John 3:31-34 - The Divine Testimony of Jesus

John 3:31-34

31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.

Message: The Divine Testimony of Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: John has just mentioned that it is not about him getting the glory and it is Jesus that has descended from heaven and he has the authority. "He must increase, I must decrease." And he mentions, "this joy of mine has been made full." I didn't notice this previously. In decreasing, in Jesus increasing, his joy is made full. This is something I don't think people understand or expect to happen - that is, when we give God the glory and make it all about Him, our joy is full. 

Verse 31, "He who comes from above is above all." Big statement here. Jesus coming from heaven is not simply someone descending from heaven. What is being explained is Jesus is above all. He is distinct. He is different. He is God in flesh. He is the presence of God descended to earth. And it mentions that He is different. He is different that what is on earth, born of earth. John (and I think this is John the Evangelist speaking) provides us information about Jesus. Jesus is different. Humans have limitations. Jesus does not have limitations. Every person born on this earth has a limitation. 

It makes perfect sense to me that Muslims reject this book because it so clearly teaches Jesus as God. And others, like Jehovah's Witnesses, write a different Bible to shed that thinking. And Mormons come up with different meanings. We either accept it or we come up with a substitute or a different version of it. 

Verse 32 is an interesting statement for John says, "No one receives His testimony." No one. So Jesus comes from above, testifies of the above, testifies what He has seen and heard, and no one receives this. No one? Is this, "no one" or "no one yet" or "no good examples?" The tense of this verse is present. Maybe what is going on is, at this moment, no one is believing. So of the group that are before him. 

Going back to chapter 2, John recorded these words in verse 23, "Now when He (Jesus) was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men." Perhaps the people before right now are these that are believing and maybe believing because of signs that are occurring, but not really believing Jesus as God in flesh from the presence of God. Maybe that is what is meant by "No one receives His testimony."

My Open Bible refers back to Isaiah 53:3, "He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him."  

The word here for no one means no one. And yet it seems to be a deep feeling of exaggeration. In John 3:26, John speaks and "He (Jesus) is baptizing, and all are coming to Him." Again, an exaggeration here from John. Not all, but it sure feels like it at the time. 

I think this is important to grasp and look at and remember because there are a lot of absolute statements like this in the Bible. And as we study and look at this words, we need to remember this and think about it and remember, the writers are humans with emotions and yet God is inspiring them to speak and teach and so the words are still infallible. 

The very next verse seems to contradict at first glance as it says, "He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true." Yet, this phrase is past tense. The previous verse present tense. Right now, no one seems to accept His testimony, but those who "received" or those have already received His testimony. This is the same received as John 1:12 and those that received became children of God. John seems to be making a point about receiving. And that even at times it is different from believing. This must be intentional. Again, back to John 2:23 and those that believed. And yet John 3:16, they believed. Maybe one is believing in what He did and the other is believing in Him. 

And believing they have, "set his seal to this." They have affixed a seal. This is more permanent. They have been stamped. God is true. That is the stamp. God sends Jesus and He speaks His words (v. 34). "And He gives the Spirit without measure." He has all the fullness of the Spirit. At the baptism, "the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him." The Spirit is at Jesus's disposal. John 20:22, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." Jesus has the Spirit to give to all. 

Summary: Jesus comes from God and is God, different from finite man, speaking the words of God and has the fullness of the Spirit. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Many people see Jesus as a wise human teacher, but that is insufficient. He comes from God’s very presence and speaks God’s very words. To fail to obey Jesus is to fail to obey God, so let us seek this day and every day to obey our Savior."

Prayer: Father God, your word is alive. It speaks and conveys clarity to me. It is thrilling to read and study and understand. Thank you for John and the special way he speaks and thank you Holy Spirit for illuminating me with understand. Keep me humble and certain that You are the one. Thank you for those that came before me and through study and understanding help me to understand. These are your ambassadors, indwelt by Your Spirit. What a joy it is to now study with them. Thank you for your word and the consistency of it. Help me to understand it more and impart it to many. Praise you God. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Various Scripture - Names of Jesus

Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:20

Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then REPLAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

Acts 13:23

From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

Message: Jesus the Christ - The Hidden Messiah - Jesus the Lord - Jesus the Son of Man - Jesus the Savior

What the Lord is Saying: In the first chapter of John, I am amazed at the different names that are given to describe Jesus, such as Word, Light, One, Him (masculine), Son of God, Lamb of God, King of Israel. Tabletalk in these last 5 lessons for this issue takes a moment to look at these names. 

