Consider Jesus

Hebrews Three

After being focused on believers’ Great High Priest regarding his humanity, reconciling atonement, union with believers, and suffering temptation, believers were also assured that Christ is perfectly able to help, aid, and assist the tempted. Now Christians are addressed as holy brethren and participants in the calling to Heaven. As such they must give the most careful attention—fix the mind with all attention on—to Jesus as Apostle, that is, one sent from God with a special commission. They are to also consider Jesus as High Priest, that is, as the one who mediates between God and them while representing them before God (Heb. 3:1).

They had confessed Jesus Christ as God’s “Apostle and High Priest!” What are believers to consider regarding Jesus Christ? It is the fact that He was completely faithful to God Who appointed Him! In fact His fidelity to God’s plan far out distanced the faithfulness of Moses as the servant of God (Heb. 3:2-5). The believer is called to give careful attention to Christ with the purpose of understanding Him while allowing Moses to fade into the background.   

Believers are also called to “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Heb. 3:6). Their persistence in confessing Christ demonstrates their genuine faith in Him. Continuance is one of several biblical evidences of Christian conversion. Therefore believers must listen to His Voice with submissive hearts full of faith. Such believers will experience rest in the complete and perfect work of Christ. Newell noted that “these warnings… are not given to create uncertainty, but to avoid presumption and carelessness.” Historically Israel greatly grieved and provoked the Lord to anger with their hardened hearts, unbelief, and stubbornness. Because of such evil hearts of unbelief they on occasion forsook the Living God. These believers were being warned to not make the same grave mistake (Heb. 3:7-12).

Solid advice for remaining faithful to the True and Living God is given in this last paragraph (Heb. 3:13-19). The Christians are told several things. First, they were to warn and admonish one another to keep their hope and confidence in Christ (3:13).  This is a ministry of love and service among fellow believers in Christ. It is this mutual caring ministry one to another that serves to prevent the hardening of Christians in the assembly. The deceitfulness of sin is effectively countered through personal and direct involvement and relationships of accountability. Secondly, to encourage one another’s faith and obedience to prove they are indeed partakers of Christ in the blessings of the promised rest (3:14). Thirdly, they must continue listening to God speaking in His Son as long as it is called “today” (v. 15). The danger of developing a harden hearts was ever before them. Fourthly, they must not fail to enter into God’s rest; believe God—live by faith in the Apostleship and Priesthood of Christ who was entirely faithful to God the Father who had appointed Him (Heb. 3:19). The first generation of Israel who left Egypt did not inherit the promises. It was unbelief that prevented them from knowing God’s very best for them. The same is true for us believers today. 

Yes, there is a real danger of tolerating an evil heart of unbelief still.... Do not simply live with doubts! Overthrow them entirely by believing God, and we understand that faith comes by listening to the Word of God. Instead of living with doubts and unbelief, purpose to be faithful to God as the Lord Jesus was most faithful! God is not a liar; believe Him in every respect. Be faithful to a faithful God. Trust Him in every situation. Know that He always has your highest spiritual welfare at heart. Stay in the Word allowing it to build real confidence in the Lord God. Give yourself permission to believe specific promises, statements, and prescriptions from the Bible. Hold on to God's clear promises. Cultivate a heart of unwavering confidence in the Lord Jesus. Do not permit doubts to deceive you and rob you of God's very best. It really is okay to trust an unflappably faithful God.   

Why Bother with Worship?

Why Bother with Worship?

Rev. 4:8-11; 5:11-14 & John 4:20-24 & 1Tim. 3:15 

SUBJECT:  THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP

THEME: Let’s Explore Our God Given Privilege & Responsibility of Public Worship as a NT Church. Be Motivated to Accomplish this Mission when We Come Together.

Relevance: Worship is not always easy. Sometimes we don't feel like worshiping.  But we are not motivated by feelings! The fact remains that God anticipates our worship. If we do not understand how to worship, we may go through the motions, but true worship is not happening. The better we understand worship, the more likely we are to be faithful and find it satisfying.   Because worship is not always easy, it requires a commitment to worship and a willingness to look for the best Independent Baptist Church we can find and try to make it better through our participation.

Introduction:

There is much that takes place today in the name of worship; everything from pious ceremonies and rituals where no one understands what’s being said or either no one except the priests says a word.  Then there are those churches where they spend half the entire morning swinging from the light fixtures. Then there are those who come to church, but they have no idea why.  They sing the songs and never worship during a single verse.  They put on their Sunday morning faces, but they never engage their hearts.  They think that by going through the motions of religious exercise that God will be pleased with their “worship.”  When in essence God is not interested at all in outward expressions that are divorced from the inward convictions of the heart.

