Sermon Central
-
"Your Choice: Muhammad Or Jesus?"
Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Oct 10, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: Muhammad or Jesus? Remember a choice was once made between Barabbas and Jesus! This is a study in contrast between Islam and Christianity.
A Comparison in Contrast between Mohammad and Jesus…
Muhammad: Lived and died. (c 570-632 AD)
Jesus: Virgin Birth, lived a sinless life, died, and rose again from the dead.
Muhammad: Never mentioned by the OT Prophets.
Jesus: The fulfillment of all OT prophecies.
Muhammad: Never made a prophecy.
(How could he be a prophet?)
Jesus: Gave us the prophecy of his own death, burial, and resurrection, and also of the events of the later days.
Muhammad: Never asked to be worshipped.
Jesus: Demanded to be worshipped, and claimed to be the Great I AM.
Muhammad: Claimed to have received his message from Gabriel as he sat alone in a darkened cave.
Jesus: Announced to be the Christ, by Gabriel. He was the Word, and preached his word by day.
Muhammad: Military Leader, His kingdom of this world.
Jesus: Prince of peace, His kingdom is to come.
Muhammad: [2.191] And kill them (those who do not believe in Allah) wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter .
Jesus: (John 18:11 KJV) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Muhammad: Never performed a miracle.
Jesus: Validated time and time again with miracles.
Muhammad: Married to Eleven wives. His youngest bride was nine years of age when he consummated the marriage.
Jesus: Proposal of marriage to his Bride, the Church.
About the Five Pillars of the Islam’s faith:
1. Muslim profession of faith.
A confession that nothing deserves worship but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
What we believe…
(Rom 10:9 KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2. Ritual Prayer.
An act of worship five times throughout the day.
What we believe…
(1 Th 5:17 KJV) Pray without ceasing.
3. Obligatory Charity
Zakat is viewed as “compulsory charity”
What we believe…
(2 Cor 9:7 KJV) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
4. The fast of Ramadan.
Occurs once each year during the 9th lunar month, the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which:
“…the Quran was sent down as a guidance for the people” (Quran 2:185)
What we believe… (Heb 4:9 KJV) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Salvation was complete in Christ.
5. Pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage to Mecca, the city of Muhammad’s birth (Son of Abraham through the linage of Ishmael), serves as a penance - the ultimate forgiveness for sins.
What we believe…
(John 4:21 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
(John 4:22 KJV) Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
(John 4:23 KJV) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
(John 4:24 KJV) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
A Comparison between the religion of Islam and Christianity:
Concept of Deity:
Moslem: Allah, God singular.
Christianity: Trinity
Person of Jesus:
Moslem: 2nd last Prophet.
Christianity: Son of God
Death of Jesus:
Moslem: Was not crucified, ascended into heaven
Christianity: Death, burial, and resurrection
Where is Jesus now:
Moslem: In Heaven.
Christianity: In Heaven on the throne.
Identity of the comforter:
Moslem: Mohammed
Jesus said, “And I will send a comforter…” Moslems believe that to be a prophecy of Muhammad.
Christianity: The Holy Spirit
Status of Adam:
Moslem: Free from all major sins, prophet.
Christianity: Fell in the Garden of Eden, leaving man in need of a blood sacrifice for redemption.
Status of Holy Book:
Moslem: God’s Word and Gabriel’s revelation (Koran)
Christianity: Inerrant Word of God
Additional Guidance:
Moslem: Sayings of Muhammad
Christianity: No further revelation. Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Status of a baby:
Moslem: Pure state of Islam, some become perverted with other religions.
Christianity: Sin nature and will become in need of salvation when acted upon.
The way of salvation:
Moslem: A person who utters the shahada as their last words in this life has been promised Paradise.
Christianity: Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Life after death:
Moslem: Paradise (One man up to 72 virgins) or Hell
Christianity: Heaven or Hell
Conclusion: You make the choice…
Muhammad or Jesus?
Remember a choice was once made between Barabbas and Jesus!