The name that is attributed to Jesus the most is Christ. Tabletalk states, "“Christ” is simply the English translation of the Greek word christos, which is itself the translation of the Hebrew term mashiach or “Messiah,” which means “anointed one.” Although there are many anointed one's (prophets, priests, kings) in the Bible, Jesus is the fulfillment of a final or overarching anointed one of all. Matthew 16:16 states, "Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

As I also look at Jesus the Messiah, I see that in latter part of the BC period, after Judah fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, they were not free again and they were eager for an anointed one or Messiah to give them freedom and reestablish an earthly Jewish Kingdom. Isaiah 53 also mentions that in addition to the Messiah restoring the kingdom the Messiah would also sacrifice by death on behalf of His people. Jews often overlooked redemption from sin and focused on political salvation. 

People stating they were Messiahs happened in the 1st century and so this is one of the reasons Jesus told others to not tell others that He was the Christ, as is stated in Matthew 16:20, "Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ."

From Tabletalk, -- “Lord” is the English translation of the Greek word kurios, which is typically used in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, to translate the Hebrew tetragrammaton—the covenant name of the God of Israel. That is, when the ancient Greek translators translated God’s name Yahweh, they typically did so using the Greek word kurios. Lord can be applied to persons but more enough it is ascribed to a deity. Peter and Paul called Jesus Lord and as monotheists they were claiming Jesus to be divine. As in Acts 2:36, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." 

Jesus Himself used the name Son of Man to refer to Himself 79 times, and 3 more by others. Some believe Son of Man refers to His humanity, but the reference is to Daniel 7:9-14 is "one like a son of man" who comes into the presence of the Ancient of Days---God Almighty---and receives a kingdom and authority over creation (see Acts 2:14-36). Daniel saw a vision of Jesus returning to the Father for his coronation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords after the completion of His earthly ministry. Matthew 16:27, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then REPLAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS." 

Finally, we look at Jesus as Savior - our rescuer. 2 Samuel 22:3 David refers to the Lord as "my savior" and so rescues him from war and his enemies. Isaiah 38 refers to Savior as one being rescued from illness, such as healing. Also, saved from sin as in Ezekiel 37:23. Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

Summary: Jesus is the Christ, Messiah  Lord, Son of Man and our Savior. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways we see you described and what it tells me about the reason Jesus you are needed as the Christ or anointed one that has saved us from our sins and even from all of life, the promised Messiah, our Lord and Only God, the Son of Man as you show me you are King of King and Lord of Lords and also Savior, saving me from enemies, illness and sin. You are holy and great. Thank you. 

John 1:19-23 - John the Baptist Identifies Himself

John 1:19-23

19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,' as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Message: John the Baptist Identifies Himself

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Previously in verse 6, John is identified as sent from God. And now in verse 19 are more specifics about John and how there were those that questioned him and his identity. Those questioning him, as listed in this passage, were Jews, sent by priests and Levites. And they wondered if he was the Christ, Elijah, the Prophet. 

In my attempt to date John the Baptist and his ministry, Matthew 3 records the baptism of Jesus which is about AD 29. Malachi is on record for about 422 or 425 BC. The last verses of Malachi state, "5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” 

The writer John saw the importance of specifying this information about John the Baptist. I always want to remember this when studying the Bible. I tend to write a lot of thoughts on subjects and ad lib, but this is the Bible, inspired by God, and I believe every writing has been directed by God to be included. 

John, in responding to the questions from these questioning him states who he is not, probably to make sure that they know this as these were questions he would guess them wondering. His responses are specific. And as to who he is, he is a little general, but fulfilling a prophecy from Isaiah the prophet as recorded in Isaiah 40:3-5 -- 

3  A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (ESV)”

In verse 3, The LORD is Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel. Does this means that John is making a connection with the Lord Yahweh and Jesus? Matthew 3:3 quotes this as well. This is significant and calls attention to the significance of the New Testament and the writes that seem to be connecting Jesus to Yahweh, Jehovah God. And yet there are those worldviews that will interpret this as still being only Jehovah, the God of Israel, and nothing to do with Jesus. 

