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In order to understand all the New Testament, we have to be familiar with the Old Testament also. We find Jesus in much of the OT and some passages seem pretty clear. Again it is evidence for non-Christians. It may be worth noting that most of the OT prophets paid a big price for their prophecies -- some even died for them. But it took Jesus' Spirit to open the mind of his disciples. The Pharisees seemed to have closed minds -- in fact they seemed to be deliberately closed minded when you read those passage yourself.
The hardest part for all the disciples to understand is that Jesus must suffer and die. How could this happen to him if he were the Son of God? It seems that forgiveness is not possible without Jesus' sacrifice. Sometimes the repentance part, which is ours, can be a stumbling block when we think we aren't all that bad! We see those all around us who are far worse! I like to use that silent confession part of the service to think of all the things I have done or neglected to do for God. The list can get pretty long! If we have no realization of sin, then confession seems pointless. I was amazed how many on the mission field who grew up in other religious traditions had a different idea of the nature of sin, to get the point right away. They were relieved that there was a solution to the burden of sin that had filled them even though they may not have realized it at first.
It sounds like we are to start in our own backyard. That is a place most church members can start without buying their plane tickets for far away places. It also sounds like we are to stay home until we have been clothed with power from on high. Don't go off just for adventure. Don't go because you think that will give you special treatment from God.
One of the signs that we have received Jesus' power is when we feel full of his joy! I felt that when I was called to be a missionary to Nepal. It is not something you can describe, you have to feel it! As Paul said, he had to know God and not just know about him. We can feel the difference in our heart! We can see it in others. All you need to do is ask for it and wait for it!
The hardest part for all the disciples to understand is that Jesus must suffer and die. How could this happen to him if he were the Son of God? It seems that forgiveness is not possible without Jesus' sacrifice. Sometimes the repentance part, which is ours, can be a stumbling block when we think we aren't all that bad! We see those all around us who are far worse! I like to use that silent confession part of the service to think of all the things I have done or neglected to do for God. The list can get pretty long! If we have no realization of sin, then confession seems pointless. I was amazed how many on the mission field who grew up in other religious traditions had a different idea of the nature of sin, to get the point right away. They were relieved that there was a solution to the burden of sin that had filled them even though they may not have realized it at first.
It sounds like we are to start in our own backyard. That is a place most church members can start without buying their plane tickets for far away places. It also sounds like we are to stay home until we have been clothed with power from on high. Don't go off just for adventure. Don't go because you think that will give you special treatment from God.
One of the signs that we have received Jesus' power is when we feel full of his joy! I felt that when I was called to be a missionary to Nepal. It is not something you can describe, you have to feel it! As Paul said, he had to know God and not just know about him. We can feel the difference in our heart! We can see it in others. All you need to do is ask for it and wait for it!
