{"product_id":"a-fruitless-search","title":"A Fruitless Search","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruitless Search is a clear and compelling gospel booklet that addresses one of life’s greatest realities - the search for meaning, satisfaction, and purpose apart from God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn a world filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and empty promises, this booklet points readers to the only true answer found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Written in an accessible and engaging style, it challenges the reader to consider the futility of seeking lasting fulfilment in the things of this world while presenting the hope and certainty of the gospel.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for personal evangelism, literature tables, outreach events, and community distribution, Fruitless Search is a valuable resource for assemblies and individuals seeking to share the message of salvation clearly and thoughtfully.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWording Inside:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\nMissing car keys; missing credit cards; missing title deeds; more seriously, missing persons; oftentimes searching for things is frustrating and fruitless. You explore every avenue and leave no stone unturned and still you draw a blank.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bible tells of some women who didn’t find what they were looking for. They had been loyal followers of the Lord Jesus, with mistaken expectations that their Messiah would expel the Romans and rule as King. Three days earlier that dream had been shattered; He had been arrested, interrogated, tortured, and crucified. Jesus had died!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs a new day dawned, they were coming to embalm His body. They knew that they didn’t have the strength to remove the stone from the mouth of His tomb, but in the words of the Bible, “They found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24.2-3). What they were looking for just wasn’t there. Imagine their confusion. Had the authorities added another insult by disinterring the body?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo their search was fruitless; they never did find what they were looking for but disappointment gave way to excitement! They were told, “He is not here, but is risen” and they hurried to tell the news (verse 6). In search of a body they found a living Saviour!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe news that they carried has permanent relevance. One of the great statements of Christian belief is, “We believe that Jesus died and rose again” (1 Thessalonians 4.14). His death was a sacrifice for sins and in the resurrection God was showing His satisfaction with what He had done. Now, the message of forgiveness for sin and salvation from eternal judgment can be preached throughout the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGod’s desire for you is that you “seek the Lord” and that search need not be fruitless; “he is not far from every one of us” (Acts 17.27). “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55.6).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis concept of “seeking” the Lord does not imply that He is hard to find or that His plan of salvation is complicated. Seeking Him is Bible terminology for turning to Him in repentance and faith; it is to believe in the resurrected Christ for the salvation of your soul. A man called Philip said to his friend, “We have found him” (John 1.45). Have you found Him?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHave you ever called upon Him to be your Saviour, for “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10.13). A verse already quoted urges you to seek Him “while he may be found”. The implication is that there will come a time when it will be too late to turn to Him. Death ends the opportunity of salvation and hell has no exit door.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeek Him today then, and the Bible promises that if you do “he will have mercy…; he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55.7); in other words, the threat of His judgment will be removed for ever, and the forgiveness of sins imparted at once. Genuinely seeking the Lord will never be a fruitless search!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ritchie Christian Media","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53759709872469,"sku":"AFS","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1039\/2023\/8933\/files\/050614ec-9f7a-4cf3-a718-c1d957be113c.png?v=1781766411","url":"https:\/\/ritchiechristianmedia.co.uk\/products\/a-fruitless-search","provider":"Ritchie Christian Media","version":"1.0","type":"link"}