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Must Read, Improtant Bible messages!

Posted on our facebook page (Touched by God Church World Ministries)

 

Christ, the Center of God's Grace 
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For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3.16

In this familiar scripture Christ is clearly set forth as the center of God's grace. It was because of God's grace (He "so loved the world") that the gift of the Son was given. And through the Son all who will believe have eternal life. Jesus the Christ, who is the Son of this scripture, is both the result of God's grace and the means by which God's grace operates.

What is God's grace? Biblical grace is "pure and unrecompensed kindness and favor." Grace cannot be bought, it does not come as a result of merit. Romans 4.4 says "Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation." Grace is the opposite of wages. The two may not be reconciled: "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were grace would no longer be grace" (Rom. 11.6). The inevitable result of seeking to earn God's favor is the falling away from grace (Gal. 5.2-4).

In his letter to the church at Rome the apostle Paul argued that all persons are sinners and that all who sin are deserving of death (Rom. 2.9; 3.10-20; d. Rom. 3.23; 6.23). This means you and I are under the condemnation of the law. It is we who deserve death because of our sinfulness. Furthermore, we are not able to change our sinful condit'ion. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil" (Jer. 13.23). It is because of our total inability that God took theinitiative. It was He who solved the sin problem, who effected reconciliation between himself and sinful humanity by the gift of His Son. That gift is the center of His grace and His grace is for all who will accept it.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Perhaps no clearer picture of God's grace exists in scripture than that found in Luke 18.9-14:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself; 'God, I thank you that I am not like all 
other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not 
even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

What an amazing study in contrasts this parable presents. On the one hand is the aristocratic, wealthy, self-satisfied Pharisee. Contrasted with him is the tax collector, a renegade Jew who collected taxes for the despised Roman conquerors. Not only did this man sell his own people out to the Romans, he used extortionate methods to increase his personal wealth.

The point of this parable would be lost if we supposed the Pharisee not to be a good man or the tax collector not to be a bad one. In verse 11 the Pharisee thanks God he is not like other men. Nor was he! Pharisees were noted for their accuracy and fairness. He would not have taken even a penny which wasn't his. As for being an adulterer, anyone in town could have vouched for his moral uprightness.

In verse 12 the Pharisee enumerates his acts of zealous piety. Only one.fast per year was required of the Jews. This was on the great day of atonement (Lev. 16.29; Num. 29.7). But this man fasted twice weekly. The Law required the Jew to give a tenth of his yearly increase, in other words, what he had accumulated at the end of the year above what he 
had when the year began. This was after he had used what was needed for sustenance during the year. But this Pharisee gave a tenth of all he got. He was an upstanding character in his relationships to others, and he was zealous in his piety before God. This Pharisee was the kind of man any of us would wish to have for a neighbor.

The tax collector was as bad a character as the Pharisee was good. These tax collectors were so despised by the Jews they weren't even allowed in the temple. The Pharisee seems deliberately to have chosen to point out the things he was not (a robber, an evildoer, an adulterer) because the tax collector was those things. Thus the Pharisee says (verse 11) "or even like this tax collector." The tax collector wasn't a good man trying to be modest toward God. He was universally recognized as a wicked man.

Jesus did not tell this parable to provide commentary on the merits of the two men. It was because the two-men were exactly what they thought (and said) they were that Jesus could use them to make His point. He told this parable "to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on [held in total contempt] everybody else" (verse 9). The Pharisee presented his own merit to God and relied upon it for acceptance. The tax collector knew he had no merit and begged God to accept him as an act of mercy. It was "this man, rather than the other, [who] went home justified before God" (verse 14). Jesus chose men who, to the Jews, represented the extremes of human righteousness in order to clearly make His point. No man is acceptable to God on the basis of his own goodness. Only those who rely on God's grace are acceptable to Him. 
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The Tax Collector's Prayer

The tax collector prayed very differently from the Pharisee. Both men "stood," the English translation says (d. verse 11 and verse 13). But the Greek original has two different words. The Pharisee "struck a posture" or "took an ostentatious stand" (statheis). The tax collector was merely "standing," somewhat timidly (hestos). The Pharisee was ostentatious before God but the tax collector was so deeply aware of his own unfitness "he would not even look up to heaven." He was so deeply aware of his sinfulness he "beat his breast" in contrition and remorse.

The tax collector was desperate. There was no place for him to turn except to God. All decent men despised him. He knew he wasn't allowed in the temple and only his desperation had given him the courage to slip in. Standing as far away from others as he could, expecting any moment to be thrown out, he prayed "God have mercy on me, a sinner." More 
literally the tax collector prayed "O God, be propitiated for me [turn away your wrath from me; be reconciled with me] the sinner." He was the sinner, not merely a sinner among many.

The verb translated "have mercy" (hilaskomai) occurs only twice in the New Testament. The other occurence is in Hebrews 2.17 where it is used regarding Jesus as High Priest. The same root is used twice in its noun form (propitiation) in I John 2.2 and 4.10. In both cases it is Jesus who is the "atoning sacrifice" for our sins. In Romans 3.25 God is said to have set forth Christ as the "place of atonement" or "sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood." This same form of the word is used in Hebrews 9.5 where it means "mercy seat," the place on top of the ark of the covenant where God's presence dwelt (Ex. 40.34, 35; Num. 7.89)

While in the tax collector's prayer there is no direct reference to Christ in the use of hiloskomai, all other usage in the New Testament is clear. It is only in Christ that the atoning sacrifice, the place of mercy is found .. . the process of propitiation envisaged in the Bible is one which involves an element of substitution. In both Old and New Testaments themeans of propitiation is the offering up of a gift, the gift of a life yielded up to death by God's own appointment. The Scripture is clear that the wrath of God is visited upon sinners or else that the Son of God dies for them.'

The tax collector's prayer acknowledged both his own lack of merit and the abundance of God's grace. Knowing there was nothing in himself deserving of God's acceptance, the tax collector found acceptance in God's grace. The Pharisee could have been accepted similarly. He was blinded by his own goodness to his need for grace. In his self-righteousness he supposed himself to be acceptable and held the poor tax collector in contempt. On another occasion Jesus said:

"For Judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." -John 9.39, 40

The Pharisee thought he could see and thus became blind. He went home empty and guilty before God.

Jesus Our Substitute 

In Exodus 32 is found the story of Israel's idolatry with the golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Forty days earlier the people of Israel had confirmed God's covenant with them saying: "We will do every- thing the Lord has said; we will obey" (Ex. 24.7). As Moses' absence dragged on, the people began to feel they had been deserted. Thus they complained 
to Aaron and finally insisted he make a "god" to lead them. They then sacrificed to this idol -and indulged themselves in a riotous "worship" service. Their behavior was an affront to God. He said to Moses "now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation" (Ex. 32.10). Moses 
had already had an opportunity to be personally great. He had been raised as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He could have been the ruler of Egypt. But he had chosen to identify and suffer with God's people Israel, and he did not change his mind now. Thus he pleaded with God to turn away His wrath from His people. "Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened" (verse 14).

Moses was so intent upon obtaining forgiveness for Israel that he was willing to lose his own life. In verse 32 he says "But now please forgive their sin- 
but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." God must not be seen as capricious. His wrath is real against sin and sinners for He is a holy God. When His wrath was to be expressed against Israel, Moses pleaded for mercy on their behalf. Moses substituted himself and willingly would have died in place of Israel. But it was God Who had called 
Moses to lead Israel. It was God Who had placed Moses in the place to intercede for Israel. Moses was a provision of God's grace to Israel.

