Category Archives: Apologetics

Did You Know (4)

Apologetics, , ,

DID YOU KNOW (4)

…That you cannot forgive without compassion.

Many, if not most people struggle to forgive. Some even refuse to forgive the offense of another, choosing to allow bitterness to destroy them and all their relationships rather than to let go and be free.

Someone once said that harbouring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

In His model prayer, Jesus highlighted two things that will destroy us. The first is the refusal to forgive.

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matt. 6:12).

Forgiving our debtor is the only thing that will free us from being eaten alive from the inside out by our bodies’ response to bitterness. Our bodies, souls, and spirits function as a unit. Our emotions which come out of what we think and believe, produce physical reactions which, if sustained over a long period of time, will gradually destroy our organs and shorten our lives.

God designed our bodies to functional optimally when our hearts and minds are at peace and we can only have sustained peace when we have no issues with God or other people. Jesus took care of our issues with God, removing the barrier of sin and reconciling us to the Father through His shed blood. He also took care of the barrier between us and other people in the same way.

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Jesus. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups (Jew and Gentile) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross by which He put to death their hostility (Eph. 2:13-16).

He has given us the right and privilege of forgiving our debtors because He has already forgiven all the debt of sin, ours and theirs. When we choose not to forgive, we are punishing them again for the sin that has already been punished.

The second thing that will destroy us is ourself-centeredness and all the ramifications of selfish living.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one (Matt. 6: 13).

Unfortunately, misunderstanding of this Scripture has led us to believe that the devil is our main problem. He may influence us towards evil, but we are actually our own worst enemies. We are not Satan’s victims unless we allow Him to control us by believing His lies. Jesus exposed His deception and defeated him at the cross. Our own selfish pride, not the devil, causes us the most trouble. Living in dependence on the Father, not by our own wisdom and wits, will keep us walking in humility and freedom from the destruction we cause ourselves by our arrogant independence.

Let’s go back to the issue of forgiveness. In response to Peter’s question, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus told a story about a king who called his servants to account for the debts they owed him (Matt 18:21-35).

Peter thought he was being magnanimous by forgiving his brother seven times for the same sin. Jesus pointed out that it was not how many times he forgave his brother that was important but how he felt about his brother.

In the story, one servant owed the king such a vast sum of money that he would never be able to repay him in his lifetime. The king demanded payment or he, his wife and children and all his possession would be sold to repay the debt. The servant pleaded for time and promised to pay what he owed.

Imagine the scenario. A servant owed his master more money than he could earn in a lifetime and yet he promised to repay his debt! How would the king react? Would he close his heart to the servant’s plea and make his wife and family also pay for the servant’s folly? The entire story hinges on the next verse.

The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go (Matt. 18:27).

Perhaps for a moment the king put himself in the servant’s place. Enslavement for the rest of his life was a horrible alternative. Instead of anger and revenge, his heart was filled with compassion. The servant’s wellbeing meant more to him than the money he owed. He responded to the compassion he felt by forgiving the servant, cancelling the debt and setting him free.

The same servant met a fellow servant who owed him a paltry amount. Instead of responding with the same compassion and mercy the king has shown him, he demanded immediate payment and refused to forgive as his master had forgiven him. Imagine the king’s outrage when he found out what the servant had done. Not only did he recall the debt but he also had the servant jailed and handed over to be tortured until he could pay.

What a terrible end for a man who refused to show mercy! The end to Jesus’ story is a chilling reminder of what happens to those who refuse to forgive.

This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart (Matt. 18:35).

Jesus was not only talking about the consequences of unforgiveness in the life to come. Torment begins now, in this life in many different ways, the physical, emotional and spiritual outcome of holding on to offenses.

The key issue is: How much do you value God’s mercy towards you? If you refuse to forgive, how can He show mercy to you? He must treat you in the same way as you treat others. You cannot expect one standard for God and another for yourself. You set the measure of grace you receive from Him by the way you choose to show grace to others. How do you feel about the one who has harmed you? Jesus shows us how to evaluate people who offend you:

Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23: 34).

Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have you read my first book, Learning to be a Son – The Way to the Father’s Heart (Copyright © 2015, Partridge Publishing)? You’ll love it!

