The Lamb of God
The first time Jesus Christ came to this earth as a Saviour, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. All who turn in Repentance away from sin and trust in Christ, following Him in obedience are saved.
 
The Problem of the Heart
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and no not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10
 
A New Covenant
“I will put My Law in their minds and write it on their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33
 
The Lion of Judah
But our Lord Jesus Christ will come again… this time as The Judge: The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. All who have not repented and obeyed His Law will be condemned and eternally punished in hell. Either you surrender to Christ as your Saviour now, or you will face Him as your Judge. Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour? Or your Judge?
 
Where Will You Spend Eternity?
“God commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
021-689-4480
mission@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za

Pride and Foolishness

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6

One of the greatest hindrances to Revival is pride amongst the Lord's people.

Pure and Perfect?
I have heard a mission leader declare: "I  only want what God wants!". The Scripture declares that our righteousness is as filthy rags, that we should, after we have done all, admit that we are but unprofitable servants. Yet this individual would have us believe that his motives and intentions are completely pure and sanctified, that he “only wants what God wants!”

The Word of God categorically states:

"As it is written: there is none righteous, no not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no not one."
Romans 3:10-12

Are You a Good Person?
Yet, when one asks people in the streets: “Are you a good person?” Most people respond very confidently; “Yes! I am a very good person!”

When various scandalous affairs of a famous politician had been exposed, he met with a group of pastors and declared to them: "My heart is good!"

Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ taught;

"...no one is good, but One, that is, God"
Mark 10:18

​and

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Matthew 15:19

Too Proud to Preach to Youth
Shortly after my conversion I was shocked to find a theological graduate who was too proud to speak to a youth group, or join in evangelistic outreaches. I was quite excited when I heard that this graduate was returning from theological college. He had been studying the Word of God for five years. I immediately invited him to speak to our youth group, but he looked at me with disdain and declared that he hadn't studied at theological college for five years just to speak to a youth group!

I invited him to speak to my Bible class, or to join us for an evangelistic outreach we were planning. He made it very clear that such activities were quite beneath him. He sat for over a year waiting for “a call” but was unwilling to engage in evangelism during that time.

"But if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
Galatians 6:3

​Belshazzar’s Blasphemy
King Belshazzar offended God by his blasphemous abuse of the consecrated items from the Temple in Jerusalem for a drunken feast. The hand of God wrote words of Judgement on the wall and Daniel explained to him:

"You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of Heaven ... the God who holds your breath in His hands and owns all your ways, you have not glorified." 
Daniel 5:23

“Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.” Number, number, weight, division. God has numbered your Kingdom and has finished it. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Your Kingdom has been divided and been given to the Medes and the Persians. That very night, King Belshazzar of the Chaldeans, was slain and his Kingdom was conquered by the Medes and the Persians.

"Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Herod’s Arrogance
When King Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel and sat on his throne,

"... the people kept shouting, ‘the voice of the God and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give Glory to God and he was eaten by worms and died." 
Acts 19:22-23

"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" 
James 3:5

"The pride of your heart has deceived you," 
Obadiah 1:3

Hanged on his own Gallows
The book of Esther records the catastrophic destruction wrought on the wicked Haman and his family because of his pride.

"When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath" 
Esther 3:5

It was because of Haman’s extreme pride that his plot unraveled and he ended up hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." 
Proverbs 27:1

Taking Offense
We also read in the Scriptures of Naaman, from Syria, having his pride offended when the prophet did not come out and speak to him personally, to heal him of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:11).

Personal Pride can Lead to National Catastrophe
When King Uzziah

"was strong his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed the Lord his God by entering the Temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense." 
2 Chronicles 26:16

Of King Hezekiah the Scripture says:

"his heart was lifted up, therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem" 
2 Chronicles 32:25

Clearly personal pride in national leaders can lead to national catastrophe.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned of the danger of pride as he taught on the pharisee who dared to come into His house and pray to himself:

“God, I thank you that I am not like other men..." 
Luke 18:11

The Lord Jesus condemned the church Laodicea:

"Because you say I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." 
Revelation 3:17

"Now some are puffed up..." 
1 Corinthians 4:18

​The National Religion of Hell
Pride is the idolatrist worship of ourselves. Pride is the national religion of hell. The first step towards hell is pride. The first step towards Heaven is humility.

Pride thrust Lucifer out of Heaven, Adam out of paradise, Nebuchadnezzer out of men’s society, Saul out of his Kingdom, and Haman out of the royal court.

"You boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." 
James 4:16

St. Augustine wrote: "Men ought to be ashamed of being proud, seeing that God was humbled for his sake."

"Those who think too much of themselves, don’t think enough." Amy Carmichael

"God sends no one away who are empty, except those who are full of themselves.” D.L Moody

Three Tests
Oswald Sanders recommended three tests to evaluate how much pride we have to repent of:

• The test of Precedence . How do you react when another is selected for the assignment you expected? Or for the office you coveted? How do you react when another is promoted and you are overlooked? When someone else outshines you in gifts and accomplishments?
• The test of sincerity . In your moments of honest self-criticism you will admit many things about your own failings and weaknesses. But how do you feel when others say exactly the same things about you that you, in the sincerity of your heart, have recognised as true?
• The test of criticism. Does criticism arouse hostility and resentment in your heart? Does criticism cause you to fly in immediate self-justification? There is nothing that human pride resents so much as to be rebuked.

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil." 
Proverbs 3:7

"The folly of fools is deceit”
Proverbs 14:8

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness."
1 Corinthians 3:19

Pride and Prejudice
Published in 1813, Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, is recognised as one of the finest novels in all of history. Is it Elizabeth Bennet who is prejudiced and Fitzwilliam Darcy who is proud? A writer of the depth and subtlety of Jane Austen does not create one-dimensional characters. Her characters are complex, compelling and ambiguous.

The Pride and Prejudice of the title apply to both Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Darcy is proud of his rank and fortune, and prejudiced against Elizabeth’s family and her foolish mother. Elizabeth takes pride in her own independence and is prejudiced against what she sees as Darcy’s self-importance and snobbery.

"The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour." 
Proverbs 15:33

​Do You Have a Vision of Who God is?
He is Glorious and Infinite – without limitation. He is Eternal – without beginning and without end. He is Holy and Righteous, Just and Merciful, All Powerful, All Knowing and Everywhere Present. Perfect. Creator of the Universe. Sovereign Judge of us all. Wonderful. Awesome in Majesty.

What comes into our minds when we think of God is the most important thing about us. No person is greater than his religion and no religion is greater than its God. God is greater than anyone of us have ever imagined or realised. We need to study the Word of God more to realise how Great and Mighty is the God we worship. “For He is the Living God and steadfast forever. His Kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues and He works signs and wonders in Heaven and on earth.” Daniel 6:26-27

Do You Have a Vision of What God Can Do?
He can do the impossible. He created all things, seen and unseen. He can do a lot with a little. He fed an entire nation in the desert for 40 years. He fed many thousands with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. He controls nature. He parted the Red Sea for His people to pass through. He calmed the storm with a Word. He raised the dead. He heals the sick. He forgives sinners. He changes lives. He answers prayer.

Do you have a Vision of What God Can Do Through Your Church?
The Church at Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3). Through these two missionaries the Gospel was taken to Europe, many churches were planted in Asia and Greece and much of the New Testament was written.

Napoleon once said, as he looked over the vast expanse of China: “There lies a sleeping giant – let him sleep, for if he wakes, he will shake the world!” Could not satan be saying about your church: “There lies a sleeping giant – let her sleep … if she wakes, she will shake the world!”

The Gospel is powerful. The Church has been given the power to limit the forces of evil and to extend the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18:18-20). Can we truly be praying against wickedness, standing up for the Lord and fighting the forces of evil – when we see evil increasing? Do you have a vision of what God can do through your church?

Do You Have a Vision of What God Wants Done?
As we approach this New Year, you have the opportunity for new beginnings. A new life to start and a new start in life. New Hope. New vision. New initiatives. New energy. New zeal. New duties. New responsibilities.

