Music To My Ears

Today, Julie, Ina and I went to the Everett Gospel Mission with soup, sandwiches and cookies.   The food was well received, and it was nice to speak to multiple homeless men.   I was handing out Gospel tracts to those men as they received their food.   Some men declined, but there was one guy when he accepted a tract, I said, "I'll read it while I'm on the bus".   That was music to my ears.

Then later on I went to the Comcast Arena, to herald the Gospel at the season opener of the Tilted Thunder Rail Birds roller derby, as the snow was falling.   The standout moment there was speaking with the Goth kids, and a couple of them accepted the Gospel of John.

Here's what I said, a couple of times...

I’d like to raise some important issues for you to consider. These are some very serious things I’d like you to think about.   So I'm going to ask you some of life’s BIG QUESTIONS. I’m not here to tell you what to think, and you certainly don't want to get your answers from me, the street preacher, that's why I'm only going to share with you what THE Bible says about these BIG QUESTIONS.

#1 What's the meaning of life? What's the purpose? What's the point of it all?

Is it to earn as much money as possible, so you can buy all the things that you want?   You've probably heard it said, "money is the root of all evil", NOT SO, that's a misquote of the Bible;

1 Timothy 6:10 says, For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. So, there’s nothing wrong with money, it’s useful for buying things you need, like food, clothes… coffee... But instead of loving money...Jesus said in Deuteronomy 6:5, that the greatest commandment is you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.. 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Mark 8:36-37 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding than silver!James 3:17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and open to reason , full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and without hypocrisy. Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 1:7 says The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. So if you say you don’t believe in God, you’re lying to yourself, or you may say you believe in God, but your life doesn’t show it (you’re a functional atheist), Psalm 14:1 says The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.
But some people live like the purpose of life is to have fun, to be entertained, to have enjoyment, to seek out the next thrill? But Psalm 37:4, says, Delight yourself in the LORD; and he will give you the desires of your heart. Matthew 6:33 says, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. This is really important, because you can accumulate all the money in the world, and have all the excitement, fun and entertainment you could ever want, but its all temporary. James 4:14 says, For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but God’s Word will never pass away.

#2 Why do we die?

Did you know that initially, when God created man and woman, there was no death?  That’s right, Adam and Eve were created directly by God, and they would have lived forever, but they decided to disobey God, that's what sin is; disobedience.  

Romans 5:12,19,21 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ... For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin has reigned unto death, even so grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Ezekiel 18:20 says, The soul that sins shall surely die. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So death is not your friend and it was never your intended destiny. Isaiah 59:1-2 Look, the Lord's hand is not short that He cannot save; neither his ear deaf, that He cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. So its our sin that separates us from God, and therefore from eternal life, because: John 1:4-5 In him is life; and the life is the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness did not comprehend it.

#3 What happens after death?

These are BIG questions. Again the Bible comes to the rescue with THE answer.    

Hebrews 9:6 says, It is appointed unto man once to die and after that comes the judgement. The instant you die you will immediately go to be in the presence of God. And you will be made to give an account of your life. Hebrews 4:13 says there nothing hidden from his sight: but all things are laid opened and bare before the eyes of him with whom we have to give an account. Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Ecclesiastes 12:4 For God shall bring every work into judgment, even every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 2 Timothy 4:1... the Lord Jesus Christ, shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Revelation 20:13 says the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Romans 2:6 God will render to every man according to his deeds: Psalm 9:8 says, And he shall judge the world in righteousness. Acts 17:31 God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man Christ Jesus, whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

#4 How can we know where we stand with God?

The Ten Commandments...

#5 How can we be made right with God?

The Gospel...

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Ephesians 2:8-9 For by Grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, lest any man boast.

#6 How can you know you have eternal life?

John 20:31 says, But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you might have life through his name. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, and times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Matthew 7:13 Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 16:24 If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I say to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you worker of iniquity (lawlessness). Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

So if you rejoice in God’s Word, then its a pretty sure thing you are heaven bound.

God bless...