0Who Started Christmas?
Author unknown
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A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children.
After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the store elevator with her two children in hand.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened revealing a crowd in the car. She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids and all her bags of stuff in with her .
As the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot."
From the back of the car, a quiet calm voice responded, "Don't worry, we've already crucified Him."
The rest of the trip down was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all would, just think how much better this world would be.
Jesus is the reason for the season. Wise men still seek Him.
Christmas Links. "Who Started Christmas?" Kjos Ministries. 30 Nov 2011. < http://www.crossroad.to/Victory/stories/started-christmas.htm >
by Pastor Derrick Jackson on November 30th, 2011
by Pastor Derrick Jackson on November 27th, 2011
Acts 2 : 36 - 47 (v. 42)
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
A Vital Church Grows
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and mmany wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and odivided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And sthe Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
ECCLESIOLOGY
Much of what comes to life in this world comes to life via a seed.
- A seed is planted and a tree is born.
- A seed is planted and a stalk of corn grows tall.
- A seed is planted and a baby comes forth.
Seed planting is essentially to the circle of life.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Just like much of God’s Creation coming to life through a seed, the Body of Christ, THE CHURCH, was birthed through a seed. In Acts chapter 2, the Apostle Peter stands among the great crowd of multinational visitors to Jerusalem during the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and boldly preaches the Gospel.
The Gospel, the SEED of the Word of God, God’s Message of Love, is preached.
This SEED, the SEED of the Word of God, is deposited into the rich soil of the hearts of unbelievers.
This SEED, the message of Love about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ, falls deep into the rich soil of the hearts of unbelievers.
And the result is LIFE.
The Result is the BIRTH of the Church.
The Bible says in Acts chapter 2 verse 41,
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
THE CHURCH IS BORN.
What is the Church?
The average person just thinks of the church as a “building” or an “institution”.
This view does not correlate with the biblical definition of the church.
The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.”
- The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people.
- It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” The Apostle Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.
Ecclesiology is the Doctrine or the Study of the Church.
Ecclesiology is the Doctrine or the Study of Us – the called out ones.
One source says, “Ecclesiology helps us to understand the role of the church and our role in the church.” It teaches us about:
- the ordinances of the church,
- how church leadership is to be chosen and structured, and
- what the church is to be doing in regards to believers (worship and discipleship) and unbelievers (ministry and evangelism).
Acts 2:42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." – this is, in a nutshell, what Ecclesiology is all about.
Believers, we are the Body of Christ.
Ecclesiology, the Doctrine of Church, helps us understand who we are and what we supposed to be doing.
Ecclesiology points us to the Purpose of the Church.
How that Purpose is manifested before all is discovered within two (2) expressions of the church.
I. The Church – THE PERSON
The Church is the BODY OF CHRIST. The Body of Christ is a Living Spiritual Organism.
The Church is a Body that is alive.
Everything that makes US, the Body of Christ, function has been given by God.
<< Example: Offspring receiving their attributes from their parents. >>
According to God’s order, everything in Creation that is alive possesses the attributes of the source from which they came.
To Be the Body of Christ, God had to give us some of His Attributes.
- God has given us His Spirit. We are made alive in His Spirit.
- Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6 : 11)
- God has adopted us into His Family. We are sons and daughters of God.
- 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (Ephesians 1 : 3 – 5)
- God has made us to be one body. Just as God is One, we, the body of Christ, are one.
- 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12 : 4 – 5)
- God has given us Spiritual giftings.
1 Corinthians 12
- 12:1 With regard to spiritual gifts,* brothers and sisters,* I do not want you to be uninformed.* 12:2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 12:3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
- 12:4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 12:5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 12:6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 12:7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 12:8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 12:10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 12:11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.
Different Members in One Body
12:12 For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body – though many – are one body, so too is Christ. 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves* or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. 12:14 For in fact the body is not a single member, but many. 12:15 If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:16 And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? 12:18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided. 12:19 If they were all the same member, where would the body be? 12:20 So now there are many members, but one body. 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” 12:22 On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential, 12:23 and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity,* 12:24 but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, 12:25 so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 12:26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a* member is honored, all rejoice with it.
- 12:27 Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it. 12:28 And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues. 12:29 Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? 12:30 Not all have gifts of healing, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do they?* 12:31 But you should be eager for the greater gifts.
- And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.*
These giftings have been given simply for the equipping of the Body.