Redeem the time. Determine to read through the whole Bible this coming year. If you read just four chapters of the Bible each day, you will read through the whole Bible in one year. Do a thorough job of restitution. Make right with those with whom you are at odds. Work for reconciliation. Work for Reformation. Start a Bible study and Prayer Fellowship in your home, school, campus, work place or church. Pray for Revival. These could all be good resolutions for the New Year.

“Without a vision a people perish.” What is your vision? Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus on Whom your Faith depends from beginning to end. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Make Christ’s Great Commission your Supreme Ambition. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”
​
Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship

The Most Important Priority
Dr. James Kennedy was one of the most listened to ministers in the world with a radio and television ministry reaching over 156 countries. The congregation he pastored, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, had a membership of over 9,000 and Dr. Kennedy authored over 45 books. He was Founder and President of Evangelism Explosion International, the Chancellor of Knox Theological Seminar and the Founder of the Centre for Reclaiming America. Yet, I learned that every Thursday night Dr. Kennedy went out into the streets and engaged in door-to-door, personal evangelism. So, the first time I met Dr. Kennedy, I asked him: “I hear that you are still involved, every week, in door-to-door evangelism. I am surprised that you have the time, considering your radio, T.V., writing and preaching ministry.”
 
Evangelism Explosion
Dr. Kennedy responded to me with intensity: “Peter, that is the most important thing I do! All these ministries around me, I doubt that many of them will endure long after I am gone, but Evangelism Explosion, this ministry of multiplication, reaching the lost, bringing them to Christ and training them to reach others also, this is far more important than all my radio, T.V and writing ministries.”
 
What is the Most Important Thing You Can Do?
Perhaps you thought that there is nothing particularly important that you can do, at least nothing as important as those who have high profile ministries? However, I have found some prominent ministers who are convinced that the most important thing that anyone can do is personal, one-on-one evangelism.
 
One-On-One Personal Evangelism
American evangelist, D.L. Moody in the 19th Century, preached to huge crowds in America and England. However, he did not consider his day to be complete unless he had engaged in one-on-one personal evangelism. He undertook never to go to bed without having witnessed to one person that day. Preaching to huge crowds in the city hall, or a sports stadium, did not qualify. There are numerous funny stories of D.L. Moody wandering the streets late at night, in his dressing gown, looking for a stranger to witness to. On these occasions he had apparently been prepared for bed, only to remember that he had not yet completed his day’s duties by personal, one-on-one evangelism.
 
Way of the Master
This has been a major emphasis of Ray Comfort’s Way of the Master. When I met Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron in Los Angeles, they impressed me with their enthusiasm for personal one-on-one evangelism. They have designed numerous effective conversation starters and tools for evangelism to help Christians use the Ten Commandments as “the schoolmaster to lead us to Christ.”
 
Mobilise to Evangelise
Yet, tragically, the vast majority of churchgoers do not engage in any evangelism at all. I have made it a principle to incorporate Evangelism Workshops, The Way of the Master training and practical outreaches in our leadership training courses, particularly the Great Commission Course. When they register participants of our various courses are often asked: “Have you ever led someone to Christ?” Most participants respond: “No.”
 
Yet, at the end of our courses, most participants write in their Response Forms that the highlight of the course was the personal, one-on-one Evangelism on the streets, in shopping malls, in the prisons, hospitals, townships, door-to-door evangelism and leading someone to Christ for the first time!
 
Many Christians are absolutely terrified of witnessing and yet, when they are forced to try it, are amazed by how open and responsive so many people are for the Gospel of Christ.
 
What Have You Ever Done for Christ?
My family was secular. We never went to church, or Sunday school. There was no prayer or Bible reading in our home, not even grace before meals. When I was 17-years old I heard the Gospel for the first time, at a cinema, which had been hired out by a local church for an evangelistic rally. As the visiting speaker, Rev. Rex Matthie, described the sacrifices and sufferings of Christ he challenged us: “This is what Christ has done for you, What have you ever done for Him?”
 
Convicted and Called
His challenge pierced my heart. I had done absolutely nothing for Christ. I had never even thanked God for His creation, for my life or for my health. I realised that I was a self-centred, lost sinner, truly deserving the condemnation of the Almighty God on the Day of Judgment. When the appeal was made at the end, I walked forward and publicly committed my life to Christ. Right from the beginning of my adventure of discipleship, I could not help but be involved in Evangelism.
 
Redeem the Time – Reach the Lost
Door-to-door evangelism, tract distribution in the streets, ministering in old age homes, Scripture Union holiday missions, teaching in Sunday school, leading a youth group, running the book table and evangelism at the railway stations. When I was called up for military service, I started a daily Bible study and prayer fellowship, out of which our mission, Frontline Fellowship, ultimately developed. Coming from a non-Christian background, I knew that there were many lost people out there who would respond to the Good News, if we would only take the time and make the effort to share it with them.
 
The Value of a Soul
We need to realise something of the value of an eternal soul in the eyes of Almighty God. What is a soul worth? “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul?”
 
It is a Privilege to Serve Christ
We need to change our mindset from the dutiful “I have got to witness” to “I get to witness!” It is not a burden. It is a privilege! It is not that we have got to go to church, but that we get to go to church! By just changing a vowel, it goes from being a task to being an opportunity! We get to pray to the Almighty God of the universe! We get to read the Holy Word of God! We get to worship the King of kings! We get the privilege to give back some of what God has so generously provided us with and invest it into the work of His Kingdom!
 
Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. Charles Spurgeon declared: “If there be anything about which we cannot tolerate Luke warmness, it is in the matter of sending the Gospel to a dying world.”
 
Win-Win
What are the only three possible consequences when we share the Faith?
1.  The person can surrender to Jesus Christ;
2.  The person can reject Jesus Christ; or
3.  We can plant a seed.
 
Obviously, when people surrender to Christ that is a winning situation! When we plant a seed that is a winning situation. So, much of the time that you share your faith, it is a winning situation. But actually, even when someone rejects the Gospel, you receive a reward for being reproached for the Name of Christ (1 Peter 4:14). Jesus said: “Blessed are you when men hate you and when they exclude you and revile you…for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven…” Luke 6:22-23. So, every time we share our Faith is a winning situation!
 
Into All the World
Wherever people gather together, it is an opportunity for us to witness to them. At parks, shopping malls, sporting events, concerts, coffee shops, university campuses, parties, music concerts, art festivals, beaches, laundromats, bus stations, taxi ranks, all these are great places where we can witness and hand out Gospel booklets and tracts.
 
Witness on Dates
As we bring the light of the Gospel into the darkness, we will see how the Lord works in amazing ways. Choose to go out witnessing on dates. Why can a date not consist of going to the mall to witness? Witnessing to strangers in the mall, or to waiters at a restaurant, can be great fun.
 
Launch Out of your Comfort Zone
We need to be ready to do some reckless and risky things in love for the Lord to reach the lost around us. They will never forget it. The more we know of the Word of God and the more we evangelise, the more we find people are responsive. You will be amazed at what you encounter when you step out in faith and begin conversations about Eternity.
 
Do Not Miss Opportunities to Witness
Every time we share our Faith it is a winning situation. The only time we lose when it comes to witnessing is when we do not share our Faith. When you ask a person how they are and they respond: “I am good!”, you can respond: “But Jesus said that no one is good. Only God is really good.” Their answer gave you the opportunity to mention the holiness of God and the depravity of man, therefore the need for a Saviour.
 
Be a Soul Winner
Charles Spurgeon declared: “I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unravel all the mysteries of the Divine Word, for salvation is the one thing we are to live for.”
 
Oswald J. Smith said: “O my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelising the world and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected!”
 
Excuses, Excuses
We should desire to be used by God in what really matters to His Kingdom. But, although we know that we should witness, there are many reasons why we do not boldly step out and share our Faith. Fear of rejection, fear of losing a friend, fear of strangers. “I don’t know how to”; “I don’t know enough”; “I just witness by my life” and “I’m just lazy!”
 
