JESUS THE MESSIAH----BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

This is not new. I placed it here over two years ago. This time I wanted to call your attention to it. These words concern the most important person in history. It is about the one that God had promised to send to redeem men and women from their sins. All the lambs slain in the Old Testament could never take away one sin. They were all a picture; a type, pointing to the only savior and redeemer. The One whose birth that we say we are remembering this next month. The Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to tell you about Him with the hope that He will speak to you and call you to Himself. Without Him you have no hope of Salvation!

                                              THE TRUE MESSIAH
One of the greatest musical blessings to me is George Frederick Handel’s Messiah. The greatest blessing in the universe is the one of whom Handel wrote; the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible word Messiah is the Hebrew word משׁיח (mashiyack, which means in English anointed). The word Messiah is found four times in the King James Version. That’s twice in the Old Testament; Daniel 9:25, 26, as Messiah the Prince, and twice in the New Testament; John 1:41 and John 4:25 as Messias, a Greek variation.

“The word Christ is a Greek word, Χριστός (Christos), also signifying anointed. Hence, Jesus is called either the Messiah, or the Christ, meaning the same thing. The Jews speak of the Messiah; Christians speak of him as the Christ. In ancient times, when kings and priests were set apart to their office, they were anointed with oil (see Leviticus 4:3, 6:20.Also see 1Samuel 9:16, 15:1).To anoint, therefore, means often the same as to consecrate, or to set apart to an office. Hence, those thus set apart are said to be anointed, or to be the anointed of God. It is for this reason that the name is given to the Lord Jesus. He was set apart by God to be the King, and High Priest, and Prophet of his people. Anointing with oil was, moreover, supposed to be emblematic of the influences of the Holy Spirit; and since God gave him the Spirit without measure (John 3:34), so he is especially called the Anointed of God” (Albert Barnes commenting on Matthew 1:1; some emphasis mine cw).

                                                    

                                           CHRIST IS THE MESSIAH
The Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation (300-200 BC), of the Old Testament uses Christos for Messiah in the verses in Daniel. As I said, Messiah and Christ are one and the same. The woman at the well said “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he” (John 4:25,26)). When Simon Peter says in Matthew 16:16, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God” (by the way, almost all English versions agree with that wording), he was in essence saying “You are the Messiah, God’s anointed that should come”. John 1:41 says that Peter’s brother, Andrew, had told him “We have found the Messias, which is being interpreted , the Christ.”

The Jews were looking for the Messiah to come, and expected Him to be a warrior that would overthrow their enemies. Of course He did not come on the scene in that manner. They expected the Lion of Judah and instead He came as the Lamb of God. John the Baptist saw Him as the Lamb of God when he first saw Him. Later, as John the Baptist was in prison, he sent followers to ask “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”(Matthew 11:3) Many think John had let human doubt discourage him. Remember, John was Jesus’ cousin, also a Jew, and perhaps he also thought that the Messiah was going to be more “lion-like” after he became well known. When He returns, He will come as the Lion, in all His fury toward His enemies in the lost world.

Although the word Messiah is only used twice in the OT, there are many more references that pointed to the coming of Messiah; some veiled and some not. Isaiah 7:14 is very striking “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”. Then the verse is repeated in Matthew 1:23 with the interpretation “Which being interpreted is, God with us”. Messiah is God with us. Messiah the Prince is the Prince of Peace found in Isaiah 9:6. The “Jehovah who became our salvation” (y’shuah), in Isaiah 12:2 is the Messiah. The names Joshua, Jehoshua and Yeshua all mean salvation. Jesus means salvation. Joseph was told by the angel “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

                                                MESSIAH IS THE LORD
Simeon understood exactly who He was as he waited for His birth “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ”(Luke 2:25,26). The Lord’s Christ, or anointed mean the same thing: Messiah, the One whom all Israel was expecting. Simeon and all devout Jews were looking for Him (as devout Christians are to be looking for Him in our day). He came then, born in Bethlehem, and many Jews at first received Him. Later, the Jews mostly rejected Christ, and it was mostly Gentiles who received Him. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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 1:11,12).

