A theological college in the United States .... invited to their annual conference, .... a renowned professor ... as their guest lecturer.
He spoke for two and a half hours .... "establishing proofs" .... that the resurrection of Jesus .... never took place.
The professor quoted ... scholar after scholar ... and book after book.
He concluded that since there was no such thing as.... the historical resurrection, .... the religious tradition of the church .... was groundless.
It was all emotional mumbo-jumbo, .... He said ... because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, ... who, in fact, ...... never rose from the dead ... in any literal sense.
After this verbal dissertation ... he moved back from the lectern ... and asked if there were any questions.
After about 30 seconds of silence, .... an elderly pastor ... with a head of woolly white hair ...... stood up ... in the back of the auditorium.
"Doctor Professor, .... I have one question", he said .... as all eyes turned toward him.
He reached into his sack lunch .... and pulled out an apple and began eating it.
CRUNCH, "My question is a simple question", CRUNCH, ...... "Now, I have never read those books you've read"
CRUNCH, ... "And I can't recite the Scriptures ... in the original Greek"
CRUNCH, ... "I know nothing' about Niebuhr and Heidegger"
CRUNCH, ...He finished the apple. "
All I want to know is: .... This apple I just ate .... was it bitter ... or was it sweet?"
The professor paused for a moment ... and answered in a scholarly fashion: .... "I cannot possibly answer that question, .... for I haven't tasted your apple".
The elderly preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, .... looked up at the professor and said calmly, .... "Neither have you tasted .... my Jesus."
The 1,000 plus in attendance ... could not contain themselves; .... the auditorium erupted with applause ... and cheers.
The professor thanked his audience and promptly left the platform. (Pause)
Beloved .... (Slow) It is all about Jesus, ...... It is all about Jesus ... this morning (evening) and every morning (evening). (Pause)
Hear Paul's Words to us today: BIBLE "For he has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son". END (Colossians 1:13)
The Colossian believers were well taught by E-pa-phras ... a faithful minister of Christ (v7) yet it became clear to Epaphres ... that the Colossian Church was having problems ... with false teaching.
These problems were shared with Paul ...... thus came the letter .... to the Colossian Church.
These false teachers were extremely confused about Creation .... and the physical realm.
These false teachers insisted ... that all matter was evil, .... including the human body.
They taught that Jesus Christ did not have a real body .... since this in their mind ... would have put Him in contact ... with evil matter.
The result of these false teachings were tragic, .... including extreme self-denial and austerity on the one hand ...... to unbridled sin on the other.
After all, .... If the physical world is totally sinful, .... you either try to enslave it .... or you sinfully .... enjoy it.
The truth is they really did not know Jesus.
For Jesus is fully man and Jesus is fully God.
In his letter to the Colossians ... Paul brings forth the truth of who Jesus is.
(1 Lift Finger) First Jesus existed before Creation (v. 15).
In Paul's letter ... he uses the term firstborn ... which does not refer to time, .... it refers to ... status.
Jesus Christ was not the first being created, .... since the scriptures tell us .... Jesus ... is the Creator of all things. ..... All Things!
Firstborn simply means ... "of first importance, .... of first rank."
Solomon was certainly Not Born First of all of David's sons, .... yet he was named the firstborn in the Psalms (Psalm 89:27). ..... The first of importance!
Firstborn of all Creation means ... "prior to all Creation."
Beloved .... Jesus Christ is not a created being; .... (Slow) He is eternal.
Paul used the word image ... to make this fact perfectly clear.
It means ....... "an exact representation and revelation." ......... Begotten not made.
The writer to the Hebrews affirms that Jesus Christ is Quote ... "The express image of His Person" (Hebrews 1:3). ... The Image of the Godhead.
Jesus was able to say, .... "He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father" (John 14:9).
Beloved, .... (Slow) It is all about Jesus.
The Apostle John explains it with these words. BIBLE "In God's essence, he is invisible; ...... but Jesus Christ has revealed Him to us" END (John 1:18).
It is only in Jesus .... that the invisible God ... is revealed .... perfectly.
Jesus Christ .... is and always has been .... He is eternal.
God from God, .... Light from Light, .... true God from true God, .... Begotten not made.
It is no wonder that the winds and waves obeyed Him, .... that diseases and death fled from Him, .... for Jesus .... is Master over all.
It is all about Jesus.
(1 Finger) Jesus existed before Creation and (2 Fingers) Jesus created all things.
All things in heaven and on earth, .... visible and invisible.
All things .... All Things ... are under His command.
If everything in creation exists for Jesus, .... then nothing can be evil of itself; .... except maybe Satan and the fallen angels, ...... but even those God uses .... to accomplish His will.
God's creation, ...... even though under bondage to sin (Romans 8:22), can be used for God's glory ...... and enjoyed ...... by God's people.