Be a Real Friend
The prime reason cited by young people for why they don’t share their Faith, is fear of losing a friend! But what kind of friendship do you really have if you would go to Heaven when you die, but your friend would go to hell? If you are friends for 20 years, then separated for eternity, what kind of friendship is that? If you are not eternal friends, are you really friends at all?
 
Fear God Alone
Are you more worried about what people think of you, or about what God thinks of you? Do not worry about losing friends by witnessing to them. When they see and hear the love of Jesus coming from you, you will have more friends than you know what to do with.
 
Saved to Serve
Did not someone lead you to Christ? If so, you actually do know how to lead someone to the Lord. Yet, according to a survey by Christianity Today, only 1% of their readership had witnessed to someone “recently.”
 
Fruit of Faith
Probably the reason most people do not share their Faith is that they do not really have any faith to share. Charles Spurgeon said: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that!”
 
Hollow and Empty Religion
If you have a theology that has dwindled into a philosophy, in which there is no fear of God, no risk or sacrifice, no thrill of faith, no terror of doom and no concern for soul winning, no missionary vision, then unbelief and worldliness have taken over.
 
A Matter of Motive
If the local church gave you R1,000 every time you shared the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, would you share your Faith more? Would you deal with your laziness problem for the love of money when you will not deal with it for the love of God?
 
An Attitude of Gratitude
We can never repay our Lord Jesus for what He did for us on the Cross, but what a fantastic Thank You we can give Him each time we step out and share the Faith with the lost!
 
Ashamed of the Gospel
Frequently we hear people say: “I’m just going to share my faith by my actions.”
To them we could say: “Oh, you must be thinking of Romans 1:16, ‘I am ashamed of the Gospel of Christ…’”
“But that isn’t what the verse says.”
“That’s true, the verse actually states: ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes…’” When we do not want to talk about our Faith, it is usually because we are ashamed of what people might think of us.
 
How Were You Led to Christ?
When you ask Christians how they were converted they tend to say: “My parents led me to Jesus”; “A friend led me to Christ”; “I responded to a sermon…” Everyone admits that they are a Christian today because somebody verbally explained the Gospel to them. Yet now some want to come up with a new way to share your faith, where you do not have to use words? “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad tidings of good things! … Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:13-17
 
Prayer Preparation
Usually most people we approach are interested in conversations. Always assume that people do want to talk about Eternity. It is important to pray that the Lord will lead you to lost people during the day and that He will prepare their hearts. The best way to learn is to teach. Witnessing is one of the best ways that you will learn more about your Faith. When you talk with lost people and can’t answer their questions, it drives you to the Bible and other books to find the answers. Also, your prayer life changes. As you meet hurting people and want them to know the Lord, you begin to pray more for others and not just for yourself.
 
Be a Giver
People love gifts, so give them a gift that communicates the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ! The Jesus film, The Passion of the Christ and What if Jesus had Never Been Born? are great films to lend, or give, to your friends, neighbours and family members. Plant Gospel seeds, a presentation of the Gospel on a small piece of paper, a postcard, a booklet, CD, or DVD. Share your Faith with tracts and audio-visual presentations. As we walk through shopping centres, or airports, hand out tracts. Ask people, “Did you get one of these?” This is a great question that makes them feel like they are missing out on something, which they are.
 
Live in the Light of Eternity
How will we feel on Judgement Day, when God asks us what we plan to do with all that money now that we are dead. The income he blessed us with was intended to support missions, buy Bibles and help spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Be a giver. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
 
Be Prepared
The pocket on your shirt is a tract pocket. It is meant to hold Gospel tracts, so that you can have them conveniently on hand to give to people you come into contact with during the day. Always have some tracts with you, in your car, bag, briefcase, or wallet. Be prepared.
 
“To be a soul winner is the happiest thing in the world. And with every soul you bring to Jesus Christ, you seem to get a new Heaven here upon earth.” Charles Spurgeon.
 
What Then?
We can be guaranteed that no matter how long we live, we will be dead a whole lot longer. Since that is true, you should be searching out what is on the other side, because you will be there a whole lot longer than you will be here on earth.
 
Ask people about their plans and then: “What then?” Right up to beyond retirement and death. “What then?” Remember, Eternity is an awfully long time! Make sure you have the right answer.
 
Make a friend. Be a friend. Lead a friend to Christ!
Most people who come to Jesus are introduced through a friend.
 
One advert for responsible driving declares: “A real friend does not let a friend drive drunk.” I would say that a real friend does not let a friend go to hell. A real friend tells a friend about Jesus! If you want to see your friends in Heaven, invite them! It is our responsibility to invite others to Heaven with us. It is their responsibility to decide how they are going to respond to this invitation.
 
We will never regret bringing up the topic of God with people. The main regrets we will have is when we did not point people to the Saviour.
 
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap into hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees… Let not one go there unwarned, or unprayed for.” Charles Spurgeon.
 
Loaded Questions
Sometimes go to somebody and say: “I need some directions. Can you help me out?” People answer, “Sure, where do you want to go?” “I am trying to get to Heaven, do you know how to get there?”
 
If the person says Yes, find out why. If he says No, ask if he would like to know the way?
 
Another way to transition to spiritual topics is to say: “Can I ask you an interesting question?” or “Can I ask you a tough question?” This helps to pique curiosity and get people thinking.
 
“Where are you on your spiritual journey?
“If you died tonight, do you know for sure that you would go to Heaven?
“If you were to die tonight and stand before Almighty God and He asked, ‘Why shall I let you into My Heaven?’ What would you say?”
“Do you want to go to Heaven? Do you know how to get there?”
 
As you share your Faith, there are three things you should talk about in every conversation: Sin, Salvation (repentance and the Cross) and the Saviour (who He is and what He has done). For people to understand their need of salvation, it is vital that they understand God’s Law. “The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Psalm 19:7
 
“The Law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24
 
Are You a Good Person?
One of the biggest lies satan tells the lost is that they will be good enough for God on Judgement Day.
 
Ask people: “Would you consider yourself to be a good person?” Most people will respond that Yes, they are very good. Then you can point out that God has given us a standard. “How many of The Ten Commandments can you remember?” “Would you mind if I asked you a few questions to see how you are doing?” “Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever taken God’s Name in vain? Have you ever looked with lust? Have you ever hated anyone?” Most people would have to admit to each of these.
 
After taking a couple of minutes to review The Ten Commandments you can then point out: “By your own admission, you have told me that you are a liar, a thief, a blasphemer, an adulterer at heart and a murderer at heart. If God was to judge you on the basis of His Ten Commandments would you be innocent or guilty? If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven or hell?”
 
We Are Christians!
We can learn so much from how naturally children share the Gospel. When my oldest daughter, Andrea was just 5-years old, we were in an aircraft flying to Europe. It was just after take-off, when Andrea shouted loudly for the entire aircraft to hear: “We are Christians!” I put down my book, turned to Andrea and said: “Yes, we are, but why do you bring it up right now?”
 
Andrea answered: “The lady was asking if there are any Christians, we should let her know.” I thought for a moment and answered: “I think that must have been, if there is any questions, we should let her know!”
 
The Magician in the Mall
Just before this trip, my mother had been taking Andrea shopping at Cavendish Square. She reported that when a magician called across the mall to Andrea: “Hey, little girl, come over here, we have magic for you!” Andrea replied: “My Lord Jesus does miracles and that’s better than your magic!”
 
The magician stood there speechless, as did many of the shoppers passing by. “Out of mouths of babes…”
 
The Rock in a Box
When my youngest son, Calvin, was 5-years old, he created quite a furore at the play school by asking some of the Muslim children: “Why do your parents bow down to a rock in a box in Mecca? The Second Commandment says we shouldn’t bow down to anything, that’s idolatry!” Some of the Muslim parents complained to the teacher, who complained to my wife, who complained to me and I congratulated Calvin and took him out to buy him a reward.
 