Message:

I.    Why should churches worship?  

Churches should worship because we are instructed to worship and because the example of the early churches teaches us to worship.

God certainly is worthy of the deepest devotion and worship of every true NT church. He is looking for true worshipers today and we must realize this is one of our God ordained purposes.

1. THE BIBLE CLEARLY DIRECTS US TO WORSHIP GOD.

Jn 4:21–24, Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (See also Ps. 95:1-11; Matt. 28:8-9; Rom. 12:1)

In the NT Jesus was the true Lamb of God (Jn 1:29). Thanks to his death there is no need for further animal sacrifice (Heb 10:11, 12). The OT sacrifices illustrate Jesus’ achievements in bringing peace between God and man (Heb 8:5). Christians today simply meet for public worship in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:46, 47; Heb 10:25).

Ps 29:2, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The psalmist even called on the angels to glorify the Lord. O mighty ones is literally, “sons of the mighty,” that is, God’s angelic beings. The angels were invoked to give God the credit for His glory and power (strength). Such praise should be accompanied by holiness. -Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

2. GOD DESIRES THE HEART FELT WORSHIP OF HIS PEOPLE.

John 4:23, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. The Father desires worship rooted in spirit and in truth. More will be said about this later.

3. THE JERUSALEM CHURCH’S EXAMPLE INSTRUCTS US IN WORSHIP. (Acts 2:41-47)

Luke gives us glimpses of the first Christians and Churches who were continually and steadfastly devoting themselves to the apostles' preaching, teaching, and to church fellowship, to the breaking of bread, food functions and to prayer meetings (v. 42). Then he mentions that every soul had a holy fear of God in the Church meetings—they felt the presence of God and worshiped in awe of His Majesty (v. 43). 

    1. They Offered Corporate Praise!

Then the same passage informs us that they were “Praising God” (v. 47). These things are at the heart of corporate worship.

    2. They were Persistently Faithful.

The phrase “they continued steadfastly” suggests single-minded faithfulness to church meetings. Apparently when these first Christians got together for worship they were serious about it.

    3. They were Marked by Deep Respect for God.

The phrase “fear came upon every soul” denotes something about their worship.   It does not mean “fear” in the sense of being frightened of someone. Rather, it means “awe” or “reverence” or “deep respect.” These people had been deeply impressed with the presence of God and His work in their midst. It showed.

The Early Church Worshiped the Lord Jesus with Great Joy!

Luke 24:49-53, And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. [50] And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. [51] And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: [53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Jesus was taken up into heaven (see also Acts 1:9–11) and those early believers worshiped with great joy and kept praising God in the temple. Believers repeatedly praised Jesus with joy and praise.

A genuine worship experience ought to be empowering, encouraging, enlightening, enriching, and enabling. These are just some of the results of their worship; additionally, gladness and joy characterized their worship. These Believers were not prune-faced religious scrooges whose very presence dumped a cloud of gloom on others. Acts 2:46 says that “gladness” characterized their activities, and they favorably impressed all those who saw them. Joy and gladness should mark our very real worship as we reflect on God.

II.    What does it mean to worship?

To worship means to prostrate oneself before God.  We can’t truly worship God until we understand what worship really is.

A.    THE LITERAL MEANING OF WORSHIP.

Several Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible are translated “worship.” But there is only one main Hebrew word for “worship” in the Old Testament and one main Greek word for “worship” in the New Testament. Both mean the same thing.

       1.  What Worship Does Not Mean.

Yet it does not mean “to sing,” or “to gather together in a congregation,” or “going through a ceremony,” or even “to get quiet and solemn.”

     2.  What Worship Does Mean.

The word “worship” means, literally, “to prostrate oneself, to fall down on one's face.”   Worship means to bow down; to honor; to exalt; to pay homage; to reverence (Ge. 24:52; Ex. 4:31; 12:27; 24:1; 33:10; 34:8; Mt. 2:11).

EXAMPLES:  

1.  Abraham’s Servant before Laban and Bethuel: Genesis 24:52, And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.

2.  Israel before Moses and Aaron:  Exodus 4:31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

In each instance “worship” involved “prostrating oneself, or falling down on one's face.” I admit I was surprised by that. I don't think the literal meaning conveys the full Bible significance of the word. I don't believe for a second that we must merely come together to literally fall down on our faces, though the word does literally mean that. There must be more…. 

B.    THE COMPLETE MEANING OF WORDSHIP.

Worship can also mean, in a figurative sense, to spiritually prostrate oneself before God. Remember, worship means to bow down; to honor; to exalt; to pay homage; to reverence God (Mt. 2:11; Rev. 5:12-14).

What is intended by a word that means “to prostrate oneself”?