Summary: John the Baptist states who he is not (Christ, Elijah, Prophet) and who he is - a voice crying out to make straight the way of the Lord/Jehovah/Jesus.

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We should not claim more about ourselves than is actually true, and we should be ready to proclaim Christ to the people we know."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are eternal. Your ways are not our ways and yet we seek to understand You and who You are. I know Lord that good people throughout the ages define you differently. You are Savior. You have atoned for sin. Thank you for John and bringing him on the scene. Teach me to understand You further, each day. Illuminate my understanding of You. If I have misunderstood anything about You, give me understanding. 

John 1:16-18 - The Full and Final Revelation of God

John 1:16-18

16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Message: The Full and Final Revelation of God

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: As I have been studying, John bore witness of Jesus and was His forerunner, preparing the way. We are all to be like John the Baptist and bear testimony of Him. In building off of the previous lesson, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory." Through Jesus or by way of Jesus we see the glory of God. 

In verse 16, "For of His fullness we have all received." It parallels Paul's words in Colossians 2:9, "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; and ye are complete in Him (NKJV)." This is a remarkable statement that Jesus dwells all the fulness of the Godhead. Again, this is a clear declaration that Jesus possesses all that God possesses. And so in receiving Jesus (v. 12) we all receive God. What amazing words these are and what a clear connection there is here of God and Jesus. 

I love reading from Alexander Maclaren's and his words on this passage are great:

• for this is the very centre and heart of Christianity, that in Him who is Christianity God is not merely made known, but given; not merely beheld, but possessed.
• Christ is more than all His gifts. All His gifts are treasured up in Him and inseparable from Him. We get Jesus Christ Himself.

John says that we all receive "grace upon grace." From Tabletalk, "Interestingly, this phrase may be better translated “grace instead of grace,” suggesting the exchange of one kind of “lesser” grace, for “greater” grace." The greater grace is the grace of the New Covenant. Grace was present in the old Covenant. In the sacrificial system of the altar of the burnt offerings there were repeated sacrifices and then annually through the atonement; thus, we received a substitute for our sins. This was a form of grace for even in the sacrifice grace was imparted to people through the suffering of another: an animal. Man even in that situation was made right with God through no part of his own. But now in Jesus the grace is greater because it is once and for all. It is complete and never has to be repeated. Thus, John is mentioning the promise and the sacrifice of Jesus which to this point has not occurred but had occurred at the time of John's writing. 

What a wonderful statement and idea this is that I had not put together previously. Even the Mosaic Law had grace. It speaks to the consistency of scripture. The message of the Bible is the same from Old to New Covenant, Old to New Testament. Grace went form annual to everlasting. As stated in verse 17, "grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ." What a powerful statement. 

And even more clearly - "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained." In Jesus we know God. Only Jesus. Exodus 33:20, "But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” No one can see God and live and so with Jesus, in Jesus we see the fullness, the glory, all that God is. 

Summary: All that we know of God we have in Christ. His grace is everlasting and greater than repeated annually. 

Promise: Let us rejoice to be partakers of the new covenant and look to Christ for the fullest revelation of God.

Prayer: O Father God, you are glorious and your message is complete and penetrates my entire being. I have such reverence and fear of God and yet Jesus it clearly states in Your word that the fullness of God is found in You. Thank you for the consistency of your scripture and how grace is interwoven throughout the Bible. Lord, may the clarity of Your Word shine forth into people's lives. May you pull the blinders off of people and remove any obstacles. We want to behold You and You alone. All truth is complete in You. 

TABLETALK - August 2017 Article Summaries

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament. 

Purpose of the Church

Our Arena for Growth - It is being at church, present, that we are to be equipped, build one another up, in order to grow in maturity. Communion in Gifts and Graces - As believers joining in Christ’s sufferings we have community, exercising our spiritual gifts, in order to grow up the Body of Christ. Receiving and Giving God's Love - We come together because of His sufferings, but once we are together, we are to be about exercising our gifts to build up and grow one another, and it is done with love. 

