Are You Worshipping Jesus? - Dave Bogue

Christians and Social Justice - Tony Hall

How Are You Worshiping? - Dave Bogue

"The Turning Point" by: Jared Keiffer

     
        Life changes. Sometimes it’s dramatic and newsworthy. Other times, it passes under everyone’s radar but yours. Regardless, we all experience turning points in our lives. Likewise, we see great turning points outside of our lives as well. For the American nation, a true turning point would be the Revolutionary War. We became an independent country. For the younger generations, perhaps September 11, 2001 is the main turning point in our sphere of our reference. Something dramatic happens and things are never the same.

        No matter our nation, age or ethnicity, there is one turning point that we all share and it is indisputable and undeniable. “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said’” (Mt. 28). It’s hard to get a good grasp of the cross, the empty tomb and what it all means. As the bible clearly states, the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18)…and so is the empty grave. But to those who are being saved it is the power of God. And through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have the greatest turning point in human history.

        From the beginning we were doomed for destruction. The lives of man marred by the sin inherited from Adam (Rom 5) and perpetuated in our daily lives. We were destined for an eternity of damnation. Much like our American forefathers, we were under the control and influence of a foreign power. However, as Jesus took on human flesh, became a servant and entered our world, our hope began to change. A turning point had been initiated. Jesus lived the perfect life and then went to the cross to absorb and quench the entirety of God’s wrath. Where our sin had earned us punishment and death, Jesus took that punishment and death.

        As Tim Hughes so beautifully puts it:
               The greatest day in history,
               Death is beaten, You have rescued me.
               Sing it out, Jesus is alive!
               The empty cross, the empty grave,
               Life eternal, You have won the day,
               Shout it out, Jesus is alive!

        No matter the turning point in U.S. history or in our own lives, it all fades in comparison to the riches of the grace Jesus lavished on us as he became the pivotal turning point in the history of God’s creation. Many could claim to die for their followers, and some even have. But there is only one perfect lamb that not only died but was raised to new life. It truly was the greatest day in history.

        Are you grateful? Have you realized what Jesus has done for you? Have you believed in him as the turning point for the world and for your life?