Paul states in 1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” No doubt he speaks of Messiah. Thomas, when He was confronted with the resurrected Christ exclaimed “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). He knew this One was Messiah!

John the beloved said: “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (John 1:17.18. He absolutely knew this is Messiah! Now alive forevermore!

Nathanael understood exactly who HE was when he “answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (John 1:49. The point is, this is the One Israel later rejected, as many reject Him today. He was, and is, the Messiah of Israel, the Christ of God, God manifested in the flesh. There will be no other. He says “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22).

Friend, you must look to Jesus the Messiah, or be eternally lost. That is not my word, but God’s.

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com

GIVING THANKS--CHARLES WOODRUFF

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Thessalonians 5:18)

We are approaching Thanksgiving Day. Of all holidays, I think Thanksgiving to be the most authentic.
Oh, I know some of the problems such as various activities men have incorporated such as football,
parties, big movie openings, and overall a big holiday, while preparing for shopping on “Black Friday”,
That’s the day merchants live for all year that will put their revenues “in the black” as they kick off
Christmas sales in earnest (though the Christmas merchandising began with some stores in late August).
 
But the core of the holiday is good. It was started long ago at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Commercialization was certainly not the goal of the first Thanksgiving back in Plymouth colony in the
autumn of 1621. (Click here for an interesting, concise, account of Thanksgiving Day’s history).
http://wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm     Some of the stories written about Plymouth, the Pilgrims, and
even the Mayflower totally ignore the religious aspect of it all in keeping with today’s totally insane
“political correctness”. But the fact is, the Pilgrims, who were English Puritan separatists, came to
America to find freedom to worship God Almighty. They had been persecuted in England; disappointed
in the general carnality of Dutch life, even though they had more freedom after going to Holland. So
they contracted a sailing vessel to strike out for the new world with a hope of freely serving God, and
building their own society here. That was the real beginning of the United States of America.
 
The Mayflower Compact, which they drew up on the way over, is one of the bedrocks of America’s
foundation, for they set up a “civil body politick” which was the first sort of a “declaration of
independence”. It expressed their determination to govern themselves under God, with due allegiance
to the British government. It begins unlike any secular document, with these words “In ye name of
God, amen”. It is the root of our Declaration of Independence. It was a true Christian foundation.
http://www.allabouthistory.org/mayflower-compact.htm
 
Thus it began, and upon arrival in the new world they landed briefly at Cape Cod, finally settled at
Plymouth Rock in 1620, and after losing 46 of the original 102 passengers, the rest struggled to survive.
They were provided help by the local native Indians. One year later they gathered all over the colony for
meals shared with the native Wampanoag. It lasted for several days straight, giving thanks and
remembrance of God’s blessings on them all. It did not become a tradition until a few years later (more
online info about this first feast).   http://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/history.htm 

In fact, there is no other nation on earth that had a founding in the same way as the United States. Think
about it. The Pilgrims were searching for a place to worship the Lord without persecution. They prayed
much about it. The Lord led them here. They had to come by faith. They left their homeland and came to
the shores of New England, not knowing from one day to the next how they would survive. It was hard,
but God enabled them. Over the years it is clear that God guided this nation in many ways giving it 
strength which could have come from nowhere else.

Wouldn’t it be a shame to see her fall now, after all these years? There has been a decline of the spiritual
life here, especially in the last 75 years. Does that mean it is too late? I think not, but time is running out. 
It will take an act of God to revive America, but the same God who gave her life can revive her, if it be
His will. I pray that it is, and that He will.
 
I have been reading about one great revival in America; The Great Awakening in the 18th century. It was
truly remarkable. The breath of God appeared in the effort which began in Massachusetts. There was
much opposition, but God prevailed, and many were saved. The land was affected by it. As it happened
before the revolution, it was likely the spark of the revolution. It gave it life and breath. There were other
awakenings in our land. God’s hand is not shortened that He cannot reach out and save. His breath is not
shut off that He cannot blow it upon a barren land. His word is still true. Let’s cry unto Him for life! I
believe that without God’s help, all is lost here. Unless He hears us, we are doomed! Please take
advantage of this Thanksgiving Day to beseech God for a turning in our land. Cry to Him for mercy for
yourself, and your loved ones, and your land. He is a merciful God who will hear us if we cry!
 
