Your Last Day (II Peter 3:9)
II Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” A calendar is something we all use to keep tract of important dates, plans we have, and help us to manage our time. One thing that is very important that we understand is that God has His own calendar, and everything will be fulfilled on His calendar in His time. God has no sense of obligation for my calendar as His fulfills His perfect plan and mine only my personal desires. Unfortunately, my personal desires are not always in the perfect will of God so they cannot be counted on as 100% accurate. God is not impressed with my calendar, and He never worries about its fulfilment. What He is looking for is Christians who will trust Him and walk by faith. It is important that we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and the Scriptures, and never vary from that. 1. God's Promise “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness…” The word slack means to "hesitate, linger, delay." It carries the idea of loitering or loafing. God is not unfaithful concerning His promises. God keeps them all. God will fulfill His promise, it’s a guarantee. He is not loafing around with nothing to do. Some of the scoffers apparently were saying the delay in Christ’s return was evidence that God made a promise He couldn’t keep. Peter rebutted by suggesting that instead of the delay being evidence of God’s unfaithfulness, it’s evidence of His mercy. 2. God's Patience “…but is longsuffering to us-ward…” Longsuffering means to suffer long. In contrast to God’s being slow to keep His promise, Peter asserts that He’s actually “patient with you.” However, God’s patience isn’t without redemptive motive. We see that God has great patience and is longsuffering. He is patient. God loves and cares for us despite our sin, rebellion, and rejection. This is the very reason He sent Christ to save us. He loves and cares for us, He’s not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. 3. God’s Purpose “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” To perish means to be utterly lost, to be spiritually destitute, and destroyed; to be in a state of suffering forever and ever apart from God. It means to lose eternal life and to be cut off from life forever and ever. It means to suffer the judgment, condemnation, and punishment of separation from God forever and ever. God's desire is to save all. The text makes it clear that Jesus wants everyone to be saved and that He wants no one to go to hell. Sinners do not deserve time to repent. But God is "not willing that any should perish", so extends patience to the perishing. Today is the last day of 2023. 2023 is soon to be ousted while 2024 is appointed. There will be celebrations all around the world. Beneath all the hype there is an important lesson that we can learn. Think for a minute. What if this really was your last day. Not of the month. Not of the year. What if this was the last day of your life? Each day for Christ ought to be lived as if it were our last. Jesus has told us that He will come as a "thief in the night." We might know the season, but we do not know the exact day. It could be tomorrow at the dawn of a brand-new year, or it could be years from now. The time that Jesus comes isn't as important, though, as the condition of our hearts when He comes. Many Christians aren't at all ready for the Rapture to take place. They have too many loose ends to tie up. They're waiting to serve God at a later date. Sadly, they will live away from God their whole life. Others, who haven't trusted Christ as their Saviour, are putting off their decision. Sadly, these people will be left behind. God will fulfill His promise literally as He has said, it is a guarantee. This truth has been greatly attacked and mocked in our day, but that will not keep it from happening exactly as the Bible teaches. We see that God has great patience and is longsuffering. It conveys the idea of being patient in bearing the offences and injuries of others. It is wonderful to know how patient God is with us and how much He loves us. Jesus took every opportunity to speak to people one on one and also to great multitudes so that they might hear the truth. We need to have the same heartbeat for people as we seek to get the Gospel to everyone that we know. We also need to be involved through our local church to reach as many people as possible. The time is short, and we must make an all-out effort to reach people with the Gospel message before it is too late. Points to Ponder: God is longsuffering, but there is a limit to His patience. There will come a time in your life when it’s too late. Don’t test God’s patience. Question to Consider: I ask you these questions today: What if this were your last day? Would you be ready? How would you want to be remembered? Prayer: Heavenly Father, my heart is stirred today to pray for my unsaved friends, family, and acquaintances. The Bible has long foretold that a day of judgment is coming, but I’ve never thought about it so deeply as I’ve thought about it today. Father, I want to be open and available for You to use me to share the witness of Jesus with those who are unsaved. I pray this in Jesus’ name! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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The Christian’s Race (Hebrews 12:2)
Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Brian Wilkerson said, "I once ran in the New York City Marathon. The first half of that race is a party. You're swept along by 28,000 runners, crowds lining the streets, and people running in costumes. You're touring the ethnic neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens. You feel like you could run forever. At mile 13, you cross over into Manhattan and start heading north, away from the finish line. Central Park is behind you, and you're going in the wrong direction. The crowds are thinner now. The party's over. At about mile 16 or 18, you hit the wall. You're absolutely miserable. Physically and psychologically, you're busted. All you want to do is stop running. I remember passing one of the first aid stations. There were runners lying on cots—pale and gaunt, with IVs dripping into their arms. I thought to myself, 'Those lucky dogs.' At that point I began to despair. I imagined myself having to go home and tell everybody I didn't finish. Why did I ever sign up for this race? What made me think I could do this? That's when it hit me. One way or another, I had to get to Central Park. That's where my ride was. I had no car. I had no money. I would have to get there on my own two feet. So I might as well keep running. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don't think about the next 6 miles; just think about the next step. And if you can keep that up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, the miles pass. And when you cross that finish line, it feels like glory—even when you're in 10,044th place. Some of you may be hitting the wall right now—feeling like you can't go on, like you'll never make it. Following Christ is harder than you ever imagined it would be, and you're thinking about giving up—about doing something foolish. Don't do it! There's no magic to endurance racing. It's all about continuing." Bruce kept going forward by controlling his focus from fatigue to finishing. We must do the same in our race for Christ. Our Commitment. Committed believers do not get diverted. When we got saved we entered into the race of the Christian life. Our Concentration. Conditioned believers do not despise discipline. This race is a marathon and not a 100 yard dash. If we are to run this race effectively then we must train so we can build our endurance. A runner without endurance can never run successfully in a long distance race. There are times when a race can be difficult and we must press on to the finish line. I remember when I ran cross country in high school. The practices we very exhausting, but they would prepare you to run the race more effectively. When the race gets tough and you feel like quitting, remember the cloud of witnesses cheering for you. We must concentrate and focus on Jesus Christ. The word looking means "to focus or to keep the eyes fixed on." It means to fix your gaze upon and to look exclusively without distraction. The idea is to give complete attention to that which is before you. Like a runner in a race concentrates and focuses on the finish line, we are to have our eye fixed on Christ. If we are going to do well in this race we must keep our eyes on our Lord. Despite life's doubts and difficulties, regardless of the failures and falls, in spite of the hindrances, we can have confidence that our salvation is certain. When our race is finished we will be glorified. Prayer: LORD, You have chosen the course for my life. It’s been both exciting and exhausting, however, I have a finish line to cross. I want to thank You for the patience and joy You have given me on my course. As I run this race it’s my desire to please You. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keep On Keeping On! (Hebrews 12:1-3) – PART 4
III. The Pursuit of Our Race (Hebrews 12:2) Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We are not in this race of life to win a temporary and corruptible prize like a gold medal. We run for something far more valuable and permanent. The prize of our race is Jesus. We are ever running after Him. A. We’re pursuing a Person. Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Paul wrote that the goal of his life, the primary purpose for his race and the trials and testing he endured, was knowing Jesus. In these final days before the New Year, we should take time to reset our compass and our focus, keeping in mind that, like Paul, our goal is Jesus. Many people measure the success of a year by the type of talent or technology they can acquire, or the amount of wealth or education they can accrue. Success by the world’s definition is likely to change and shift with the times. But Jesus never changes. Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” The key to success is following, not simply admiring, Jesus. Hebrews 12:2–3 reminds us of two specific truths about Jesus: He endured the cross. The word endure means “to abide under; to keep going courageously.” Jesus endured the shame and pain of the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2). Although we may not face the type of persecution He did, there will be some things we must endure. James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” There will be times in this next year when it seems the battles just keep coming. When they keep coming, we must keep going. He endured the contradiction. Jesus knew what it was to face opposition from other people. During His ministry on earth He encountered many who refused His message, mocked Him, and outright contradicted His claim that He was the Son of God. Yet, in these times, He remembered His purpose was to do His Father’s will. Psalm 69:20, “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.” When it seems others are against us or are not supporting our purpose, we must remember that Jesus experienced the same things we do and that He’s there for us cheering us on and giving grace to finish our race for Him. B. We’re Pursuing a Pattern. Hebrews 12:3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Many things in life are easier to learn and do if we are first given a pattern to follow. God knew this and He sent the perfect pattern to us, His Son. When we “consider Him,” we consider His example. Jesus, in fact, is our ultimate example. I Peter 2:21–23, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” As we “consider Him,” we also consider His endurance. Jesus endured the contradiction of sinners and the shame of the cross. He did not quit, and neither must we, not on our marriages, not on our families, and not on our God. I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