EXAMPLES:

1. The Wise Men before the Lord Jesus:  Matthew 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

2.  The Heavenly 24 Elders before God and the Lamb:  Rev. 5:12-14, Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. [13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. [14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

These examples describe actions of complete sacrifice of oneself.

    1.  Figurative Sense.

When we prostrate ourselves figuratively before God, what are we doing? If we don't understand that we may not know what it means to worship.

   2. Figurative Significance.

Let's imagine what would be going on in our hearts and minds if we prostrated ourselves before someone else. If I prostrated myself before someone….

        a.  I would be recognizing his authority.

        b.  I would be affirming his superiority.

        c.  I would be demonstrating my submission.

        d.  I would be placing myself at his mercy and his disposal.

        e.  It would be a massive gesture of total personal offering and sacrifice.

In the land of the free and the home of the brave, in the land where all men are equal, in the land of rugged individualism, we can hardly imagine prostrating ourselves like that. But if we did, we would be saying, by our body language, “You are greater than we are, and we recognize that. You are the “Big Shot” around here and not us!  We humble ourselves before You, place ourselves at Your mercy and disposal, and agree to do anything You tell us to do.” This describes an act of total sacrifice.

       3. Fullest Surrender.

So, when the Bible uses the word “worship” it means more than we may have thought.

John 4:23-24, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

True worshipers are those who realize that Jesus is the Truth of God (Jn. 3:21; 14:6) and the one and only Way to the Father (Acts 4:12). To worship in truth is to worship God through Jesus. To worship in Spirit is to worship in the new realm which God has revealed to people. The Father is seeking true worshipers because He wants people to live in reality, not in falsehood. Everybody is a worshiper (Rom. 1:25) but because of sin many are blind and constantly put their trust in worthless objects. -Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary

To understand these verses in this light means that, God seeks people who will give themselves to Him totally. He is seeking people who will say, “You are greater than I am, and I recognize that. I humble myself to You, I place myself at Your mercy and disposal, and I agree to do anything You tell me to do.”

Is this what we do on Sunday mornings? Worship, in its fundamental meaning, is an offering of the complete self to God. Unless we understand that, we will misunderstand both what we do in worship, and what God requires. As a result, we will miss the deep and meaningful relationship with God that we all long for. Furthermore, consider these verses…. 

Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Peter 2:5, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

 

 

C.    THE ENGLISH MEANING OF WORSHIP.

     The English word worship comes from the Old English word worthship, a word which denotes the worthiness of GOD to receive our deepest devotion, thus we are to ascribe worth to God. Worship is an act or practice expressing devotion, reverence, and adoration towards God. It often involves routines, ceremonies, prayers, or other spiritual practices. 

IN JOHN 12:1-8, MARY ANOINTS JESUS WITH EXPENSIVE OINTMENT. Worship in this instance refers to ascribing incredible worth to Christ Jesus. Mary counted the Lord worthy of the costly Ointment. This ointment could have been sold for nearly a year’s wages at that time (vs. 3).  One “pence” (denarii) was a days wages for a common labor or “three hundred pence” is a year’s wages. Today’s equivalent would be about 14 thousand dollars a year’s income for an individual; this is the poverty level in the USA as of 2023. To many today it would be considered a total waste to bestow that much honor on Jesus Christ! Check your annual giving records!  It appeared to be a great waste to the Lord’s closest disciples back in their time.

Matt 26:7-10, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. (8) But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? (9) For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. (10) When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

If we honestly Worship the Lord Jesus with our very existence, then people will label us as wasting our lives on foolish religion!  Even other ‘Christians’ will label us as such!

Missionary David Freeman is serving the Lord in Taiwan reaching precious Chinese people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Back in high school he played basketball and earned a scholarship to a major college to play basketball for them.  He refused the scholarship and went to Bible College instead to prepare for the ministry. Then after Bible college, he went to Taiwan as a missionary.  Years later, he went back to his old high school where he met his old basketball coach.  He was not a famous millionaire basketball player like he could have been, instead he was a poor missionary that nobody knew.  His coach told him that day that he basically wasted his life on serving God when he could have been a basketball legend.  I say that Bro. Freeman saw Jesus Christ as worthy of his Life and thus he Worshiped Him by pouring out his most valuable possession upon Christ. The “Ointment” of his life and one day its fragrance will fill all of Heaven as the blood washed band of hundreds of precious Taiwanese souls stand in Heaven as a result of his sacrifice! I believe that he will hear Jesus say, “you have wrought a good work upon me!”  No, he did not waste his life!

Conclusion: we have explored our God-given privilege & responsibility of public worship as a NT church.  May we now be more driven to accomplish this God assigned mission when we come together each Sunday morning and evening worship service.