Jesus, the new Moses, is God's provision of grace to His new Israel. Like Israel we are deserving of God's wrath. As God provided Moses to Israel to turn aside His wrath so He has provided Jesus, His Son. Jesus has borne God's wrath, He drank that cup to its very dregs. Jesus is the final manifestation of God's grace of whom Moses was only a shadow. Whether Pharisee, Israelite, or tax collector (and each of us is represented in all three) God's grace in Christ is sufficient. Let us be clothed with Christ, God's grace incarnate, and thus find total acceptance with God. Christ is the Center of all God's "unrecompensed kindness and favor." Amen!
(We thank Terry Taylor for TouchedbyGodchurch.com)

 

 

If That's Good News, I'll Be Damned!
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A friend of mine was sitting in a Bible class trying to grasp what was being said. It was an important day in his life for, after quite some time of "doing his own thing," he wanted a better relationship with God. He was anxious to learn. The teacher began to explain what it meant to "live a Christian life" and to have a "growing Christian experience." Soon what 
he "had to do" if he wanted to be a Christian was stressed. A "Christian growth chart" was used to illustrate the steps to Christ. It was explained that at first, because he was way down at the "bottom" of the chart, he would make a lot of mistakes. If he was really doing his best God took that into account and would "make up the difference" for him. This generosity on God's part was called "grace." He learned that as he continued to "walk in the Christian path" he would "grow more and more like Christ," thus making fewer mistakes and needing less and less of God's grace to make up the difference.

As he sat there and listened, his initial interest in wanting to learn more about being a Christian waned. Joy turned to despair as he realized with this "growth chart" approach he would never really know where he stood and thus it was "good news" which damned him. There was no assurance in this message. The "good news" he anticipated had 
turned on him. If what he heard that day was the gospel, he might just as well keep on living like he was, for he knew he couldn't possibly "reach the standard" set for him. It was a day with serious consequences, for many-years passed before he heard the real Good News and responded to it.

Thinking about his experience, I have tried to relate it to my own and to that of people I have known in my ministry, How many times have I heard something "religious" which was supposed to be a"sermon" and thought: "I'll be damned if that's good news. If what is being said is the gospel, there's no hope for me; I'm damned."

Religion Is Not the Gospel ... 

It is astounding to discover how many "good Christians" really know next to nothing about the gospel. To be sure, they have things like what to eat, where to go, what to wear, etc., down pat. For many people, the gospel has become confused with religion. Religion addresses the human side and the gospel addresses God's side. Religion concerns itself 
with my response to the Good News, but it is not the Good News itself. Religion defines how I choose to worship, what kind of worship service I will participate in. In other words, religion addresses my piety. Church history would indicate that personal piety has always been expressed in differing ways. So it is today. A Baptist service would have a different 
"religious tone" than would a Pentecostal service. The religious dimension of each of these groups has nothing to do with the rightness or wrongness of what is taking place. Human worship of God is expressed in different ways by different people. It is like music. There are those who feel that "classical" music is the only type of music that qualifies for the name. To them, "Rock" or "Country and Western" music is awful. Worse, it isn't even music. Indeed, whether we all like the various kinds of music or not they do qualify as music. Religion is much like musical preference. We worship God as a result of our cultural background, our level of biblical understanding, and that to which we are accustomed. God understands that we are all different; He, in fact, created us that way. There is no problem until one's preference is advanced as the only way.

It should be stated that nobody is exempt from being religious. We all have some expression of religion. This is not bad. In fact, it is good. In the true sense of the word, being religious simply means we take the gospel seriously and have a response to it.We participate in a certain Christian fellowship, we enjoy a certain style of worship service (liturgy), we choose a certain life-style. This is all good for it brings order as we interact with each other.

Only when religion is put forth as the gospel does it become something which damns us. To attend church and hear a "sermon" on life-style, politics, diet, etc., is to hear religion in the place of the gospel. To place the emphasis upon what we should do to "be more Iike Christ ". is to have the Good News turn to- bitterness. In fact, if religion is the Good News, there 
is no Good News, and we are all damned.

Only the Gospel Is Good News 

When discussing the matter of the gospel, we come to an entirely different matter. Here we are talking about God's mighty act of redemption which He accomplished in His Son, Jesus. Regardless of whether we accept it or reject it, like it or dislike it, it stands. We have nothing to do with this infinite act of God's grace. Though we must accept it before we can 
experientially call it "good news," it would be good news apart from any decision on our part. God has concentrated His Good News in One Person, His Son. To preach Christ is the only way the gospel will ever be told.

This, in itself, is good news for it is a built-in safety device to keep our various likes and dislikes from being proclaimed as the gospel. What the Methodist church (for example) thinks about church government is a matter of religion, not gospel. Therefore, choosing identity with this denomination is your way of saying they most closely express how you 
want to worship. The same could be said for every other denomination. But, of course, since church government is not God's infinite act of grace expressed in Jesus, it is not the gospel. It is legitimate for there to be varying forms of religious expression. But the distinction between "church" and the gospel is often not heeded by today's churches. In fact, it is getting to the point where you have to "walk a good country mile" to hear the gospel in church. Here is how the Bible states the situation:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. -Matt. 24_ 14

So often a given denomination feels because it has a "work" in a certain country of the world it is preaching the gospel. Not necessarily. There could be a lot of religious activity going on but, sadly, too much of it is simply an acculturation of people to Western thinking. If the "missionary" is from a certain part of America, he is apt to simply teach a religious 
perspective as seen through his culture. There is no good news in this approach. All that happens is that strife and conflict erupt as these people are taught a life-style which is totally foreign to them. Paul said:

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. -Rom. 1.16, 17

Not everything Paul learned of religious things qualified as the gospel and he is being very specific in this verse. The power of God is the gospel, not even a well-defined religion (which he had learned very well). Jesus said:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. -John 12.32

Nothing else will ever draw anyone to the kingdom of God. It is not a purely logical matter. God has ordained it that His Holy Spirit is the One who draws and the Holy Spirit was given to attest to the completed work of Christ. Only when Christ is preached is His Spirit present to draw.

A Comparison:

Religion 
Addresses externals; Tells us how to respond to God; 
Dictates how we express our worship; 
Outlines character growth; Tells us what to do to 
get "in"

Gospel 
Addresses the heart; Tells us what God has done for us; 
Lets our worship be the expression of the heart; 
Tells us Jesus is our Perfection; 
Tells us Jesus is our Entrance Requirement

So, it is true that if religion is being preached at us and passed off as the Good News we are all, indeed, damned. But it doesn't have to be that way. There is nothing better in all the world than hearing about the saving righteousness of God as expressed through Christ.

Let's hear it for the gospel which uplifts Jesus. In Him we are free--and that's Good News! Amen!
(We thank R. Patzer for TouchedebyGodchurch.com)

God Made Our Earth -- Very Special!
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Our marvelous earth! We wonder … what would have happened if the world was just slightly different; if the universe was changed in the slightest way? Scientists say: no human life could exist! Do you really believe that? My goodness, there must be some variability to our planet, to our universe, to our existence. Surely if things were off just a bit, life would still go on? Well, let's see:

1) What if the distance between the earth and the sun were a bit closer or even farther? Surely it would not affect us that much--would it? Well it turns out that yes it would-- life would cease to exist. Have we found life on Venus, or Mars? None what so ever!

