Title: Only Jesus / Acts 4:6-12
Contents
There is only Jesus / Acts 4:6-12
The powerful earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan left countless lives and property damage. The disaster struck just 10 minutes after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning, and many people died who were unable to evacuate. 10 minutes given to them! That brief moment was the last chance to decide life and death. Please believe that this time right now is an opportunity for salvation and grace given to us. Don't delay. There is no time to procrastinate. Those who have not yet met Jesus, and those who are not sure of salvation, accept the Lord and believe in Him as my Savior. There is no other salvation than the cross of Jesus. Acknowledge this and entrust your life to Him. It must be so. That's how you live.
Values around the world in conflict with the Christian gospel
Although the incident where Peter healed the lame man who was sitting at the beautiful gate of the temple deserves praise, the result is persecution. Until now, Christianity and the world have always been in conflict. It's because they have different values. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” He has given us the authority to become children of God.” It is said that salvation is possible only through faith in Jesus Christ. So Christianity has suffered a lot of persecution until now.
People who hate to hear about Jesus
When Peter told the crowd about Jesus, the officials, elders, and scribes at the time did not want to hear it. Because he was the one who killed Jesus.
In fact, they thought Jesus was like a thorn in their eyes. Many of those who followed him along the way follow Jesus. Jesus not only claimed to be the Son of God, but also healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed storms, and performed miracles of five fish. Not only that, but they spit out venom towards themselves, saying they are like hypocrites, cubs of vipers, the blind leading the blind, and whitewashed tombs. If left unattended, they began to feel a sense of crisis that they could lose their vested interests.
So, several attempts were made to overthrow Jesus, but they were unsuccessful. A lot of people followed me, so I couldn't do it recklessly. They conspired with Jesus' disciple, Judas Iscariot, to conspire to kill Jesus. Finally, Jesus was crucified and put to death. I thought it was all over now.
However, the development of the situation is different from their intentions. Rumors spread that the dead Jesus was resurrected, and the disciples shouted about the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross. As many as 3,000 people repented of Peter's sermon, and more people flocked to Peter with the miracle of healing the lame at the beautiful gate of the temple. So they put Peter and the apostles in prison and tried to stop them from talking about Jesus anymore.
From the beginning, they had no interest in Jesus as the Messiah, salvation, eternal life, or spiritual things. They only struggled not to lose their vested interests. It was that he could never lose his honor, power, or wealth because of Jesus.
There are still such people in the church. Arguing with each other, thinking that I should take the lead, making a fuss at meetings, causing divisions and quarrels In Mark 10:29-30, it is said that there is no one who will not receive a hundredfold blessing in this world, but also persecution, and eternal life in the next world to those who give up everything for the sake of the Lord and the gospel. Beloved saints, I am at a loss because of Jesus. God never destroys us. He fills you with greater blessings. Hallelujah!
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone of the house.
Now look at the rulers and the disciples. The disciples, who until recently were cowards, are now boldly testifying about Jesus in front of the rulers. “You have rejected Jesus and become like the stone that the builders rejected, but God raised him from the dead, and he has become the cornerstone of the house,” he said.
That's right. I hope that Jesus will be the headstone in our lives now. Our home, our work, our business, our children, our health… He will sustain and build everything. If you remove Jesus from your life, the pillars will shake and your home, your children, your workplace, your business will collapse, your church, your society, your nation will collapse.
The only savior, that name is Jesus
Peter said to the rulers, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (verse 12). Jesus also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). That's right. Jesus is the only way to salvation. This is a truth that never changes.
Some use this fact as an excuse to accuse Christianity of being self-righteous. Just as there are several hiking trails to climb to the top of a mountain, salvation can be obtained through other religions. This is called religious pluralism. But not because we are self-righteous, but because it is the truth that there is no salvation except Jesus Christ, so we believe and proclaim that way.
Suppose we give up this truth in moderation and admit that there is salvation in other religions as well. People may applaud, but what are we going to say about this when we stand before God? “I’m so sorry, God.” Can we move on to that? You can never do that. Even when people persecute us and hate to hear it, we must bear witness to this truth.
My dear brothers and sisters, a greater tragedy would have been caused had the Japanese not warned in advance that they did not want to hear about the tsunami. In this way, the gospel we preach is a trumpet of warning to the sleeping souls and good news to all people. In season or out of season, let's become those who preach the gospel of the cross of Jesus. Hallelujah!