Worship is not always easy, it requires a commitment to worship and a willingness to look for the best Independent Baptist Church we can find and try to make it better through our participation.

 Is Jesus Christ worthy of our time we spend in church, our offerings we give, the song of our hearts, and the adherence to His word?

 Am I here to ascribe worth to Jesus Christ or to get glory for myself?

 Is my life bowed to God in reverence and respect?

 Is my worship merely an outward form or ritual that is void of a deep heart-felt conviction?

 How much is Christ worth to you and me? Is he worth my time, my talents, my treasures, my testimony, my trust, and my true worship?

 Will you commit today to faithfully worship him at the appointed time and with your entire person?

Beloved, explore our God-Given privilege and responsibility of public worship. We need to become motivated to accomplish this God-assigned mission when we come together. Worship is not always easy. Sometimes we do not feel like worshiping. But we are not motivated by feelings! The fact remains that God anticipates our worship, and He definitely deserves it. If we do not understand how to worship, we may go through the motions, but true worship is not happening. The better we understand worship, the more likely we are to be faithful and find it satisfying. Because worship is not always easy, it requires a commitment to worship and a willingness to look for the best church we can find and try to make it better through our participation.

God's Promise To The Generous

A good definition for generous is showing a readiness to give more money or time than is strictly necessary or expected. Generosity is a grace of God in the life of genuine believers (2 Cor. 8:1-12). In a self-centered world, we could use a few more generous souls among the Lord's people. God the Father is generous giving His Son. The Lord Jesus is generous giving Himself. The Holy Spirit is generous giving His graces and power. It stands to reason that anyone truly influenced by God will be a generous believer giving of themselves, their time, and substance to address real needs. It is so good for us to become more generous and giving, and God holds out a special promise for such believers. Note the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippian Church,

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philip. 4:19) 

The wisdom of God’s Word encourages us to LOOK TO CHRIST TO MEET ALL OUR NEEDS.  Notice the phrase, “by Christ Jesus” in Philippians 4:19. The New Testament writers were very clear in their understanding that Jesus Christ would meet all of our needs, regardless of the nature of the needs. It is always correct to look to God when we are grappling with a deficiency or need. Paul confidently promised the Philippian believers that God will indeed supply every facet of every need they had in accordance with His enormous supply! But, I remind you this is a promise for the generous believer and not the stingy self-centered greedy person!

The Promise Involves Great Clarity (Philip. 4:19)

The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Paul did not place any qualifications upon the kind of supply made available to us through Christ Jesus. There is ABSOLUTELY no human need that God is unable to meet -- in fact, He meets the needs far better than anything or anyone in this world.

A Promise to Supply Real Needs

Paul was once assured by Christ that Christ's grace was sufficient for every need (2 Cor 12:9). Yet God often sends "vertical" help through people helping one another on the "horizontal" level. God had met Paul's need through the generosity of the Philippian church. This assurance of the divine supply of the Philippians' needs implies that they had given so liberally that they actually left themselves with a real “need.” 

Sacrificial giving with a right attitude is possible only for those Christians submitted to God. In the United States, giving sacrificially is almost unknown.  Worldly attitudes have clouded our thinking and dulled our sensitivity to others.As I said before, God will not allow His work to tarry for lack of funds; He will simply redistribute the necessary funds to Christians who have the correct attitudes—primarily those who are seeking His will and are willing to sacrifice their luxuries for the needs of others. ” — Larry Burkett 

A Promise Based on Generosity

Yet it is true that those who share generously with others, especially to advance the work of the Lord, are promised a divine supply of anything they might lack because of their generosity (Prov. 11:25; 19:17; Matt 5:7). God would more than repay that generosity by supplying the “need” of the Philippian church. This is just as true for us today! Note what the Lord says in His Word.

Proverbs 11:25, The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 19:17, He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Matthew 5:7, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Yes, the Lord repeatedly states the generous individual will be compensated according to their liberality to others. This is especially true of the sacrificial giver. This is not the individual giving out of their ‘extra,’ but the person who lives rather frugally in order to be generous in the Lord’s work. They even sacrifice or ignore their own needs to give more to the Lord. Such merciful believers will receive mercy from the Lord in return. He will honor their hearts of kindness towards others. Mr. Burkett, a trusted authority on financial management and godly stewardship, notes how we cannot ‘out give’ God in his book, The Complete Guide for Financial Management for Young Couples saying,