EE
Calvin memorized the Evangelism Explosion Gospel presentation and has given it at many public meetings, conferences, seminars, camps and schools. In fact, when he was 6-years old, he was the only “speaker” at a Carols by Candlelight service. A local church was organising an end of the year Carols by Candlelight. When one lady requested the pastor to ensure that there was an evangelistic message for the many unchurched parents (who were only coming to see their Sunday school children dressed as shepherds and angels, etc,) the pastor responded that he did not feel “called” to evangelism and found it very intimating and difficult! This lady rebuked him and said: “It’s easy to evangelise, even a 6-year old can do it!”
 
The pastor responded: “You find me a 6-year old who can present the Gospel and I’ll put him on the programme.” That day I received a phone call from this lady who had heard that my son Calvin was quite bold in presenting the Gospel. I spoke to Calvin, reminded him that this would be an outdoor meeting with several hundred people at night, in the dark, with people holding candles and he would have to use a public address system. By God’s grace, Calvin was still prepared to do it. I went over every aspect of the presentation with him numerous times beforehand, reminding him that as he stands up, he will find his throat muscles tighten and the temptation will be to speak much softer than normal. Yet, he would have to project his voice nice and loud, clearly, even for the deaf old lady in the back row whose hearing aid is switched off!
 
Carols by Candlelight
We need not have worried at all. When the day came, Calvin strode up on his own to the platform, stood in front of the microphone and flawlessly, word for word, with clarity and emphasis in all the right places and with much passion and enthusiasm, presented the Evangelism Explosion Gospel presentation to the stunned audience. Everyone sat absolutely riveted holding their candles and watching and listening to this enthusiastic 6-year old present the Gospel, call them to repentance and commitment, adding in numerous Scripture verses such as John 3:16 and John 14:6 and even led them in prayer.
 
When Last Did God Speak to You?
When my youngest daughter, Daniela, was turning 13-years old, we invited many of her friends to a sleep over at the local Girl Guide Hall. As we were getting them settled, I noticed some teenage boys on their skateboards hovering outside. I told my wife that I was going to threaten them with severe bodily consequences if any of them dared step over the threshold onto the Girl Guide property. On my way out I was amazed to see Calvin walking towards me from those very boys. Calvin told me: “I’ve been talking to these boys. I told them the Ten Commandments, that they were lost and going to hell. I shared with them the Gospel presentation and I think that some of them are ready to give their lives to the Lord. But I need your help. Can you come and pray with them please?”
 
I was stunned. I also felt severely rebuked of the Lord. I was not thinking of their souls! In fact, I had no charitable thoughts at all at the time! Yet, Calvin, just 6-years old at the time, had taken initiative and had challenged these teenagers with the Gospel. I went over and sure enough, they were most receptive and in a teachable frame of mind. I counselled and discussed with them the implications of surrendering their lives to Christ and had the joy of leading three of them to Christ in prayer that night.
 
Later, I told Calvin: “God really spoke to you tonight!
Calvin responded: “But, I didn’t hear Him!”
“But God did speak to you,” I told him. “Just as Samuel thought that Eli had called him in the Tabernacle, so you need to remember what God’s voice sounded like, so that you can recognise it next time: ‘Speak Lord, for your servant listens.’ Calvin, none of the rest of us were thinking of those boys’ eternal destinies, but God spoke to you and you were the one who listened to what God’s Spirit was saying.”
 
My Father-in-law later told me that Calvin came rushing over to him exclaiming: “Granddad! Granddad! God spoke to me tonight!”
 
You can have that joyful excitement of being guided and blessed by God as you reach out to your neighbours, co-workers, friends and family members with the life changing Good News of God’s Law and God’s love. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
 
Be Prepared
Stock up with great Gospel literature. Give Gospel tracts to shop attendants, petrol attendants, passers-by and to friends and neighbours. Include carefully selected appropriate leaflets with your letters, or bills. Subscribe to good Christian magazines for friends and family members. Give gifts that will bless your friends, family and co-workers, select great books, DVDs and CDs, or study Bibles. Invite friends to your home to watch a suitable Christian film together.
 
Improve your evangelistic training by completing the Evangelism Explosion and Way of the Master courses and by participating in the Great Commission Course.
 
The last command of Christ must be our first concern.
 
Be bold in sharing your Faith with the lost. To be a missionary you do not have to cross the sea, but you do have to see the Cross.
 
Do Not Procrastinate
A Missionary friend in Japan shared this poem with me:
“When He saw a need, would our Lord just wait?
Would He make an excuse to procrastinate?
If He had the means, would He not reach out?
And if you can too, then why do you wait?
“Let us be His hands, let us be His feet,
Giving life and love to the ones we meet,
Bringing hope and cheer to those far and near,
Sharing clothes and home, sharing bread and meat.
“Calm the anxious fear, wipe the falling tear,
Lift the fallen ones to the Risen Son
We can make a difference to the life of one,
Then we’ll hear our Saviour, when He says ‘Well done!’”
 
Tell the World
In my Bible, I have written in a chorus from the 1970s:
“Hear the call of the Lord and set the world ablaze;
Stop a while, hear His Message and there’ll be happy days;
Do His work and obey and ask no reward,
Then we’ll build a new world for our Lord.
“We’ll tell the world of our Lord and spread the News abroad,
Then all sinners will know that He loves them so.
Just let Jesus reign and be born again
Is to live in the world of His love.”
“Don’t be shy. Don’t be scared, what people think, or say.
Tell the world of our Saviour and His love every day,
Let your Faith be your shield and the Bible your sword,
Then we’ll build a new world for our Lord.”
 
Rescue the Perishing
In the words of that great Hymn, Rescue the Perishing:
“Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep over the erring one, lift up the fallen.
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save…
“Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labour the Lord will provide;
Back to the Narrow Way, patiently win them;
Tell the poor wanderer a Saviour has died.”
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
mission@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org

See also:
Evangelising Christians
Understanding Islam - Evangelise Muslims

A Voice in the Wilderness
The second part of Isaiah (chapter 40) opens with   "the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness.”    (John the Baptist) and is concerned with the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament also opens with John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus preparing His way (John 1:6, 23). Isaiah ends with the vision of new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. The New Testament closes with this same view in Revelation. This striking similarity between Isaiah and the whole Bible is unforgettable.
 
9:1  "Nevertheless there shall be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali.” Isaiah 9:1 (The first to fall to Assyria - within months of Isaiah's meeting with Ahaz - Isaiah 7:1-9).
 
God sends distress on disobedient nations. For the guilty there is gloom. God judges nations. He humbles the proud.
 
Undeserved Favour
“But in the future He will honour Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan.”
 
God is merciful. He intervenes in history to work salvation and deliverance. This is what grace means - undeserved favour.
 
 9:2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.- on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2.
 
In the most unexpected places, at the least expected times - God intervenes. Even in the worst of times God's people have a comfort.
 
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (see also 2 Corinthians 6:4-8).
 

After the Darkness Light
Where sin increased God's grace increased much more. No matter how dark things may become, God's light shines brighter. And all the darkness cannot put out that light.
 
"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the Lord do all these things.”    Isaiah 45:7.
 
This prophecy of course had its fulfilment when God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ appeared and preached the Gospel in the land of Zebulum and Naphtali and in Galilee of the Gentiles.

(Modern examples of people walking in darkness - of Atheism, Communism, Animism and Islam - who have seen a great light - in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Red China, Mozambique, Sudan). Revival blessings in the midst of persecution and oppression.
 
When the Gospel comes to any place light comes. A great light. Those who live in darkness: (Examples from witchcraft dominated areas, Hillbrow, Albania). Those outside of Christ have no God, no forgiveness, no salvation, no hope, no heaven.Only darkness and despair.
 
9:3 "You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.”    Isaiah 9:3.
 
The nation of Israel had been severely judged and diminished. It had just lost the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. Yet the Word of God came through Isaiah to comfort His people and reassure them that despite the present traumatic cutting off and diminishing of the nation of Israel - yet the time will come when God Himself will enlarge the nation and increase their joy. Everyone rejoices over   success    and achievement and prosperity (as at a harvest) and over gaining a    victory   or gift (as with plunder).
 