(2) If the magnetic forces were stronger or weaker would we be able to survive? Not at all--these forces protect us from the very harsh radiations from the sun.

(3) Do we have to revolve every 24 hours, day to day? Certainly, otherwise only half the earth would receive the life giving light of the sun, and the other half would be in constant darkness and a non-livable environment without vegetation.

4) Why does our planet have to be “tilted” on it’s own axis? Surely it would be much better if it were perpendicular? No, no! If our earth were not tilted at 23 degrees, we would not have the seasonal variations that produce an abundance of crops to feed our planet’s huge population.

(5) Why do we have to have a Moon? What really is its purpose? The Moon produces the tides that continually replenish the oceans with oxygen allowing the fish to breathe.

(6) Does the earth have to be so large,? Can’t it be smaller so we could get around it faster? Not really … If the earth were much smaller, the lessened gravity would make it incapable of holding the atmosphere that is essential for breathing.

(7) Why is it so hard for us to fly out of and back into our atmosphere? Can’t it be a bit thinner? Not so … if our atmosphere is much thinner it would not provide enough protection from 25,000 meteors that burn up over the earth every day. Also, it would be incapable of retaining the higher temperatures in order for human and animal life to exist.

(8) On the other hand, why couldn’t our planet be twice as large? We would have more space to live on, and grow more food? Not a good idea … if our planet were twice as large, the effect of the increased gravity would make everything on the planet 8 times heavier. This increased weight would destroy many forms of animal and human life.

So you see--our planet (Earth) was created specifically for us to exist. The smallest change in any of the circumstances of the natural world (says Scientists) such as the relative strength of the forces of nature, or the properties of the elementary particles, would have led to a universe in which there would be no life and no man. A decrease of a few percent here or there along the way--and there would only be “stuff” … dirt, debris … things we’ve only found on other planets, of our own Solar System. Exception: here on our planet earth: life abounds!

The ultimate conclusion of many scientists is that: it seems like we have caught the eye of a very special, powerful, intelligence that has purposely constructed our Universe, Solar System and especially our Earth within very “narrow” scientific parameters to allow human life to flourish.

And heaven knows there are much, much more evidence of who this All-Powerful, Being is … Whether scientists think of Him as merely a force in nature of supreme intelligence … we can only hope that through continuous gathering of information … that all will come to the understanding and knowledge that there is an Ultimate Creator of this: The Universe, The Solar System and the planet we live on: our Earth. Our Creator has prepared a very special place for us to exist, and live … we know that we live within a very fine line of existence; that without His constant “Presence” and continual light--life would be impossible. We give thanks to our Creator--God, through His Son, The Christ Jesus! Amen!

We thank Pastor Jess Foglesong of TouchedbyGodchurch.com)

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Christ, the Meaning of Old Testament History 
 

The recurring rhythm of Old Testament history is perfected in the Christ event. Jesus sums up and completes that history. In the light of His death and resurrection the Old Testament becomes clear. The great acts in Old Testament history are seen as a typology of Jesus Christ.

Typology is not allegory. The Old Testament events were real events. They had historical significance for their time. What is said about them may be understood by grammatical-historical investigation. But a divine hand had arranged the pattern in the events for the sake of Jesus Christ. We should be careful not to push typology to fanciful extremes. But we are on solid ground when we follow where the New Testament leads us. In their witness to Jesus as the promised Messiah, the apostles generally do not follow a proof-text method. They present the account of Jesus' life, death and resurrection so that its correspondence with Old Testament history becomes apparent to anyone acquainted with that history. We must immerse ourselves in the Old Testament if we are to grasp the force of what the apostles say about Christ. Since Creation and the Exodus are the two great events of the Old Testament, we will see how they are recapitulated in the Christ event.

Christ, the Recapitulation of Creation

The idea that God would recapitulate Creation is not novel to the New Testament writers. This was the hope expressed by Old Testament prophets. Isaiah declared that God would act to create a new heaven and a new earth (Isa. 65.17). Daniel 7 recapitulates 
Genesis 1: 
1. The four winds blow upon the sea (Dan. 7.2). 
2. Four beasts come up out of the sea (Dan. 7.3). 
3. The Son of Man stands before God (Dan. 7.13). 
4. This Man is given dominion over the beasts and 
over the whole created order (Dan. 7.14, 27).

The rabbis believed that the "Son of Man" in Daniel's vision represented the coming Messiah or Deliverer. The apostles show that this expectation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The New Testament recalls the Creation in a number of remarkable ways. With words clearly reminiscent of Genesis 1.1, John begins His Gospel, "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1.1). The same Word which spoke the world into existence became incarnate in Jesus Christ (John 1.1-14).

The angel announced to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1.35). This corresponds with Genesis 1.2: "The Spirit of God was moving [hovering protectingly] over the face of the waters." Jesus is God's new creation (Eph. 4.24; Col. 3.10). The humanity of Christ is the new creation of the Holy Spirit. This Man is also the new Adam of God's new creation (Rom. 5.12-19; I Cor. 15.45). Paul says that the first Adam was a figure (Greek, tupos) of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5.14). Commenting on this, Irenaeus, the early church father, said: 
Therefore Adam was said by Paul to be tupos tou mellontos [the type of Him to come] because the Word, who made all things, had formed beforehand for himself the Economy of mankind which would centre in the Son of God; 
God predestinating the natural man to be saved by the spiritual man.

As the new Adam, Christ is the image of God (2 Cor. 4.4; Col. 1.15; Heb. 1.3; d. Gen. 1.27). He is the ideal man, the one true specimen of humanity who is all God designed man to be. He is the man in whom God is well pleased (Matt. 3.17). Man is only man in relationship to God, to others and to the world. Jesus is presented in the New Testament as the ideal man because He is in ideal relationship to God (in perfect subjection), to others (in Igving service-Mark 10.45; Acts 10.38; Phil. 2."5-7) and to the world (in exercising We see the dominion Adam had "over the fish of the sea ... and over every living thing" (Gen. 1.28) being exercised by the new Adam. The fishermen who became His disciples recognized that Jesus had authority over the fish of the sea. At His command they caught so many fish that neither their nets nor their boats could hold them-and this after the time for successful fishing had vanished with the night. In obediance to the word of Jesus, Peter took up the coin from the fish's mouth. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an unbroken colt, yet it was perfectly submissive to Him. The angry waters were subject to Him. (In the light of 
the Old Testament waters, how full of Messianic significance is Christ's act of rebuking the sea!) As the true Adam, Christ is Lord-Lord over all creation, disease, demons and even death itself. He is the Danielic Son of Man, who receives all authority and 
dominion from the Father (Dan. 7.13, 14; Matt. 28.18).

Christ is also the new Adam, put to death so that from His pierced side the church is brought into existence. Thus Paul likens the church to Eve (II Cor. 11.2, 3), who was taken from Adam's side. In summary, we may say Jesus Christ recapitulates Creation and Adam. He becomes all Adam was meant to be. As the antitypical Adam, He transcends Adam the first. He passes over the ground 
of Adam. He not only does what Adam should have done as the covenantal partner. He undoes the results of Adam's breaking the covenant. Because of Adam's sin the earth was cursed to bring forth thorns, and mankind was cursed to death (Gen. 3.18, 19). 
But the new Head of the race bears the crown of thorns and tastes death for every man. Adam the first left us a legacy of condemnation and death. Adam the second leaves us a legacy of justification and life eternal (Rom. 5.17- 19).