Significant People from Church History

The Witness of Polycarp - Athanasius' Defense of the Incarnation - Thomas Aquinas and the Knowledge of God - John Calvin's Offering to the Lord - Jonathan Edwards and the Beauty of Christ

What I've learned from this study

As I finish this study now on the church body, I am left with the conclusion that church is not optional. That we must assemble with one another and that community is something we all need. First and foremost, it is important for each of us to come together regularly and agree on the principles of the gospel and that who we are is because of Christ and we are to boast in Him and what He has done for us individually and collectively. For the sake of the gospel, we are striving to be a part of the invisible church which is the church only God knows because only He knows the true condition of each person's heart. What we are doing as we assemble is meeting up with the visible church or those that we see. Yet, we must realize that there are those with us that are not part of the true church. And we are not all alike that are in the church. The church is made up of people from every tribe, every tongue, throughout history. And the church is more than one place. The invisible church I believe is made up of people in all walks of life, attending all different types of churches and denomination of churches today and in history. I think we need to be careful to avoid the temptation to boast in anything but Christ and this includes boasting that our church is the only true church. As such, we need to remember that we are all still fleshly beings with temptations and are influenced daily to live in manners more pleasing to Satan than God. This happens even in the church. But Christ is the head and we need to be centered on Him. Once we are in church, we need to submit to our leaders. A church needs to be committed to preaching the word of God and observing the sacraments - The Lord's Supper and Baptism. We need to keep encouraging the Gospel, turning from our sin, and returning to Him. And just as there is service and work in our world, it is to be present in our churches. We are all members of the Body of Christ. The church leaders that are often paid are not the only members, but we are all to be serving with the gifts that He has given us. Why? To grow me and to grow one another. This was probably one of my biggest learning aspects in this study and that is that tendency in me to be selfish. And the reminder that in serving I am to be about helping others grow. This is why ministry continues to call me in life - to talk to people at the mall, online as I do, and others face to face - and I need to do this at church as well with that Body of Believers. This is what life is really about - getting myself grounded but then also serving others to help them grow in Christ. 

Here also is a summary of the articles from Tabletalk for August 2017. 

Searching for Truth - Dr. Burk Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine) - As a pastor, when people find out he is one, they react in many different ways. Most of the time their response will be to start asking various questions. We are inquisitive people by nature and in this age, many are searching for answer's to life's ultimate questions. Pastors do have a responsibility and probably more opportunities and yet like a pastor, each Christian is a theologian and apologist. Every Christian is to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (I Peter 3:15). As people ask questions, we must be ready to speak and the Holy Spirit will give us courage and compassion to speak the truth in love. It is the Holy Spirit that opens people's eyes and makes them alive to the glory of Jesus Christ. 

The Role of Experience - R.C. Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - We live in a time when personal experience or personal feelings have been elevated to the final criterion of right and wrong (e.g. divorce and no longer feeling like being married; homosexuality based upon the feeling of being attracted to the same sex; even Christians made decisions based upon how they feel). People always said the 4 minute mile could not be achieve, then Roger Banister in 1954 achieved it. Experience is a good teacher, but the problem is when we see it as always the final authority. Experience is not a license to disobey God. Some people claim an experience with the Holy Spirit that led them to do things contrary to scripture but this is impossible. Only the creator can be the final arbiter of right and wrong. 

Is There a God? - Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson - (Ligonier ministries teach fellow and author of many books; previously served as senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C.) - This question is both easy and hard to answer succinctly. First, to answer the question - "Why is there something there, and not nothing?" The cosmos, my existence, and my ability to reason all depend on the fact that life did not and could not come from nothing, but requires a reasonable and reasoning origin; time + chance = reality is impossible. Second, this God is the biblical God for 2 reasons: God grounds what we know of the cosmos and His existence is the only rational basis for rational thought and communication. Atheists must borrow ultimately from the tenets of the Bible to even define their thoughts. What is good, true, rational, intelligible, and beautiful has no substructure. Even my conscience is fabricated as is "meaning." The Atheist has traded what is plain to them and repressing what they deep down know to be true: Romans 1:18–25. Our hearts are restless until we find him and begin as the Bible begins with, "In the beginning, God..." 