God's intervention will accomplish the salvation of His people. He will achieve Redemption for those to whom He grants the gift of faith and repentance. He will bless His children with the greatest gifts ever given - the forgiveness of sins, deliverance from the kingdom of darkness, entrance into the eternal Kingdom of God, adoption into the family of God.

"Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.”

​Good News
9:4 "For as in the day of Midian's defeat, You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.” Isaiah 9:4.
 
The Lord has intervened and ended the oppression of sin and Satan. Into our darkness, His Light has shone. At the beginning of His ministry Christ quoted Isaiah61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” Luke 4:18.
 
The Cross and the Crown
9:5 "Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.”    Isaiah 9:5.
 
The wicked will be judged. Those who oppress God's people will be destroyed. The message of Christmas is not only a message of   God's Love    for His people but also of   His Wrath    against sin. We see here not only His mercy but His   Justice. He   Saves,   but He also   Judges.  The message of the   CRADLE   includes a message of the   CROSS   and the   CROWN.
 ​
The Christmas message of the   Cradle    should emphasise the Deity of Christ's incarnation. But the purpose of Christ's coming was the  Cross. He was born to die as an atonement for our sins. Yet the Saviour whose Incarnation we remember at Christmas will come again as the eternal Judge.
 
He who died on the   CROSS    now wears the   CROWN    of the Sovereign Lord of the universe. We will all stand before His throne and have to give an account of our lives. Unless we have turned to God in faith and repented of our sins we will be condemned. If our lives have not borne the fruit of obedience we too will be destined for burning. Along with those guilty of innocent blood we will be fuel for the fire.

​The Cradle
9:6 "For to us a Child is born.”    Isaiah 9:6.
 
Everyone loves the birth of a child. Well, almost everyone. Of course there are some who prefer abortion to birth. Instead of life they choose death. But most of us find a new born child cute. "Ag shame" we say in our uniquely South African way. That is why most people celebrate Christmas. A babe in a manger is so non-threatening. So harmless.
 
The Menace of the Manger
However some atheists feel very threatened. Every Christmas season the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) institutes law suits against any public manger scenes. Radical Humanists in S.A. look forward to future opportunities when they can try to banish all public expression of Christian Faith.
 
But aside from neurotic atheists, most people feel drawn to the story of the baby born in a manger, with Angels singing, shepherds kneeling, wise men bringing gifts. It all seems quite nice and sweet and cute. But the verse doesn't stop there,   "to us a Son is given.”
 
We no longer worship a babe in the  CRADLE. He is the Son of God who died on the   CROSS.“And the government will be upon His shoulders.”
 
War on the Womb
This is getting more threatening. This is why Herod declared war on the womb. He understood   The Menace of the Manger. 
 
"Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We ... have come to worship Him.”    Matthew 2:2 declared the Magi from the East. Herod felt that his selfish lifestyle and comfortable political position was threatened by the new born babe. Gripped by selfishness and a lust for power, Herod sought to murder the Messiah by massacring all still in the manger in Bethlehem.
 
Centuries before Pharaoh had sought to slaughter all new born Hebrew boys in Egypt. And today other Pharaohs and Herods are waging a similar war on the womb.
 

Born a King
Christ was not born a prince nor an heir to the throne. He was the only One who has ever been born a King:   "And the government will be on His shoulders.”    Jesus is Lord. He is sovereign. He is the final authority.
 
In Eastern Europe the Communist authorities allowed prayer - in the churches - but not in the schools. You could preach piety - but not the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life. Jesus could be Lord over your soul maybe - but not over your mind, or your life, or your home, or work, or community, or city, or country!
 
The Lordship of Christ
When the Bible speaks of  "the Government"  it is always talking about God's sovereign government. We are un-Biblical when we attribute sovereign powers to the civil authorities. Civil governments are   "God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”    Romans 13:4. Governors   "are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong.”    1 Peter 2:14. As Jesus declared to the Roman governor Pilate:   "You would have no authority over Me unless it had been given you from above.”   John 19:11.
 
This is the message of the Manger:   Jesus is Lord!    He is Lord of all and over all aspects of life: King of kings and Lord of Lords!
 
9:6 "And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o f  Peace."  Isaiah 9:6.

•  Wonderful   Councillor.    He is all knowing. He embodies absolute wisdom. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He hears our prayers. He guides His people.
  
• Mighty God.    He is all powerful. He is God Himself. Jesus Christ is the Incarnation of God. He is fully God and fully man. (Ask the Jehovah's Witnesses, the unbelieving Jews and Liberal Theologians to explain this verse. How do they understand these Words?)
  
• Everlasting Father.   He is eternal. From everlasting to everlasting. And as a Father He is compassionate. He Cares, He provides and He protects.
•  Prince of Peace.  There is no peace without the Prince of Peace. Those politicians who think that they can achieve peace without Christ are deluded. Only in Christ will we as individuals, families, or nations, find true and lasting peace.
  

9:7 "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”   Isaiah 9:7.
 ​

The ultimate victory and triumph of Christ's Kingdom is inevitable.
 
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations."  Psalm 22:27-28
 
"All kings will bow down to Him and all nations will serve Him.”  Psalm 72:11
 
"In the time of those kings, the God of Heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever.”  Daniel 2:44
 
"Thenations on every shore will worship Him, every one in it’s own land.”  Zephaniah 2:14
 
"And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:14
 
"The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.”  Revelations 11:15
 
This is what the Great Commission calls us to:   "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you . . .”  Matthew 28:18-19.
 
There is no authority that is not under Christ. This is what it means to pray the Lords Prayer:   "Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”  Matthew 6:10.
 
As Isaiah 11:9 declares: "The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10 & 11).
 
"The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” Isaiah 9:7 

​ This is the message of Christmas - not only of the   CRIB, but also the   CROSS.
Not only the Cross but also the   CROWN .
You rejoice that a child has been born.

Q But do you recognise that He is Emmanuel - God with us - the Son of God?
Q Do you submit to His government?
Q Do you obey Him as Lord of your life?
Q Is He your Wonderful Councillor?
Q Is He your Mighty God?
Q Is He your Everlasting Father?
Q Is He the Prince of Peace in your Life?
 
If so rejoice - His Government will never end. His Kingdom will endure forever.
 
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
 
"The Zeal of the Lord Almighty will    accomplish this.”
 
Dr. Peter Hammond 
Livingstone Fellowship 
P.O. Box 74 
Newlands, 7725 
Cape Town, South Africa 
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Website: www.frontline.org.za 
 
See also:
Gifts and Giving
The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived
The Miraculous Birth of Christ
{preachit 181, audio}

​Following the Rules of the Game
It is essential that you know the rules of the game and adhere to them. You cannot win at any sport if you do not observe the rules. Hand balls, fowls and off sides can cost your team the match. Defending your own goal and attacking the opponents goal are both vital. To succeed in sports you need to know your opponents, know your own team, know the rules, know your skills and know your strategy and tactics.
 
Dedication and Discipline
It also requires intense physical training and emotional, mental and spiritual training. Those who succeed in any Olympic sports, world cup soccer, international ice-skating, gymnastics, or any other sports discipline, need to sacrifice almost everything else in order to dedicate themselves to training and preparing for the competition. To be successful you need to listen to your coach. You need to maintain a healthy diet. Sustain enough sleep. Maintain a good attitude. Harden your body and discipline your mind.
 
Humility and Teachability
It is also vital to be humble and teachable. How often have we not seen some sports team or competitors threatening what they intend to do to the opposition and boasting of their triumph, only to be humiliated on the field.   Pride goes before a fall.   Let your actions speak. If anyone is to praise you, let it not be yourself!
 
The Soccer War
In 1969 Honduras and El Salvador went to war over the frustration of having been denied participation in the FIFA World Cup because of a frustrating decision. The resulting soccer war involved a full scale invasion of Honduras by the forces of El Salvador using tanks and aerial bombardment. Although the conflict only lasted 100 hours, there were over 3,000 casualties and it took urgent intervention by the Organisation of American States to bring about a cease fire and ten years of intense negotiations to finally settle on a peace treaty.
 