Jesus Christ recapitulates Creation and Adam. He becomes all Adam was meant to be.

Christ, the Recapitulation of the Exodus Israel not only commemorated the Exodus. They looked forward to its recapitulation at the end of the age. The Old Testament is an unfinished book because the real exodus was still to come. The Old Testament is a promise. It awaits fulfillment.

Moses had said that God would raise up a prophet like himself (Deut. 18.15). Glasson shows that the rabbis of the first century expected a new Moses, another deliverer who would recapitulate the Exodus." They wondered how this new Moses would feed the people with manna and do what was done under the administration of the first Moses. The New Testament tells us that when John the Baptist and Jesus appeared, all men were in. expectation (Luke 3.15).

In presenting Jesus as the Messiah, the apostles show us that Exodus typology is gathered up in His life, death and resurrection.More is said of the Christ event as the new exodus than as the new creation. The Exodus imagery is so widely used in the New Testamentthat it merits a separate book." We will merely trace some highlights here.

Jesus Is the New Israel. The apostles show the remarkable correspondence between Christ and Israel, not by a series of proof texts, but by weaving together a pattern of the Christ event. The book of Matthew is an example. Matthew presents a replay 
of Israel's Exodus from Egypt.

1. Jesus is Mary's firstborn-and God's (Matt. 
1.25; d. Col. 1.15). 
2. Jesus is brought up out of Egypt (Matt. 2.15). 
3. He passes through the waters-His baptism 
(Matt. 3.14, 15). 
4. He is led into the wilderness and tested forty days and nights. In resisting Satan's three temptations, Jesus actually quotes the three scriptures found in the setting of Israel's testing in the wilderness (Matt. 4.4; Deut. 8.3). 
5. The final chapters of Matthew describe Jesus' second baptism of suffering and blood and His entrance into the glory of the heavenly Canaan. Jesus is therefore the new Israel of new covenant history. As the new Israel, He passes over the same ground asold Israel. Whereas they murmured against God, broke the covenant and failed miserably, He trusted God, kept the covenant and triumphed gloriously. He did what Israel should have done. And He undid the results of their failure. When Israel broke the covenantal stipulations, she stood exposed to the covenantal curses. In Leviticus and Deuteronomy 28-30 the curses come in 
handfuls. These awful threats may first appear out of all proportion to the sins committed. But sin, as a breach of the covenant, is an affront to the covenant God. It is an insult to His infinite majesty. The prophets invoked the covenantal curses against disobedient Israel. The curses included hunger and thirst (Deut. 
28.48; Isa. 65.13), desolation (Isa. 5.6; Zeph. 1. 15), poverty (Deut. 28.31), the scorn of passers-by (Jer. 19.8), darkness (Isa. 13.10; Amos 5.18-20), earthquake (Isa. 13.13; Amos 1.1), being "cut off" from among the people (Ex. 12.15, 19; 31.14; Lev. 
7.25; Jer. 44.7-11), death by hanging on a tree (Deut. 21.33), a brass heaven (Deut. 28.23) and no help when one cries for help (Deut. 28.31; Isa. 10.3).

Christ must fulfill the stipulations of the Sinaitic covenant. He must also carry away the terrible curses pronounced in the covenantal documents. For this reason He was hungry (Matt. 4.2; 21.18). He was so poor He had nowhere to lay His head (Matt. 8.20). 
On the cross He cried, "I thirst!" (John 19.28). He was mocked and derided (Mark 15.19, 31) and deserted by His friends (Matt. 26.69-75). He was hanged on a tree as a cursed man (Gal. 3.13) and "cut off" from His people (Isa. 53.8). As He hung on the cross, the 
heavens were as brass. He was as one who cries for help and receives none (Mark 15.34). He died as the great covenant breaker and endured the unabated fury of all the covenant curses. The cosmic scope of these curses is portrayed in Matthew. As Christ bore 
the sins of the broken covenant, darkness descended over the earth (Matt. 27.45), the ground quaked, and the rocks were rent (Matt. 27.51). But by dying Jesus carried away the curses of the covenant. Amen!

 

Jesus Is the New Moses ...

Jesus is not only the new Israel of the new Exodus. He is also the new Moses. 
1. The prophecy of Deuteronomy 18.15- "a 
prophet like me"-is often used in the New 
Testament to apply to Jesus (Acts 3.22, 23; 7.37). 
2. Jesus too is hid from the wrath of the king who 
kills all the male children. Jesus also returns to the 
homeland after the one who sought His life is dead 
(Ex. 4.19; Matt. 2.20, 21). 
3. Both Moses and Jesus are unrecognized by 
their own people as God's elect (Acts 7.27). On 
occasion the people try to .stone them both (Ex. 17.4; 
Num. 14.10; John 10.31-33; 11.8). 
4. The close communion Moses enjoyed with God 
is surpassed by Christ (Ex. 33.20; John 1.17, 18). 
5. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount reminds us of 
another lawgiver on another mountain (Ex. 19; Matt. 5). 
4. See Glasson, Moses in the Fourth Gospel, for an excellent, 
detailed treatment of Moses and Jesus. 
6. Jesus appoints seventy elders just as Moses did 
(Num. 11.16; Luke 10.1). 
7. Both Jesus and Moses fasted forty days before 
giving the law to the people. 
8. Both were glorified on a mountain. 
9. Jesus fed the multitude in a desert place. This 
reminded the people of Moses and the bread from 
heaven (John 6). 
10. Jesus said He was the water of life. This 
declaration was made at the Feast of Tabernacles 
when the people were celebrating the water from the 
smitter. rock (John 7.37-39). 
11. Jesus declared He was the light of the world 
while the people were celebrating the pillar of fire 
which led Israel through the wilderness (John 8.12). 
12. Our Lord said to Nicodemus, "And as Moses 
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son 
of Man be lifted up" (John 3.14). 
13. Jesus' final discourse to His disciples presents a 
remarkable parallel to Moses' farewell speech 
recorded in Deuteronomy. Some of Jesus' parting 
words are quoted directly from Deuteronomy.

Jesus, of course, not only recapitulates Moses. He supersedes Moses. This is a truth taught in biblical types and antitypes. Thus John the evangelist not only makes parallels between Christ and Moses. He contrasts them and shows the superiority of Jesus 
(John 1.17). This reveals an important argument presented by John. The Jews had absolutized Moses as he was represented in the law--the Torah. The rabbis taught that the Torah was the Logos--the divine wisdom or word (cf. Provo 8). They also said the 
Torah was the bread, water and light which leads to the life of the age to come. John denies these popular assumptions. He declares that this Logos, this bread and water and light of eternal life, are embodied in the second person of the Godhead, incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth. We too must remember that the Scriptures are only a witness to Jesus Christ. A high view of scriptural inspiration is no guarantee of life (John 5.39). Faith in an inerrant Bible is not the test of 
evangelial faith.

Jesus Is the New Temple.

The entire Levitical priesthood and temple ritual are summed up in Jesus. He is the new Aaron. And just as He supersedes Moses, He supersedes Aaron. He is a priest after the better order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7). He is also the new temple whose glory exceeds the former (Hag. 2.9; John 1.14). He is the restored temple, the temple rebuilt after being destroyed by the king of Babylon 
(Dan. 8.14; Zech. 6.13; John 2.19-21).

