disciples into crusading preachers.
5. Only a resurrected Christ could have converted Saul of
Tarsus.
The founders of every other religion died and were
buried. Only Christ arose from the grave with a glorified
body. His irrefutable resurrection proves that He is the
only trustworthy One Who can take us to Heaven.
JESUS LEFT BEHIND
UNLIMITED POWER
Luke recorded the last words of Jesus, "But
you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea
and Sam aria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8).
Peter's deepest resolve was to die before he denied Christ yet he
melted before a maid and denied Christ with cursing. But lo,
we see him on the day of Pentecost preaching fearlessly. We
see him on trial before the same men who engineered the death of
Christ from the human standpoint, and he is as bold as a lion (See
Acts 4:12, 13). What is the explanation of this
transformation? It is found in Acts 4:8, "Then Peter,
filled with the Holy Spirit, ..." Power, to live in
victory over sin; to conquer fear; to win souls to Christ.
Yes! Christ left behind unlimited power and that power is
available to every child of God who will allow the Holy Spirit to
possess them.
JESUS LEFT BEHIND
UNSHAKEABLE SCRIPTURE
Acts 1:2, "He through the Holy Spirit had
given commandments to the apostles..." Shall God
love all men; give His Son to die for all men; make possible
salvation for all men and not provide a means whereby all men can
receive the message of truth? Unthinkable!
Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will
by no means pass away." (Matthew 24:35).
Paul said, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..."
(2nd Timothy 3:16).
Peter said, "...Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit." (2nd Peter 1:21).
Men and women, you can stand with confidence on the sure Word of
God. Young people, step firmly on the promises of God.
They will never tremble beneath your feet.
JESUS
LEFT BEHIND AN UNFAILING PROMISE
"...This same
Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like
manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11).
Jesus is coming again. He promised He would return. "And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again..."
(John 14:3). It has been nearly 2000 years since He went
to heaven. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. Spiritual
darkness has at times covered much of the earth being dispelled
only by revival and great missionary effort. Saints have
been sorely persecuted even unto death. Has His promise
become of none effect? Shall we despair that He shall return
to receive His own? Never! Our hearts beat with
expectation. Our faith does not falter. The Word of
God shall not fail. Jesus shall return. His coming is
hindered only by those lost souls yet to be won in this age of the
church. When their heart's doors are opened to the Savior
then He shall come in clouds and receive to Himself all the
redeemed.
It is possible that
the last one to be saved before His return is right now bowing
their head to ask His forgiveness and salvation. If it is
so, are you ready?
Copyright © 2002
Thomas E Berry
Scripture quotations from NKJV unless otherwise noted
Copyright © 2008 Truth Helpers Inc.
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