ISBN: Softcover – 978-1-4828-0512-3,                                                                             eBook 978-4828-0511-6

Available on www.amazon.com in paperback, e-book or Kindle version, on www.takealot.com  or order directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com.

Do you like this post? Then buy your own copy of my book, Learning to be a Disciple, which is also available from www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com in South Africa. You can also order a copy directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com

My latest book, The Heartbeat of Holiness, is now available on www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com or from me at luella@efc.org.za at R130,00 including p and p.

Did You Know (3)

Apologetics, , , ,

DID YOU KNOW (3)

…That miracles do not produce faith – faith produces miracles.

The history of Israel alone is testimony to the fact that miracles have no effect on people to grow faith, who do not believe God. No nation in history has experienced more divine intervention than the Jews. From their illustrious ancestor, Abraham, to their miraculous conquest of the Promised Land and throughout the Old Testament story, God was with them, actively involved in protecting, providing for and nurturing them in preparation for the coming of their Messiah, but they continued to rebel and disobey Him, even to this day.

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness where you ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, “Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.” (Heb. 3:7-10).

Israel’s unbelief culminated in their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah. John testified that the works Jesus did were so numerous that the world would not be able to contain all the books written Him (John 21:25). Yet, in spite of all the evidence, the Jewish leaders had Him killed for being a blasphemer because His words and works testified that He was the Son of God but they refused to believe.

On the other hand, Jesus did many miracles in response to faith. Time and again, He commended people for their faith and responded to their plea by intervening with miracles.

As Jesus went from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored (Matt. 9:27-30a).

Sometimes He healed in response to the faith of another who came on behalf of the sufferer.

When He saw their faith, He said to the paralysed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven…I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all (Mark 2:9).

However, faith was always the trigger that released His power to intervene and restore.

I have two observations from this thought. Firstly, because faith is the vehicle through which God does His miracles, it follows that,

Without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

Secondly, God works through His Word.

Jesus said to him “Shall I come and heal him?”…The centurion replied, “…Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” …When Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those following Him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Matt. 8:7-10).

He sent out His Word and healed them (Psa. 107:20).

As I have read and studied the Word, I have discovered that God always responds to His own Word. That does not give us the right to hold His Word like a gun to His head. Jesus said:

It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Matt. 4:4).

When we wait for God to speak into our spirit, whatever the issue and whatever His decision, He will do what He says.

When we ask for a miracle, we have no guarantee that God will give us exactly what we ask but, when we ask for a word, God always fulfils His promise.

Miracles are not the reason for faith but the fruit of faith. God asks us to trust Him, no matter what the outcome which is not always what we expect. He wants us to trust Him, not our expectation of the outcome. Like Job, we must say, “Even though He kills me, yet I will trust Him.”

From where does this faith come? Our faith in God is kindled and strengthened by hearing and reading God’s word.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Rom.10:17).

Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have you read my first book, Learning to be a Son – The Way to the Father’s Heart (Copyright © 2015, Partridge Publishing)? You’ll love it!

ISBN: Softcover – 978-1-4828-0512-3,                                                                              eBook 978-4828-0511-6

Available on www.amazon.com in paperback, e-book or Kindle version, on www.takealot.com  or order directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com.

Do you like this post? Then buy your own copy of my book, Learning to be a Disciple, which is also available from www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com in South Africa. You can also order a copy directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com

My latest book, The Heartbeat of Holiness, is now available on www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com or from me at luella@efc.org.za at R130,00 including p and p.

 

Did You Know (2)

Apologetics, , , ,

DID YOU KNOW (2)

…That you can never disappoint God or let Him down?

How often I have heard a child of God bewailing the fact that he or she has disappointed God or let Him down. We attribute our own emotions to God as though He were human like us.

Let’s think about it. Why do people so often disappoint us? Is it not because we put expectations on others of which they are not aware and which they are unable or unwilling to fulfil? Does God do to us what we do to others? Of course not!

Why is it impossible for us to disappoint God?

Firstly, we can never disappoint God because He puts no expectations on us? How do we know this? David gives us the answer.

As a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust (Psa. 103:13-14).

God is fully aware of our human frailty. He knows that we are incapable of living up to His requirements on our own.

