9-11 Tragedy – Article 3

Enter through the narrow gate; the way is narrow that leads to life Matt. 7:13

In response to this fall’s September 11^th terrorist attacks, generic decease there has been a barrage of media commentary trying to harmonize Christianity and Islam.   Several news commentators, canada T.V.  shows, politicians, and liberal clergymen have gone to great links to present Christ and Mohammad (the founders of these faiths) as spiritual equals.   In their peacemaking attempts, these men and women have consequently misrepresented much of what Jesus Christ claimed about Himself and the impending judgments and consequences He put on those who would reject His teachings.    There is little doubt that Jesus is known for His message of love, grace, and forgiveness.   He even gave up His life on the cross for man.  But He also spent a great deal of time talking about the eternal consequences of rejecting Him and His message of salvation.     It is therefore important that as parents, you review with your children the claims of Christ, especially in reference to Mohammad (the founder of Islam) and all Muslims living today.  Until you can have a serious talk with your children, I suggest that you boycott or at least control the watching of all T.V. and other media productions for a while.   The media is a powerful tool that easily influences children.   The children of today often believe that whatever comes on T.V. must be true.   But the current slanted and prejudiced dramatizations of  “perceived truth” surrounding Christ and Mohammad (Christianity and Islam), need to be closely monitored or turned off.   Prolonged periods of watching will deaden your children’s heart as much as it does your own.   And regardless of the commentator, actor, or public figure, what is being currently advocated about Christ, Mohammad, Christianity and Islam is for the most part not true.

Christians and Muslims are in harmony though on one issue; they both believe the other will never see or inherit the kingdom of God.   It was Jesus who first set the tone for this division, not Mohammad.    Although Mohammad and all Muslims give Jesus some credit for being a good prophet, He does not return the favor.   As a matter of fact, Jesus openly condemns any leader, people, or movement that reject His sacrifice and plan of salvation.  Those who refuse to repent of their sins and believe in Him as God’s only provision for salvation are condemned and denied entrance into heaven.     And that would include Mohammad and all Muslims.  Therefore Jesus could not be a great prophet in Islam, because a great prophet would never condemn Allah and judge Mohammad as Jesus did.  Others outside of Islam do not call Jesus a prophet, but they often identify him as a great teacher, good role model, and generally good man.   Although these are honorable things to say about Jesus, these comments are also not true because anyone claiming to be the Son of God as Jesus did is either the Son of God or a lunatic.    A great teacher, good man, or role model would never make such a claim.   Therefore Mohammad, the Muslim world, and all men must either believe Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to salvation or reject Him.

Here are some direct quotes that Jesus made about Himself and salvation.   Is He the Son of God or a lunatic?

1. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me will be saved. (John 10:9)
2. I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
3. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.   (John 3:16-18)
4. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.  (John 5: 20-23,35)
5. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.   “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.    (John 10:1,9)
6. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.    (John 8:12)
7. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies. (John 11:24)
8. Jesus said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”  The man answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”  Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.”   And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”    (John 9:35-39)

Since we know a lot about the life, character, and message of Christ through the testimony of the Bible, who is Mohammad and how does he compare to Christ?   Mohammad was born about 500 A.D. in Mecca.   It can be assumed that he had plenty of exposure to the claims of Christ and His message of salvation because of the reference given to Jesus as a prophet in Islam.  Mohammad obviously refused to believe in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, but rather organized his own religion.   The choice Mohammad made was just another example of how men through history love their lordship at the expense of their own salvation (Romans 10:9).   It is the same temptation Satan fell into himself (Matthew 4:8-11).

At age 40, Mohammad left his camel business for the spiritual realm, proclaiming heavenly revelations (Koran) from Allah, a revived moon god.  In addition to his efforts to build a new religion through these revelations, Mohammad also employed militarily means (Holy War, Jihad) to force his beliefs on others.   He was rather ruthless at times, not unlike the terrorists we have seen in this century.  For example, after defeating a Jewish settlement, he beheaded 700-1,000 of the surviving men, and sold the remaining women and children into slavery.   Mohammad’s character also lacked great integrity.   His greed was manifested in the large amount of accumulated loot he amassed through numerous raids on innocent towns and caravans over the years.   He was noted for a quick temper and often killed debating opponents.    Mohammad lacked a great deal as a family man, he boastfully established a harem of 16 wives, two slaves and four mistresses

. One of his wives was only 8 years old when he took her to bed.   Of course he rationalized these actions by claiming Allah’s leading and approval.   He often stated,  “It was the revelation and will of Allah to do so.” (Page 387, Gate Breakers Fleming)

Here are some of the basic tenets of Islam, the religion that Mohammad created:

• The Koran is the holy book of Islam; it is the Muslim bible.
• Allah is the god of Islam; prior to Muhammad, he was a moon-god deity.
• Islam means submission to Allah.
• Muslims do not believe Jesus died on the cross.
• Muslims do not believe Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sins on the cross as the Bible teaches.
• Islam teaches a different resurrection of Christ, He is only a part of the general resurrection on the last day.
• Jesus is nothing more than a prophet; He is only one of many prophets who tried to persuade people about the truth of Allah.
• Jesus is not the Savior of men, nor the Son of God.
• The Islam religion is filled with rules, regulations, and rote habits.   It is a religion based on righteousness by works.
• Muslims do believe in a Holy War (The Jihad), it is the 6^th pillar of their faith.   Most Islamic believers though do not follow the example of Mohammad in this regard.
• Many Islamic based countries do not allow the presence of Christianity to be taught in their countries.  Although they regard Jesus as a prophet, they believe His followers are infidels, who will contaminate their beliefs. (Gate Breakers  378-397)

