Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:00:04 -0500 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/the-word-that-shook-the-world-11569400.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/the-word-that-shook-the-world-11569400.html Adrian Rogers Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/4-results-of-christs-ascension-11671403.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/4-results-of-christs-ascension-11671403.html Christianity.com Editorial Staff https://www.christianity.com/author/christianitycom-editorial-staff/ When Jesus told his disciples that he would be leaving them, they reacted with sorrow, but when it actually happened they reacted with joy. Why? Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/are-you-thirsty-11674769.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/are-you-thirsty-11674769.html Brian Hedges The Bible holds out hope, inviting all who are thirsty to come to the waters and drink. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/why-do-christians-believe-jesus-is-god.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/why-do-christians-believe-jesus-is-god.html John Stange https://www.christianity.com/author/john-stange/ Our culture and the world we live in are fascinated by Jesus. You don't have to look far to find references to Him. His name is continually on the lips of believers and unbelievers alike. Some use His name to bless. Others use His name to curse. When popular print publications want to sell more copies of their magazines and books, all they have to do is put a depiction of Jesus on the cover, and sales increase. It is not an understatement to say that this world finds Jesus curious and interesting.At the same time, it's also fair to say that most people don't have a highly developed understanding of who Jesus is. If people really understood His nature and identity, they certainly wouldn't speak of Him so flippantly. You wouldn't see jokes and comical depictions of Him like we commonly see at present.Ironically, it isn't just the culture at large that seems to be confused about who Jesus really is. I believe it's fair to say that there are many people in the church who presently have an undeveloped understanding of Christ's nature and what the Bible teaches about Him.There are many things God's word reveals to us about Jesus. We're told that He is the perfect man, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the King of kings, and the Son of God. There's one additional truth Scripture reveals about Jesus that we shouldn't miss. Scripture tells us that He indeed is God.Years ago I had a conversation with the son of a woman who attended the church I was pastoring at the time. He was about twenty years older than me and he had recently converted to Judaism. Because I was his mother’s pastor, his family requested that I officiate for the funeral of one of their family members. After the funeral, we spoke for a few minutes and he said to me, "I think I'm willing to accept that Jesus is the Messiah, but I can't believe He is actually God." What do you think about that statement? Is that what you believe? What did Jesus say about Himself? Is there anything we can find in Scripture that can help clarify whether or not He is actually God?Photo Credit: dalle ai Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:20:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/did-jesus-have-a-last-name.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/did-jesus-have-a-last-name.html Justin Wiggins https://www.christianity.com/author/justin-wiggins/ When we learn the deep historical and spiritual significance of Jesus’ name we can see how amazing His love, glory, and power are. Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:45:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-does-the-bible-say-about-jesus-life-as-a-child.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-does-the-bible-say-about-jesus-life-as-a-child.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ What was Jesus like as a child? While the Bible is mostly silent about His early years, the glimpses we do have reveal a childhood marked by humility, obedience, and wisdom beyond His age. Discover the fascinating journey from Bethlehem to Nazareth and how Jesus’ hidden years prepared Him for His life-changing ministry. Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:45:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/4-ways-unity-among-believers-can-change-the-world-for-christ.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/4-ways-unity-among-believers-can-change-the-world-for-christ.html Our common faith in Jesus unites us to Him and to each other, and in John 17, Jesus prayed for us to grow spiritually mature and to demonstrate that maturity through our love and unity.Some refer to Christ's prayer in John 17 as His "High Priestly Prayer" in view of the intercession He makes on behalf of believers. This prayer may have been prayed in the Upper Room after Jesus instructed His disciples or may have been prayed en route to the Garden of Gethsemane. Some refer to this prayer as the greatest prayer ever prayed on earth and the greatest prayer recorded anywhere in Scripture (Wiersbe, 367).In the portion of His prayer that we're about to look at, Jesus prayed for the church of every generation, and He gave us a clear glimpse of how He desires to bless His people for all eternity.1. Belief Is a Blessing“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word." - John 17:20This prayer Jesus was praying followed a logical pattern. He began by praying for Himself, then transitioned to praying for His disciples. From there, He began praying for all believers of all time in a similar fashion to how He was praying for the disciples who were present for His earthly ministry. In fact, it seems to me that the things He prayed for the disciples were also being prayed for us based on the fact that Jesus begins this section by stating, "I do not ask for these only..."Jesus was praying for those who would believe in Him through the word or the testimony of the disciples. His disciples were first-hand witnesses to His teaching and miracles. They were pillars of the early church. Jesus blessed them with helpful experiences and wisdom. Later, He did miracles through them to confirm that the message they were preaching was of divine origin. People came to believe in Jesus through what these men communicated.In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that virtually all people who have ever become Christians have believed in Jesus through the testimony of His disciples. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these men wrote down the New Testament Scriptures. With the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit, they planted the churches of the first century. The legacy of what the Lord did through them extends throughout 2000 years of history and has reached you and me right where we are.What a blessing it is to believe in Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to be included in God's plan of redemption. I refer to our belief as a blessing because if you believe, that wasn't something you conjured up in your own mind. You didn't come to believe in Jesus by an act of your will. You didn't come to understand the need for salvation on your own. God impressed that need upon your heart, and He opened your eyes to enable you to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God."That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." - Ephesians 1:17-18If you truly believe in Jesus, Don't take your faith for granted. The message of the gospel traveled through many generations and cultures over the course of many years to come to you, and when it did so, God opened your eyes so that you would believe. This is a blessing, and Jesus prayed that it would be so.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Delmaine Donson Fri, 03 Jan 2025 11:25:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/why-is-it-important-to-have-something-to-look-forward-to.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/why-is-it-important-to-have-something-to-look-forward-to.html John Stange https://www.christianity.com/author/john-stange/ When hope feels lost and your faith wavers, the story of Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that God’s promises never fail. Journey with Joseph of Arimathea, the faithful women at the tomb, and angelic messengers as they witness the ultimate act of love and victory over death. Discover how this miraculous event can ignite your faith and fill your heart with unshakable hope. Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/unpacking-the-miracles-surrounding-jesus-birth.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/unpacking-the-miracles-surrounding-jesus-birth.html Judy McEachran https://www.christianity.com/author/judy-mceachran/ The Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, includes miraculous events that are possible only through God’s miraculous power. Penned by the physician and literary master, Luke, the Christmas story unfolds the moment when heaven touched earth and changed history forever, marking the transition from B.C. to A.D. Join me as we reflect on the brilliant star of Bethlehem that illuminated the manger where Jesus lay—a powerful act of divine orchestration that began the work of pardon and redemption. Grab your Bible, and let’s journey through this life-changing, miracle-filled passage together.Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Simon Lehmann Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-is-the-joy-of-jesus.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-is-the-joy-of-jesus.html Dr. Josh Moody https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-josh-moody/ Feeling overwhelmed by the holiday hustle and unmet expectations? Discover how Psalm 65 reveals five powerful reasons to praise God, even in the midst of chaos, and learn how the joy of Jesus can transform your heart this season. Find the peace and gratitude you’ve been searching for! Wed, 27 Nov 2024 17:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T03:00:04-05:00