Secondly, God is all-knowing. In theological terms, He is omniscient. Once again, it was David who celebrated God’s omniscience in one of his most well-known and beautiful psalms.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely (Psa. 139:1-4).

How can God put expectations on us when He knows us more intimately than we know ourselves? He knows what we will think before we think it; He knows what we will say before we say it; He knows what we will do before we do it. He is always ahead of us, never behind us; therefore, it is impossible for us not to do what He expects of us without His knowing.

Thirdly, God treats us as His children. He knows that we are utterly dependent on Him. He likes it that way because He is the source of our life and of everything we need. He wants us to lean as heavily on Him as a new-born infant relies on his mother for everything. He trusts us only with that which He enables us to do and to be. If we fail, He forgives unconditionally because the blood of Jesus has already taken care of all our frailties, fallibilities and imperfections.

Amazing as it is, God is very comfortable with us. He is never fazed by our failures. Perhaps the most glaring example of God’s patience and tolerance is the story of Peter’s failure. He was headstrong and cocksure of himself. Not even Jesus’ warning that he was on the brink of a terrible melt-down alerted him to the fatal flaw in his self-confidence. He felt strong enough to weather any storm, not knowing that a storm of such magnitude was brewing that he would be completely overwhelmed and swept into the betrayal of his dearest friend.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31-34). 

Fourthly, God allows us to fail because failure is a better teacher than success. Success is more dangerous for us than failure because success is the breeding ground for sins far worse than our failures. Jesus knew what we are capable of doing and becoming when we ride the crest of the wave.

He taught His disciples, in His well-known pattern prayer, that within us are the seeds of our own destruction. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.” We pray this prayer glibly and without understanding. Our real enemy is not the devil. Far worse is the enemy within. Jesus was well aware of what we are capable of becoming and doing – yes, under the influence of Satan, but because of our own choices.

We do not need deliverance from Satan as much as we need to be kept from the ravages of our own sinful nature. We are not Satan’s victims. If we were, God would not be able to hold us responsible for our choices and behaviour. We are accountable to Him for who and what we are because He gave us our free will and will never violate that gift.

He also gave us Jesus. Jesus came to save us from the penalty and power of sin. Only when we live “in Him” are we able to overcome the pull of self and sin.

Fifthly, God is in the process of recreating us in the likeness of His Son. He uses all our circumstances and experiences to expose the weaknesses in us so that He can hone our confidence in His perfect love.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, those who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers (Rom. 8:28-29).

No, we can never disappoint God. He works everything about us into that perfect image of His Son which, from His perspective, is already complete.

Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have you read my first book, Learning to be a Son – The Way to the Father’s Heart (Copyright © 2015, Partridge Publishing)? You’ll love it!

ISBN: Softcover – 978-1-4828-0512-3,                                                                              eBook 978-4828-0511-6

Available on www.amazon.com in paperback, e-book or Kindle version, on www.takealot.com  or order directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com.

Do you like this post? Then buy your own copy of my book, Learning to be a Disciple, which is also available from www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com in South Africa. You can also order a copy directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com

My latest book, The Heartbeat of Holiness, is now available on www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com or from me at luella@efc.org.za at R130,00 including p and p.

 

Did You Know (1)

Apologetics, , ,

DID YOU KNOW (1)

…That intercession is not a “spiritual gift”?

It’s amazing to me that intercession has become the special ministry of a select few instead of the privilege of every child of God. What is even more astonishing is that it is now, according to some, both a title and a calling. Is there any verse or passage in Scripture that confirms this idea? I have yet to find one.

In fact, the Bible says the opposite. Prayer (and intercession is one kind of prayer) is the honour and privilege of all God’s children.

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (1 Tim 2: 8).

The Greek word for “men” here is aner which refers specifically to males. Does this mean that only men may pray? Paul affirms in Gal. 3:28 that there is neither … male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. We assume, therefore, that prayer is the privilege of all God’s children regardless of colour, culture, or gender.

Although people of every religious persuasion “pray”, there is no true prayer outside of God’s family. Prayer is the way God’s children who are flesh and blood and live physical lives in a physical world, interact with the Father who is spirit and dwells in the unseen realm.