The budget helped to establish a surplus and a plan for the surplus. The surplus is our abundance. It is easy to fall trap to feelings of contentment, slipping away from God in our abundance. Many do so because they fear having to share with others. To share from this surplus requires great love; it really means a greater love for God than for money.
Giving out of love makes sharing our abundance possible. Scripture defines at least two levels of love. One is phileo and another is agape. Phileo is a brotherly love. It is based on mutual compatibility or the sharing of common interests. In other words, it is primarily a love of emotion. When love is given, it is returned; but when one withholds love, no love is returned. Agape allows one to give love regardless of the response. What the other person does will not really affect me if I am in true agape with God.
Therefore, when we give out of abundance, we cannot give phileo, expecting that God will return it. We must give out of agape, simply because we love God and expect no reward. To share out of abundance means you have much and want to share with others who need much. Although God has no obligation to return what is given, He wants to do so. Once you have shared out of your abundance, you will find that you cannot out give God. The more you give, the more He multiplies. (Larry Burkett, 1989)

When you give, give out of what you have. At times the Lord will impress you deeply with the need to act on a need He has made you aware of. Just follow through obediently to honor Him and satisfy the need. Do not worry about what somebody else has to give, or what they are not giving. Give out of the abundance that God has supplied you. Some will even have the grace to live extremely frugal lives in order to give more to the Lord’s work. Be assured the Lord Jesus is pleased with such sacrifices and will honor our generosity accordingly (See also 1 John 3:17-18; James 2:14-16; 2 Corinthians 8:11-12).

A Promise Based on Divine Wealth (Philip. 4:19)

Not only would God supply all our needs, but he will do it “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (or his glorious spiritual riches). Whether the Scriptures have God’s resources in Heaven in mind or the wealth of His infinite glorious character has been debated in other places. I understand the phrase to be a reference to God’s extraordinary character and glorious Person. God is infinitely wealthy in glories, perfections, and majesty! There is no calculating how prosperous the Lord God is in and of Himself. Beloved, this is your heavenly Father…. It is a magnanimous God who makes this incredible promise to compensate the generous. There is zero fear of being let down or disappointed with what He provides.   

Note carefully that His supply is not merely out of His wealth! The phrase “according to” conveys the idea that God’s supply of the need will not be merely from or out of  his wealth but in some sense appropriate to or commensurate with it. To supply from out of  His wealth implies depleting storage and resources, but to supply in a way fitting to His wealth means infinite storage and supply. 

Yes, it is “according to” His grand infinite wealth that He supplies all our needs! There is no threat at all of God ever running out of supplies and resources from which to meet our needs.  As believers we cannot even begin to comprehend the vastness of God’s wealth in glory—His riches are limitless, comprehensively infinite. Since it is “according to” the Lord’s wealth in “glory” that believers' needs are met, we could rest assured that God would indeed meet every need, no matter how large, desperate, or hopeless it seems. The Lord will remember the faithful generous giver.

To further ponder God’s ability to compensate the giver, think about a multi-millionaire giving ten cent to the church for his weekly offering. He would be giving out of his wealth.  But if he gave five thousand dollars on a weekly bases he would be giving according to his wealth! Likewise God supplies according to His wealth!

Beloved, sacrifice is an essential attitude for every Christian to adopt. Begin to sacrifice a small portion from your wants or desires for the needs of others. Ask God to lay their needs on your heart. Strive to be generous towards real needs; may our expression equal the commitment in our heart.  We must share and work into a pattern of living that characterizes the generous life of Jesus Christ. If we, who are so mightily blessed, are not willing to sacrifice any of our desires for others’ needs, God will simply reallocate the supply to those who are. (See Luke 3:11; Mark 10:29; Luke 21:1-4).

The Promise Involves A Complete Provision (Philip. 4:19)

This could only happen “by Christ Jesus.” That is, because of believer's faith-relationship with Christ, we have access to God and can come boldly and freely to His throne of grace and there consistently obtain mercy and grace to help in our times of need (see Heb. 4:16). In other words, Paul did not say that Christ Jesus would only meet spiritual needs, or physical needs, or financial and material needs. God provides most comprehensively for any and all needs we may have in full accordance with His will and timing. He achieves this "by Christ Jesus," the Lord of glory. We are assured in the most profound way of complete provisions. 

Christ Meets All Needs

Paul wrote that Christ Jesus meets all manner and types of needs.  Some of the needs that we have today are physical, emotional, relational, financial, material, and spiritual. You and I never make a mistake by turning to the Lord Jesus first concerning needs. He will supply us directly, direct us to a resource, or give us the grace to live without it. In such instances He affords peace and contentment. We are changed deep within as a result of realizing His great sufficient grace in new areas of our lives.

