Is Jesus still relevant in this "modern" day? Is Jesus still doing anything, or is he simply an outdated crutch ancient people needed to survive?

I believe Jesus is still relevant as seen in the following three points.

John 1:1-4 states, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. These verses state that the Word was in the beginning and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The passage continues, all things were made by "him" and without "him" was not anything made that was made. Who is "him"? "Him" is the Word. Who is the Word? According to John 1:14, the Word is Jesus Christ. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. So we understand from the scriptures that Jesus made everything that was made.

Genesis 1:1 states, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Some would argue that Jesus is not God, but according to John 1, Jesus is God, literally the Word of God, which was made flesh and dwelt among us. The Bible reveals that Jesus is the one who spoke the universe into existence.

Colossians 1:16,17 states, For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. This verse makes it abundantly clear that Jesus Christ is the creator of all things.

Many believe that this universe has been created by evolution, and not by Jesus Christ speaking it into existence in six literal 24-hour days. Evolution is not science, but a theory, put forth in an effort to cloud the fact that Jesus is the creator, the Saviour, and the final judge. Those who want to believe in the theory of evolution are looking for an escape from accountability to Almighty God. If they can only convince themselves Jesus did not create this world and everything in it, they can also convince themselves he is not their final judge, therefore they will not have to come to Jesus Christ as a sinner, and accept his offering on the cross of Calvary.

When Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, it was a miracle of God becoming flesh and dwelling among men. To repeat myself, John 1:14 states, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Isaiah 7:14 states, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit of God, Matthew 1:20. Jesus Christ did not have a human father, because his father is God Almighty. Joseph was the stepfather of Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:11 records when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel said to the Shepherds, who were in the field, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Jesus is not only the creator of this world; he is also the Saviour of the world.

According to John 3:17, Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost. There is coming a time when Jesus will condemn all those that have refused to believe on him as their own personal Saviour, but that time is not yet. Now is the time for salvation, later will be the time of judgment.

Some might believe they have sinned too horribly for Jesus to save them, but not according to Acts 13:23, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Paul states he is the chief sinner, but every sinner believes he is the chief sinner when he comes to Jesus for salvation. I Corinthians 6:9-11 gives a list of terrible sinners who were saved by the grace of Almighty God. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you…

How could God forgive people with these terrible sins? Because Jesus Christ is not only the creator: he is also the Saviour, who came into the world to save sinners. Jesus said in Luke 5:31, …They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Jesus is the only one worthy to judge this world. He is the creator, and he has come into the world for the explicit purpose of seeking and saving the lost.

Revelation 5 speaks of a book, written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. This book contains all the judgments that shall come upon this world during the Great Tribulation Period. As John looked on the seven-sealed book, he began to weep because no man was found worthy to open the book, neither to look on it. One of the elders then instructed John to stop weeping; there was a worthy one found. He was told the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David had prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof. John turned and saw a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes. The one John saw was Jesus Christ: the creator, and the Saviour. Now Jesus Christ is the judge.

John 5:22 states, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. God will judge no man, but God has given the authority to judge all mankind to Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, who is the creator and the Saviour.

Notice Paul’s statement concerning the coming judgment in Acts 17:31, Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is no secret to this world. We use the term A. D. to refer to the year of our Lord. Some are trying to stop our remembrance of Christ by using the initials CE (Common Era) instead of A. D. (Anno Domini, or the year of our Lord), but that does not change the fact that Jesus Christ is the judge and there is appointed a day when he will judge this world.

There are two judgments as stated in II Timothy 4:1, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. This verse reveals that the quick (saved people, according to Ephesians 2:1) will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ when Christ appears. The dead (lost people, according to Ephesians 2:1) will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment, which takes place when Christ establishes his eternal kingdom.

None shall escape, but all will be brought before one of these two judgments. If you are saved, you will be brought before the Judgment Seat of Christ, where you will be judged for every imagination of the thought of your heart. If you are lost, you will be brought to the Great White Throne Judgment, and give account to him for every deed. You will be judged from the Bible, which many believe is irrelevant.

Is Jesus Christ relevant in this "modern" age? I know many will claim Jesus is nothing more than a good man, a good teacher, or another prophet, something like Buddha, or Mohammed.

Jesus Christ is a man, but he is much more than a man. Jesus Christ is our creator, our Saviour, and our eternal Judge. His virgin birth, sinless life and resurrection from the dead set him apart from all others.

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Independence Baptist Church is a happy church, a friendly church, which has a great desire to share God’s happiness, God’s joy and God’s friendship with you. If you are looking for a church home, please consider Independence Baptist Church. You are welcome in all of our services.

We preach the old time gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sovereignty of God, local church, and holy living because we have been saved by the grace of God.