In short, Jesus Christ is the new exodus event. On the mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah "appeared in glory and spoke of His departure, which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem" (Luke9.31, RSV). The Greek word for "departure" is exodos. How 
fitting that the Moses of the first Exodus should be found communing with Christ just before the great exodus of the ages took place in His death and resurrection! The writer to the Hebrews understands 
Jesus' resurrection as the replay of Moses' coming up out of the Red Sea. This is clear from a comparison of Isaiah 63.11 with Hebrews 13.20:

Then He remembered 
the days of old, Moses, and 
His people, saying, Where 
is He that brought them up 
out of the sea with the shep- 
herd of His flock?-Isa. 
63.11, KJV.

May the God of peace, 
who through the blood of 
the eternal covenant 
brought back from the 
dead our Lord Jesus, the 
great Shepherd of the 
sheep. .-Heb. 13.20.

Conclusion 
In the great acts of God in the Old Testament there is a recurring pattern of events. Thisrecapitulating history moves forward and reaches its summary and perfection in Jesus Christ. The events of the Old Testament exist for the sake of Jesus Christ. 
They mirror Him and therefore find their true meaning in Him. Christ is the meaning of Old Testament history. He is God's great act of creation and redemption.

We have seen that the Old Testament is a history of captivity and restoration. Man sins and is cost away into captivity by the God of the covenant. But man is rescued again by the God of the covenant. In the Babylonian Exile God cost His people out of His 
sight. But then in mercy He gathered them again. This was like a judgment of death and resurrection. Hosea could write:

"Come, let us return to the Lord· 
for He has torn, that He may'heal us; 
He has stricken, and He will bind us up. 
After two days He will revive us; 
on the third day He will raise us up, 
that we may live before Him." 
-Hosea 6.1, 2.

This and other Old Testament scriptures mirror the death and resurrection of Christ. In His death He was Adam and Israel, cast out of God's sight as the great covenant breaker. In His resurrection He was Adam (mankind) and Israel, restored to God's favor 
as the great covenant keeper. God spared Adam (mankind) and Israel from the full penalty of sin because behind all this covenantal history stood the Surety and Mediator of the covenant. The judgments which fell on Adam and Israel were tempered with mercy because the account was to be paid in full by Jesus Christ in the fullness of time.

As Old Testament history recapitulated, Jesus Christ is Old Testament history rewritten. There are two histories of man: the history of the old covenant and the history of the new. The old is a history of continual failure on the part of Adam and Israel. This 
history stands under the judgment of God. But God has rewritten this history of failure in Jesus Christ. It is now a glorious, triumphant and holy history. By His death God buries the old history--our old history. And by His resurrection He brings forth for us a new holy history. This is the gift of His righteousness to be accepted by faith alone. Here is a history--a righteousness-with which God is well pleased. When the church is satisfied with this holy history and rests on it as her only righteousness before God, when 
she stops imagining that she must write a new holy history for her justification, then this song will be sung: 

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him qlory! 
. His bride has made herself ready." 
-Rev. 19.7. Amen!
(We thank Robert D. Brimsmead for TouchedbyGodchurch.com)

 

 

 

Jesus: The Center of Christian Ethics 
 

In discussing Christian ethics we come to one of the most controversial areas of Bible study. Nowhere is the "Jesus is the center" principle more needed than here. Much of Christianity is bogged down with an improper, non-Biblical (though very religious) emphasis upon the human response to the gospel. To be sure, there is such a thing as a "Christian life" but this should not be pushed to such an extreme that it centers upon what we do. Again, Jesus is not so much the provider of our ability to do and be as He is the doing and the being.

Old Israel failed in obedience to the will of God. Repeatedly Israel refused to trust God's Word or to be obedient to God's will. In the New Testament Jesus is presented to us as the One who is obedient to the will of God. This is no accident; and neither is it a casual point. Without Jesus' perfect obedience the New Israel (of which all who are in Christ are a part) 
would be no better than the old. Isaiah 65.1 speaks about the old, disobedient Israel: "I said, 'Here am I, here am I, to a nation which did not call on my name." The contrast to this is not a group of people who are obedient, but One Person who was obedient. The New Testament places all obedience in that One Person--Jesus Christ. "And being found in 
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Phil. 2.8).

The New Testament is clear that not even if we add the words "by His help" does obedience reside in us. It is in Christ. To be in Christ is to be accounted obedient. Though it is important to live to the best of our ability, our best can never be good enough. "For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a 
filthy garment" (Isa. 64.6). Were it not for the obedient One we who are part of the New Israel would be no better off than old Israel. "For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous" (Rom. 5.19). The failure of old Israel was a failure to obey. The obedience of Christ is therefore central to Scripture. Too often Christianity is advanced as an imitation of Christ's life rather than firmly placing Him as the One who is obedient. Our standing in God's family is not because we have done certain "right" things (even through His grace). Rather, it is because we are in Christ and He is the fully obedient, perfectly righteous 
One who is fully accepted by the Father. Again this point is critical though subtle. We need to be careful that we understand the Bible as Christ-centered teaching rather than teaching which adds Christ on.

Jesus: The Center of the Law It is frightening to see how much of modern Christianity is really a "Christianized Judaism." Jesus has become an add-on to an elaborate system of cultural teachings. The shallow approach is to see Biblical law as a code. This is a serious mistake. The Hebrew word for "law" means much more than this. The word "Torah" encompasses the entire revealed will of God; the teaching of God. The religious climate into which Jesus came was one which had totally reduced God's will to a set of rules.

The uniqueness of Christ was not that He came to tell us (or enable us) to keep the law, but that He took to Himself all that the law was. He Himself became law-obedience and law-fulfillment. Jesus was the Torah incarnate. One of the ways in which modern Christianity has attempted to solve the problem of a law which is presented as being "in force" on the one hand and "done away with" on the other, is to divide it into a moral portion and a ceremonial one. Nowhere in Scripture can this distinction be found. Judaism had 613 commandments in the Torah and it would be impossible to make distinctions as to which are still binding and which are not. Further, the Bible treats the Torah as a unit. The New Testament word for law (nomos) means the Torah as a whole.

The solution to the dilemma is the principle that Jesus is the Center. When Jesus was asked about the law in Mark 12.29-34 He did not multiply its restrictions or offer a new set of rules. His answer was the totally revolutionary teaching that He Himself was the full embodiment of all law. In Galatians 3.19 Paul says the law was to operate as a custodian until Jesus came. Everything Judaism ascribed to the law the New Testament ascribes to Jesus. In this way He is presented as the essence--and even the end--of the law: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Rom. 10.4); "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law" (GaI.5.18). Since the law had always pointed to Christ, it therefore had reached its goal in Him. In this way He upheld it and validated it; He did not abolish it. When Christ came He did not contradict or negate the law. Rather, He lived a life which not merely encompassed but far exceeded the letter of Old Testament Law.

