“If”
Pat McIntosh
It has been said that “if” is the biggest little word in the English language. It is a word that we
use regularly in our daily conversations. Sometimes it is used to establish conditions. At other
times, the word can be used in a speculative sense (“What if…?”). It is in that sense that I want
to use it here.
What if…Jesus had not come? Yes, this is speculation, but it also aids us in truly grasping how
we have been blessed in His coming. Sadly, many of these blessings are taken for granted, hence the need to consider these things.
Christ’s coming into this world was in the mind of God before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). In other words, it was always God’s plan for Christ to come to this Earth and die a sacrificial death so that man’s sins could be forgiven. A partial list of things we would not have if Christ had not come includes the New Testament, reconciliation to God, the New Testament Church, any hope beyond the grave, no mediator between God and man and no redeeming message (gospel). Each and every one of these things is tied directly to Christ in some fashion.
Paul took an approach similar to the one in this article in 1 Cor. 15, yet based it on the resurrection. He said that if Christ were not risen, several things would result (witnesses were liars, all men are without hope, etc.). Yet, the fact that Christ did rise again negated that list because His resurrection was key to so many other aspects of the faith.
Christ did come to this Earth. He shed His blood that sins could be remitted. We have hope in an
eternal home in heaven if found faithful. May we reflect on these things often and never take
them for granted.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – “What If Jesus Had Not Come?”
If Christ had not come, there would be no…
- New Testament – Matt. 5:17-18; Heb. 10:5-10; Gal. 4:4-5; Heb. 8:6-7
- Reconciliation – Isa. 59:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:18-19
- Church – Matt. 16:13-19; Mk. 9:1; Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:18
- Hope – Jno. 11:25-26; 14:6
- Mediator – 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 9:15
- Gospel – 1 Pet. 1:17-21; Heb. 9:22; Rom. 1:16-17; James 1:21
Sunday P.M. Sermon – What Christ Saw in the Lives of Others (Lk. 10:30-37)