Our Purpose is TO BE THE BODY OF CHRIST.
II. The Church – THE PLACE
The LOCAL Church is the place where the Community of Believers gather on a regular basis to live out the purpose of the Body of Christ.
The LOCAL Church is the place where the Community of Believers gather on a regular basis TO BE THE BODY OF CHRIST.
What do we DO when are BEING?
We DO Acts chapter 2 verse 42:
- (1) we teach Biblical doctrine,
- (2) we provide places of fellowship for believers,
- (3) we observe the Lord’s supper, and
- (4) we pray.
Acts chapter 2 verse 42 again says, 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
We DO these things wherever we are AND especially at the place we call church.
Acts chapter 2 verse 42 reveals that we are:
(1) Supposed to be teaching and following the Apostle’s doctrine,
- Where did the Apostles get their doctrine from?
- Who did the Apostle get their doctrine from? THEY RECEIVED THEIR BIBLICAL DOCTRINE FROM JESUS, GOD THE SON.
- Whatever Jesus taught, they taught.
- Whatever Jesus lived, they lived.
(2) Provide a place of fellowship for believers,
- That place is NOT just the church edifice, it is the Community, the community where the Church edifice stands as a visible beacon of Glory of The True and Living God.
(3) Observe the Lord’s Supper,
- We are to observe the ordinances of the church, this passage placing special emphasis upon the observance of the Lord’s Supper which we commonly call Holy Communion.
AND
(4) When we come together at church, we are supposed to PRAY
- It is a natural part of our supernatural nature to communicate with God in prayer.
"We are the Church, and this is what we do."
What does the Bible Call US?
Body of Christ - Ephesians 1 : 22, 23; Colossians 1 : 24
Bride of Christ - Revelations 21 : 9
(The) Church of God - Acts 20 : 28
Church of the Living God – 1 Timothy 3 : 15
Church of the first-born – Hebrews 12 : 23
Family in heaven and earth – Ephesians 3 : 15
Flock of God – 1 Peter 5 : 2
Fold of Christ – John 10 : 16
General assembly of the first-born – Hebrews 12 : 23
Golden candlestick – Revelation 1 : 20
God's building – 1 Corinthians 3 : 9
God's field (husbandry) – 1 Corinthians 3 : 9
God's heritage – 1 Peter 5 : 3
Habitation of God – Ephesians 2 : 22
Holy city – Revelation 21 : 2
House of God – 1 Timothy 3 : 15; Hebrews 10 : 21
House of Christ - Hebrews 3 : 6
Household of God – Ephesians 2 : 19
Israel of God – Galatians 6 : 16
The Lamb's wife – Revelation 19 : 7; 21 : 9
New Jerusalem – Revelation 21 : 2
(The) Pillar and Foundation of Truth – 1 Timothy 3 : 15
Spiritual house – 1 Peter 2 : 5
Temple of God – 1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17
Temple of the Living God – 2 Corinthians 6 : 16
His Vineyard – Matthew 21:41
"We are the Church, We are the Body of Christ."
by Pastor Derrick Jackson on October 9th, 2011
Who / What is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is received at salvation (Romans 8:9) and is the permanent possession of every believer in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14).
The Holy Spirit is MORE than a power or force. He is a Person:
- with a mind,
- with emotions, and
- with a will.
The Holy Spirit can be grieved (emotions).
- And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4 : 30)
The Holy Spirit decides (mind) who will receive spiritual gifting (will).
- The question is not can the Holy Spirit give someone a miraculous gift. Scripture affirms this truth. Even in the 21st century, we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
God the Holy Spirit, according to the words of God the Son (Jesus Christ), is:
- the One who teaches us ALL things
- the One who reminds of the Word of God everything that Jesus has spoken to us
John 14 : 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
When / How do we receive the Holy Spirit?
1. The receiving / indwelling of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation.
1 Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation.
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."
2. The filling of the Spirit is an ongoing process in the Christian life.
How can I be filled with the Spirit?
The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is not for a select few believers, but rather for all believers. However, the Word of God says that we should be "filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18 "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit," (NKJV)
We must earnestly desire to be filled with the Spirit.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."
We must ask God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ to be filled with the Spirit.
1 John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him."
Why should I receive the Holy Spirit?
