God's gospel.
Jesus asked them: Who do men say that I am? Mark 8:27-29
Let us see the history of mankind to answer Jesus' question.
God created all things, and He said that it was good, very good:
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. He made the stars also. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Genesis 1
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars he puts the deep into storehouses. Psalm 33:7
O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Psalm 89:8
Your arm is endued with power your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Psalm 89:13
The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Psalm 99:1
He who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. Psalm 104:32
God continues to bless us:
Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? Deuteronomy 32:6
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1
Who formed the mountains by your power, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. You care for the land and water it you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain they shout for joy and sing. Psalm 65:6-13
Everything comes from you. 1 Chronicles 29:14
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Acts 14:17
For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said: "We are his offspring". Acts 17:28
Mankind went their own way, without God, sinning everywhere, all the time:
But man, created in the image of God, created by God with holiness, purity, goodness, and created to love and cherish God, decided to follow Satan's guidance that God did not have man's best interests at heart when God forbade man not to eat of and not to touch the tree in the middle of the garden but man did eat of this tree and did touch this tree. Man disobeyed God, thereby inviting death to come upon himself, upon us. And, we ourselves freely choose sin and live in sin, rebelling against God even today. Men loves darkness, sin, instead of light, Godliness, because our deeds are evil. John 3:19
Everyone everywhere sins against God; we are all selfish, unloving towards God, unloving towards people.
All people everywhere are prisoners of sin, prisoners to sin. Galatians 3:22
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12
All wrongdoing of every kind, intentional and unintentional, is sin. 1 John 5:17
All are full of bitterness and sin. Acts 8:23
Sin brings death:
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die. Romans 8:13
For the wage of sin is death. Romans 6:23
For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. Romans 7:11
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15
... each is to die for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16
Instead, everyone will die for his own sin. Jeremiah 31:30
... and you will die in your sin. John 8:21
God in His loving compassion for us, for the whole world, tells us He has prepared a ransom to buy us back from our slavery of death and sin.
I will ransom them from the power of the grave I will redeem them from death. Hosea 13:14
Our ransom is not gold, our ransom is not money; our ransom is a person.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Our ransom was promised from long ago.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Isaiah 9:2-6
God's mercy towards us sinners, towards those who live in the land of death, is to amplify and make known God's own wonderful glory, His mercy, His kindness, His holiness. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto your name give glory, for your mercy, and for your truth's sake. Psalm 115:1
Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy. Romans 9:23
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:4-5
And so God prepared a ransom to buy us back from our slavery to sin, our slavery to death; that ransom is a real person, the Lord Jesus.
Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Mark 1:3
Even the demons recognize who our ransomer is.
What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God! Mark 1:24
God from heaven tells us His Son is this ransomer.
And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:11
The ransomer person has unlimited power over nature, over everything, even us.
So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Mark 1:31
And Jesus healed many who had various diseases. Mark 1:34
And our ransomer has the power of forgiveness over our sins, something only God has.
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this. Mark 2:10-12
The ransomer also has power over the Law of Moses, the Law given by God.
And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. Mark 2:27-28
Our ransomer has power over creation.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him: "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves: "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Mark 4:36-41
Jesus' power over the elements is the same as God's power over the elements.
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves. Psalm 65:5-7
O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea when its waves mount up, you still them. Psalm 89:8-9
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord. Psalm 93:1-5
Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations it can never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. Psalm 104:1-8
This same ransomer has power over death.
"Your daughter is dead:". Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler: "Don't be afraid just believe. Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her: "Talitha koum!" [literally in Aramaic "Lamb arise!"] (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. Mark 5:35-42
The ransomer is compassionate, kind, and a shepherd to those who are lost.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34
Our ransomer foretells the future, and He will be at the Last Judgment.
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him: "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings! Do you see all these great buildings?", replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another every one will be thrown down." As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately: "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." Mark 13:1-8
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today, yes, tonight, before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." Mark 14:30
I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Matthew 10:15
Our ransomer has a heavenly Godly appearance.
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Mark 9:2-4
The ransomer is from God and does God's work.
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:22-24
Our ransomer saves us from the penalty, the punishment of our sins.