God did not give the Torah so there could be measurable external obedience. Rather, it was so people could understand Him. Judaism reduced the law to an arbitrary rule-book instead of seeing it as a guide for a living relationship with the Covenant God. Jesus made it clear that no set of rules could ever fully define the kind of life which a holy God 
required. His life was itself the full expression of that kind of life, and therefore, the ultimate revelation of God. It is for this reason He is the fulfillment--even the embodiment--of the law. Our relationship with God does not come through the keeping of the law (even if we add "by the power of the Holy Spirit") but through Christ Who is the embodiment of God's will. God anchors our relationship with Him not in law, but in covenant fellowship. And Jesus is the fulfillment of covenant righteousness.

Understanding this principle is truly having the new wine of the gospel shatter the old wineskins of tradition; imitation theology and subjectivism. It is not a call for reckless living or a life without discipline. Rather, Jesus is given all honor and praise because everything we have with God is in and through Him. He is the Center of all. Amen! 
(We thank Pastor R. Patzer for TouchedbyGodchurch.com)

 

Jesus is Our Sabbath!
 

Nowhere in all of Scripture does a misunderstanding of the important principle that Christ is the very center have more serious ramifications than on the subject of the Sabbath. Failure to see this principle that Jesus is the very center and essence of Biblical truth will lead to the inevitable conclusion that Jesus came to teach a body of truth apart from Himself. The Sabbath, which contains so much Biblical truth, should not be seen as something Jesus came to set up as a day. Rather, the Old Testament symbol of rest finds its fulfillment in Jesus. A correct interpretation of this concept will avoid two major pitfalls: (1) that Jesus abolished the Sabbath, thereby negating His law, and (2) that it is a day to be seen apart from Jesus Himself. Jesus was a Jew, and as such, was part of that culture. His observance of Jewish regulations was not intended to convey the idea that these cultural 
ordinances are to be observed perpetually. As with all truth, Jesus focused it in Himself. Rather than setting up a Sabbath day to keep, Jesus took to Himself the true concept of the Sabbath, thus becoming the very essence of the Sabbath. To be in Christ is to be a Sabbath-keeper, for Jesus, not a day, is our rest from all works of righteousness. Mark 2.23- 28 illustrates this point:

And it came about that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. And the 
Pharisees were saying to Him, "See here, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and became hungry, he and his companions: how he entered into the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he gave it also to those who were with him?" And He was saying to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 
Consquently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." -Mark 2.23-28

This passage does not speak about the preeminence and superiority of the Sabbath as a day, but about the supremacy of mankind. Because Jesus is Lord, everything in His creation is subject to Him and governed by Him. When Matthew speaks of this incident he anchors it in the supreme value of Christ.

At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grainfields, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath." But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he became hungry, he and his companions; how he entered the house of God and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath, and are innocent? But I say to you, that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, 'I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice.' you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." -Matt. 12.1-8

Matthew points out that the sacrifices which were to be offered by the priests on the Sabbath day were a violation of the prohibition against work. When Peter expounded the Old Testament concept of the priesthood of all believers (in I Peter 2.5) he, in essence, placed all of us within the freedom of Christ. Even as the Old Testament priest was given a 
different relationship to the Sabbath day because of his symbolic relationship with God, so all New Testament priests (those in Christ) have their relationship to the Sabbath day defined by the reality of their relationship to God, in Christ.

The Biblical principle is that every day is a day of liberty and freedom for us. Hosea understood this principle when he said "For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hos. 6.6). He is here saying that worship of God is greater than the service itself. Jesus is superior to all else. The Sabbath is not our redeemer,' Jesus is. Therefore, we must be careful that we do not elevate a day (any day) to a level which contains salvation significance. Indeed, we can and must, be so bold as to speak out against anything which is placed as a "test" of salvation alongside Jesus Himself. Jesus did not come to advance any teachings in addition to Himself. He came to call all of us to an acceptance of Him, Who was Himself the embodiment of all Biblical truth. Amen!
(We thank Pastor R. Patzer for TouchedbyGodchurch.com)

 

The Cross, Resurrection & Ascension: The Most Important Event in Human History! 
 

As a man, as a human being, I ask these questions. I think it is ultimately important that we understand how enormous this event is ... I believe is the most important event in human history!

There is a world out there that is literally unseen. It is a world teeming with celestial beings coming and going. It is a world that operates in perfect ‘harmony.’ It functions with a type of “nature” unattainable to us. As a matter of fact it is a realm inconceivable to our own.

We have been the ultimate castaways: misfits, rebels, contaminated, outcast, lost. In the Old Testament we were (symbolically) the “lepers” who were forced to live outside of the main camp. In the New Testament we are portrayed as the lost prodigal son who was eventually accepted (with open arms) by his father--who yearned for his return.

And that’s the whole point of it. The Creator, as we know as “God” desires that we return to the main camp, into his loving care. He had originally created us as perfect human beings to live in harmony with each other and all of his creations. But something happened that condemned all of us--instantly. And what was this that threw us into a tailspin, beyond the boundaries of the living?

You guessed it–SIN! Brought on by an Angel called Lucifer, an Arch Angel, who God chose as chief steward, and therefore representing our domain and world--Earth and the surrounding universe.

Angels are special beings, no doubt much higher than humans, within the spiritual realm. They are able to communicate with God directly. Some of them are assigned to certain task such as stewards of a the human race (which includes all physical matter within the universe) and are designated “Arch Angels.” These higher ranking angels report directly to the great council of heavenly angels, which God is the (so call) “Chair Being” or Chair Person in charge (an illustration here on earth: is a corporate CEO or President). And of course God counts on these meetings to keep track of all His creations and domains throughout all the “worlds” and beyond.

One might say that angels are the life line between the “Life Giver” and all that He has created. Illustrated in the millions of nerve fibers connecting our brain to all other parts of our body--messengers. No message, no function, no life! God is the Life-Giver! He projects Himself into the darkness (or Chaos) to bring forth light. He is an active being, constantly interacting and projecting; expiring and inspiring -- breathing life; constantly pushing away the darkness, the chaos. Well, The Arch-Angel Lucifer one day decided that he wanted to play God (or -- be like God) and had convinced many of his fellow angels to follow him. He surely did not dare show his face at the Council Table. He simply ignored God. And God had ask the members of the Heavenly Council, what’s going on with Lucifer? They related that they had heard from the grapevine that he was ‘setting up shop’ of his own--to challenge the authority of God Himself.

Now due to the fact that these colonies of humans were under the stewardship of Lucifer, and actually represented them at the Council Table, it follows that every condemnation imparted to him, was also bestowed upon them. Lucifer’s “SIN” (disobedience) became “SIN” for all humans.

God can only create “good” … therefore in Genesis 1:1, In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth … (including mankind) it is a declaration that of His work; of His creation: The universe, mankind! But there was trouble in heaven … and therefore, all was lost. Genesis 1:2, Life simply ceased on earth. “The earth was without form and void, with darkness over the face of the abyss, and a mighty wind swept over the surface of the water.” Humans disappeared from the surface of the earth. Darkness had set in. Lucifer really had done it this time. He was a steward of an empty world void of all life.

But God did not give up on us. He could have. He gave us a second chance. He said, “Let there be light, and there was light, and it was good”--Genesis 1:3 & 4. God entered into the darkness (chaos) and the darkness was pushed aside and there was “light.” God understood that it was the mistake (the disobedience) of another that caused the separation of life ... to death. He devised a plan that would bring us, His beloved, created human beings back to the living, and into the “main camp”--back into God’s sphere. It was a long process (in earth time), re-creating and re- fashioning a world where imperfect humans could survive until such a day a new steward and a new representative could finally emerge to take His seat at the Heavenly Council Table.

