These Things are Written – Part 4

May 1, 2025

Broadcast

                   These Things are Written - Part 4
                             John 20:30-31
                              05/01/2025


        30   Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of
             the disciples, which are not written in this book;
        31   but these are written so that you may believe that
             Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
             believing you may have life in his name.  (ESV)

        Saint John wrote:
        Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the
        disciples, which are not written in this book; but
        these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is
        the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you
        may have life in his name.


        Is the Bible written to be a list of rules and regulations?
   As Christians, must we follow a certain dress code, refrain from
   eating certain foods, and avoid certain activities?  Are we
   redeemed from sin, death, and the power of the devil because of
   our own works, or are we saved because of God's rich grace and
   undeserved love?

        We believe, teach, and confess, in accordance with the clear
   Word of God, that our salvation from sin and death is by God's
   love alone, not a result of our works.  Jesus died, not because
   we are nice people, but because we are not nice people.  His
   death is payment for our sin.  Our good works pay nothing on the
   debt we owe to God and neighbor because of our sin.

        The Bible, including John's Gospel, is written so that we
   may know that Jesus is the Son of God.  That is the message of
   the Bible.  The Bible is not about our good works which earn us
   heaven, not a list of dietary rules or Christian clothing
   fashions.  The Bible is the message, ``Jesus is the Christ, the
   Son of the living God.''[1]

        May our Lord open our hearts and minds to His Holy Word to
   see that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Christ, who bore our
   sins for our salvation.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Matthew 16:16