Message for the Lord s Day Morning, March 6, 2011 Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, NC by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know PART TWO Galatians 1:6-9 Please turn with me in your Bibles to GALATIANS 1:6-9. P R A Y E R *************** I N T R O D U C T I O N Last LORD S DAY in Part One of our message, What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know we examined What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know About God, What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know About Himself, and What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know About the Bible. Today in PART II of this message we want to consider three more key areas of Muslim teaching. First of all, let s consider IV. What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know About Hate Versus Love In the foreword of Don Richardson s book The Secrets of The Koran, former radical Shi-ite Muslim Reza F. Safa asked, and I quote: If Islam is a peaceful religion, then why did Mohammed engage in 47 battles? Why, in every campaign the Muslim armies have fought throughout history, have they slaughtered men, women and children who did not bow their knees to the lordship of Islam? The reign of terror of men such as Saddam, Khomeini, Ghadafi, Idi Amin and many other Muslim dictators are modern examples. If Islam is so peaceful why are there so many verses in the Koran about killing the infidels and those who resist Islam? If Islam is peaceful, why isn t there one Muslim country that will alow freedom of religion and speech? Not one!
If Islam is peaceful, who is imparting this awful violence to hundreds of Islamic groups throughout the world who kill innocent people in the name of Allah? (The Secrets of The Koran, Don Richardson, Regal Books, Ventura, CA) The politically correct elite of our American society would have us to believe the Muslim religion promotes peace and love and therefore we should show religious tolerance. I want to share with you some verses taken directly from the suras (soo-rahs) or chapters of the Koran, and you decide. Sura 3:64: Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers (whom he defined as Christians in the 5th surah Believers, take not Jews and Christians for your friends.) and has prepared for them a Blazing Fire to dwell in forever. No protector will they find, nor savior. That Day their faces will be turned upside down in the Fire. They will say: Woe to us! We should have obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger! Our Lord! Give them double torment and curse them with a very great Curse! Sura 4:74: Let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. To him who fights in the cause of Allah, - whether he is slain or gets victory - soon shall We give him a reward of great value. Sura 5:51: O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he among you that turns to them for friendship is of them. Sura 8:59,60 The infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them. Sura 9:5 Slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush. Sura72:15 The disbelievers (Christians/Jews) are the firewood of hell. Does this sound like a religion that promotes peace and love to you? While it is true that all Muslims are NOT terrorists, it is true that virtually all terrorists are Muslims! Many of the fifty five predominantly Muslim countries in the world have been taken over by the radical extremists who enforce sharia law upon the Muslim people. Sharia law is based upon the Qu ran and the Shunnah, which is Arabic jurisprudence.
Under Sharia law cruel and unusual punishment is practiced throughout the Islamic world. Incarceration without due process is common. Punishments often include torture, the cutting off of body parts (hands, ears and tongues), the gouging out of eyes, beheading, public floggings and stonings. The Koran specifically commands that those who disobey Allah are to be tortured (Sura 8:12-14). In many Islamic countries innocent Muslims who in any way oppose the radical extremists who control their government simply disappear and are never heard from again. If these radical extremists hate their own fellow Muslims this much, imagine their hatred toward us. What Fuels The Muslims Hatred Toward Christians, Americans and Jews? (1) The Muslims have always hated the Jews, but on May 14, 1948, the hatred escalated to murderous fury when Israel became a state or nation thus killing the hopes of the Muslims of establishing the Nation of Islam in the holy land. Simply put, the Jews own what the Muslims believe belongs to them. (2) The Muslims consider America and Christians to be synonymous. Why do they hate us so much? Two reasons: One, because we have sent our military troops into Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan to fight for the freedom of innocent Muslims who live under the oppression of radical Islamic extremists regimes. And the other reason they hate us is because our movies, TV programs and consumer goods have Americanized the Arabic culture, which has caused many Muslims to rebel against the authority of the radical extremists regimes. This is exactly what we see happening in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and other Arabic countries right now.