Is the Bible the Word of God? - Dr. Michael J. Kruger (President & Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC) - Skeptics often question the Bible, calling it fanciful stories, but it is a Spirit book and "the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God" (I Cor. 2:14). (1) - Scripture itself has divine qualities - it convicts (Heb. 4:12–13), it encourages (Ps. 119:105), it comforts (v. 50), and it brings wisdom (v. 98). All others have woven together a single, coherent message. (2) - God worked through man to reveal His word at the correct time; despite much scrutiny, the words are proven to be historically reliable. (3) - It is a book with words that people have been using, trusting, reading, and applying for thousands of years. Jesus even said: "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).

Does God Care? - Dr. John Blanchard (1932-2021; apologist and teacher; director of Popular Christian Apologetics) - Atheists say no God; deists say God marks the field and watches from the grandstands. Yet the Bible says differently. After Adam and Eve sinned he said, "Where are you? (Gen. 3:9). And then he would send a redeemer to rescue them. And throughout history, God's care for his people is recorded. "He delivered them from their distress (Ps. 107:6)." Despite all Job went through he stated to God, "your care has preserved my spirit (Job 10:12)." We often don't treat God well and then David asks, "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Ps. 8:4). Hard to comprehend and yet "because He cares we can cast all of our anxieties on him." (I Peter 5:6-7). And as He cares for us we are tasked to take care of others, of "orphans and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27). 

Is Jesus Really God? - Dr. James R. White (author, director of Alpha and Omega Ministries) - Read the words of Jesus and the writings of the disciples, in their context, and Jesus being God is the conclusion. (1) Jesus at His trial. When the chief priests were trying to find testimony to put Jesus to death - "Are you the Christ?" "I am. You shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power." The priests heard this statement and accused Jesus of blasphemy (Mark 14:55-54). Looking further at Psalm 110:1 - My Lord (Jehovah) says to my Lord (Adonai). David is writing and Adonai is a person of authority and based also on 110:5 - The person of authority is the Messiah. And Daniel 7:13 - There came on like the Son of Man, like of human descent - Not merely a man, but the Messiah. (2) Jesus defending the healing of a man on the Sabbath by stating both He and His Father (God) are able to work on the Sabbath showing God His Father and Himself equal with God (John 5:10-18). (3) Jesus states he has authority over life - and states He will lay His life down and take it up again or rise again (John 10:17-18). (4) The disciples speak - Titus 2:13 - God and Jesus Glory appears; 2 Peter 1:1 - God and Savior are righteous; John 12:41 - His Glory; This language is not merely of a man. He is worthy. We cannot be neutral about Jesus. He is worthy of our praise. 

Is There Only One Way of Salvation? - Dr. James N. Anderson (Associate professor of theology and philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary) - "Have it Your Way" was the Burger King Slogan of the 1970s and as in consumerism this same message is brought into our thinking of how we achieve heaven or the afterlife or acceptance by from God. Yet, Jesus was clear - only those that believe in Him have eternal life (John 3:14-17). It is a clear message from Jesus. He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:6; Matt. 11:27). As CS Lewis says - Either He is Lord over all, or He is Lord at all. The charge is arrogance to the Christian and yet we do mean that all other religions are wrong. And yet we are a people that often wants to negotiate in matters of life and death. In medicine, it seems ludicrous to not accept the cure for a disease and yet we all think we know best. Yet, God will not compromise His truth. His way is the only way as is voices by His apostles (Acts 2:39; 4:12; 16:31; 20:20–21; Rom. 10:9–17; 1 John 2:22–25; 4:14–15; 5:12–13). Yet, it must be that we truly do not understand the problem - that we are sinners standing under the righteous judgment of God, unable to make adequate atonement for our sins. Only Jesus removes this enmity between God and man, bearing the penalty for our sin (Rom. 5:6–11; 2 Cor. 5:18–21; 1 Tim. 2:5–6). 

