Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?


Sometimes while evangelizing, you meet people with weird ideas about Jesus Christ. Two days ago, I witnessed to a man standing by his stalled car. He wore a cap indicating he was an Air Force veteran. So I thanked him for his service. Then I handed him a gospel tract after saying, “I used to be in the army. Now I’m in the army of the Lord.” We talked for a couple of minutes. During which, this man claimed there were three Jesuses in the Bible. I wanted to warn him about following another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). By this time, a state trooper arrived and offered to push this man’s car off the main road. I took that as a sign it was time for me to leave.

That incident reminded me of a television program called “To Tell the Truth.” Four celebrity panelists are introduced to three contestants claiming to be the same person. The panelists then ask them questions to determine which contestant is the genuine article. The host eventually asks, “Will the real so-and-so please stand up?”


What if Jesus appeared on “To Tell the Truth” with two imposters? Would you be able to discern the real One? You could do so by knowing what Scripture says about Him:

  • The real Jesus will tell you He is the only way to heaven. (John 14:6)
  • The real Jesus will forgive you but then say, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)
  • The real Jesus will have nail prints in His hands and feet. (John 20:24-29)
  • The real Jesus will multiply loaves and fishes. (Matthew 14:13–21; 15:32–39)
  • The real Jesus will walk on water. (Matthew 14:22-33)
  • The real Jesus will cast out devils, heal the sick, and encourage His followers to do the same in His name. (Mark 16:15-20)

Jesus warned of false Christs in the last days. Make sure you are in a relationship with the real One.


“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” -- Matthew 24:4-5

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more