Even Intangible Needs

If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will admit the things we desire most in life are the intangibles that cannot be purchased and are not man-made: health, loving relationships, joy, peace, contentment, security, fulfillment and meaning in life. Think about this for a second…. Only God can satisfy such powerful deep yearnings of our never dying souls. These needs are absolutely welded to who and what we are as human beings. We crave these essentials automatically and unconsciously in most instances. Other times we are keenly aware of our need in these areas and unrelentingly seek satisfaction. Nothing and no one else can even come remotely close to Christ’s ability to satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.

Clearly Every Conceivable Need

Ephes. 1:15-18,  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, [16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; [17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephes. 2:7, That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ is ultimately the number one Source for all things that matter the most to us:

• ·     Wisdom and understanding into the things of God
• ·     Comprehensive health—spirit, mind, and body
• ·     Healthy sense of belonging and loving relationships with others
• ·     Fulfilling and meaningful ministry to others
• ·     Blessings that are material, emotional, and spiritual in nature
• ·     Hope, peace, joy, contentment, and unconditional love
• ·     Deepening spiritual insights and precious intimacy our heavenly Father
• ·     An accurate perception of ourselves and a sense of full acceptance because we are the beloved children of God
• ·     Deliverance from the power of sin and evil
• ·     Forgiveness of sin and restoration
• ·     Freedom from guilt and shame
• ·     A future of promise, power, and purpose

There is no reason to be reluctant or skeptical about God’s clear promise to resource and provide for the generous saints of God. Our part is to be generous indeed unto the Lord, and He will see to it that our needs are met adequately. This is not a promise that will automatically result in personal wealth or great financial prosperity, but it is a promise that God will supply the needs of the generous. Whatever the need, the Lord Jesus is our all sufficient Source always. We never make a mistake when we look to Him as our all sufficient Lord. Never!

A merchant of St. Petersburg at his own cost supported several native missionaries in India, and gave liberally to the cause of Christ at home. On being asked how he could afford to do it, he replied:
“Before my conversion, when I served the world and self, I did it on a grand scale and at the most lavish expense. And when God, by His grace, called me out of darkness, I resolved that Christ and His cause should have more than I had ever spent for the world. And as to giving so much, it is God who enables me to do it; for at my conversion I solemnly promised that I would give to His cause a fixed proportion of all that my business brought in to me, and every year since I made that promise it has brought me in about double what it did the year before, so that I easily can, as I do, double my gifts for His service.” And John Bunyan tells us,
A man there was, some called him mad, the more he gave, the more he had.
And there are truth and instruction in the inscription on the Italian tombstone, “What I gave away I saved, what I spent I used, what I kept I lost.” “Giving to the Lord,” says another, “is but transporting our goods to a higher floor.” And, says Dr. Barrow, “In defiance of all the torture and malice and might of the world, the liberal man will ever be rich, for God's providence is his estate, God’s wisdom and power his defense, God’s love and favor his reward, and God’s word his security. (Stories for Preachers and Teachers)

One more thought will suffice before I close this post. Recall the words of Paul concerning the Macedonian Churches inexplicable generosity, “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God" (2 Cor. 8:5).

David Livingstone, before he had thought of being a missionary himself, devoted to foreign missions all his wages except so much as was required for his frugal needs. Many businessmen today turn over the major portions of their profits to the Lord's work. And have you ever noticed--those that give the most are often those that do the most for Christ. It is not as though they permit their money to do the work while they sit idly by. No, no. These are those who first give of themselves to the Lord, and then of their substance.” (Stories for Preachers and Teachers)

Beloved, take God’s promise to the generous to heart and give of yourself, your substance, and your time in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will ensure that you are properly cared for and compensated in accordance with His glorious and magnanimous Person! Remember, it is not possible to ‘out give’ God, and you never make a mistake by looking to Jesus first as your Source. 

The Mighty Reconciler

Jesus not only came to show us what God the Father is like, but to Reconcile us to Him. He accomplished this through His death on the cross, making it possible for all who believe in Christ Jesus to be saved from eternal death in Hell. Yes, when all humanity was at odds with a holy God it was Jesus Christ who came to our rescue. Through His work we sinners can be reconciled to God. Note Paul’s explanation of this wonderful reality.

2 Cor. 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Col. 1:19-20, For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Now, reconciliation presupposes that we once had a relationship with God. First, the word reconciliation implies that a relationship has been “broken” and that it is in need of mending. As sinners we are lost, separated from God, with no relationship with God.  We were even at enmity against God, at odds with Him and even attacking his holiness with every single act or thought of sin. 

It is true; however, that every person once had a relationship with God before we were estranged from Him by sin.  You see in Adam, our Federal Head/ Seminal Head, we all had a relationship with God prior to the fall of Adam (Rom. 5:12-21).  Without exception then, we all once had a relationship with God in Adam.  Therefore, the use of the term reconcile in the Bible is a perfect description of God’s grace gift of salvation toward us.