Is God Unjust - Jared S. Oliphint (Phd. student in philosophy at Texas A&M and Th.M. student at Westminster Theological Seminary) - In the garden, Adam took the bite of forbidden fruit and God introduced earthly justice, resulting in his death, though it was a delayed sentence. But God also showed grace and mercy, two new ideas. God's people ask God to end betrayal, slavery, exile, and death. God's justice is fulfilled on Good Friday. Ultimate rest from injustice will be found in a new, eternal home. 

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People? - Dr. Greg Lanier (professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary) - Bone cancer in children, terminal cancer, abuse of a neighbor's child, terrorist bombings, hurricanes devastating entire islands. Important to distinguish between the head/intellectual side and heart/emotional side. Does the suffering of good people disprove God? 1. The question assumes there is "good" and "evil." Thus, a standard, hopefully a Godly one that determines right and wrong. "Evil" people do not think they are themselves evil. 2. Presupposes that suffering matters because humans have a unique dignity over animals and we are not randomly on this earth. Rocks and trees do not suffer. 3. There can be good reasons from God for suffering (punishment for sin Judges 2:11-15; display God's justice Rom. 9:19-26; driver sinners to repentance Ps. 119:71; the death of Jesus accomplished the good of salvation Acts 2:22-24; 4:8-12). 4. Despite evil and suffering, God is still benevolent to people. The idea of "do good, receive good, do bad, receive bad" does not hold true. Despicable people can prosper. "the sun rises on the good and the evil; rains on the just and the unjust Matthew 5:45." In other words, God's ways are not man's ways. It is inevitable, thus our response together, with one another, is to comfort one another with the loving comfort we have received from God (2 Cor. 1:3-7); grieve with people (Rom 12:15); bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2); and point people to Jesus who will wipe away every tear and one day all will be fixed (Rev. 21:4). [My observation: the conclusion is God knows best and He is in control. I still think sin is evil and has far reaching results on mankind that go even beyond quid pro quo in which there is a favor for a favor. And in general man thinks they know best always and always wants to be in control.]

Are the Bible and Science Compatible? - Dr. Keith A Mathison (professor of systematic theology at Reformation Bible College) - The issue here is how one defines the Bible and science. If one is a book of fairy tales and the other a book of facts, then obviously there will be conflict. Christians believe God is infallible. He reveals himself through his works that we see and read about in His Word. He is always truthful so if we think there is a conflict then the problem is our interpretation. Because humans are fallible, if there is a problem it is always man, never God. Science is not to blame. Science reveals to us the works of God. General revelation is God revealing Himself through His created works. Special revelation is God revealing Himself through His word. Between the two there is no conflict. For example, some find in scripture words that infer the earth as a flat disc and yet if it is true that it is a sphere based upon what we see and what science says, then the problem is our interpretation. How we interpret is always the cause of misinformation. Science and scripture are compatible unless we make them incompatible. Science is not the problem. False philosophies masquerading as science is the problem. As usual, it comes down to interpretation.   

Who Are You to Judge? - Gregory Koukl (president of Stand to Reason and author of Tactics and Story of Reality) - "Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1) is often misunderstood. To judge is to find fault. True moral guilt (admitting our fault) though is central to the Christian message. It seems acceptable to warn people that they may be caught by the law if they are breaking it (i.e. speeding in a car). Secular society believes that no one is allowed to pass judgment of any kind. Morality is now a matter of personal opinion. And yet this is not really true because judgment is warranted when it suits the secularist. Again, the complaint is against absolute truth. Often the thought is people want to be left alone. The best way to counter this is by asking questions. Ask "What do you mean?" This helps you understand what people are feeling as it is possible an apology is in order. Clarify that the standard is God's standard. Can also say, "Are you saying it's never right to point out a wrong? If so, they why are you doing it with me right now?" However, we are not trying to catch people in a fault or be clever, but we are aiming to have people recognize their sin, so that this will turn from it and toward the mercy of God. 

Is This Life All There Is? - Dr. Bruce R. Baugus (Associate professor of philosophy and theology at Reformed Theological Seminary) - God has put eternity in man's heart (Eccl 3:11). In each person is a deep seated sense that there is more to this life than this life. Humanity is fascinated with the afterlife; it is a cardinal principle of every religion. It is why living only for temporal pleasures rarely satisfy. Epicureanism (300 BC) argued that pleasure was the chief good in life; this is the way of living many Americans are in today. And yet the sense of eternity is stamped on our hearts. Jesus constantly spoke of the dilemma of man - 2 eternal states - a glorious kingdom of peace and a dreadful place of outer darkness. He issued sober warnings of each. And as such He asks people to receive Him by faith or reject Him. "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). 

