The Voice of God 2

The Voice of God 2

By Apostle Felix

25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28  And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29  But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Luke 24: 25 – 31

Two of Jesus’ disciples were on there to Emmaus from Jerusalem. They were sad and gloomy over the death of Jesus. In the early 2000’s, a movie was released by Mel Gibson, about the death of Christ, called the passion of the Christ. The movie was a blockbuster, and everyone was talking about it. The most common thing talked about was how Jesus suffered and how He died. People would leave the movie theaters in tears, emotionally gloomy and sad of what happened to Jesus. However, the majority of the people did not come to the knowledge of Christ or recognized Him as their Saviour. Today, the same movie can be played and none will shed a tear. Why? Because the movie did not necessarily show Jesus is the Son of God, who came to die for the sins of the world. It simply showed His sufferings and that made many people to be gloomy and sad. The purpose of the gospel is not to make people gloomy, but to bring joy through salvation in Christ.

4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8  And there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8: 4 – 8

Joy is the by-product of the gospel. When people hear the gospel, joy will be the result. This is because, Jesus is the subject of the gospel. He is the well of salvation and we cannot ran out of joy once we drink from Him. He, Himself said that we should drink from Him and from our innermost being shall flow rivers of the living water, John 7: 37, 38.

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

The two disciples Jesus joined on their to Emmaus were sincerely distressed about the death of Christ. Their distress was due to lack of understanding. These were men who had read the law and prophets but yet missed the voice of God. One can read the Bible but miss the voice of God. They knew the letter but they did not know the Spirit behind the letter. The apostle Paul put it in this way:

6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2 Corinthians 3: 6

The disciples were with Jesus physically, but yet did not know Him. They walked with Him and heard Him preach and teach the word but yet did not know Him. It is very possible for one to be in church bu not doers of God’s Word. It is not church attendance that makes one know God. No, it’s the message preached and taught that will make one know God. It’s the message that determines whether it is the church of Christ or not. God does not just endorse gatherings, but He endorses gathers that met in His name, which the message. For Himself said in Matthew 16: 18 that upon the revelation Peter received from the Father that He is the Christ, the son of the Living God, shall build His church. There is no other message on which the church has been built.