1. YOU NEED HIM
a. Jesus said He will teach us ALL things (what we need to know to live)
b. Jesus said He will remind us of His Word (what we need to have/possess to live)
c. Jesus said He will AID us (divinely) in life (as Helper/Comforter)
Including the granting of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 11)
1 Corinthians 12:7-11: "(7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
2. HE WANTS TO CONNECT WITH YOU – FOREVER
a. His Presence in our Hearts is a part of our Eternal Salvation (Galatians 4 : 4 - 7)
b. He Regenerates Us; He Causes Us Upon Salvation to be BORN AGAIN (Breath of Life) (John 3 : 3 - 8)
Galatians 4:4-7: "(4) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born [fn1] of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (7) Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
John 3:3-8: "(3) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (4) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is received at salvation (Romans 8:9) and is the permanent possession of every believer in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14).
The Holy Spirit is MORE than a power or force. He is a Person:
- with a mind,
- with emotions, and
- with a will.
The Holy Spirit can be grieved (emotions).
- And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4 : 30)
The Holy Spirit decides (mind) who will receive spiritual gifting (will).
- The question is not can the Holy Spirit give someone a miraculous gift. Scripture affirms this truth. Even in the 21st century, we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
God the Holy Spirit, according to the words of God the Son (Jesus Christ), is:
- the One who teaches us ALL things
- the One who reminds of the Word of God everything that Jesus has spoken to us
John 14 : 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
When / How do we receive the Holy Spirit?
1. The receiving / indwelling of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation.
1 Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation.
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."
2. The filling of the Spirit is an ongoing process in the Christian life.
How can I be filled with the Spirit?
The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is not for a select few believers, but rather for all believers. However, the Word of God says that we should be "filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18 "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit," (NKJV)
We must earnestly desire to be filled with the Spirit.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."
We must ask God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ to be filled with the Spirit.
1 John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him."
Why should I receive the Holy Spirit?
1. YOU NEED HIM
a. Jesus said He will teach us ALL things (what we need to know to live)
b. Jesus said He will remind us of His Word (what we need to have/possess to live)
c. Jesus said He will AID us (divinely) in life (as Helper/Comforter)
Including the granting of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 11)
1 Corinthians 12:7-11: "(7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
2. HE WANTS TO CONNECT WITH YOU – FOREVER
a. His Presence in our Hearts is a part of our Eternal Salvation (Galatians 4 : 4 - 7)
b. He Regenerates Us; He Causes Us Upon Salvation to be BORN AGAIN (Breath of Life) (John 3 : 3 - 8)
Galatians 4:4-7: "(4) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born [fn1] of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (7) Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
John 3:3-8: "(3) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (4) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
by Pastor Derrick Jackson on October 3rd, 2011
Jesus Christ is God the Son.
The questions that lead us to the authentic Jesus are:
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Father?
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Son, the Messiah Himself?
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Spirit?
God the Father says at the public baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist,
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Matthew 3 : 17)
And suddenly a voice [came] from heaven, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Two (2) years later,
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Matthew 17 : 5)
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Mark 9 : 7)
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Luke 9 : 35)
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son. [fn] Hear Him!"
The Son says in the Temple (Treasury)
# 1 (John 8 : 18)
"I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
The Son says to the Jews angry about Him healing on the Sabbath
# 2 (John 5 : 17 - 18)
"17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
Jesus’ Equality with God
18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
The Spirit testifies in heaven
TESTIFY (martyreō G3140) (“to prove or confirm by testimony”)
(1 John 5 : 6 - 7)
"This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth."
The Godhead (ALL 3) testify in heaven
(1 John 5 : 7)
"For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one."
Based upon the Word of God,
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Father
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Son
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Spirit
CHRISTOLOGY is the study or doctrine of Jesus Christ, His Nature, His Person, His Work.
CHRISTOLOGY says that Jesus is Divine, He is the Son of God, He is God the Son.
Jesus Christ knew who He was. It is this understanding of Himself that allows us the ability to ascertain (discover / find out) who Jesus is.
Jesus ACTED as one who possessed a unique authority. (author Robert Stein).
He acted like He was divine, forgiving sin and stating that he and God the Father are One. (Mark 2 : 5 – 7; Luke 7 : 48 – 49; John 10 : 30)
Jesus SPOKE as one who possessed a unique authority. (author Robert Stein)
Jesus said that He was greater than the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob (John 8 : 53; 4 : 12 – 14). Jesus also stated that He superceded the Temple and th Sabbath (Mathew 12 : 6 - 8)
Jesus' words revealed the dependence of the destiny of all people on how they respond to Him (Matthew 10 : 32 – 33; 11 : 6; Mark 8 : 34 – 38).