Excessive
Some soccer players have received death threats from angry fans frustrated at their performance, or the lack of it, on the playing field! On occasion soccer players have even been murdered, such as one high profile South American, who accidentally scored an own goal!

​A Substitute for War
To some people sports is a substitute for war, the ultimate competition. To them sports is no game, its deadly serious. Of course, many fans go completely overboard into gross idolatry.
 
Extremes
It is worth noting that the word ‘fan’ is an abbreviation of fanatic. We need to keep spirit, mind and body balanced and Biblical.
 
The Prize
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9, reminds us that while many participate in a competition, only one receives a prize. The Scripture urges us to run in such a way that we may obtain the prize.
 
Focus
Everyone who competes needs to deny themselves, discipline their body, bring it into subjection and focus their energy. The Apostle Paul writes: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
 
The Goal
To aim for the goal is a Biblical concept. To score goals one needs strategy, tactics, team work, foot work, defence, attack and striking. Those who keep the ball and try to do everything themselves will doubtless be intercepted and frustrated. A good soccer player needs to pass and be where they are meant to be, when they are meant to be there.
 
Saved!
When the opponents evade the defence and threaten the goal of the team it is up to the goalkeeper to skilfully dive to save the ball from being kicked into their net. Without regard to injury, bruises, or grazes, a good goalkeeper will carefully position himself and leap to catch the ball. When he does so the crowd leaps to their feet and shouts: “Saved!”

Who to Blame?
After any match there are those who are exalted over their team’s victory and others who are disappointed over their team’s defeat. You will notice that there is almost always someone to blame for whatever went wrong. The goalkeeper was not in a good position. The defence failed to intercept the opponent’s strikers. Someone fumbled the ball when they had a shot. The referee wasn’t fair. Or perhaps even the coach is to blame for something.
 
The Greatest Injustice Ever
It is easy to blame others and to fail to take personal responsibility. However, we should point out to soccer fans that the illegal trial and torturous death of Jesus Christ on the Cross was the greatest injustice ever committed.
 
The Great Day
We need to compare the World Cup with the Day of Judgment. What will the ultimate Referee declare of you on that Day? Have you ignored God’s yellow cards? Will you be receiving a red card?
 
Are You Part of the Winning Team?
There will be prizes, commendations and rewards on the Day of Judgment. Are you part of the winning team?
 
The Scriptures tell us: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Fax: 086-494-8070
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Websites: www.livingstonefellowship.co.za
www.hmsschoolofchristianjournalism.org 
 

"And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your Blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'" Revelation 5:9
 
Complex Infrastructure
Any city requires well-organised delivery and defence systems. Every municipal area requires supplies of water, food and electricity. These supplies are delivered through a complex infrastructure. Thousands of trucks travel down the freeways, roads and side streets delivering essential supplies to stores and homes. Other trucks remove refuse to allow the city to function effectively and thrive.
 
Transportation System
It is a biological fact that our bodies have a transportation system far more complex and complete than that of a metropolis. Our bodies' transportation system cuts through every tissue and organ by means of a network of approximately 100,000km of blood vessels. Each cell of your body is a hair's breadth from a blood capillary. The heart of this vast system is a pump about the size of an apple that has to pump thousands of litres of blood through its chambers every day, sending blood to every part of your body. This blood carries vital, life-giving oxygen and nutrients to every cell in your body.

Courier System
Your body has approximately 25 trillion red blood cells which are much like a postal courier service carrying all kinds of packages, such as oxygen, that are needed by the cells in your body.
 
Oxygen
Every cell in your body requires oxygen to remain alive. If the blood is cut off to any part of your body it deprives that part of the body of oxygen and that will cause death to that body part. If the brain is deprived of oxygen it causes a stroke and that part of the brain dies. If the heart is deprived of oxygen, such as, because of a blockage in an artery, that will cause a heart attack.
 
Protection
While the red blood cells transport essential nutrients and life-giving oxygen, the white blood cells in your body are like billions of little tanks protecting your body from infection and disease. There are five different types of these white blood cells and each one is trained to go after a different enemy. Just one drop of your blood can contain anything from 7000 to 25,000 white blood cells. The number of them increases when your body is fighting an illness. It works much like the military calling up reserves in a time of war. In times of illness and infection your body will multiply the number of white blood cells to fight the infection and to protect your health.

Factories
As far as our skeletal structure is concerned, our bones do double duty. Not only do they support our body, keeping us upright and keeping us from being like jellyfish, but the bones are hollow. On the inside of these bones are marvellous little factories that operate day and night producing billions of these little red blood cell delivery trucks and white blood cell defensive tanks.
 
Co-ordination
Overseeing and co-coordinating the entire operation is the brain and the heart which keeps the blood flowing.
 
Life is in the Blood
Over 3,400 years ago God said: "For the life of the flesh is in the Blood..." Leviticus 17:11. No one could have understood until quite recently just how profound that truth is.
 
The first reference we have to blood in the Bible is in Genesis 4:10-11: "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand."
 
"For the life of the flesh is in the Blood and I have given it to you, upon the altar, to make atonement for your soul; for it is the Blood that makes atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11

Whoever Sheds Man's Blood
After the Flood God communicated a covenant with Noah and his descendants "for perpetual generations" (Genesis 9:4-12). "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man." Genesis 9:6
 
"And according to the Law almost all things are purified with Blood and without shedding of Blood there is no remission." Hebrews 9:22
 
Freedom
"As for you also, because of the Blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free..." Zechariah 9:11
 
Protection
"Now the Blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see that Blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13
 
The Fountain of Salvation
"In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness." Zechariah 13:1. The Blood of Christ is a synonym for the Gospel. It is the Blood of Christ that redeems us from all sin. "But this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28

The Lamb of God
The first greeting that Christ received was that which hailed the power of His Blood when John the Baptist cried out: "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29
 
Redeemed by His Blood
The last recorded salutation that Christ will receive will be the Song of the Redeemed: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seal; for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your Blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation... Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing... blessing and honour and glory and power be to Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Revelation 5:9-13
 
Full Atonement
Sin is the breaking of the Law of God. A broken Law demands a penalty. The wages of sin is death. All men have broken the Law of God and are under the sentence of eternal death. Christ Jesus died as our substitute, in our place. He rendered complete obedience to the Law of God and made full atonement for our sins. "And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in Heaven, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross." Colossians 1:20
 
Precious
The Puritan writer, John Milton, declared that the greatness and sacredness of man's soul is attested to by two facts: First, that the creation of his soul is in the image of the Eternal God. Second, that the price that has been paid for the redemption of the soul is the precious Blood of Christ. 

Set Free
Christ redeemed us from the bondage and slavery of sin. "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct... but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." 1 Peter 1:18-19
 
Reconciled
Sin has alienated and separated us from God. "Behold, the Lord's Hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity." Isaiah 59:1-3
 
Even in human relationships, wrongdoing produces separation and alienation. The divorce courts are full of examples of how evil doing separates and alienates those who were once close. If that is true between people, it is also true between God and man. Sin always alienates and separates us from the presence of God. The question is: How can man and God be reconciled? By the precious Blood of Christ.
 
"And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in Heaven, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross." Colossians 1:20
 
The Blood of Jesus Christ justifies us from the guilt of sin, it redeems us from the slavery of sin, it reconciles us after the separation of sin and it cleanses our consciences from the burden and shame of sin.
 
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
 
"Much more then, having now been justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:9

The Holy Grail
According to legend, Joseph of Arimathea, who took down the body of Christ from the Cross, carried the vessel, the Holy Grail, in which he had caught some of the Blood of Christ, to Glastonbury, where you can still see the ruins of the cathedral on an island in Somerset. There in Glastonbury, Joseph formed the order of Knights whose duty it was to protect the precious Blood. The chief of these knights was made their king. At certain seasons, the king unveiled the golden cup, which held the precious blood. Then glorious and radiant light fell on the faces of all the knights and endued them with strength from on high. But only the pure in heart could look upon that cup and behold the light which streamed from the Blood of Christ. This beautiful story has played a great part in the songs and poetry of our race.
 