Marriage as Two Pilgrims - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (Associate pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - The Christian marriage is different from other marriages around us: “they are heirs with you of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). Our marriage is centered on Christ and eternity. Our goal is the same as every Christian, but we go forth with it side by side. We are one flesh as Ephesians 5:28 says, “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.” As such, when one hurts, the other hurts, injuring a spouse is injuring both; encouraging a spouse is encouraging both. And each one know the other person's weaknesses, strengths, temptations and knows how to encourage the other person. Thus, we go forward as coheirs and co-laborers united in one flesh. 

The Fruit of Patience - Robert Rothwell (Associated editor of Tabletalk and resident adjunct professor for Reformation Bible College) - I struggle with being patient. But I would like to be patient. My problem is a fear of the unknown. If I know what is going on, then I don't have to wait. Yet, waiting reminds me of my utter dependence on God and His Word. Examples: Abraham brought on more struggles taking on Hagar to get a son instead of waiting for Sarah. Instead of waiting for Samuel, Saul lost his kingdom when he offered sacrifices at Gilgal. Fear brings impatience, doubt, fear, and often greater sin. The ancient Israelites waited 400 years after Malachi to hear from God again, and awarded with the Messiah. We wait on eternal life. But in me waiting doesn't mean God is not working. He is working, but moving according to His perfect plan and purpose. He is working according to His plan, not my own. I can be patient. 

Shining God's Glory - Melissa B. Kruger (women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church (PCA) in Charlotte, NC) - Two thoughts come to mind this morning - reading the Mark Stuart book and the meaning behind the song, "Never Gonna Be as Big as Jesus" and the reality in that song that we don't need to try. Jesus is who He is. I am who I am. I'm never going to be as big as him. So no reason to try. The other idea was at the end of the Sunday School lesson was not asking for opportunities but seeing the opportunities God gives me. They are there. Then I read this article that Melissa gives us about cleaning silverware with tarnish and a simple way of using aluminum foil and a bowl of water and dish detergent and waiting and in time, the tarnish would be transferred from the silverware to the foil. This is what Jesus did for us. Our sin got transferred. He took our sin and now we can shine of the glory of God. But am I shining? I'm not. I'm living in this state of misery and not shining. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake - he made him to be sin...so that in him we become the righteousness of God." The tarnish has been transferred. And I can shine the righteousness of God. I don't have to scrub myself clean. He made me clean. He did all the work. And now I can shine by loving Him, His truth, walking in His ways, and living in obedience to His commands. 

Discipleship and Growth - Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9Marks; elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Everyone disciples. Everyone leaves a dent on someone - toward righteousness or wickedness. What impact will I have? "Today, I want to help others follow Jesus." (1) Begin with love. We follow people who love us. (2) It works through instruction and imitation. "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (I Cor. 11:1)." "Speak the truth in love...to grow...build up one another (Eph. 4:15, 29)." (3) Discover differences in one another. "God arranged the members in the body as He choose (I Cor. 12:17-18)." (4) It is churchwide. Everyone needs each other (I Cor 12:21). (5) Do it to equip others to do the same (2 Tim. 2:2). 

Finding Contentment Through Boasting - Tyler Kenney (Digital content manager at Ligonier Ministries) - A condition of our fallen hearts is instead of rejoicing when we see God's goodness to others, we become envious, antagonistic to their happiness and discontent with our selves. All people experience this but the Christian knows they should respond differently for God has given us every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3) and we are to be content since we have all things (I Cor. 3:21; Phil. 4:11). Knowing and doing are different but the Holy Spirit is there to equip us. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul addresses a problem the church has in rallying behind a certain preacher stems from a worldly desire to exalt themselves through association. By favoring a certain leader, the people are trying to puff themselves up (I Cor. 4:6). Some boasted in Paul, some in Apollos, some Cephas, some Christ (I Cor. 1:12). Thus the world pulls us to divide our allegiance - be it sports, leaders, even preachers. Yet, Paul reminds people that we are all essentially nobodies and yet God is pleased to call us all His own. No one is to boast in men, but only in God; this is where true contentment lies. I Cor. 1:29-31 - no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

