Jesus' Death and Resurrection

Simplicity In Christ

Isaiah 53:3-5
 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 20:1-18
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

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Self Empowerment

Self Empowerment is a buzz-word that has been used for teaching people to increase their self-image and be more assertive in daily life. The premise is the process of finding the resourcefulness inside an individual which translates into a stronger, worthier, more confident person. The Bible refers to Self Empowerment in these scriptures:

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
1st Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

SELF Empowerment is not in the Bible, other than as works of the flesh. Then why are “Christian” organizations and individuals promoting it as though it was a fruit of the Spirit of God, and not solely the wisdom of man?
One reason is Love of Money (1st Timothy 6:10). There is much money to be made in enabling people (mostly women) to excel above others, to be ambitious in their spirituality (emulation-a work of the flesh-Galatians 5:19-21). It’s much cheaper (and doctrinally sound) to go with what Jesus said “…let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Another reason is Power.

The term Human Empowerment covers a vast landscape of meanings, interpretations, definitions and disciplines ranging from psychology and philosophy to the highly commercialized Self-Help industry and Motivational sciences.
[...]
The process which enables one to gain power, authority and influence over others, institutions or society. Empowerment is probably the totality of the following or similar capabilities:-

• Having decision-making power of one’s own
• Having access to information and resources for taking proper decision
• Having a range of options from which you can make choices (not just yes/no, either/or.)
• Ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making
• Having positive thinking on the ability to make change
• Ability to learn skills for improving one’s personal or group power.
• Ability to change others’ perceptions by democratic means.
• Involving in the growth process and changes that is never-ending and self-initiated
• Increasing one’s positive self-image and overcoming stigma
• Increasing one’s ability in discreet thinking to sort out right and wrong

The power of God is not what the Self-Help industry is selling.

If there isn’t any money to be made, then what would be the point? Notice that all the proponents of metaphysics will take a concept, create a process of implementation, and SELL it. Jesus Christ can not be sold! Therefore, you won’t find anyone who is selling the real salvation of man. Metaphysics proponents are working very hard to present a facsimile, a substitute, that unsuspecting, undiscerning people will buy, or buy into.

Here are some buzz-words/phrases that go along with Self Empowerment:

self-image
self-esteem
find your destiny/identity
discover your God-given gifts
be a champion
we are little gods
recognize your potential
live your dream
live the dream God has for you
poverty is of the devil
realize the power inside you
discover how to dig down deep and “grab” your determination
transformation is the key to a better life in God

This instruction erroneously teaches that we choose what our destiny will be based on the world’s perception of greatness, positive image, comfort, and power — based on metaphysics, an occult/New Age concept of controlling ourSELVES and the world WITHOUT Jesus Christ. Self Empowerment depends on humans’ efforts, not God’s power. The proponents are training undiscerning Christians a “new” unbiblical spirituality — one that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2nd Corinthians 10:5).
Don’t be deceived by Self-Empowerment and its euphemisms. Just because one feels better about one’s SELF is no reason to abandon the clear mandates in scripture.

Use the Bible as your only source of information. Do not believe any doctrine or teaching that is not substantiated by the Word of God.