I usually cover this history each year, because I find it so fascinating. I want others to see it, and begin
enjoying the celebration of it. It actually has more for me to commend than any other holiday that we
have in America. Just the matter of fact way that we simply may gather to worship and be thankful
moves me. I know that most do not do this, be we do, and I believe we should. Our scripture says  
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 
This is so striking. It tells us simply, and clearly, that God is running things in His world that He made. 
He says that it is His will that we thank Him for His control and for His provision. We should thank Him
for His will in Christ Jesus concerning us. Were it not for God, we would all be lost. Because of his grace 
we have eternal redemption in Jesus Christ. Because of Him we are saved from sin and hell. It
involves nothing that we did, but all accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ at the cross. We must 
praise Him for this!
 
Things I am thankful for include:
-My dear wife of almost 50 years, and how she has been faithful and true.
-My four children, three of which survive. All have declared faith in Christ.
-My twelve grandchildren. I love them; they are all precious to me.
-Our church where Christ is preached, and the brothers and sisters there.
-The renewed ministry God has given me in writing and pulpit, and for its fruit.
-Many brothers and sisters in various places who pray for me and give support.
-A land that still has much freedom, though it is being undermined greatly.
-I am thankful for generally good health for my wife and myself.
-The graciousness and mercy of God for every day which we live.
 
These are just a few of the many things for which I thank God. As you enjoy this Thanksgiving,
hopefully with your family, take time to reflect on the mercies of God in your own life, as well
as a prayer for our nation and its future, and the cause of God and truth in Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is coming again soon. Help prepare your family and friends to be ready to meet Him.
 
Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com

I CAN'T SAY UNTIL I KNOW WHAT'S IN IT

CHARLES SPURGEON

(Here is a great example of the smaller work done by this dear man. A tract which, while one of many, was outstanding. it makes one think, which is exactly what a tract should do. I pray that it causes you to examine yourself under God's great light. My He cause you turn to Him this day. Amen!)

When we were in Venice we purchased a few curiosities, and finding them burdensome, we thought of sending them home by one of the English vessels lying in the Canal. We went out in a gondola with our box, and having asked for the captain of one of the vessels, we put to him the question, “Will you take a box for us to London, and what is the charge?” His reply was very ready, “I can’t say till I know what’s in it, for I don’t want to get into trouble.” A very common sense answer indeed; we admired its caution and honesty.

What a pity that men do not exercise as much care in spiritual matters, as to what they will receive or reject. Dear reader, in these times there are thousands of bad books published, and herds of bad teachers sent forth to deceive the unwary; you must be on your guard, lest you be led into error. Take nothing for granted, inquire into things for yourself, and try every new doctrine and professedly old doctrine too, by the Word of God. You may take contraband goods on board before you are aware of it; keep both eyes open, watch and examine, and when a thing is pressed upon you, find out what’s in it. Do not believe all a man says because he is a clergyman, or eloquent, or learned, or even because he is kind and generous. Bring all to the bar of Holy Scripture, and if they cannot stand the test, receive them not, whatever their bold pretenses.

But reader is your own present religion good for anything? Do you know what’s in it, and what it is made of? May it not be mischievous and false? Search thyself, and do not take a hope into thy soul till thou knowest what it is made of. The devil and his allies will try to trick you into carrying their wares, but be warned in time, and reject their vile devices. The finished work of Jesus received by faith is “a good hope through grace,” and there is no other. Hast thou it? or art thou foolishly looking to another? The Lord lead you away from all else to Jesus. Whatever may be the ground of trust which men may offer you, take care to KNOW WHAT’S IN IT before you accept it.

No. 19.—Sword and Trowel Tracts, by C. H. SPURGEON.