The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman gives us insight into how Jesus ACTED and SPOKE as One who possessed a unique authority.
John 4 : 19 – 26 NKJV: "19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” "
Jesus claimed to be THE CHRIST (The Messiah) (Mark 8 : 27 – 30, 14 : 61 – 62)
Jesus claimed to be THE SON OF GOD (Matthew 11 : 25 – 27; Mark 12 : 1 – 9, 13 : 32)
The Term "Son of God" occurs 47 times in the King James New Testament. In reference to Jesus, it is a title as the heavenly, eternal Son who is equal to God the Father (John 5:18-24). It is Jesus who fully reveals the Father (Matt. 11:27). He is the exact representation of the Father (Heb. 1:1-3), He possesses all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was made (John 17:5).
Jesus claimed to be The Son of Man (Daniel 7:13; underlying theme: Son of Man will judge the world) (Matthew 10:23, 19:28, 25:31; Mark 8:38, 13:26, 14:62)
Jesus is the REVELATION of GOD TO MAN.
The Doctrine of God the Son is meant to reveal Jesus Christ to us, resulting in us being pointed to and connected with God the Father. It is our new birth in God that makes us, the elect of God, sons and daughters of God, overcomers (ones who “nikao” G3528 (nē-kä'-ō)(ones who, as we hold fast to our faith unto our dying day, we are conquerors over the power of our foes, temptations, and persecutions.)
FINAL THOUGHTS
1 John 5 : 1 – 13 NKJV
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
The questions that lead us to the authentic Jesus are:
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Father?
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Son, the Messiah Himself?
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Spirit?
God the Father says at the public baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist,
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Matthew 3 : 17)
And suddenly a voice [came] from heaven, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Two (2) years later,
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Matthew 17 : 5)
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Mark 9 : 7)
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Luke 9 : 35)
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son. [fn] Hear Him!"
The Son says in the Temple (Treasury)
# 1 (John 8 : 18)
"I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
The Son says to the Jews angry about Him healing on the Sabbath
# 2 (John 5 : 17 - 18)
"17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
Jesus’ Equality with God
18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
The Spirit testifies in heaven
TESTIFY (martyreō G3140) (“to prove or confirm by testimony”)
(1 John 5 : 6 - 7)
"This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth."
The Godhead (ALL 3) testify in heaven
(1 John 5 : 7)
"For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one."
Based upon the Word of God,
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Father
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Son
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Spirit
CHRISTOLOGY is the study or doctrine of Jesus Christ, His Nature, His Person, His Work.
CHRISTOLOGY says that Jesus is Divine, He is the Son of God, He is God the Son.
Jesus Christ knew who He was. It is this understanding of Himself that allows us the ability to ascertain (discover / find out) who Jesus is.
Jesus ACTED as one who possessed a unique authority. (author Robert Stein).
He acted like He was divine, forgiving sin and stating that he and God the Father are One. (Mark 2 : 5 – 7; Luke 7 : 48 – 49; John 10 : 30)
Jesus SPOKE as one who possessed a unique authority. (author Robert Stein)
Jesus said that He was greater than the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob (John 8 : 53; 4 : 12 – 14). Jesus also stated that He superceded the Temple and th Sabbath (Mathew 12 : 6 - 8)
Jesus' words revealed the dependence of the destiny of all people on how they respond to Him (Matthew 10 : 32 – 33; 11 : 6; Mark 8 : 34 – 38).
The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman gives us insight into how Jesus ACTED and SPOKE as One who possessed a unique authority.
John 4 : 19 – 26 NKJV: "19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” "
Jesus claimed to be THE CHRIST (The Messiah) (Mark 8 : 27 – 30, 14 : 61 – 62)
Jesus claimed to be THE SON OF GOD (Matthew 11 : 25 – 27; Mark 12 : 1 – 9, 13 : 32)
The Term "Son of God" occurs 47 times in the King James New Testament. In reference to Jesus, it is a title as the heavenly, eternal Son who is equal to God the Father (John 5:18-24). It is Jesus who fully reveals the Father (Matt. 11:27). He is the exact representation of the Father (Heb. 1:1-3), He possesses all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was made (John 17:5).
