How to raise a dead man

Source: http://www.interactive-earth.com/artwork/lg/raising_lazarus.jpg

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
~John 6:63

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
~John 11:11

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
~John 11:25-26

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.
~Romans 1:16-17

Dr. Adrian Rogers preached a sermon that I found quite interesting. He used the illustration of raising a dead man to life and juxtaposed it with the different methods we use in Christendom to raise the "dead" back to life. Imagine if you will a minister raising a physically dead person and in so doing goes through the different methods we use to evangelize. First, he says that we will show him an example, to his dismay, his display of the life of a Christian before him is unfruitful. Second, he says we will just put him in the right environment. The dead man is placed on the front row during revivals and intense worship session, but to no avail. Third, we will educate the dead man in the ways of God. He is enrolled in an intense program of Bible study and placed on the front row during all messages. Of course the dead man flunks all his classes and appears to be sleep during service (as he is eternally sleep!). Finally, as a last resort, after example, environment, education all fall short we turn him over completely to Jesus Christ. It is not activity, programs, environment, education, or the example of godly, holy followers that brings men to spiritual life, but the power of God. This is the important element (God's power) that we must remember.

In the bible there was a man named Lazarus. Lazarus had been sick and died. Prior to his death, Jesus was called upon to heal him. Jesus waited four days before responding. However, for those that know this story, Christ raised him up from the dead. It was not His example, the environment (a tomb!), Jesus' education, or any other factor man can contrive that raised him, but the power of GOD.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

~John 6:44

As you witness to individuals to make them citizens of the kingdom of God, remember that it is not your education, example, or the environment you place an individual in, but the power of God which saves, delivers, and heals individuals.

The Problem of Pain II- More from the book of Job

Source: http://www.algonet.se/~tourtel/hovind_seminar/part3a_images/Image81.jpg

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. ~Job 2:10

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; ~Hebrews 5:8

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33

"Evil is more than an exterior reality that engenders universal suffering; it is an internal reality from which we run." ~Ravi Zacharias from Jesus among other gods

The bible teaches us that as sin entered the world, similtaneously pain and suffering followed suit. As we look within the book of Genesis we see this emerge:
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. ~Genesis 3:16-19

It is the folly of man to immediately blame God for his or her suffering. In the case of Job, his wife, and friends you see the integrity of Job in not cursing or binding God to the blame for his suffering, the foolishness of his wife in blaming God, and the equal foolish talk of his friends in saying Job must have done something wrong. Living in a fallen world we understand whether saint or sinner, that the sun shines on the evil and the good, and that it rains on the just and unjust (That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ~Matthew 5:45).

Therefore, we understand that man is susceptible to the elements at work in the earth. Tragedy strikes a location and due to our being bound to this earth-realm we as Christians may suffer in such tragedy, we are not exempt. But, the scriptures assure us that we have a Comforter and Christ Himself said that we will have tribulation or trouble, yet assuredly we have overcome the world and the powers that be within it. The last frontier man must battle and win is that of himself wherein the evil truly lies. This whole issue in the book of Job is a test of the integrity of Job's love for God. Is it about the stuff he has, the hedge of protection, and/or the way God makes him feel emotionally? In your pain, true love (agape) is exhibited. The beauty of love in youth in all its strength and appeal to the eyes, emotions, and faculties is miniscule in relation to a love that is tested and found true. Love that has endured the adversity that has been thrown upon it stands the tests of time to prove its worth, beauty, and strength to exhibit itself in any condition. However, man will never know true love or the one that he loves without that same love being put to the test. It is within the framework of love that we begin to understand the integrity of Job's love for God. Not based on emotionalism. Not rooted in materialism. Not garnished with sensationalism. But solely and wholely established, rooted, and propogated through his true love and enduring relationship with the God of heaven and earth, who in his infinite wisdom picked Job from the sons of men to represent to Satan, the essence of true relationship between man and God.

The Problem of Pain - The book of Job

Source: biblia.com/jesusm/job-satan2.jpg

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job 1:1

Now it fell upon a day, that the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Whence comest thou?' Then Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a whole-hearted and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil?' Then Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:6-9

Job is synonymous with pain and suffering. Thinking about the problem of pain automatically moves you into one of the most difficult concepts as it relates to God. Many in Christendom have been taught that when we accept Christ, we are initiated into a life free from despair, hurt, pain, suffering, lack, and all other malevolence the world could throw our way. However, an inspection into the minds of people and personal testimony or just a look in the daily newspaper shows us that Christians are not exempt from pain and suffering.
Many have looked to Job for consolation in times of suffering, pain, and loss. We expect this poetic book to provide answers to why “bad things happen to good people.” Instead we learn that God allows Satan to touch Job’s possessions, his family, his body, and then allows “friends” to “minister” to him, which actually caused more suffering in my opinion.
What is God trying to do in the life of Job? If God loves Job, why not leave him be to live in the things that He has blessed him with? These questions deal with the problem of pain. Addressed by philosophers, laymen, and children alike, we all wonder why no one is exempt from calamity, God-fearing or otherwise. I would like to know what you think. Why must people endure the “problem of pain?”

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my web log. I would like to use this blog as a vehicle in which to share my faith and also answer any questions, reason through scripture, and overall give proof that their is a God and Savior in the Person of Jesus Christ. That being said, once again welcome!

My statement of purpose

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to teh Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is teh righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:16-17