What Would Jesus Have Every Muslim to Know About Hate Versus Love? (A) Jesus would have every Muslim to know He teaches His followers to LOVE not HATE. In Matthew 5:43, 44 (NKJV) Jesus said. You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. (B) Jesus would also have every Muslim to know that radical LOVE is more powerful than radical HATE. The LORD tells us through the writings of the apostle Paul in Romans 12:20, 21 (NKJV) Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Jesus would have every Muslim to know that hate is not the answer. ************************************** Well next let s consider. V. What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know About Women Surah 4:34 in the Qu ran states, "Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other. Those women who are rebellious---admonish them, banish them to their couches, and beat them. The Hadith, the other Muslim holy book contains the teachings of Muhammed as recorded by his many wives, children and close companions. Here s just a sample: "Mohammed asked some women, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half that of a man?" The women said, "yes," He said, "This is because of the deficiency of the woman's mind. " (Hadith, Vol. 3:826) In other words, Muhammed believed that men are intellectually, physically and spiritually superior to women.
"Mohammed said, "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers are women. " (Hadith, Vol. 1:28, 301; Vol. 2:161; Vol. 7:124) Simply put, Muhammed condemned most women to hell. According to the Hadith, Volume 7:64, Muhummed married Aisha, one of his eleven wives when she was just six years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine years old. I L L U S T R A T I O N Perhaps some of you recall hearing the news story about Franklin Graham being un-invited from the National Day of Prayer Service at the Pentagon last year. But do you recall why he was un-invited? It was because he spoke out against the atrocities against women and children that is going on in Muslim countries. At the time Graham said that Islam was evil. Asked recently if he still believes Islam is evil, he said: I believe the way they treat women is evil, yes I do. He spoke with Greta van Sustern on FOX NEWS recently and discussed his objection to the way women are treated in Islam. Van Sustern asked Graham, Is it fair to say women are treated badly in Islam? Graham responded, Facts don t lie. No amount of political correctness can cover up the truth. It is a fact that in some areas Islam allows horrific acts against females including stoning, beheadings and female circumcision. What Does Jesus Want Every Muslim to Know About Women? Jesus would have every Muslim, especially every Muslim woman, to know they are important and their life has value. Throughout the gospels Jesus was affirming, sensitive, kind and accepting toward women. -In JOHN 8:1-11 Jesus offered forgiveness to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Under Islamic Suriah law, women caught in the act of adultery are stoned to death. -In JOHN 4:13-30, Jesus spoke to the woman at the well and offered her the living water of eternal life. - In LUKE 7:44-50, while eating in the home of Simon, the Pharisee, Jesus praised the sinful woman (likely a prostitute) who anointed His feet with precious perfume. - In LUKE 15:8-10 Jesus told the parable of the woman who lost a coin. Jesus didn t portray her as a mentally inferior human who couldn t keep track of her money. Instead He praised the woman s persistence to look for the coin until she found it.
- In LUKE 18:1-8 Jesus told the Parable of The Persistent Widow Woman to show His disciples how they should always pray and not give up. - In GALATIANS 3:28 (NKJV) the LORD tells us through the writings of the apostle Paul, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ****************** Thirdly, let s consider. VI. What Jesus Wants Muslims to Know About Salvation The Qu ran teaches that salvation is by works. Those works form what is commonly referred to as The Five Pillars of Islam. -The First Pillar is: Daily confession of faith in Allah. This is known as the shahadah. The shahada is the Islamic creed: There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. Every true Muslim believes they must recite this every day in order to be saved. -The Second Pillar is: Daily ritualistic prayer. This is known as salat. Muslims pray while bowing toward Mecca, the hometown of Muhammad. They believe they must do this five times each day to be saved. -The Third Pillar is: The month-long fast each year during the lunar month of Ramadan. This fast is called, the sawm. During Ramadan the Muslims refrain from eating any food during the daylight hours. The month of Ramadan is to be spent in meditation and reflection, which is then followed with a joyous celebration. Muslims believe they must observe this fast each year to be saved.