Prayer is the only way in which we can communicate with Him. Physical we may be, but we have His Spirit within us. We relate to God spirit to spirit as His sons and daughters. Our spirits communicate with His Spirit who interprets our prayers to the Father.

Prayer is a mystery. Through intercourse with God, which the Bible calls “prayer” we participate in the realm of the unseen, hearing the voice of the Spirit within us and responding with or without words to the one who knows us more intimately than we know ourselves. We participate in the “groaning” of the universe which, like the human race is also under the curse of sin, awaiting the completion of the redemption Jesus accomplished on the cross.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies…

…In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Rom. 8:22-23; 26)

It seems, then, that prayer is far more intense than simply talking to God. Prayer is the child’s participation with the Father in our role as “rulers” over His creation and the outworking of His purposes to bring about the restoration of all things.

Prayer is the role of God’s sons and daughters who are members of His family and citizens of His kingdom. Prayer enables us to work with Him to carry out His will on earth and bring in His eternal kingdom. Prayer is not the attempt of worshippers, as the pagans do, to manipulate God to do what we want or to appease Him through fear so that he will not destroy us.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Rom. 8:15-16).

Does any other religion, including the cults which have corrupted the truth, offer an intimate relationship between their god and his devotees as father and children? In what way do pagan deities offer their devotees the opportunity of participating with them in the fulfilment of their eternal purposes? Do pagan gods have any plans? Where is their religion taking them?

Of course, there are no answers to these questions. There is only one God in whom all history is wrapped up and makes sense. God not only began history – He will also conclude history as He determined in the beginning.

Rev. 5:1-9 describes the scene in heaven where the scroll of history could not be opened until the Lamb stepped forward. No one knows the meaning of history outside of Jesus. He is the only one who can interpret history according to God’s purposes.

Prayer is the all-encompassing way in which we commune with God. Prayer has many facets – what Paul calls “all kinds of prayer” – and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Eph. 6:18a). He enumerates the “all kinds of prayer” in his instructions to Timothy.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone… (1 Tim. 2:1).

Did you notice that intercession is included in the “all kinds of prayer” and that all God’s people are to engage in intercession as part of our resistance to the enemy?

Why, then, is intercession singled out and made a ministry for some when we are all instructed to pray for all people, and especially for God’s people (Eph. 6: 18b)?

Prayer in all its facets is the privilege and obligation of all God’s people because it is the way God has ordained for us to have personal and intimate fellowship with Him.

Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have you read my first book, Learning to be a Son – The Way to the Father’s Heart (Copyright © 2015, Partridge Publishing)? You’ll love it!

ISBN: Softcover – 978-1-4828-0512-3,                                                                              eBook 978-4828-0511-6

Available on www.amazon.com in paperback, e-book or Kindle version, on www.takealot.com  or order directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com.

Do you like this post? Then buy your own copy of my book, Learning to be a Disciple, which is also available from www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com in South Africa. You can also order a copy directly from the publisher at www.partridgepublishing.com

Watch this space!

My latest book, The Heartbeat of Holiness, will also soon be available

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Apologetics, , , ,

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

INTRODUCTION

Some have accused us, the leaders of Ebenezer, of not believing in the incarnation because we don’t celebrate Christmas. That could not be further from the truth. There are many reasons for our not practising or promoting the Christmas myth but it is not my intention to preach against the celebration of Christmas today.

I want to tell you the much bigger story. Let’s begin with a visit to Caesarea Philippi. Jesus took His disciples to the “red-light” district in Israel. In the environment of pagan worship, He asked His disciples the question, “Who do you say that I am?”

With divine insight, Peter responded: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” He may not have fully understood the implications, but let’s examine his answer:

  1. JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Who was Jesus before His birth in Bethlehem?

He was Creator

Gen. 1: 1 – In the beginning God . . . and God said, “Let there be light.”

John 1: 1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1: 4; 9 – In Him was life, and that life was the light of men . . . the true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John 1: 14 – The word became flesh and made His among us  . . .

Col. 1: 16 – For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him.

Heb. 1: 1-2 – In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

 

He was active in the world

It was the second person of the Trinity who was active in the Old Testament. Jesus proved it by the references to Himself in His debates with the Pharisees.

Abraham – Gen. 22: 10-12 – Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here am I,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ He said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.’