When we reach the end of our race and see Him face to face, we’ll realize everything we’ve done and everything we’ve endured for Him was worth it all. Philippians 2:16, “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” May Christ be the theme of your heart in 2024. May you consider His will and example, and follow Him in His steps each and every one of the next 366 days (Leap Year 2024) for His glory. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keep On Keeping On! (Hebrews 12:1-3) – PART 3
II. The Pace of the Race For many people, running is an intimidating sport. It’s not the idea of running that’s frightening. After all, we were made to use our feet in this way, so running requires little advanced instruction. The hang up for many people is the pace. They become overwhelmed, thinking, “Sure, I could make it to the mailbox or maybe the end of the street. But what about everything after that?” Many times we don’t set the New Year’s goals we should, whether to be more faithful to personal devotions or to become a closer-knit family, because, when we think of all that is involved to reach those goals, we become overwhelmed. But God will not try us above what we’re able to do. His pace is sustainable, and He designed this race to be obtainable. He wants everyone to be a winner. A. It’s a set pace. Hebrews 12:1, …and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Notice we are to run the race, “set before us.” Our life race is specific. No one runs forever. Every day is a gift from God, and there is a set length of time that we are given to be on the earth. James 4:14, Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Paul knew that the only life worth living was the one in which we run our best race with God every day. II Timothy 4:6–8, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Life is short. Live it to the fullest for Jesus Christ. Don’t squander the time you have on earth trying to run someone else’s course or comparing yourself to others; rather, invest your life wisely for Him. B. It’s a steady pace. Hebrews 12:1, let us run with patience. Hebrews 12:1 not only instructs us to run, but how to run: “let us run with patience.” Runners training for a marathon are often advised to begin slowly, gradually adding miles to their weekly runs but keeping a consistent pace to avoid early burnout. While sprinting is suitable for covering short distances quickly, applying that mindset to a longer race will only result in fatigue and failure. Just as in a marathon, the Christian’s race is won one step at a time. It was not meant to be a sprint; that pace is unsustainable for a lifetime. We must find a steady pace and be patient to keep at it. You don’t have to read the whole Bible by January 3. You don’t have to develop a lifetime habit of personal devotions in a single week. You just have to keep going, keep putting one foot in front of the other. If we are patient and faithful, although each day may not show impressive progress, by this time next year we will rejoice in discovering how far we’ve come. One thing is certain as we set out on our race: there will be trials. And we must be patient when they come. James 1:2–3, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. That word patience means “steadfastness, constancy, or endurance.” In the New Testament, it describes a person who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose. No matter how difficult trials may be, God can use them to strengthen us. Things that you never could have foreseen will present themselves in this next year, and they may threaten to derail your progress or to distract you from your purpose. Be patient; determine that you will not be swayed from your purpose. God has a plan, and it is not a plan to cause you grief or harm; it is a plan to develop you, for your good and His glory, into the person He made you to be. God’s great men experienced plenty of trials, and they also had times of testing; Abraham, Joshua, Paul, and many others were tested in their faith. In these times we must be patient as well. James 5:8, Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. In Athens, long ago, games used to be held in honor of Grecian gods. One such game was the torch race, a race of torchbearers, run at night in honor of Prometheus, the god of fire. The starting point was a mile and a half outside the city, in the olive grove where Plato met with his Academy and where a sanctuary to Prometheus was built. The winner was not necessarily the first runner who reached the finish line. The winner was the runner who first reached the finish line with his torch still burning. Running with a burning torch requires pacing and patience. This year, keep your torch, the light of your testimony of the Gospel of Christ, lit as you run your race. Run with patience, stay in love with Jesus, and be faithful to God. If you can do these things despite the trials and testing that will surely come your way, you will be victorious. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keep On Keeping On! (Hebrews 12:1-3) – PART 2
