When you get the Son, you get the Whole thing.

Yes, this space was gone for a week or so. And yes, now it's back.

I was feeling burdened by writing and everyday when I would think about writing I became bitter. Because truth be told I wish I could sit down and write a heart wrenching, soul shaking, memorable, laugh out loud post everyday. But truth be told, I can't. And last week, this space, was one-more-thing that I needed to remove completely before being able to come back to it...if I even did. But I did, so we're good!

Today at church we wrapped up a sermon series called "Why I'm not a Christian?" Don't get confused; I am a Christian. The series has been unraveling all the reasons why the world says I'm not. Today's focus was, "Is Jesus the only way to God? We then dug deep, explaining all the differences between what non-believers think and say, and what different religions say, verses what a Christian is taught and thinks. For those that do not know what a Christian believes, YES, Jesus is the only way to God.

 ¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...

⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Ephesians 2:1,4-10

This verses is explaining that our sin makes us dead. But through grace and grace alone, not works, you and I have been saved. We were saved through Jesus resurrection.

After today's sermon I went and snatched the pastors notes and made a copy of the final story he used to come home with the point that, YES, Jesus is the only way to God.

Ravi Zacharias told this story a number of years ago...

There is a rich man who has a huge art gallery in his home. He also had a wonderful son. The son would often walk the streets and one day he befriended a beggar. He began seeing this beggar regularly, telling him all about his family; describing his father's home, art gallery, and all that his father did in business. The beggar grew fond of this young man and looked forward to seeing him each day.

One day the young man stopped coming. A day went by, two days, a week, and then a month. The beggar later found out that the son had suddenly died. So he went and got himself some paper and crayons, drawing a portrait of the son. He then went to the home of the rich man and gave it to the gate keeper. "Would you please give this to the father? His son was very good to me and I've drawn his portrait because I was told that he has an art gallery."

The gatekeeper looked at the odd, childish drawing and said "okay", sending the beggar away. But he thought this was a kind gesture and looked for the right opportunity to give it to the father.

One day the rich man was driving out and the gatekeeper told him about what the beggar had said and gave him the portrait. The rich man took it and looked at it; saying nothing in return.

Some years later the beggar found out that the rich man had passed away and that there was to be an auction of all the art hanging in his gallery. The beggar decided to find some nice clothes and see if he could squeeze in. And he did. Before the auction began he walked the halls to see if the son's portrait was hanging with all the grand masters. And It was.

The auctioneer came with all the elite buyers, studying each piece. Shortly after, the gravel was pounded and the auctioneer began. Except there was a condition left in the will, "The rich man said this portrait of his son is to be the first one auctioned." The announcement was met with moans and groans. No one was bidding on that. After long moments of silence the beggar put his hand into his pocket and took out all he had and bid. No counter offer was made and the gravel pounded, SOLD!

The beggar quickly made his way to pick-up the portrait, yet as he walked away the gravel was pounded again. The auctioneer said, "There is a second condition in the will, and it says that whoever bids on the portrait of the son gets the whole art gallery!"

...

You see, when you get the Son, you get the whole thing. You move from death to life. You are reconciled to a God who loves you.

When you get the Son, you understand the way, you come to know Truth that is found in Jesus Christ.  You get what we need to understand reality and how we should live life with meaning and fulfillment. You are freed because there is only one way to God. And that path runs right through life, to the cross, and empty tomb of Jesus Christ, where God did everything necessary to rescue YOU, his masterpiece.

There is no other name under heaven given to humanity by which we must be saved, and that name is Jesus.

I pray that you have a blessed week! May it be centered in Christ, glorifying His mighty name!

P.S.

Our church (body of believers) is beginning a new sermon series called Joy Ride, June 19- August 28th. We will be walking through the most joyful book in the New Testament, Philippians. In the series we will be looking at how we can enjoy the people around us, ways to conquer complaining, a strategy for reducing stress, how to maintain our joy, and more. So, if you need a little joy, come as you are and worship with us. It's going to be a blast!