June 2006
Dear Friends of
KHCS,
How should
believers respond to formidable attacks on the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and the Word of God?
Over the past few
days and weeks true Christianity has taken on two major attacks. Both
the Ron Howard / Tom Hanks movie, “The Da Vinci Code” and the National
Geographic report on “The Gospel of Judas” have taken direct aim at the
heart of the Christian faith – the death, burial and resurrection of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the Truth of the Word of God.
Are we reeling?
Has “the great conspiracy” been revealed? Shall we as Christians run to
the hills and hide since we are now “exposed?” Has our “dirty little
secret” been told for all to know the “truth?” Has our cover been blown?
Are parts of the Bible historically inaccurate? Relax. The sky is
not falling.
The Da Vinci Code,
in a nutshell, will convincingly argue that Jesus never died on the
cross. The movie will portray Christ as a deceiver who fooled those of
his day into believing he died and was resurrected and ascended into
heaven. Mary Magdalene will be depicted as the wife of Jesus. Relax.
The sky is not falling.
The Gospel of
Judas tells a new, different, positive side to the fallen disciple. It
tells us Judas did not betray Jesus for the silver. He did not walk up
to Jesus and identify Him with a kiss so the authorities could capture
Him and crucify Him. Judas, it will tell you, was working in
coordination with another deceptive plot of Jesus, doing just exactly
what the Master wanted him to do. Relax. The sky is not falling.
Here’s the Truth.
Contrary to this new movie, Jesus did die. Jesus was buried. On the
third day, He resurrected from the tomb. He never married. A few days
later, He was caught up in a cloud and ascended into heaven.
Contrary to the
new “gospel,” Judas did betray Him. He was captured and soon crucified.
Judas, realizing the magnitude of his action, went out and hanged
himself. Relax. The sky is not falling.
Here are a few
reasons these latest attacks on Christianity are so central to Satan’s
on-going fight against Truth:
1) If there was no
death by Jesus, the perfect God-man, there is no payment for our sin.
2) If there is not
resurrection, there is no hope of eternal life for any of us.
3) If Christ did not
ascend into heaven, there is no one at the right hand of the Father
making constant intercession for our sins.
4) If the original
four gospels are incorrect in their portrait of Judas as the betrayer of
Christ, the integrity of all scripture is undermined because the Bible
is either all
Truth or no truth
at all.
How do we arm
ourselves and help others to be armed against these relentless attacks?
Let’s see what Scripture says:
John 8:32 –
“...know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
John 14:6 – “Jesus
said . . . ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but through Me.’”
Psalm 119:160 – “.
. . Your Word is Truth, And everyone of Your righteous ordinances is
everlasting.”
Romans 10:17 – “So
faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”
So relax.
The sky is not falling.
But, one day – so
the Scripture says – the sky will be descending. Just as it is true
Jesus died and was buried and resurrected and ascended into Heaven,
Christ Himself will descend for all those who know and love Him.
That’s a sky all
true believers cannot wait to see fall!!! Even so, come quickly Lord.
Together we sow,
Dan Pike
P. S. – The summer
months are traditionally slow for contributions. Your continual, monthly
commitment to be a partner in KHCS and our ministry of sowing the Word
of God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is essential. Please give
generously as we serve our Lord together. Also, I hope your enjoying
our local news which is being done by Janet Barnbrook who is donating
her time to the work of the Lord.
Mailing Address:
KHCS - Joy92
PO Box 2507
Palm Springs, CA 92263 |