-The Fourth Pillar is: The giving of alms. This is known as zakat. Muslims are required to give 2 ½ % of their income to the poor and those in need. Muslims believe if they give more than the required amount they will receive a greater reward from Allah. -The Fifth Pillar is: To make the pilgrimage to Mecca. This once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage is called the hajj. Mecca is located in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The Muslims believe if they strictly obey these Five Pillars they will greatly increase their chances of going to heaven after they die. But each Muslim understands from the Qu ran that Allah may still deny them entrance into paradise, even if they faithfully observe all five pillars. Muslims are taught that the only ones who are guaranteed salvation are jihad martyrs. And just what is heaven to the Muslims? According to the Hadith heaven will be a garden paradise where the Muslim men will indulge in sensual and spiritual pleasure with 70 virgins. If that is heaven or paradise to Muslim men, what is it to Muslim women? Remember, Mohammad taught that most women will go to hell not heaven. And those women who do go to paradise will be transformed into one of the seventy beautiful virgins given to the Muslim men for their pleasure. Sounds like eternity for Muslim women is a lose-lose situation no matter where they go. What Does Jesus Want Every Muslim To Know About Salvation? (A) First of all, Jesus would have every Muslim know salvation can only be found in Him. John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (B) Jesus would also have every Muslim to know salvation cannot be attained by works, it is a gift of God s grace. Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. And how does one receive this gift of eternal life from God? By coming to Christ in faith (Hebrews 11:6) believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and He is the only One who can save us (John 3:16; Acts 16:31) and REPENTING of one s sinful living (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3) and CONFESSING Jesus as LORD (Matthew 10:32, 33) and being IMMERSED for the remission of one s sins and the gift of God s Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; John 3:5) and FAITHFULLY following the LORD unto death. (Revelation 2:10) (C) I also believe Jesus would every Muslim woman, especially, to know, that not only does He offer them the gift of eternal life in heaven, but also He promises them eternal protection from wicked men and they will never be harmed again. (Revelation 21:27 NIV) **********************************
C O N C L U S I O N These last two LORD S DAYS we have looked at What Jesus Wants Every Muslim to Know. As we bring our study to a close, let s briefly consider: 3 Things Jesus Wants Every Christian to Know About Muslims (A) Jesus wants us to LOVE Muslims not HATE them. In Luke 6:27 (NKJV) Jesus said. But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Jesus teaches us in the Gospels that the best weapon against hate is love. He says in Luke 6:29-33... To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (B) Jesus wants us to PRAY for Muslims not FEAR them. In Matthew 5:43,44 (NKJV) Jesus says.. You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." I read recently of a preacher in California who spotted a bumper sticker on someone s car which read: Have You Prayed For Osama Bin Laden Today? I haven t. Have you? Yet this is what our LORD asks us to do. PRAY for those who persecute us. And what about the fear factor regarding Muslims? The number one weapon the radical Islamic extremists use is terror. They want people to live in fear of them. But as Christians, we must understand that the LORD does not want you and me to live our lives in fear.
In Matthew 10:28 (NKJV) Jesus says.. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. II Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) says. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (C) Jesus wants us to REACH out to Muslims not REJECT them. II Peter 3:9 tells us God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Every time you see the face of a Muslim on TV every time you see the Muslim people rioting in the streets..every time you hear of another terrorist attack carried out by radical Muslim extremists, remind yourself Christ values the souls of those people every bit as much as He values yours and mine. And the LORD S greatest desire is that the souls of the Muslim people be saved. I leave this thought with you in closing. Abraham Lincoln once said, The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend. Likewise, the best way to counter the threat of Islam is to make Christians out of Muslims. And from the reports of missionaries all around the world many Muslim people are turning to Christ, even if it means persecution, rejection by their family, or even martyrdom. Most Muslims will never forsake Mohammed for Christ, but some will. This is why we must LOVE them, not HATE them. PRAY for them, not FEAR them. And REACH OUT to them, not REJECT THEM.