HEAR YE HIM

Shortly after the day of Pentecost had passed with its great blessings of souls saved and multitudes added to the church, Peter is found preaching in the part of the Temple called Solomon's Porch. Among the other things about Christ, which he proclaims, is a reference to a prophecy spoken by Moses in the 18th Chapter of Deuteronomy.

We read now from
Acts 3:22 "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul that will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people."

That Peter is right in applying these words of Moses to Christ, is shown by the declaration of the Father at the Mount of transfiguration. It is recorded in Matthew 17 as well as in Mark and Luke's Gospel, how Peter, with the impulsiveness that seems so characteristic of him, proposed to build three tabernacles or memorial shrines so that Moses of the Law, and Elias of the prophets could share equal honors with the Lord.

God the Father immediately set him straight. Mat. 17:5 And while he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him!"

Now, Peter, as he preaches in the temple porch is passing on the wonderful lesson God the Father had taught him on the mount of transfiguration: Listen to Christ!

Voices clamor on all sides, Listen to me! Hear my story! Try my philosophy! Listen to my theory! Let me tell you my dreams! Hear my ideas! In the midst of confusion it is truly wonderful to be able to tune our hearts in to our Lord and hear still the calm voice of authority that can point out to man a sure way. When He spoke to raise the dead, cast out the demons, heal the sick or to still the sea it was not the timbre or inflections of his voice or the manner of his bearing that caused his commands to be instantly obeyed! But rather because he spoke with the authority of the creator.

Hear Him! His words still have power today if men will only listen with their hearts as Jesus speaks! No man ever spake like this man! To those who feel the weight of sin he has the words that can bring wonderful deliverance, for He said in John 3:17, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved"

Away must go the notion that God is waiting to gleefully cast the unrepentant into everlasting damnation, as we hear the words of Christ. But rather, we learn of a love so great that it could only be divine, a love so broad in its scope it encompasses every creature. We discover a compassion so far reaching in its effect, that it probes into the lowest depths of sin and despair, so great in its promise, that it leads man to the very throne of God. We find revealed a mercy so enduring that it promises eternity to ephemeral man!

Where, in all the present day babble of man about love, can there be found words to equal the simple, yet majestic statement of John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Yet, though He speaks of so great a love, He is painfully honest. In fact it is precisely because of His love for lost man that He will not soft pedal the truth. It was His great love for lost man that caused Him to say in
Luke 13:3 & 5, "I tell you Nay, but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish! (His repeating it is to stress the significance) Yes, I know that humbling ones self in repentance goes against the grain of human nature but there is no other way that the hard ground of the sinful heart can bear fruit when the seed of the Word is planted, except that it be broken up by repentance!

Now Jesus said, "Ye must be born again!" It is not enough that man should be convinced of certain teachings, or perform certain works, but he must be born of the Spirit of God! Recently when I told a man of the necessity of the new birth, his answer was, "That's what YOU say." No my friend, it is not what I say, but rather what Christ himself said in the third chapter of John, and His heavenly Father has said HEAR YE HIM!

It matters not that men may ridicule the new birth or that religious leaders gather followers by the score as they proclaim that it isn't necessary. The fact can never be altered, Jesus said, "Ye MUST be born again!'

To those who have been born again, these words of Christ serve two great needs. They give us a guide for our present life while at the same time fixing our attention on the great promises of eternity. Concerning our responsibility to God, listen to the Lord. Mat 16:24 If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Man is fond of saying that we should all serve according to the dictates of our own conscience, but nowhere in the words of Christ, nor in all the Word of God is such an idea even hinted at! The Constitution of our nation guarantees every individual the right to do that and we thank God for this freedom. True worship cannot be legislated by government nor enforced by law. However, our Lord is very specific: We should place our light upon a candlestick, Mat. 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. That candlestick is symbolic of his Churches, (Rev. 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.) and that the same church that he personally established during his personal ministry will be here until he returns again, Mat. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

As we heed the words of Christ, we learn our responsibilities to governments as well as to our fellow man. Christ was not a dreamy eyed mystic nor an unwashed revolutionary. Never did he encourage his disciples to rebel against lawful authority. Rather, when they tempted him with a question concerning the paying of taxes to the hated Roman Caesars, his answer laid the foundation for his people to build upon in every age. "Mat 22:21 Render unto Caesar those things which are Caesars and unto God the things that are God's. We might sum up these thoughts about his teachings in verse.

What kind of man was Jesus?

What kind of man was Jesus?
Was he a rebel like some say?
Did he try to change the social structure
and economics of his day?

Did he rebel against the government
and refuse to obey the rules?
Did he teach His disciples
that morals were for fools?

Was he an outcast from society?
How many sit-ins did he lead?
Did he draw attention by his clothes?
How many laws did he fail to heed?

Though he often spoke of peace and love,
did he ever compromise
in his own life or teaching,
or even hint it might be wise?

No! He was NOT a rebel!
No matter what men say,
The things he taught and did were 'square'
and still are so today!

He honored marriage with his presence
he taught soldiers to be true,
He taught men to honor magistrates
and children, parents too!

He never incited riot
nor railed against a king,
nor tried to pass off drugs and dope
as a holy thing!

No! He was not a rebel,
but he died to save from Hell
the men who nailed him to the cross
and those who still rebel!

Rebels! That's what men are,
as they fight against the Lord,
choosing sin and sinful paths
and refusing to hear his Word!
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Will you not obey the Father and hear the words of the Son? Repent of your sins and receive him as your saviour. The new birth can be your experience too! Then you can look forward to those heavenly promises such as the ones found in John 6:39 "And I will raise him up at the last day" and in John 14, "I will come again and receive you unto myself." These and many more are yours if you will only follow the admonition of the Father and Hear the Words of the Son