Showing results by publisher "©2016 Lgt Publishing (P)Lgt Publishing" in Religion & Spirituality

In the ninth chapter of the book of Mark, it is said, "All things are possible to him who believes", and in the 19th chapter of the book of Matthew we are told, "With God all things are possible". Here we see God equated with the believer. You believe you are a man or a woman. You believe you are here, but are you willing to believe you can go beyond what your reason and senses dictate? You do not have to limit your power of belief to what your reasonable mind dictates.

When our great scientist, Dr. Robert Millikan, was young and very poor, he set a goal for himself. Condensing his dream of greatness and security into a simple statement, he silently repeated the thought over and over again. This he did until the feelings of greatness and security crowded all other thoughts out of his consciousness. These are his words: "I have a lavish, steady, dependable income, consistent with integrity and mutual benefit."

During Good Friday, undoubtedly millions attend services and hear some portion of the last seven words of Christ; but I wonder how many of them know who he is and what the words really mean. I tell you: Jesus Christ is your awareness, your I Amness, who became as you are that you may be as he is. I want you to accept this literally, for it is true.

I trust that you will find tonight's message a very practical one, because today there are so many reading the paper and believing what they see and what they hear on radio and TV about the depression and the recession and this, that, and the other. Now tonight, let me tell you who you are.

God is the great artist, and there is no artistry so lovely as that which perfects itself in the making of its image. God has but one consuming objective, and that is to make you into his image, that you may reflect and radiate his glory. On this level, however, God exists as the human imagination, for the human imagination is the divine body called the Lord Jesus.

This subject is a mystery to be known only by revelation. It is a secret that has been kept hidden from the beginning of time. Where there is no mystery, where there is no end from the beginning, there is no challenge, no place for imagination, or any room for faith or hope. But when it pleased God, in the fullness of time, to make it known to his apostles, those whom he called and incorporated into his own risen body, they are sent to tell the story of the gospel of God.

Jesus Christ is the true identity of everyone! His name, forever and ever, is I am. Therefore, when you say "I am", you are declaring your true identity. Do you believe that all things are possible to someone called Jesus Christ but not yourself? If you do it is because you do not know who you are!

Concerning the law, I can only acquaint you with the law and leave you to your choice and its risk, but we have scripture for it - to tell it, regardless of what they do with the law. In the 18th chapter of the book of Matthew, you see these words: "If any two of you agree on Earth about any request that you must make, that request will be granted by my heavenly Father" (Matthew 18:19).

Those who experience the Christian mystery are charged with the responsibility of telling others. Their aim is the awakening of faith in God. For, as Paul, I ask the questions, "How can men call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how can they hear unless there is a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!'"

In biblical language, a man's name reveals his character. His name is an expression of this essential nature of the bearer. As I have said in the past, these characters are not persons; they are eternal states, spiritual states, through which the immortal soul passes to awaken as God. To understand this subject, let us go back just for a moment. As you know, I have told you the Bible is God's plan, something to be understood only through revelation.

Tonight's title is the Family Portrait. Thirty-odd years ago, a play appeared on Broadway called The Family Portrait. It was a study of Jesus and starred Margaret Webster and Judith Anderson. They played the parts of Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother. The central figure - Jesus - never appeared on the stage, just as it should be. The brothers appeared, bringing the news of what he had said and the reactions of the crowd and the concern of the two Marys.