Faith In the Blood of Christ is Enough For Reconciliation With God!

Col. 1:13-14, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 Ephes. 1:7-8, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

To Become Reconciled to God We Need Only Repent/ Believe in Jesus Christ. Faith is the Son of God as our Savior and to accept what He did on the cross as being on our behalf. Jesus Christ is totally sufficient for our salvation. He did not leave out a single necessary element in the salvation and reconciliation He provides. 

No Rituals, Or Ceremonies Are Necessary on Our Part.

There are those in various religions and even some 'Christian' denominations who claim that for a person to be fully reconciled to God, he must complete various rituals or fulfill certain types of works or obligations. This stems from an inadequate understanding of what the Lord Jesus actually accomplished through his definitive and comprehensive sacrifice for sin. Again the issue is not that Christ's atonement is ineffective in some way, but the fact that we have failed to embrace the full truth of Christ's Cross and empty tomb. 

The Bible Only Teaches Faith in Christ the Lord and Savior.

John 3:14-15, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16,  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Faith in the completed work of Christ results in eternal life and whosoever believes in Him will not perish. Instead genuine believers will know all the joy of everlasting life because of the Lord Jesus, the Mighty Reconciler. 

Jesus Alone is the THE Savior!

Galatians 6:15, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

God's Word Proclaims Strongly That No Amount of Works, Effort, or Goodness on Our Part Can Bring about Our Salvation. Human rituals, ceremonies, and religious activities can never secure reconciliation to God. These must fail because they are merely the offerings of fallen sinful human beings. Anything we attempt to appease God will and does fail because it is tainted with our sinfulness. In our fallen condition we have no right or basis for even approaching a holy God. How then can any religious ceremony we perform render us fully acceptable to Him?

In Fact, No One and No Thing Other than Jesus Christ Is the Savior. And furthermore, Jesus Christ is fully sufficient to be the Savior—nothing “in addition” to believing in Christ Jesus is necessary for a person to be born again spiritually, to receive God's forgiveness, and to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Ephes. 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We can be sure that our spiritual relationship with God is good because we have been reconciled through the blood of Jesus Christ. We do not need to supplement our salvation with legalistic practices in order to earn God’s favor and approval.  We have been fully reconciled to God through faith in the complete sacrifice and resurrection of Christ Jesus. This is what God requires and nothing else can substitute for it or supplement it. Nothing!

Christ’s Reconciliation Brings about a Wonderful Change!

2 Cor. 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Believing In Jesus Christ Creates a “newness” in a person. The old sin nature was crucified with Christ and its power/influence in our lives has been broken. A new nature that desires the goodness and righteousness of God has been installed and firmly established. We are no longer the spiritual sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, but we are the spiritual sons and daughters of God the Father.

This change is not something that we are required to “work up” on our own. It is not something we must strive to do. Rather, it is the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. He is the One who changes us, from the inside out.

Read carefully these assuring and strengthening verses:

John 1:12-13, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  

  

2 Cor. 5:17-19, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

  

2 Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  

Receiving Jesus Christ grants us the power to become sons of God. To be “in Christ” makes us new creatures where all things have become new. Jesus Christ was made sin for us at Calvary that we might be made the righteousness of God through faith in Him. What a glorious identity we have with God the Father once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and have been reconciled to God through His shed blood!

Beloved, there is nothing inadequate about the reconciliation Jesus offers us sinners. There may be some inadequacy in our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, but no actual deficiencies in His saving work. When we understand what Christ affords us we have peace and assurance. We know there is nothing we can contribute to a perfect work of grace. Yes, Jesus Christ is The Mighty Reconciler!

Heir of The Universe

Hebrews 2

Chapter two of Hebrews begins with the implications of chapter one’s message. Since God has spoken in His Son, Jesus Christ, since Christ is the Heir of all things, and since Christ will rule supreme over all in the future, God’s people must pay careful attention to what He is communicating. There is the danger of allowing these teachings to slip away because of inattention to them (Heb. 2:1). Newell stated that “Drifting is the quietest, easiest, most delightful way of dying!”

The Law was given with the assistance of angels and it required serious punishment for violations. Likewise the New Covenant spoken by God the Son certainly requires greater retribution to those who “neglect” this “great salvation” (Heb. 2:2, 3). Salvation is the sum of all the benefits and blessings believers will experience after they return to earth to reign with Messiah. God’s people must not “neglect”—treat lightly or be careless with—the great salvation they possess. Their deliverance will be more fully realized and experienced in the Millennial Age of the earth. This salvation is great because it was first mentioned by the Lord Jesus, it was confirmed by the apostles who heard Christ and taught it, and it was accompanied with signs and miracles from the Holy Spirit (Heb. 2:3-5).

