How do men believe Jesus and kill Jesus?
First of all, please know this! We are not talking about kill physical life!
A. Main scriptures for this study is John 8:31-59
1. 8:31 says, Jesus talked to the Jews who having believed him.
It is hard to believe men believed Jesus can in the same time seek to kill him!
That is why, if you read English Bible, you see they translated it as had believed!
This way they can say, the Jews had believed, now they don’t!
But I found the original text use “having believed”!
Yes, when Jesus spoke to them they were “having believed” Jesus!
2. To these Jews Jesus said: I know that you are Abraham’s seed: Yet you seek to kill me, because my word has no room within you! Jn.8:37
3. Jesus called them children of the devil. Jn.8:44
4. The Jews picked up stones to stone him. Jesus hid himself from them! 8:59
5. We know from history, they were able to kill Jesus physically at the time.
Nowadays no one can kill Jesus physically!
But they can effectively kill Jesus’ spiritual body, the church!
B. This is how!
1. By causing one of the little ones that believe on him to stumble.Mtt.18:6-7
Jesus put it this way--> Whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble,
it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and (that) he
should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling!
For it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion come!
2. By distorting the truth and draw disciples to follow them! Acts 20:29-30
Apostle Paul put it this way-->
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples
after them.
This happened all over the world.
“Jesus’ believers” follow people rather than follow Jesus according to what says in the Bible!
3. By standing at the church’s gateway and prevent others to get in!Matt.23:13
Jesus put it this way--> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
Because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves,
neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.
4. By compass sea and land to make proselyte and make twofold son of hell!
Jesus put it this way--> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so,
ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves. Matt.23:15
5. By wearing the name “Jesus’ believer” and do unrighteousness! Matt.23:23
Jesus put it this way--> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law,
justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
***Please remember Romans 14:17--> The kingdom of God, the church is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
1. Thank God! The church of Christ exists in the word of the Lord! Luke 8:11
When the word of the Lord is preached, churches of Christ will rise up!
2. From Acts 16:12-34
we see how the word of the Lord was preached and the faithful church at Philippi was established!
3. This church is a living evidence! We preach the word of the Lord.
We have a church of Christ to worship according to what says in the Bible!
4. Satan may be able to distort the truth and draw away all believers!
Satan cannot destroy the word of the Lord! Thank God, praise the Lord!