The process of producing a human being through millions of years (earth time) was to say the least quite a fete. But finally humans did begin to rule the earth approximately 40,000 years ago (Homo Sapiens--one that is wise). Soon modern man emerged and the first attempt as steward of the earth was Adam (placed in the Garden of Eden). But because he became “tainted” (through lies and deception by Lucifer, who became Satan), he himself could not represent humanity in the presence of God -- he failed. The only way, and God knew it, was to interject or extend part of Him, at the proper time, into the human stream.

God chose a small group of people in the Middle East (led by Abraham) and said, “I will make you into a great nation.” Through which God promised a place of peace for all. And many generations passed until one day God sent another Arch-Angel named “Gabriel” to announce to Mary and Joseph of a Son to be born and to name Him “Jesus” (meaning Savior).

Jesus grew up as a young Jewish boy studying books of the Old Testament (the Jewish Torah). He became well versed in the duties and laws of his people. By the time he had reached his thirtieth year God had announced to him what needed to be done. Jesus became an extension of God Himself, performing many miracles and announcing that the new Kingdom was at hand, and was within their midst.

Finally after 3 1/2 years of teaching and of redefining the purpose of humanity as The Christ, Jesus was rejected by His own people and sentenced to die on a cross. Gods plan of redemption was finally (after millions of earth time years) coming to a culmination. On Friday morning, He was made to carry his own cross to Golgotha where He was crucified.

At noon the skies darkened, the sun and light had disappeared and Jesus’ body hung on the cross, abandoned. Darkness had re-entered the world. The light had receded for 3 hours. It was a recapitulation of the primal chaos: “In the beginning,” … “as the land became formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface” And from this chaos and darkness the Spirit of God hovered over the land, and projected His light. And after 3 hours the light had re- appeared. God’s re-creating power had re-entered in preparation for Jesus’ resurrection.

All along of course Lucifer had anticipated a ‘Savior’ and was very hard at work deceiving the people. His domain would certainly come to an end if Jesus succeeded. No more would he be ruler of the earth and its surrounding universe. A change of ownership would certainly take place. So, when he saw that Jesus was on the verge of death, he was pleased and wanted to celebrate.

Then the moment came when he heard Jesus cry out, “Oh my God, why hast Thou forsaken me.” He knew that he had beaten God! Time to really celebrate!

Jesus was hastily taken down and placed in a tomb (a cave). And on the third day (Sunday) the tomb was found opened--Jesus had disappeared .... And then reappeared later to the disciples.

Lucifer--now Satan--was in shock! He knew what had taken place. He couldn’t believe it. Jesus had risen from death. It was a stunning blow! He had lost his domain.
Human kind was now under the ownership and care of GOD! ....Through the expiation by His Son, The Christ. Who now is the total fulfillment of the Promise of Salvation. He is the new Steward and Representative--paying the ransom, for all of (lost) humanity. We had been bought and paid for (an Illustration of Old Testament Israel … freed by the actions of Moses--an earlier type of the true Savior).

God has allowed Satan to stay on during this interim of time until the return of The Christ to instigate the full transformation of believers and to establish the full Kingdom of God. During this interim period Satan will have a opportunity to sway us one way or another: to accept God’s gift of continuous relationship with Him--the source of life; OR, to disbelieve everything about God; to trust only in the self.

And so, why is the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension (What we call Easter) the most important event in history? Well think about it! Do you think a benevolent God would leave us to fend for ourselves? No, He cares for all of His creations. His government is based on “Love.” Jesus (The Christ) is the full disclosure of God’s undying devotion to life and love--emphasizing to all, the importance of respect for one another. Jesus ask us (you and Me) to accept His sacrifice, His payment of the ransom, His role as God's sacrificial Lamb ... in freeing us from bondage, from the tyrannical grip of Satan (Lucifer); and assuring us (you and me) a guarantee ticket to the gates of heaven ... Where He is our "Key" ... To everlasting Life! Amen! Amen! Amen!
We thank Pastor Jess K Foglesong of TouchedbyGodchurch.com)

 

Matthew 14: 
The Restoration of Dominion 
 

The chaos of sin caused all the elements of nature to shift out of balance.. Jesus, the new Adam, entered this chaos and restored dominion. The original Adam ruled nature by the authority of God's 
Word. Then, doubting that Word, he lost all dominion. Redemption would, of necessity, restore dominion, for this is the very balance of creation. All through the Old Testament there were glimpses of God's Word at work in this sinful world to restore dominion. Moses parted the Red Sea by this Word; Elijah locked up the heavens by the Word; Elisha took dominion in the episode of the floating ax head.

Now, in Christ, this right to rule (dominion) receives fuller expression. He began to reverse the death process in the raising of Lazarus (John 11), and 'The son of the widow from Nain (Luke 7). He removed the normal span of time between two events in the turning of water into wine (John 3). He suspended..thelaws of nature by walking on the water and enabling another of the human race to do the same (Matthew 14). He thereby provided adequate evidence that the new humanity was to be gathered up in Himself so that as head of this new humanity He would restore full balance and order--including dominion. On this occasion, the storm calmed in response to His Word. Indeed, the new Adam, to whom the Father had given authority and the right to rule, had arrived. 
Nature itself was under His command just like in Genesis 1 and 2....

God did not provide a huge carrot at the end of a stick which we could never enjoy. What He purchased through His Son was made applicable to the new humanity which is created by Christ. To be 
sure, it is received and understood by us in a very limited way, and, on the experiential level, it will remain this way until the ushering in of the great and final kingdom of God. Nevertheless, God has instituted the means for all who choose to be identified with Christ to receive the blessing of His kingdom.

When Christ won the victory over Satan, it was a representative victory for everyone. Furthermore, it was a legal victory. It was such because Christ became the perfect representative man. He offered perfect obedience and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. -Phil. 2.8

Using the legal language of Scripture, it can be said that in Christ (being incorporated into Him) we are accounted perfect. This has immediate implication for my life. If God has already accepted His Son's Righteousness as perfect, and if the principle of incorporation where one acts for the many is valid, then, in Christ, I am perfect. I don't need to keep presenting Him with my feeble attempts at perfect righteousness. What I need to do is accept His perfect Gift.

Since Christ died as our representative, it is the same as if all humanity had died. His death was for our sins. Everything which had been lost through Adam has been regained in and by the second 
Adam, Jesus Christ. It all boils down to accepting what He has offered. Instead of impossible requirements, we hear from God a restful invitation: Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me ... for my yoke is easy, and my load is light. -Matt. 11.28-30

Our identification with the second Adam is no less than that which we had with the first Adam. That which Jesus came to do included the bringing of a community into existence, of which He Himself was the first-born.

It is clear that in the mind of Paul, Jesus Christ is that "one man" who by his complete identification with men in their state of sin and death has wiped out the curse against them, through the power of his death and resurrection, and has become the head of a new humanity. He is the first to appear of that great brotherhood. And those who are united with him form that community which it was his purpose as Son of man to inaugurate. Thus "the second man from heaven" is for Paul the Son-of-man-Messiah who, because of his resurrection and exaltation, has become a "life-giving Spirit," bringing new life to those who believe on Him, thus inaugurating a new race, and, as the Second Adam, becoming its head. Being thus the head of the new humanity Christ is also---the incarnation of the real or ideal man ... He is everything that God intended man to be, man in the "image of God," the revelation of the divine ideal of "human nature."