Jesus claimed to be The Son of Man (Daniel 7:13; underlying theme: Son of Man will judge the world) (Matthew 10:23, 19:28, 25:31; Mark 8:38, 13:26, 14:62)
Jesus is the REVELATION of GOD TO MAN.
The Doctrine of God the Son is meant to reveal Jesus Christ to us, resulting in us being pointed to and connected with God the Father. It is our new birth in God that makes us, the elect of God, sons and daughters of God, overcomers (ones who “nikao” G3528 (nē-kä'-ō)(ones who, as we hold fast to our faith unto our dying day, we are conquerors over the power of our foes, temptations, and persecutions.)
FINAL THOUGHTS
1 John 5 : 1 – 13 NKJV
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
by Jaira on August 28th, 2011
It's Back to School Time!
- New faces
- New classes
- New friends
- New challenges
- Another school year
To have a really successful school year, we need someone to help guide us through it. We need God.
To achieve school success God's way, one of the things that He makes available to us is WISDOM.
Wisdom = Good Judgment
As kids, we realize that among the many people we know, the people that know what's best for us is our parents.
~ As children, we tend to not want to listen to our parents.
~ As teens, we think adults are bothering us.
But, they know what they’re talking about - most of the time (smile) - ok, all of the time.
They have wisdom. Wisdom will help you have a successful school year.
To get wisdom you need your GPS.
G = Godly
P = Positioning
S = System
It's not your iPhone, Evo, or Blackberry; your GPS is the BIBLE.
This GPS takes us where God wants us to be.
God wants us to have a successful school year.
In the Bible, Proverbs 4 : 14 - 17 (NLT) says the following:
14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!
Verses 14 - 17 describe "NO GOD LAND". Not using the GPS needed for success may result in you being in "NO GOD LAND".
In "NO GOD LAND", kids skip class, we don't do our homework, we don't practice, we go over to our friend’s house when you weren’t supposed to go. In "NO GOD LAND", we will always experience negative consequences.
In the Bible, Proverbs 4 : 18 (NLT) says the following:
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
We will shine as students when we allow our GPS to take us to "GODville".
In "GODville", kids go to class.
In "GODville", kids believe in themselves.
In "GODville", kids study.
In "GODville", kids listen to their parents.
In "GODville", we know that God loves us and He’ll direct our paths.
Our GPS (The Bible) will always takes us to "GODville".
Let's read our Bible and allow the Lord to guide us this year with His wisdom.
As long as we do that we’ll have an awesome school year and we’ll always have our GPS for life.
- New faces
- New classes
- New friends
- New challenges
- Another school year
To have a really successful school year, we need someone to help guide us through it. We need God.
To achieve school success God's way, one of the things that He makes available to us is WISDOM.
Wisdom = Good Judgment
As kids, we realize that among the many people we know, the people that know what's best for us is our parents.
~ As children, we tend to not want to listen to our parents.
~ As teens, we think adults are bothering us.
But, they know what they’re talking about - most of the time (smile) - ok, all of the time.
They have wisdom. Wisdom will help you have a successful school year.
To get wisdom you need your GPS.
G = Godly
P = Positioning
S = System
It's not your iPhone, Evo, or Blackberry; your GPS is the BIBLE.
This GPS takes us where God wants us to be.
God wants us to have a successful school year.
In the Bible, Proverbs 4 : 14 - 17 (NLT) says the following:
14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!
Verses 14 - 17 describe "NO GOD LAND". Not using the GPS needed for success may result in you being in "NO GOD LAND".
In "NO GOD LAND", kids skip class, we don't do our homework, we don't practice, we go over to our friend’s house when you weren’t supposed to go. In "NO GOD LAND", we will always experience negative consequences.
In the Bible, Proverbs 4 : 18 (NLT) says the following:
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
We will shine as students when we allow our GPS to take us to "GODville".
In "GODville", kids go to class.
In "GODville", kids believe in themselves.
In "GODville", kids study.
In "GODville", kids listen to their parents.
In "GODville", we know that God loves us and He’ll direct our paths.
Our GPS (The Bible) will always takes us to "GODville".
Let's read our Bible and allow the Lord to guide us this year with His wisdom.
As long as we do that we’ll have an awesome school year and we’ll always have our GPS for life.
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