Who is Jesus?

Jesus said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9

Jesus said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9

Is Jesus Christ God?

God became flesh as Jesus Christ so the world could know Him

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Jesus, life, death and resurrection was prophesied hundreds of years earlier

The prophet [A prophet is a person called by God to be His speaker] Isaiah wrote:
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked—But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7-9)

Jesus knew He was destined to die for all mankind - and to live again

Jesus said “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

Then He took the twelve [disciples] aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. (Luke 18:31-34)

He took the sins of the world upon Himself

"Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:23,24)
"Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it." (Acts 2:23,24)
For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

Even at His trial and death He showed love and forgiveness – A criminal is saved when he realises Jesus is Lord

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots [gambled for them]. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:32-43)

Then an army officer realised who He truly was

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’.Having said this, He breathed His last.
So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” (Luke 23:32-43)

Three days later – the prophecy of the Word is fulfilled - Jesus Christ is alive

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:1-10)

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:16-20)

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One of Jesus friends didn’t believe the reports – until He touched Jesus himself

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:24-31)

The truth is becoming known to all mankind

Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures...He was seen by Peter, then to the twelve [disciples]. After that He appeared to more than five hundred...” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)

Jesus promise to those who love Him - Accepting that He gave His life to restore our relationship with Him

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4)

Life has so many choices, how can we know the right way?

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:5-7)

If you show me God I will believe you

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. (John 14:8-11)

How can Jesus help me if I believe in Him?

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (John 5:24)

I can’t change my lifestyle – What will people think of me?

Then He [Jesus] said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:23-26)

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11)

That’s right Jesus Christ loves you and cares for you.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Challenge news paper is just a small testimony of His working power in the lives of so many people today.
You don’t have to take our word for it. Investigate yourself. If you would like to read more on the life of Jesus Christ you may want to read the whole book of John from the bible.

To read it now click on this link www.biblegateway.com

What Is God's Purpose For Me?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

First of all no matter who you are or what you’ve done in the past, God LOVES you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

The word of God says:
…the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
...I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?

God didn’t make us robots to mindlessly serve and obey Him. Instead He gave us free will and freedom of choice. Mankind was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and the fellowship with God was broken.
Therefore, we often don’t know or experience God's love and plan for our lives.

God’s word says:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

What is the consequence of sin?

But your iniquities have separated you from God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

The wages of sin is death” [spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23)

Here’s the Good News!

God always provides a way out.
To show His unconditional love and mercy He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to the world. He took the punishment for our Sins upon Himself so that we can be re-united with God again.

He came into the world

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth...” (John 1:14)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)

He died in our place

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

He rose from the dead

Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred...” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)

Why did Jesus Christ pay the price for you and me?

Jesus said:
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:14-18)

God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them together…” (1 Timothy 2:5)

You mean I can have a personal relationship with God again through Jesus?

Absolutely.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12)

How can I know this Jesus Christ who died for me?

We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

Jesus said “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” (Revelation 3:20)

You can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.
You can pray a prayer such as this…

Lord Jesus, I need You now. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the person You created me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

If it does, pray the above prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

Congratulations dear friend, welcome to your eternal family of believers.

By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

How Can I Know God?

“...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

We cannot get to heaven by good works - It is the grace of God that saves us - salvation is a free gift from God to you

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

You can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

1. Acknowledge you are a sinner. You're not alone. The bible says:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
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:” (Romans 5:12)
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10)

2. Be willing to change your ways and turn from sin (repent).
Jesus said: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30)

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour & Lord.
It doesn't matter who you are. He loves you and will make you the person he created you to be.

For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.
For there is no distinction between the Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

For “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:10-13)

What do I pray?

“Dear God,

I am a sinner and need forgiveness.
I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin and He rose again to life for me.
I am willing to turn from sin.
I now invite Jesus to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me.
Show me the meaning of love and forgiveness. Take control of my life. Make me the person You created me to be. Amen.”

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)

Congratulations dear friend, Praise the Lord and welcome to your eternal family of believers. Please feel free to write to us at Challenge if you have received the Lord as your Saviour or if you are unsure about this and you would like more information. We would love to hear from you and pray for you.
The Lord says:

for I the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'.” (Isaiah 41:13)

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as a Christian:

1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)

2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

3. Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Jesus Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16)

4. Tell others the Good news of Jesus Christ.
And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
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.” (Romans 1:16)

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