I. The Preparation for the Race (Hebrews 12:1) This race is the lifelong test of faith that we experience during our time in this world (Hebrews 10:23, 38; 11:1-40; 12:25; 13:13). The race must be run with perseverance, persistence, patience, and endurance (Hebrews 10:36; Philippians 3:12-14). The way of victory for us is the same as that of the saints in Hebrews 11, pressing on to the finish, past difficult circumstances or harsh opposition (Hebrews 6:11-12; 12:1-4; Luke 21:19; I Corinthians 9:24-25; Philippians 3:11-14; Revelation 3:21). God wants each of us to be prepared for the race He’s called us to run. He speaks to the issue in Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” As we prepare for the race of the Christian life in the New Year, we must first consider two important tasks. A. Remove the stumblingblocks. The first-century Olympians, the early runners of the Greek games, typically wore robes throughout the day. These flowing garments had to be set aside for the races. Although they were necessary to one part of life, the robes were a weight, unhelpful and unnecessary for the purpose of running a race. And while we no longer use robes as daily public wear, today’s Olympic athletes will still set aside certain activities or habits in order to focus on their training so they will perform better in the Games. There are many things in our lives that must also be set aside if we want to run our race effectively. While not all of these things are necessarily sinful, they are activities, items, or passions that must be set aside if we are going to run a good race for the Lord. Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” As the army of Alexander the Great was advancing on Persia, it seemed at one critical point the troops might be defeated. The soldiers had taken so much plunder from their previous campaigns that they’d become weighted down and were losing speed and effectiveness in combat. Alexander commanded that all the spoils from previous battles be thrown into a heap and burned. His men complained bitterly but soon saw the wisdom of his order. With his insistence on ridding his men of the weight of their plunder, he assured their victory in future battles. Someone later wrote, “It was as if wings had been given to them, they walked lightly again.” Certain hobbies, friendships, habits, or activities commonly creep into our schedules and our lives that are really just clutter. They weigh us down because they occupy time or mental focus that should be given to the Lord to fulfill the responsibilities and opportunities which He has given to us. We must set aside everything that will hold us back from going on for God, any sin or just plain old clutter that keeps us from being who God wants us to be, and be renewed as we get back to focusing on Him. Ephesians 4:23, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” B. Repent from sin. The word repent means “to change your mind”, or “turn away” from something. If we are to run a good race, we must not only remove hindrances, but we must also turn from sin. Hebrews 12:1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” J. Vernon McGee said, “As Christians we have the privilege to run our race for the glory of God. We need to stay focused on what God has called us to do and not get sidetracked on the meaningless things of this world. We need to give our all for Jesus and run with purpose. The race must be run by laying aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” We are to remove anything that entangles or hinders our race for Christ. Anything that would cause you to stumble or get sidetracked we should reject. The sin that easily besets us is that sin that constantly discourages us or brings shame, the one we continually come back to despite knowing it will always bring us trouble. Many Christians deal with besetting sins of pride and procrastination. These sins, and others, will hinder us from going on for God like we should. The race must be run with an awareness that our greatest danger is the temptation to give up and give in to sin. We must make up our minds that in the New Year we will put aside these sins so that we have no distractions from our race. We must once and for all put aside the sins that have repeatedly gotten the best of us and kept us from growing as we could in our relationship with God. This means that we must stop making the same foolish choices that have led to these failures. We must also determine to put aside things that are not necessarily sinful, but neither are they beneficial in helping us move ahead with Christ. These things are simply dead weight that keep us from devoting greater time and attention to time with God; they do not help us grow spiritually. Psalm 18:23, “I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.” If there’s a besetting sin that you need to turn from today, the good news is it doesn’t have to win. Repent today. Ask God for cleansing and healing, and determine to live rightly before Him. If you have tried in the past but struggled to gain ongoing victory, share your struggle with a spiritual leader and ask for prayer support, and perhaps counseling or training specific to the sin which you are battling. To run a good race in the New Year, one thing is certain, we must prepare for it by laying aside every weight or sin which would hold us back. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keep On, Keeping On! (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Hebrews 12:1–3, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” As the days approach toward December 31 and the beginning of a new year, many people begin to consider changes that they want to make in their lives. From year to year there is little change in the top New Year’s resolutions: losing weight, getting a better job or education, volunteering or undertaking some charitable project, and several others. Regardless how the last twelve months have gone, it seems the New Year is uniquely suited to resolutions to become fitter, healthier, happier—to become new people. All too often, however, this “New Year, New You” attitude is not long-lasting. In fact, if the statistics can be believed, almost 25 percent of people who set New Year’s resolutions don’t keep them through the first week of January! Perhaps part of the reason we fail is because we tend to set unrealistic goals; but part is also because, although we know what we need to do, we’re just not prepared. We are unsure where to start, how to maintain progress, or how to keep focused, and