Moses – Ex. 3:13-14 – Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of our fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask, ‘What is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites, I AM has sent me to you.’”

John 8: 56-58 – ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’ ‘You are not yet fifty years old,’ the Jews said to Him, ‘and you have seen Abraham!’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I AM!’

Isaiah – Isaiah 6: 1 – In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted and the train of His robe filled the temple.

John 12: 17 – Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him. This was to fulfil the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they could not believe because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so that they can neither see with their eyes, not understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I would heal them.’ Isaiah said this, because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him.

  1. JESUS IN PROPHECY – the prophetic fingerprint

The Protevangellion – Gen. 3: 15 – And I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

His birth

  1. Bethlehem – His birthplace

Mic. 5: 1 – But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.

  1. Born of a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

  1. Born to rule

Isaiah 9: 6 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

Filled with the Spirit

Isaiah 11: 1-3 – A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord – and He will delight in the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 61: 1-3 – The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, and to provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

His perfect life of compassion and mercy

Isaiah 42: 1-4 – Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him and He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till He established justice on earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.

 

The Suffering Servant

  1. Disfigured

Isaiah 52: 13-15 – See, my servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that on any man and His form marred beyond any human likeness – so will He sprinkle many nations and kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

  1. Our substitute

Isaiah 53: 5 – But He was pieced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

  1. His resurrection

Psalm 16: 8-11 – I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.

  1. His second coming

Psalm 2: 6-9 – ‘I have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill. I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron sceptre; you will dash them to pieces like pottery. Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, for His wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

The three autumn feasts of the Lord picture the return and reign of Jesus.

 

 

  1. JESUS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT – the prophetic fingerprint matched

 

  1. His birth

Luke 2: 4- 7 – So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem the town of David because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  1. Born of a virgin

Luke 1: 26-27 – In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

  1. Born to rule

Matt. 2: 1-2 – After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Filled with the Spirit

Matt. 3: 16 – As soon as Jesus was baptised, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’

Luke 4:  14; 16- 19 – Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the whole country. . . He went to Nazareth where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue as was His custom. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

 

His perfect life of compassion and mercy

Matt. 11: 2-6 – When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’ Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you see and hear. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall way because of me.’

The Suffering Servant

  1. Disfigured

John 19: 1-2a – Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head.

  1. Our substitute

Luke 22: 14-19 – When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. And He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God. After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not dink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took the bread, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

  1. His resurrection

Acts 2: 24-28 – But God raised Him from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. David said this about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also live in hope, because you will not let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you fill me with joy in your presence.’ . . . God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact.

  1. His second coming

Acts 1: 10-11 – They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going when, suddenly, two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way as you have seen Him go into heaven.’

  1. JESUS IN GLORY

Exalted

Eph. 1: 19-21 – That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.

Acts 2: 33; 36 – Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the Promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. . . Therefore, let all Israel be assured that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Glorified

2 Cor. 3: 18 – Now we all, with unveiled faces, all reflect (contemplate) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Reigning

1 Cor. 15: 25-26 – For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Worshipped

Rev. 4: 11-14 – Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honour and glory and praise!’

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them, singing:

‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honour and glory and power for ever and ever!’

The four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshipped.

CONCLUSION   

My dear friends, this is the Bible’s revelation of Jesus – not a pathetic picture of a helpless baby lying in an animal feed trough, surrounded by curious cattle, sheep and goats, whose birthday is erroneously celebrated on the day when the sun-god was supposed to have been reborn. He is the mighty God, who was before all time, who stepped into time for a season and who rules over His universe with wisdom, power and justice. He will return to destroy all His enemies and to set up Him kingdom on earth forever.

He did not come to earth to make all your problems go away and to wait on you. He came to re-establish God’s reign on earth and to take His rightful place as Lord in the hearts of men and women.

We have only one fitting response to this glorious Jesus – not to accept Him as our personal Saviour, but to repent – to return to the truth of God’s Word – and to confess that Jesus is Lord.

Rom. 10: 9 – If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord!’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have you read my first book, Learning to be a Son – The Way to the Father’s Heart (Copyright © 2015, Partridge Publishing)? You’ll love it!

ISBN: Softcover – 978-1-4828-0512-3,                                                                              eBook 978-4828-0511-6

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