It is hard to believe that anyone would choose Mohammad over Jesus Christ, Allah over the God of the Bible, or Islam over biblical Christianity. By final comparison here are just a few of the differences:

• Jesus died for all men, in order to pay for every man’s sin and return him to God via his response of repentance and belief. (2 Cor. 5:14-15).   In contrast Mohammad took the lives of many through his Jihad (Holy Wars), he even murdered those who debated with him.
• Jesus loved and cared for the weak, the struggling, and the hurting.   When a woman for example was being stoned for her adultery, Jesus intervened, stopped the execution, and saved her life.  He then restored her broken life with His message of repentance and grace.  (John 8:3-11).  In contrast, Mohammad forcefully subjugated women to serve his sexual needs
• Jesus gathered nothing for Himself, he owned nothing.   In contrast, Mohammad stole from others and used his ill-gotten gains to build up  a vast fortune.   (Matthew 6:19,33).
• Jesus drew people to the kingdom of God through His love and atoning sacrifice on the cross.   He took the guilt of everyone’s sins (Mohammad’s included) on Himself (Romans 8:31-32).   He offered everyone grace and forgiveness, and only required personal repentance and belief.  (Matthew 4:17; Ephesians 2:8-9).   In contrast, Mohammad set up his own system of religious do’s and don’ts.   Everything he formulated for salvation fell short of bringing anyone into the kingdom of to God.
• Jesus rose from the dead to prove He was more than just a good man, great teacher, or outstanding prophet; He was who He said He was, the Son of God. (John 20:11-14).  In contrast, Mohammad died and like all other men who reject Jesus’ message of salvation was judged accordingly (Rev. 20:12-15)

Teachable Moment

In this teachable moment use the front entrance and the garage door at your home for this lesson.  Before your take your children to these two entrances, have them read and reflect on  Matthew 7: 13-14 and John 10:1-5.  Tell them that these passages are two keys to understanding this message.   Then take your children to the garage door.   The best garage in this illustration would be one that is detached from the house.   If you do not have a detached garage, pretend that you do for the sake of this teachable moment.   Ask your children a number of questions about the garage and its contents.   How wide is the garage door?  How does it compare to the width of the front door?  Even though the garage looks like the rest of the house, why is it detached?   What is the garage meant to contain?      Why does the family not live in the garage?   Why is there no food, heat, or comfort in the garage?      Pick up a hammer and have your children listen for a heart beat.   Why does the hammer seem so cold and lifeless?   Now share with your children what the garage means in this illustration.   The garage is where all men, women, and children live and are destined to be if they do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and that means even Muslims who follow Mohammad’s teaching about Allah.   The door is wide because it is easy to get into, and all beliefs or non-beliefs gets one into the garage;  it is a wide door of acceptance.    The garage looks like the rest of the house, because it has the same outside paint and structure, but nothing within in lives.   This is what man made religions like Islam appear to be; they look from the outside to be a place where life exists, but they are not.   Inside the garage are only tools with no heartbeat.   When the garage door is finally closed (individual death, or the end of the age) it will be too late to come out of the garage and pursue the front entrance.

The front entrance is a narrow door because there is only one way to get into God’s home and that is through faith in His Son, Jesus.   Instruct you children to go to the front entrance of your home.    Keep the door open, but before they enter, ask them to share with you their commitment to Christ.   Then proclaim!  “Welcome, go to the room of your choice, dinner will be served soon.”   The door is Christ, and the commitment they made gets them into the house, and keeps them there.   The room they selected represents a special place on earth God chose for your children to serve as His earthly ambassadors.  It is a room filled with His Spirit (John 16:13).   It also represents a special place awaiting them in heaven.  (John 14:1-3).    The dinner is the gathering of the entire family, which includes the Father, Son, and Spirit.    The atmosphere in the entire house is filled with joy, there is nothing like being in the family of God.  The front door is still open though, because Jesus has not returned yet to earth (John 14:3).    Until then, there is still time for all to come to God’s home, even Muslims.   It is our job as God’s family to present Jesus to them. Without Him they will continue to live in a lifeless garage.

God’s Word

Romans 10:9   9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Matthew 4: 8-11 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’

2 Cor. 5: 14-15 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

John 8:3-11  3 The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. They were testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11   She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go now on sin no more.

Matthew 6: 19,33   19  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  20  “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. 33   “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Romans 8:31-32   31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?   32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 20: 11-14   11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

Revelation 20: 12-15  12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. The books were opened and the dead were judged according to their deeds.  15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Matthew 7:13-14   13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

John 10:1-5   1  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.   2  “But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.   3   “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.   4   “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.   5  “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 16: 13    “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

John 14:1- 3   1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14: 3    “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.