Anchorpoint Radio

Today’s topic is about something that we’re sure most thinking people would like to know more about. It’s all about eternal life. After all, who wouldn’t want to live forever? To be in a place of no sorrow and suffering for all eternity? Right? Well, you will see from our message today that eternal life is much more than that. Yes, it is only available from God himself, but it is so much more than just quantity of life – that is, forever life – but it also includes the quality of that life. It is not just more of what we have now. No. It is a truly awesome existence for those transformed by the power of God to live eternally in His presence in a state of total harmony and purpose with God himself. And eternal life begins the moment you first believe – here and now!

You know, sheep and shepherds were commonplace in Bible times. It is easy to see the contrast between the sheep and the shepherd. Sheep are helpless, weak, and needy creatures. They commonly lose their way and become easy targets for hungry predators. We are a lot like sheep. And spiritually we are easy prey for the devil who as a roaring lion seeks for those he can devour. On the other hand, we have a seeking Shepherd who is also looking for the sheep, ready to lay down His life for its rescue. What wonderful words Isaiah writes, “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him (Christ) the iniquity of us all.” Trust Him today, won’t you?

The Lord Jesus Christ was and is the most truly unique person in the universe. He was the one and only Son of God. From His unique conception to His unique death, there was never anybody like Him on any level. No one can compare to Jesus. What a wonderful Saviour He is, my friend. To miss Him is to miss the whole purpose that God has in store for you. To miss Him is to be separated from God eternally. So, come to this unique One today, won’t you?

 You know, when the Lord Jesus Christ was born into this world, it was the first time that men and women, like you and I, could physically see and touch Him. The apostle John spoke about how he and the other disciples actually “handled” the Lord. So, how about YOU? How do you handle Christ?  Do you handle Him with reverence, adoration, and gratitude? Do you handle Him as YOUR Saviour? We hope so!

If you’ve ever read John chapter 3, you will find three imperatives there that are vital for all of us to understand. The first one is the necessity for every one of us to have spiritual life – we MUST be born again. John goes on to give another vital mandate in this chapter – this time regarding the Lord Jesus himself – when He said that He MUST be lifted up. Why? And the third imperative is all about the attitude and lifestyle of a Christian AFTER salvation – where Christ continually increases and the new Christian decreases. Upon the new birth, Christ becomes our all-in-all, we start to be transformed into His likeness, and we have a growing desire for Christ to be praised and exalted above everything else. Have you ever had this born again experience? 

The word ‘saved’ is a very weighty word in the Bible. But it is used very often. In fact, the disciples often asked the Lord Jesus questions about what it means to be saved. He emphasized to them the importance of making it a priority in life – even impressing upon them that they needed to ‘strive’ to enter in. This means that we need to take the gospel message personally and seriously. Have you? 

The Lord Jesus Christ was the Great Physician. He took away diseases. He gave strength to crippled limbs. He calmed the broken heart. The message this week concerns the miraculous healing of a man born blind. But, more importantly, the man received spiritual vision – and came to believe on Christ the Lord and worship Him.

Yes, just like the old gospel hymn says – I once was blind, but now I see - millions of sinners have had their spiritual sight restored by Christ. 

The Lord Jesus told the most riveting stories and parables. As the ultimate teacher, His teachings hit home in the hearts of those that heard – really heard – what He was trying to tell them. One such story was about a grand wedding feast prepared by a King for His son. He intended for everyone to come. The invitation went out, “All things are ready – Come”! He had covered the cost of absolutely everything. In fact, even the correct wedding attire was provided. There was nothing to do but to accept the invitation and turn up on the appointed day. Sadly, they totally rejected the invitation. Have you? We hope not!

The message preached by the early church was a simple and yet triumphant one. They preached Christ “and Him crucified”. Christ bore our iniquities. He suffered for every one. How marvellous is the story of the grace of God! The Sovereign of the universe closed His eyes in death for the vilest sinner on earth. You find it hard to believe? It’s what the gospel teaches, my friend. Turn your incredulity into songs of praise. And open your heart to trust Him, won’t you?

God’s handiwork in creation was perfect in every way – and He gave it His stamp of approval from the very beginning – “God saw that it was good”. So, what happened between then and now? Well, just one small word actually – sin. Yes, sin entered the world and destroyed the paradise that God intended for man. But as soon as sin entered – through Adam – the promise was made of a Redeemer who would restore the world and the humans in it. This would be no less that the Messiah himself – the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a complete and wonderful restoration He has made on the cross of Calvary for sinners! But where do YOU stand? Are you redeemed?