The Scripture says: "though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow, thought they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
 
"Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His Blood..." Romans 3:25
 
"There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains."
 
"Having now being justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:9
 
"In Him we have redemption by His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richness of His grace." Ephesians 1:7
 
Saved by Their Blood
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the Sherlock Holmes series, wrote a book on the history of the Anglo-Boer War in which he tells of a detachment of British soldiers who were overwhelmed by the Boers and fell back under heavy fire. Their wounded lay in a perilous position facing certain death. One of them, a corporal in the Ceylon Mounted Infantry, later told that they all realised that they had to come immediately under the protection of a Red Cross flag if they wanted to survive. All they had was a piece of white cloth but no red paint. So, they used the blood from their own wounds to make a large cross on that white cloth. When the Boers saw the red cross on a white flag, the firing ceased. A truce was called and the Boers stood back while the British wounded were carried to safety.

The Stone Table
In C. S. Lewis's book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Edmund had been enslaved by the White Witch. He had been foolish, rebellious and evil. He had become a traitor to his own brother and sisters.
 
When the great lion, Aslan, came to rescue him, the Wicked Witch reminded him of the deep magic that was written on the stone table - that every traitor belonged to her and she had the right to the blood of every sinner.
 
Then, to the amazement of all, after Aslan spoke privately to her she let Edmund go. Later that night, Aslan surrendered himself into the witch's camp. They took him, shaved off his magnificent mane, ridiculed him, beat him, spat upon him and tied him upon the stone table. The witch sharpened her knife, drew near to him and plunged it into the lion's heart, killing him.
 
From a distance, Lucy and Susan wept in grief. The next morning, they went to recover his body. But they found the stone table broken and the body of Aslan was nowhere to be seen. Then turning around, they saw him and found him larger than they've ever seen him before, shaking his magnificent mane, fully and physically alive. Susan and Lucy hugged and kissed Aslan, weeping for joy. Then they asked him: "But Aslan, what does this mean?"
 
Aslan replied: "It means that though the witch knew the deep magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge only goes back to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and darkness before time dawned, she would have read there that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in the traitor's stead, the table would crack and death itself would start working backwards."
 
Pierced for our Transgressions
"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed...the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all... for the transgression of my people He was stricken...and the Lord makes His life a guilt offering... my Righteous Servant will justify many and He will bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53:5-11
 
Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:6-8); our Sin Offering (Romans 8:3); our Atonement (Romans 3:25). When Christ, the perfect Son of God, a Lamb without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19) shed His precious Blood on the Cross it was a substitutionary death. He died for us, in our place (1 Peter 3:18), the innocent for the guilty, the just in the place of the unjust.
 
"He is the propitiation for our sins." 1 Peter 2:2
 
"This is love: Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sin." 1 John 4:10

A Vision of Christ's Cross and Blood
Raymond Lull was born in 1132 into a wealthy family on an island off the coast of Spain. His early life was spent in debauchery and as he later put it, "utter immorality." Yet he was recognised by his peers in Spain as a young man of brilliance and promise. During his early 30s, Raymond was born-again as a result of a vision where he saw "the Saviour hanging upon His Cross, the blood trickling from His hands and feet and brow, looking reproachfully" at him. As a result, Raymond Lull gave his life to Christ and devoted himself to the ministry, becoming a missionary to the Muslims, eventually dying a martyr's death at age 80 while taking the Gospel to Muslims. It was his vision of the Cross and Blood of Christ that lead him to take up his Cross and shed his own Blood in the service of the Saviour.
 
Transformed by the Blood of Christ
Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf was born into one of Europe's leading families in the year 1700. He grew up in an atmosphere of Bible reading, prayer and hymn singing. He excelled in school and seemed to possess all the qualities for national leadership. After finishing his studies at the University of Wittenberg, Zinzendorf embarked on a grand tour of Europe attending lectures and visiting museums, palaces and universities.
 
What Have you Done for Christ?
It was while visiting the art museum at Dusseldorf that the young Count von Zinzendorf had a deeply moving experience that changed the rest of his life. As he looked upon Behold, the Man, a portrait of the suffering Saviour with crown of thorns, he read the inscription below this famous portrait: "I did this for thee! What has thou done for Me?"
 
Count Nikolauss von Zinzendorf admitted: "I have loved Him for a long time, but I have never actually done anything for Him. From now on, I will do whatever He leads me to do."
 
It was this testimony that I remember hearing on the 3rd of April 1977, that lead me to stand up, walk forward and bow before Christ giving my life to Him. That very night I clearly remember determining that I would spend the rest of my life serving Christ.
 
Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf went on to found a spiritual community on his property, Herrnhut. This dynamic community experienced spiritual revival and launched a continuous prayer chain that lasted for over 150 years - during which time they sent out over 2,500 Moravian missionaries worldwide.
 
We also read the testimony of Frances Ridley Havergal, the British musician and devotional writer, who visited that same art museum in Dusseldorf, Germany, in January 1858. While gazing upon this same picture of Christ she was struck by the caption: "I did this for thee! What hast thou done for Me?"
 
Deeply moved Frances Havergal wrote some lines of poetry to be the basis for a hymn. Later she was not satisfied with this first attempt and tossed the paper into the fire, but the pages fell out untouched. Some months later she showed them to her father who encouraged her to preserve them. He even wrote a melody to accompany her words. The resulting hymn: I Gave My Life For Thee was first published in 1860 and launched Frances Ridley Havergal as a serious composer of hymns:
"I gave My life for thee,
My precious Blood I shed,
that thou might ransomed be and quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave My life for thee;
What hast thou given for Me?"
 
Francis Havergal went on to compose such classics hymns such as: "Like a River Glorious", "Who Is On the Lord's Side?", "I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus" and "Take My Life and Let It Be."

Drawn to Calvary
The one-time slave trader, John Newton, who after his conversion wrote the classic hymn Amazing Grace also wrote these words on his vision of the Cross:
"In evil long I took delight
unawed by shame or fear,
till a new object struck my sight
and stopped my wild career.
I saw One hanging on a tree
in agonies and Blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
as near His Cross I stood."
 
Have you ever been to Calvary? Have you seen a vision of the Cross?
 
Charles Spurgeon once said: "Stand at the foot of the Cross and count the purple drops by which you have been cleansed; see the crown of thorns, mark His scourged shoulders, still gushing with encrimsomed rills..." and if you do not surrender your life to Christ "on the ground before that Cross, you have never seen it."
 
Have you seen it? Have you been to Calvary?
 
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His Blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:8-11
 
Christ died for you. Are you living for Him?
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
mission@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
www.WilliamCareyBI.com

 
See also:
The Illegal Trial of Jesus and the Verdict of History (for a PowerPoint with pictures, click here.)
The Centrality of the Cross
Who Killed Jesus? (for a PowerPoint, click here; for the tract, click here.)
How Can I Know that Jesus is the Messiah? (for the tract, click here.)
Christ is Risen Indeed! (for a PowerPoint, click here; for the tract, click here.)
 
The audio CD of this message and other Livingstone Fellowship sermons and Reformation Society lectures are available from: Christian Liberty Books, P O Box 358 Howard Place 7450, Cape Town South Africa, Email: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za, Website:www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.

​Transforming Time
Jesus Christ changed the world forever. When He was born, He transformed the very way we measure time. He turned aside the river of the ages and lifted the centuries off their hinges. His birthday, His Incarnation, touched and transformed time. Now the whole world counts time as Before Christ (BC) and AD (Anno Domoni - in the year of our Lord). Jesus Christ is the central figure of history. More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other person in history.

Saving Lives
The world before Christ was a world without hospitals, a world without charity, a world without respect for the sanctity of life. Hospitals were an innovation of Christianity. Hence the healing symbol of a cross represents hospitals. The nursing profession was founded by Christians such as Florence Nightingale out of devotion for Christ. One of history’s greatest humanitarian movements, the International Red Cross, was founded by Christians in response to the Scriptural injunctions to care for the sick and the suffering. Christians such as Dr. Louis Pasteur have fuelled some of the greatest practical advances in medicine. Pasteur has probably saved more lives than any other individual in history through his inventions.