In the “world to come,” the Millennial Age, Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, will rule over the entire world. This was Adam’s original purpose to rule the world for God and under God, but he forfeited this when he fell into sin. Christ will be the full realization of this glorious anticipation of the Son of Man ruling the “world to come” for God. Angels will not experience this, but God incarnate will upon His return from Heaven. Christ was made a little lower than the angels and was crowned with the glory of reigning over all of the works of God (Heb. 2:5-8).

Currently though everything is not subject to Christ, the Son of Man, as King of the World. Instead Christ appeared as a man to become the sacrifice for all sin with the purpose of bringing many sons of God to glory. Through His sufferings Christ was perfectly fitted to become the Captain of believer’s salvation (2:9, 10). No, today He is crowned with glory and honor at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Believers are His brethren and He with them are viewed as “one” (Heb. 2:11). Christ will one day lead them in the worship of God singing praises to Jehovah in the church (Heb. 2:12). Currently believers are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:20-23; 2Cor. 5:21). This too is an extraordinary expression of grace!

Christ was incarnated also to destroy the works of the devil through His cross (Heb. 2:14). He completely overthrew—disannulled his power—Satan who had the power of death and wielded it to strike fear in the hearts of men. This clears the way for Christ to rule supreme over the entire world in Satan’s stead. The Lord Jesus’ incarnation also fit Him to be a faithful and merciful High Priest to His believing brethren (Heb. 2:17). He entered fully into the human experience gaining understanding of their struggles. As their High Priest, He made reconciliation for sins and since He suffered temptations as they did, he aids believers through their temptations (Heb. 2:18). All of God’s redemptive plans in Christ Jesus are certain to be fully realized and He the Son of Man will rule the world to come. 

God's Most Glorious Message

Hebrews 1

God has spoken through His Son, Jesus Christ. His revelation is superior to the prophets, angels of God, and creation itself. The Person of the “Son is God, the Creator, Upholder, Lord, Heir of all things,” says Newell. Clearly God has spoken to humanity in His Son. Throughout the Old Testament history God spoke in many ways, at various times, and by variegated means, but in these last days He has spoken in His Son, Jesus Christ. He Himself is God’s message in the book of Hebrews.

The Son is the Heir of all things and the origin of all things. That He should be Heir of all is consistent with the divine plan. As the Creator of the worlds, He is the manager of the ages and all of history. Jesus is also the brightness of God’s glory. That is Christ is the expression of the collective divine attributes of God. He is the expressed image of God’s divine Person—the exact expression of His substance. As Upholder of all things the weight of the world safely rest upon His mighty words. He is the God of providence! He is the living expression of God’s constant care for all things in the universe. This is not merely the result of mindless and emotionless laws in the universe, but the direct involvement of the Son. By Him all things consist.

The Son also effectively purged the sin of lost humanity as the Great High Priest. Upon completion of this awesome accomplishment, Christ sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High. His sacrificial work is done and He is exalted. In His incarnation He experienced humiliation and was made a little lower than the angels, but now as the Son of Man He is exalted in Heaven at the Father’s right hand. He has a more excellent name than the angels. They are only sons of God, but the Lord Jesus is the Son of God.

The aforementioned truths about the Son and Heir of God are well supported in the Old Testament Scriptures as demonstrated by the seven quotations throughout the remainder of Chapter One of Hebrews. The glorious Christ is soundly distinguished from angels by the title Son (Heb. 1:5). He is also the Firstborn or First Begotten who will be brought back into the world at His second advent with all the prerogatives of the King of the World. The angels will openly worship Him then in the earth. The angels are His creatures designed to minister and serve, but He is the Son of God who rules forever (Heb.1:7, 8). God the Father clearly addresses the Son as God in these verses that point to Christ’s millennial reign in the earth.

Once again Christ is addressed by the Father as the Creator of the universe and He expresses delight in the Son’s eternity and immutability. Creation will change, it will wax old, and one day the current creation will be discarded, but Christ will endure forever. Self-existent deity is also rightly ascribed to Christ in contrast to the fact that creation will eventually perish (Heb.1:11). The Lord will one day rap up this old world and create a new world. There shall be a New Heaven and New Earth (Heb. 1:11, 12). The Father will see to it when He brings the Son back into this world that Christ’s enemies, both spirit and human, will be subdued under His rule and authority (Heb.1:13). The angels, however, will serve the heirs of millennial glory and salvation as Christ rules and as the heirs reign with Him (Heb. 1:14). Clearly the Son of God is the Heir of all things! He is in fact God's most glorious Message of Hope and Salvation to fallen humanity. Accept God's Message, Salvation, and Hope in Jesus Christ.