(1 Finger) Jesus existed before Creation. (2 Fingers) Jesus created all things. And: (3 Fingers) Jesus holds all things together (v. 17). (Long Pause)
A guide .... took a group of people through an atomic laboratory ... and explained how all matter ... was composed of rapidly moving particles.
The tourists studied the models of molecules .... and were amazed to learn ...... that matter is made up primarily .... of empty space.
During the question and answer period, .... one visitor asked, .... "If this is the way matter works, .... what holds it all ... together?"
For that, .... the guide said there are many theories .... but there is no definitive answer.
But the Scriptures .... have the answer.
And as Christians ...... We have the answer:
It is .... and always has been .... Jesus Christ!
"He is before all things," ... he created all things and He holds all things together.
It may seem at times that Satan is in control of this world .... but our God .... Our God is on the thrown;
He is El Shaddai .... the Almighty One. (Pause)
The words of this historical hymn speak so much truth:
This is my Father's world
O let me ne'er forget
(Slow) That Though the wrong Seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet
Beloved .... Jesus Christ made all things, .... He controls all things, .... and by Him ... all things are held together.
Jesus is the Head of the church, .... and as Paul proclaims ...... He is also the Firstborn from the dead.
The Apostle Paul speaks a wonderful truth when using the word born ... in connection with death, ... even though the two concepts seem opposed to each other.
But the tomb .... was a womb .... from which Christ came forth in victory, (REPEAT & ADD) for death could not hold Him (Acts 2:24).
Praise God .... We have Victory in Jesus....... It is all about Jesus!
Christ is the First Born of all creation.
Hear Gods Word: BIBLE "That in all things Christ might have first place .... in everything .... or as the King James states: .... That in all things Christ .... might have preeminence" END (Colossians 1:18)..
The Greek word translated "first place or preeminence" is used nowhere else in the New Testament. ..... Nowhere!
It is related to the word translated "firstborn," .... and it magnifies ...... the unique position of Jesus.
"Christ is all, .... and in all" (Colossians 3:11).
The Scriptures are clear... The Greek is Clear.
Christ alone .... is the way ... the truth ... and the life. (Long Pause)
In 1893, ...... the World Exposition was held in Chicago, ... and more than 21 million people visited the exhibits .... 21 Million People.
Among the pavilions was the "World Parliament of Religions," .... with representatives of all the world's religions, .... meeting to share their ... "best points".
And to perhaps come up with .... a new religion for the world.
Evangelist D.L. Moody saw this as a great opportunity ... for evangelism.
He utilized the local churches, .... rented theaters, .... and rented a circus tent to present .... the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
His friends wanted Moody to attack the "Parliament of Religions," .... but he refused.
Moody knew .... that Jesus Christ was the preeminent Savior, .... not just one of many quote "religious leaders" ... of history.
He knew the power of the Gospel.
He knew the preeminence of Christ.
He knew the power of the Holy Spirit.
And ... The "Chicago Campaign" of 1893 was probably the greatest evagelistic endeavor in D.L. Moody's life.
And thousands upon thousands came to know Jesus Christ... as their Lord and Savior. (Long Pause)
Now these false teachers in Colossae would never give Jesus Christ ... the place of preeminence;
To them .... He was not the way the truth and the life (John 14:6).
Rather, ...... He was to them .... but one rung on the ladder!
And sadly this thought ... permeates again many of the main line denominations in the West this day. (Pause)
In Charles Colson book ...... "The Faith given once for all" ... and I commend it to you.
He shares this truth ...... concerning many in the Main line denominations.
Colson States: When doctrine and truth are abandoned, .... when the authority of the Scriptures is denied .... you do not get liberal Christianity. For it is now ... not Christianity at all.
No you no longer have the truth.
You have .... A Religion that is perverted by man.
A Religion that attacks the Preeminence of Christ ....
A Religion that denies the authority of the Godhead.
A Religion made ... from your own image ... your own imagination.
Beloved.... Hold .... to the truth.
Jesus is the way, Jesus is the truth, Jesus is the life.
There is only one arbitrator who can bring God and man together .... and that is Jesus Christ .... the One who is both fully God and fully Man.
He was God in human flesh (John 1:14). (Slow) Jesus is who he says he is.
It is only in Jesus Christ that the invisible God is revealed ...... perfectly.
And the Scriptures proclaim the power that lies in his name.
For even at the name of Jesus .... Satan will surely flee. ....... It is all about Jesus.
(Sing) Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! There's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus. Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away. But there's something about that name.
Beloved, .... It is all .... about Jesus
Amen! & Amen!
Help: I retired in November 2017 and am attempting to supplement my income by sharing on Sermoncentral. If this Message has been helpful to you, please consider a nominal gift: Send to The Rev. Jeff Smead 11725 Regent Park Drive Chardon Ohio 44024. Blessed To Be A Blessing.
Much of the supporting material was from the Bible Expository Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe (Victor Books a division of Scripture Press Publications Inc.) Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1996, c1989.
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