You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Our ransomer is Emmanuel:
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
Our ransomer is called God:
The Lord [Yahweh, the Lord Almighty] says to my Lord [the Jews used this term for Lord as a title for God]: Sit at my right hand [here the Psalmist David pictures God speaking to the Messiah, whom David calls his Lord, his God.]. Psalm 110:1 and Mark 12:37
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:28
This is good, and pleases God our Savior. 1 Timothy 1:1
At his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Titus 1:3-4
And not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. Titus 2:10
While we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ - Titus 2:13
The ransomer uses God's Name.
"I am [the great 'I Am' ", the self-existent one, the almighty, the eternal one, Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 42:8, [This is an explicit unmistakable statement that Jesus is Messiah and God.]
Jesus said: "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62
Our ransomer is prayed to, as only God can be prayed to.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7:39
The ransomer is worshipped as God.
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him. Mark 5:6
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him. Matthew 2:11
Our ransomer is the Lord of Lord, and King of Kings.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega", says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13
But the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Revelation 17:14
On His robe and on His thigh He has this Name written: KING OF KINGS AND Lord OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16
Our ransomer took upon Himself our sin penalty and punishment and our death, to appease God's just, good, helpful wrath against sin which normally results in our own personal death, but instead our penalty for sin was transferred to our ransomer:
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:26
But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. John 6:50
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Yet if we reject our ransomer, there is no other means of salvation, no other means of putting off death, no other means of eliminating the slavery of sin, and worse, God becomes our enemy because we choose sin, we choose to insult God by our sin, we choose to ignore God, we choose to follow our own path which is full of sin, and our sin continually insults God, and so God hates our sin and therefore hates our choice of sin over against a choice for God whom we reject.
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? Job 9:4
But God will shoot them with arrows suddenly they will be struck down. Psalm 64:7
Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. Psalm 68:21
He will crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4
The Lord is at your right hand he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. Psalm 110:5
Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue. Psalm 50:22
I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me. Isaiah 65:12
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it and you will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 13:13-14
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them. Hosea 5:14
Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open. Like a lion I will devour them a wild animal will tear them apart. Hosea 13:8
For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. Romans 7:5
Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea, the Almighty pays no attention to it. Job 35:13
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood. Isaiah 1:15
But your iniquities have separated you from your God your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2
This is the verdict: choose life or death, blessings or curses.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19
And so Jesus asked them.
Who do men say that I am? Mark 8:27-29
And we answer: that Jesus is our ransomer, He is able, He is powerful, He is God, He is kind, He is compassionate, He is eternal, He is fully able to save those who believe in Him as God and obey Him He is able to ransom those who repent of their sin and seek Him to take away their slavery to death, even though they die in the body now in this life, He will give them eternal life at the moment of death from this world, giving them life everlasting, beginning now in this body, but eventually also raising up a new body, whereby we live eternally and happily with Him forever.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching." John 14:23-24
The word is near you it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Romans 10:8-11
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Direct my footsteps according to your word let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers let me not eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:4
Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Psalm 141:9
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature [namely eternal life and godly righteous living] and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices my body also will live in hope. Acts 2:26
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:7-11
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:6-7
Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:21-24
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:19-20
Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people he ordained his covenant forever, holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:1-10
The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Micah 7:8
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3
The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us [namely Jesus] in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies [namely slavery of sin, death, broken relationships] and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:68-79
This is what God the Lord says, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare before they spring into being I announce them to you. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the desert and its towns raise their voices let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim his praise in the islands. Isaiah 42:5-8
Live a life worthy of the Lord and; please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10
We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. Thessalonians 2:4
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice; surely he will never be shaken. A righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear in the end; he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever his horn will be lifted high in honor. Psalm 112:5-9
For great is your mercy toward me: and you have delivered my soul from the lowest hell. Psalm 86:13
"CONSIDER HIM", the Lord Jesus, by unknown author:
When the storm is raging high, when the tempest rends the sky, when my eyes with tears are dim, then my soul consider Him.
When my plans are in the dust, when my dearest hopes are crushed, when is passed each foolish whim, then my soul consider Him.
When with dearest friends I part, when deep sorrow fills my heart, when pain racks each weary limb, then my soul consider Him.
When I track my weary way, when fresh trials come each day, when my faith and hope are dim, then my soul consider Him.
Clouds or sunshine, dark or bright, evening shades or morning light, when my cup flows o'er the brim, then my soul consider Him.
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Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Romans 8:8
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