God did not leave the benefits procured by this second Adam in the abstract. This new humanity which came into existence through the redemptive work of Christ is the church itself. Christians are said to be "the true circumcision" (Phil. 3.3; d. Rom. 9.24- 27), where the reference is not to a physical rite, but to the Christian community as the new people of God. All who are "in Christ" are the ones accounted righteous because of their faith (Gal. 3.7). For Paul, the body of Christ, known as the church, is the new humanity. The church is a new race of men. The church became the fellowship of the new humanity. Under no circumstance does Paul use the term "church" in a denominational way. He is speaking of the corporate body of Christ. This means that to be "in Christ" is to be a member of the new humanity, of which Christ is the Head. Indeed, the church is the new humanity in the world.

Truly it is a marvel. Jesus Christ carried our humanity to its intended height. And because He did, it is only through Him that God is able to communicate to us.

It is indeed a radical part of the Pauline idea of the Second Adam that it is in Christ as Risen from the dead (God's plan) is fully realized. It is the Man that has passed victorious through death, and has entered on a new life clothed in a body that is the appropriate organ of a spiritual nature, who is to be regarded as having lived the life and fulfilled the destiny of man .... Paul's designation of Christ as the Second Adam means that He is to be regarded as the true type or Ideal of manhood, that He is and possesses in Himself that which constitutes him the Pattern after whom humanity is to be rernodeled.

Thus we come full cycle. Christ is the founder and head of a new race, a new humanity, the members of which will share in all He provides. When Jesus rose from the dead, the grave lost its power (I Cor. 15.54-57) and God's purpose for the first Adam was now realized in the second Adam. Moffatt's translation captures the spirit of this good news: The risen Christ is the first to be reaped. -I Cor. 15.20

This, then, is the Good News. Our history of failure has been rewritten in the Second Adam. Every page of Scripture is a statement from God that He has actively engaged Himself in our restoration. The work of restoration is His. The choice of restoration is ours. Amen!
(We thank Pastor R. Patzer for touchedbyGodchurch.com)

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"God's Master Plan of Redemption!"
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Since it is clear that the only way justice and mercy will ever be upheld at the same time is for God to do it; the question remains: How will God accomplish this difficult task? For God to have come to this earth to redeem mankind in His full power and full character-righteousness would have been a disaster for us. We would have simply seen a tremendous demonstration of righteousness which would have slain a sinner. And even if God had veiled His righteousness so we would not have died in His presence we would not have been saved. God could have dazzled the world with a display of His righteousness but we would not have found salvation. God's character-righteousness will not save a sinner. It must be a saving righteousness. One of the apsects of salvation which is essential is the changing of a sinful nature which is bent upon itself. For this to become a reality God must adopt a plan which would identify Himself with the human race. Actually become one of us. That is exactly what He did. This is amazing. God is willing to condescend and come down to this earth as one of us.

 

 

Christmas: A Wonderful Time of the Year?

I love Christmas, and the entire Christmas Seasonal event. It is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time for all to come together and share goodwill, warmth and love in celebration of the birth of the Christ-child.

At least that is what it used to be. Sadly, times have changed. It seems though that through the years, the meaning of Christmas has been altered. Today you hear more: “Happy Holidays” instead of Merry Christmas. It is a "Holiday Tree" rather than a Christmas Tree. The emphasis is more toward commercialism than spiritualism. We have literally taken God and Jesus out of the equation. Making it more a time for who receives the highest sales, or who receives this or that; and, what am I going to get out of it.

When was the last time you experienced strolling carolers singing Christmas songs outside your front door? How often do you see a nativity scene on display at your town square? It is simply not done anymore, for fear of vandalism or reprisals. Has Christmas lost its true meaning? So what does God, the Father, think about all of this? Has He gone south? Or is He still with us. Does He tolerate the fact that in many ways, we have turned our backs to Him? Does all of this surprise Him?

Actually, our Father does understand and tolerate our indignant attitude toward the celebration of His Son’s birthday. He understands that Satan is quietly and very subtly working to influencing the people of this planet toward his ways; transforming “Christmas” (and all that it stands for) into something negative. He has certainly succeeded in twisting Jesus Christ into a negative–swear word; as well as God’s name: It is the colloquial phrases: “God Damn” or “for Christ Sakes!”

Very subtly and quietly we seem to be moving away from God. And it really shows during Christmas, although this isn’t the first time. Humanity has turned away from God many times in history. And for some crazy reason, He keeps giving us a second chance.

And so, are we moving away from Him? Well, doesn’t it seem like it to you? We are not allowed to pray in public. Certainly not in school – any school! Our government has declared that we ‘separate’ church and State; that we must not offend those who do not believe in a God. In fact, most politicians shy away from using God in their campaigns; implying that if they did, it would be their downfall.

In fact, in the 2012 Democratic Convention: God was “booed” … loud and clear! Heard by millions who watched … and I am sure heard by God (in heaven) Himself!

The only place one can hear the name God is in Church or in your own home. It is a sad commentary! Knowing that we were all formed on the virtues of a Moral Law; a belief in a Creator; A belief that mankind is endowed by someone greater then themselves.

Well ..... there seem to be a something in the air, perhaps instigated by divine providence in our leaders of today in bringing back the Christmas spirit and encouraging everyone to wish one and all a Merry Christmas. God may have heard our cry and is doing something about it.

God has a plan and has implemented it through His son, Jesus the Christ. No matter what direction we choose, God is there to re-direct you to Him. He knows your weaknesses; your frailties. He understands the human plight; the human need to always be first and in charge of the self … “why do I have to bow down to some all- supreme being!!?” That is their attitude. Unwilling to accept the fact that he himself is a created being, that all that he is, and all that is around him was created by the Father in heaven.

Mankind was lost (due to original sin) and could have been lost forever. But God chose to salvage each and every one of us, through a representative, a redeemer. It was the only way to bring us home. An illustration would be found in the New Testament story of the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11- 32) who had been lost, but found his way home, and was warmly greeted (with opened arms) by his father. A type of who we are – humanity lost. But through the Father’s grace and love was welcomed home again.

Another illustration is written in the Old Testament: The nation of Israel, lost and enslaved by the Pharaoh was freed by the Father, through a type of Savior in the name of Moses. Who led his people into the wilderness for 40 years, then finally crossing the Jordan River into the Land of Milk and Honey (which symbolically is a type of heaven, or kingdom of God).

God’s plan has always been to free us from Satan’s grip; his power (which He did at the cross); and now we are in the wilderness, making our way home to His open arms; to the true heaven; to mankind’s true home.

Yes, it may seems like we are distancing ourselves from our Father–God. But in reality, we are moving, everyday, closer and closer to His loving arms and care. Our castaway status will be no more. We will be back in His main camp – safe and secure. So no matter what the atheists, agnostics, or anyone else want us to believe, they are fighting a losing battle. God is tenacious. He is relentless. He is determined to bring us home–as many of us as He can persuade.

He does see Christmas as a special event, and indeed, an acknowledgement of His one and only Son … for all of us to enjoy-- and reflect, on the immaculate birth of the Prince of Peace, Redeemer, New Born King, Emanuel … over 2000 years ago. Amen! (By Pastor Jess Foglesong:TouchedbyGodchurch.com)