we end up just giving up. We often hear others say a New Year is a chance to begin again to be the person you were meant to be. Yet, most people fail to accomplish the goals they set each year because they are unprepared for the trials and challenges that will come their way or because they lose sight of what they are working toward in the first place. When it comes to the goals we set for the race of life, we must realize Jesus is not only our prize, but He is also the pattern we must follow if we want to be successful. Throughout the Bible, God uses illustrations to help us understand the nature of the Christian life. Keep on! These two words are critical to the success in the Christian life. The Biblical word is endurance or perseverance, the ability to keep on doing the things you have committed yourself to doing when you feel like it and when you don’t feel like it. Nothing is more essential to success than endurance. Faith gets you started; perseverance keeps you going. This matter of endurance is so critical to the Christian life that James 1 tells us that above all other human traits, this is the characteristic that God is trying to build into your life and mine. Perseverance. Keep on going. Keep making and keeping the commitments of life. James 1:2-3, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” God uses trials to teach us perseverance, giving us the ability to remain under pressure. Paul had finished his race; now the author of Hebrews was challenging the runners to finish theirs. If we plan on doing anything for the Lord with our lives in the coming year, we too must lace up and get on the track and in the race. We must accept the great privilege of beginning a year with God during which only He knows what is in store. Many try to predict what will happen in a country in the course of a new year, but the truth is no one knows what the year will hold: not a government, the media, or so-called economic or climate experts. Our course is known only to God. Every moment of a new year is a gift from God. If we want to make the best of these moments we must first take time to prepare, so that we know what to expect. This week we stand on the hinge between 2023 and 2024. Looking back on 2023. Perhaps you had some pretty significant peaks and valleys. Praise God for them. Praise God that at this year’s end, you can stand before Him in faith and humility and say, “No matter what is behind me, I will keep on keeping on”. Now looking ahead. You can’t know what 2024 will bring, but you can be sure that God’s mercies will be new every morning. Start each day with fresh faith in Him and a commitment to perseverance. Prayer: LORD, You have chosen the course for my life. It’s been both exciting and exhausting. However, I have a fruitful life and a finish line I have to cross. I want to thank You for the patience and joy You have given me on my course. As I run this race, it’s my desire to praise You and to please You. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #25 - Christmas Morning (Luke 1:26-39)
Christmas Morning (Luke 1:26-39) Luke 1:26-39, “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda…” When we study and investigate the lives of some of those involved in the Christmas story, we see that Mary was the favored one, Jospeh was the faithful one, the shepherds were the following ones, but most important, Jesus was the forever One. We find the name of Jesus. His name is a delightful name, a delivering name, a dazzling name, a dear name, a dominating name, and a durable name. We find the claim of Jesus. Though He began His physical, earthly existence, it was not His beginning. John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.” We find the aim of Jesus. It is no wonder that His birth was announced by the angels, wondered after by mane, witnessed of by stars, and influential in changing human lives. He was Deity surrounded and enclosed by human flesh. We find the fame of Jesus. Jesus is the dominating and most outstanding character of Christmas. He is the Word (John 1:1-3, 14); He is the Light (John 1:4-13); He is the Son of God (John 1:15-18); He is the Christ (John 1:19-28); He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29); He is the King of Israel (John 1:43-49); He is the Son of Man (John 1:50-51). He is the revealer and reconciler between heaven and earth, revealing and reconciling God to men and taking men to God. 1. His Reality. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word.” A. His Destination. Revelation 1:18, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” His Omnipresence. He said “which was”. Was before what? Before anything else. No one but God can be before time and after time and in time at the same time. B. His Durability. John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.” He was before Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, or anyone else, but He is also after them. His Omnipotence. Jesus has no Birth Certificate. A birth certificate is proof you were born. Jesus has nothing to prove. Everyone else has to prove where they came from. Since Jesus came from no one, He has nothing to prove. Since He was before everything, He came from none of them. C. His Declaration. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word.” His Omniscience. “Word” is from “logos” which means to speak a message or words. Words reveal our mind and heart, so Jesus reveals the heart and mind of the Eternal and Almighty God to man. A word is made of letters. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, everything from the first letter of the Greek Alphabet to the last one. 2. His Relationship. John 1:1, “...and the Word was with God…” A. His Company. The word “with” means “in company with”. Notice, nowhere in the Bible does it describe a characteristic of God before God Himself. The Bible does not say “light is God” but “God is light”, “love is God” but rather “God is love.” It does not say “spirit is God” but “God is spirit”. It does not say “God is Word” but “the Word was God.” This is an important Doctrine. Why? Because many cults, liberals teach that Jesus became God at His baptism and ceased to be God at His death. But before we ever saw the “Light”, experienced the “Love”, received the “Spirit”, or heard the “Word”, He was God. A person is judged by the kind of company he keeps. Jesus was “by the side of God” in eternity past. B. His Cooperation. John 8:29, “...for I do always those things that please him.” John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” God was defining Himself in the Person, the Body of the Lord Jesus, and at the same time, Jesus was “in the bosom of the Father.” How can this be? Deity is the only explanation. Only God can be in two places at the same time. Fully Deity and fully declaration. Fully in Heaven and fully on Earth. I’m speaking about Jesus Christ. 3. His Revelation. John 1:1, “And the Word was God.” The Jehovah Witnesses, in their New World Translation, translate this verse incorrectly as, “And the Word was a god.” The King James reads, “And the Word was God.” A. The Prophets Predicted Him as God. Isaiah 9:6, “…Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” B. The Epistles Interpreted Him as God. I Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” “Without controversy”. It will never be disputed, debated, or sued in court with a losing case. There is more than enough evidence to prove that He’s God. C. The Believers Experience Him as God. II Corinthians 5:17. The change He has made in our lives prove He is God. In John 1:3, “All things were made by him.” When you purchase nearly any item, you’ll notice labels reading, made in Japan, made in China, made in U.S.A., etc. When you look around in this world, everything has His label on it. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #24 – Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) PART 2
Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) This is Part 2 of a 2 Part devotion. You can visit yesterday’s post for Part 1. Luke 2:6-7, “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” God could have given us anything, but He knew what we needed most. And so, on a long-prophesied night, in a stable in the town of Bethlehem, He gave us His presence. The story is told of a Persian king, a wise and good man, who loved his people and wanted to know them more personally. He wanted to know how they lived, to see their hardships, and hear about their struggles. So he dressed in the clothes of a working man and began visiting the homes of the poorest people in his kingdom, careful not to reveal his identity as their ruler. On one visit, the king met a very poor man who lived in a cellar. The king asked if he might spend the evening with the man and the man agreed, sharing his meager dinner and making pleasant conversation. The king later returned to visit the man again and disclosed his true identity, half believing the poor man would ask for some gift or favor to elevate his station in life. But instead the man thanked his king for taking the time to visit him. “You left your big palace to spend time with me in this dark, dreary place, and that brought gladness to my heart,” said the poor man. “To others you may give rich gifts, but to me you gave yourself.” Remember that God had foretold not only the time, but also the place of Jesus’ birth. Micah had prophesied Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and that is how it came to pass. It is tradition in many cultures to celebrate the birth of a baby by showering a family with food and gifts. Hospital gift shops are full of items such as balloons and stuffed animals visitors may buy when being introduced to the new baby. But Mary had none of that. She went into labor and delivered Jesus in a stable—not a clean and sterile hospital room—and afterward she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths. This gauzy-type substance was not something most mothers would want to wrap their newborns in. Swaddling clothes were typically used as burial wrappings. The significance here is that Jesus Christ was born to die for us. I John 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” After wrapping Him, Mary laid Christ in a manger. We typically think of a manger as a wooden contraption with hay spilling out of it and of a stable as a barn-like building that was somehow cozy and inviting. The reality, however, is that stables more closely resembled cold, damp, dark caves, and mangers were hewn-out stones that served as feeding troughs for animals. What a humble scene for the birth of a King. The eternal Son of God was born in a cave and laid in a manger surrounded by animals because there was no other place for them to go: “there was no room for them in the inn”. Some people today still have a “no room” attitude when it comes to Christ. They don’t mind decorating their homes with bright lights, putting up Christmas trees, and spending money on Christmas gifts, but they don’t want to personally receive Jesus as their Saviour, or submit to His leadership in any way that would change their homes or affect the way they live their lives. In short, people have “no room” for Jesus. The material man has no room. For some people, life is all about how much they can get, how much stuff they can accrue in the shortest time possible. People like this would be wise to remember why Christ came in the first place - to bring eternal security, not to our investment accounts, but to our souls. Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The intellectual man has no room. Some people claim they are too smart to buy into Christianity. They pity Christians, believing we must need the crutch of religion to get through life. But those who have become so smart that they reject the Babe in the manger as the Son of God are in reality fools headed for destruction. I Corinthians 1:18–19, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” The religious man has no room. Many put their trust in a religious system, and may believe Jesus is part of the equation for eternal life, but many refuse to believe He is the complete answer. They will make room in their lives for a set of rules that make them feel righteous, but they don’t want Jesus to intrude on their closely-held traditions. The truth is that salvation has nothing to do with following a particular religion or adhering to a specific set of beliefs: it’s about receiving Christ as Saviour, and trusting Him alone for forgiveness of sins. John 1:10–12, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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.” Many material, intellectual, and religious people are filled with sadness and gloom despite their best efforts to buy or earn joy. No matter how much money they spend to make a good life for themselves, and no matter how they try to reason away the existence of God or blindly follow a church’s set of rules to be a good person, they are never sure if they’ve done enough to be able to make it into Heaven. There’s only one way to Heaven, and that way is Jesus. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We who know Jesus as our personal Saviour can have continual joy in His presence. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #23 – Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) PART 1
Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) Luke 2:1-7, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Christ’s arrival on earth at a dark time in history signified that God had not forgotten mankind. In fact, He had been orchestrating a plan to eliminate the burden of sin that separated us from God. At Christmas, perhaps like no other time, we are reminded that no matter what is going on in the world around us and no matter what burdens we carry, there’s always joy in the presence of Jesus. Christmas is about declaring that there is joy to be found because Jesus, whose name Emmanuel means “God with us”, was sent to earth so we could eternally be with Him. Luke 2:1-3, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.” “Those days” that are mentioned in Luke 2:1 were challenging days for the Jewish people. Rome, the greatest military power in the world, had conquered and was occupying Israel. And as if answering to a foreign power weren’t enough, the people had to obey Caesar’s edict of taxation. It was hardly a time for joy, especially considering that Joseph and Mary were forced to walk the 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes while Mary was about to give birth to Jesus. But even in these dark days, God’s providence, His timely preparation, is evident. Caesar may have been ruler, but God was in charge. Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” But God didn’t just prophesy the birth of His Son, He also made it all come to pass. 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Peter 1:9–11, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” As theologian A.T. Pierson said, “History is His story.” President James Garfield said it this way, “History is the unrolled scroll of prophecy.” How wonderful that there was a script written by God long before we were ever born, and that all the events of this world, even those we don’t understand, are working according to His providential plan for the fulfillment of His will. Jeremiah 1:12, “Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” Caesar Augustus was the most powerful ruler in the known world at that time. His empire was vast and he ruled it with an iron fist, using his great army to keep order and maintain the Roman roads, among other things. When Caesar issued the imperial order that the entire Roman world pay taxes, he no doubt did it partly to benefit the empire and partly to fill his own pockets. But as another ruler recorded in the Scriptures, God holds the king’s heart in His hand. Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” God used Caesar’s edict to fulfill His own plan. Though they did not understand it at the time, Joseph and Mary had to be in Bethlehem in order to fulfill a 700- year old prophecy about the birth of Jesus. Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Nothing that happens in this world can override God’s pre-written timetable of Biblical prophesies. He is sovereign and in control of it all, even when we don’t see Him working. God’s sovereignty over history is not seen only in relation to political structures, we see it also in our personal problems. Think of that distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem, and of Mary’s expectant condition. Why would God give them such a problem at an already difficult time in their lives? They were expecting their first child at any time, and they were not wealthy people who could afford to make the trip in comfort. Surely there would have been dangers on the road to consider as well. Why would God allow difficult situations into any of our lives at a time when we already have enough burdens? He does it to lead us where we need to be in order to fulfill His purpose in our lives. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Things may have seemed difficult for Joseph and Mary, but God did not allow them to endure this challenge from a desire to see them suffer. Rather, He was allowing them to participate in His plan, leading them to the right place at exactly the right moment. And when we’re overwhelmed by trials in our lives, we must remember God has a plan and a purpose for everything we go through. When we see our trials through His perspective, we can find joy in His providence. Jesus Christ’s birth brought joy unspeakable to the world. An Army chaplain in World War II finally made it back to America on the first Christmas Eve after the war was over. He'd been overseas for nearly two years and hadn't seen his family in all that long time. He called his wife and told her that he was home, and if everything worked out, he would be in sometime late that night. That meant he would be home in time for Christmas. Mom was thrilled. The two of them decided, though, not to tell the children, just in case something happened, and also, so it would be a surprise on Christmas morning. The next morning "Christmas morning" when the children were all gathered around the tree to open their presents, the white sheet on which the presents had been placed suddenly stirred. From among the packages arose the children's father, like a Christmas present that comes to life. The children celebrated with excitement. You can imagine the joy which that family experienced that Christmas. The children had only expected presents, but they found their father instead. Their father gave himself to them for Christmas, and that is the meaning of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. God has come to us. Our Lord comes to us and bears our pain. He does not stand far off from us when we are in distress. He comes to us and stands beside us. In our times of need, we are blessed and comforted by His presence. He comforts us. In fact, the Bible talks about His comfort and how to have it in your life. Please Visit Tomorrow For Part Two of This Devotion. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #21 - The Night Shepherds Became Missionaries (Luke 2:8–20) – Part 2
The Night Shepherds Became Missionaries (Luke 2:8–20) This is Part 2 of a 2 Part devotion. You can visit yesterday’s post for Part 1. Luke 2:15–16, “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” After hearing this wonderful news, the shepherds determined to discover for themselves if what God had told them through the angels was true. And they did not take their time about it; they made haste to the Bethlehem stable where Jesus lay. Although the town was ordinary and the stable and manger were common for the day, there was nothing at all common or ordinary about the Person the shepherds saw lying in the manger: they saw the only begotten Son of God, the Saviour of the world. In an ecumenical era when society increasingly emphasizes a multitude of pathways to heaven, and people are increasingly tolerant to all religions and gods except for Jesus Christ, we cannot emphasize enough that Jesus Christ is the Son of the One true God, born of a virgin, who lived a perfectly sinless life, and died on Calvary’s tree for our sins. Matthew 1:22–23, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Many religious celebrations of the Christmas holiday leave out this most important reason for joy in the season. They take offense at the truth that Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, “God with us,” but their feelings make it no less fact. “God with us” is what we celebrate; “God with us” is what Christmas is all about. Jesus is the Son of God, but He also came to be the Saviour the world needed. Matthew 1:20–21, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Every man, woman, boy, and girl on the planet needs a Saviour because we all fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:10–12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Being a shepherd was not a glorious life-calling in those days. Some theologians have noted shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean and were not allowed into the temple. Further, their word was considered untrustworthy, so that they were not allowed to serve as witnesses in legal matters. Whether or not this was commonly known, what would’ve been certain is that shepherds were lower class citizens. They were poor and dirty men with calloused hands and clothes that likely smelled of the sheep they spent their days and nights tending. Yet God chose them to proclaim to the world that His son had been born. Some of the greatest preachers of the gospel and some of the most faithful Christians to share the Gospel have not been men or women born of especially high pedigree, or who had a life or education the world would consider impressive. Instead, what set them apart is that they had hearts yielded to God. God will use any humble servant who is surrendered to Him and who will do whatever God asks. The willingness of these men is seen in their actions; as soon as they had seen Jesus, they quickly went out to tell others. When the shepherds realized what they’d seen they couldn’t help but to tell others. Luke 2:17–18, “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” When we truly realize what God has done for us through salvation, paying our sin debt and securing heaven as our eternal home, we should not be able to keep silent about it but be eager to share. Psalm 66:16, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Knowing Jesus as Saviour is the greatest thing that can happen in a person’s life, and he or she should want to tell others about it. In fact, it is our obligation and great privilege to do so. The reason we know about secluded places like the Christmas Islands is because explorers encountered them in their travels and made known these discoveries to the world. And God’s plan for telling the world about the One who came to be “with us” to bring peace on earth involves people like the shepherds who encountered Jesus personally and were willing to make known their discovery to all who would listen. There are yet a few more days left of the Christmas season. Use the time to pause for reflection on the Son of God who came to earth on that first Christmas. Then challenge yourself to be one who is unashamed to proclaim to others why He is the only reason for the season. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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