Caring for the Poor
The whole concept of charity was a Christian innovation. Benevolence to strangers was unknown before Christ. The teachings and example of Jesus Christ have inspired the greatest acts of generosity, hospitality, self-sacrifice and service for the poor, sick and needy over two thousand years.

Setting the Captives Free
Before the advent of Christianity every culture-practised slavery and human sacrifice - even the highly esteemed Greek and Roman civilisations. Child sacrifice was common among the pagan religions. The Aztec Empire in Mexico and Inca Empire in Peru engaged in slavery, ritual rapes and mass human sacrifice. Suttee, the burning of widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands, was common practice in Hindu India before the missionary William Carey arrived. Slavery was eradicated as a result of tireless efforts of Christians such as William Wilberforce and David Livingstone. Respect for life and liberty is a fruit of Christianity. Those promoting abortion, euthanasia and pornography are not offering us progress, but only a return to pre-Christian paganism.

Blessing the Nations
The positive impact of Jesus Christ on the world cannot be overstated. Everything from education to human rights, from public health to economic liberty - the things we cherish most and many of the blessings we take for granted - all can be traced to the spiritual and the cultural revolution begun by Jesus Christ.

The Scientific Revolution
The irrefutable fact is that Christianity gave birth to modern science. The scientific revolution began with the Protestant Reformation and the Bible played a vital part in the development of scientific discovery. Every major branch of science was developed by a Bible believing Christian. The Bible essentially created science. When we get into a car, start the engine, turn on the lights, drive to a hospital, receive an anaesthetic before an operation, and have an effective operation done in a germ-free environment, we need to remember that we owe it all to Jesus Christ. ​

Education for All
"Every school you see - public or private, religious or secular - is a visible reminder of the religion of Jesus Christ. So is every college and university." Dr. James Kennedy.

There is no doubt that Jesus Christ was the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. When He spoke,

"They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority…"
Mark 1:22.

The life, teachings and example of Jesus Christ have profoundly influenced the whole development of education worldwide. The Great Commission of our Lord Jesus was to

"make disciples of all nations…teaching them…"
Matthew 28:19-20

From the very beginning Christians were establishing schools. Amongst the many innovations in Christian Education was that these Christian schools taught everybody, including girls and women. Formally educating both sexes was a Christian innovation. The Greeks and Romans before the birth of Christ did not formally educate girls. Only boys from the privileged classes obtained an education. Christianity revolutionised education by making it available to all classes and both genders. Saint Augustine observed that Christian women were better educated than the pagan male philosophers.

The phenomenon of education for the masses has its roots in Christianity. The pursuit of the knowledge of God in a systematic, philosophical and in-depth way gave rise to the phenomenon of universities all around the world. It was the Christian faith that gave rise to the idea of higher learning. The greatest invention in the field of learning, the printing press, by Johannes Gutenberg, was also a fruit of the Christian faith. The first book to be printed was the Bible.

Most of the languages of the world were first set to writing by Christian missionaries. The first book in most languages of the world has been the Bible. Christianity has been the greatest force for promoting literacy worldwide throughout history.

The Christian missionary movement in the 19th Century pioneered tens of thousands of schools throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands - providing education for countless millions, even in the remotest jungles, giving the gift of literacy to tribes which had never before had a written language.

Every branch and level of education was pioneered by Bible believing Christians. The concept of graded levels of education was first introduced by a German Lutheran, Johan Sturm in the 16th Century. Another Lutheran, Frederick Froebel introduced kindergartens. Education for the deaf was also pioneered by Christians.

Sunday schools were begun by Robert Raikes in 1780, to provide boys and girls from the poorest homes with the gift of literacy and the riches of the Scriptures.

One Truth
The very name "university" testifies to its Christian origins. University means "One Truth". The first universities grew out of the monastic missionary centres, which had discipled Europe. The first university lecturers were the missionary monks who had collected books, accumulated libraries, copied manuscripts and were uniquely equipped for advanced academic study. Most universities began as Christian schools. Isn’t it time that teachers, lecturers and professors took an in depth look at the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, the greatest Book ever produced and the Faith with inspired and pioneered every major branch of education and science?.

One of the more recent Christmas traditions has been the repeated assertions, on the internet, in the press and from some pulpits, that the 25th December could not have been our Lord's actual birthday.

Examining the Historical Record
According to this position, He could have been born on almost any other day of the year, except 25 December. It is asserted that 25 December. had originally been the pagan winter solstice festival, which had been taken over by the Christians to promote the new Faith. In doing so, many of the old pagan customs crept into this new Christian celebration. Numerous articles, booklets, radio programmes and T.V. documentaries have been produced asserting this position.

The Myths of Time
However, this opinion is itself based upon historical myths, incomplete research and ignorance of history.

Christmas Predates Constantine
Christians have celebrated the Incarnation and Nativity of the Lord Jesus on December 25 since the earliest centuries. Long before the conversion of Constantine in AD312, and the end of the persecution by the Roman Empire, 25 December was already established as a venerable and tenured tradition for celebrating Christmas Day.

Victory Over Paganism
Instead, we should celebrate that Christ's Coming did replace desperation with joy, oppression with celebration, human sacrifices with Christmas Festivals; Christ replaced Baal, Molech, Apollo, Mars, and Thor. At the time of greatest darkness, Christ came.

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
John 1:5

Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ's victory over paganism. New Year's Day is a time to renew our vows, vision and vocation, and the first day of spring to celebrate the Life of Christ. Christmas presents us with tremendous opportunities for Evangelism and discipleship of family, friends, neighbours and strangers. Let us remind them whose birthday we are celebrating. Jesus is the reason for the season. Wise men still seek Christ!

Dr. Peter Hammond

Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Email: info@ReformationSA.org

Books, Audios,Data Disks and boxsets are available from
Christian Liberty Books, 
PO Box 358,
Howard Place
7450,
Cape Town,
South Africa,
tel: 021-689-7478,
fax: 086-551-7490,
email: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za 
and
website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za
Prices exclude postage.

Hijacking Christmas
Christmas is the greatest holiday in the year, celebrating the birth of the greatest Person who ever lived. Yet, every year, there are numerous high profile attacks on Christmas as the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. There are also many insidious attempts to hijack Christmas. One such attempt is seen in the many e-mails circulating concerning the real meaning and origin of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

What is the Source?
According to this widely circulated email: "from 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember."

 ​Bloody Mary
The problem with this theory is that it's premise is false. Roman Catholics were not persecuted for their faith. They were not forbidden to practice their faith openly. The dates chosen are most interesting. 1558, is the year when Bloody Mary died and the Catholic persecution of Protestants in England came to an end. Mary Tudor was well called "Bloody Mary" because she repudiated the religious freedoms which her brother, King Edward VI, had instituted. Mary passed laws providing for Protestant "heretics" to be tried in church courts and handed over to civilian authorities for execution.

Responding to Disinformation
Please pass on this response to anyone who forwards you the disinformation about Roman Catholics in England "not being permitted to practice their faith openly between 1558 and 1829."

A Season of Generosity
It is appropriate that the greatest holiday on calendars worldwide celebrates the birth of the greatest Person who ever lived. All charities and Missions report that this is the best time of the year for donations. It is quite appropriate that so many good acts of charity, good neighbourliness, friendship and generosity are expressed during the Christmas season to family, friends, to neighbours and to strangers.

The Reason for the Season
The official birthday of the King of kings and the Lord of lords is a good reason to celebrate. It is time to put Christ back into xmas. Jesus is the reason for the season. Wise men still seek Him.

Dr. Peter Hammond

Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Email: info@ReformationSA.org

Books, Audios,Data Disks and boxsets are available from
Christian Liberty Books, 
PO Box 358,
Howard Place
7450,
Cape Town,
South Africa,
tel: 021-689-7478,
fax: 086-551-7490,
email: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za 
and
website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za
Prices exclude postage.