The Need for Rural Ministry - Kyle Borg (Senior Pastor of Winchester Reformed Presbyterian Church in Winchester, Kansas) - Author ministers in community of rural America, in Kansas, in a town of 551 people. He wonders if church associations are focused on rural America though it still makes up 15-20% of our population. In these cities, substance abuse, poverty, suicide, broken families, tragedy, and danger effect people at a larger proportion than those in the big city. Rural ministry is worth our time. We need to include these cities in our mission work and church starting endeavors. 

Keeping the Faith in a Faithless Age - Albert Mohler (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - (Note: I noticed online that this article was published in 2004.) - The Christian church is no longer the center of western civilization and right and wrong are being redefined. It seems modern people act as if God did not exist. The church must speak from the words of Scripture. 

A Time for Confidence - Stephen J. Nichols (President of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, chief academic officer at Ligonier Ministries) - Paul was one of the most intelligent people to ever live. He has every reason to have confidence and yet he counts all as loss for the sake of Christ. He never focused on Himself, but all instead on Christ. As we admire Paul and who He is and what He did, we can always see that there is someone else behind the scenes that is working everything out in Paul's life; and this is the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. The doctrine of justification is one of imputation. This teaches that our sin gets imputed to Christ. And Christ's righteousness gets imputed to us. In the presence of God we are now clothed in Christ's righteousness. In His passive obedience, He paid the penalty for our sins; in his active obedience He lives a perfect life. Thus, this is why not a day should go by that we don't rejoice in the Gospel. John and Charles Wesley are examples of men trying to get to God and then discover that Christ has done it all for them. In response, Charles wrote a hymn, And Can It Be. What made Christianity such a problem for Rome in the 1st century was its monotheistic stance and its desire to proselytize. Thus, being a Christian impugned you to death at any time and the death of Christians became a sport. Despite the fact that they lived exemplary lives, they were hated because of what they believe. Christus was hated and put on a cross and Christians are disliked even today. We still hold onto the truth of Gospel for we know it sets us free. 

Colossians 1:18 - The Head of The Church

Colossians 1:18 - He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Message: The Head of the Church

Time: Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church in AD 60-61 during his first imprisonment in Rome after the church was under attack and denigrating the deity of Christ. He penned it before visiting the church. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible God, containing within Himself the fullness of Deity. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Ecclesiology is the doctrine of the church. It represents probably one of the biggest practical changes in the church following the Reformation because how our churches are led and taught from the pulpit impact church life and church people. Up until this point, the people of God had mostly been Romans Catholic and the people listened to teaching based upon the Church Calendar and not simply ascribed to the written word of God, but also oral teaching. 

Headship of the church was a key ideology. Romans Catholic stated that Christ was the head of the church, but also inserted the Pope as the earthly head of the church. As such, as earthly head he can put forth powers and doctrines that can at times have a different agenda that the God of the Bible. It is a problem I continue to see today in other churches and beliefs (e.g. The president of LDS - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, Muhammed of Islam, Ellen G. White of the 7th day Adventist, and others). The Pope as well as other revolves. I think thought even denominations elect leaders, but hopefully it is to protect truth rather than define how all of the believers within that fold are to think. The argument from the Tabletalk article is that all of these other belief systems don't really have Christ as the head and yes, some don't even pretend to do this. But, I don't think it is always this simple. 

From Scripture and life we know that a Body has only one Head. Today's passage states that Christ is also head of the body, the church. And yet pastors and elders are appointed as under-shepherds that lead and guard His body (I Peter 5:1-5). The hope is that these pastors and elders are declaring to the people what Christ has already spoken in His Word. 

Personally, I believe this is still a hard issue. Case in point: we have so many different brands within protestant beliefs -- Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Reform, Seventh-Day Adventist, Evangelical Free, Churches of Christ, Assemblies of God. I saw on this site they have over 140 different belief systems under Protestantism. Now there are some groups on here that I know do not believe in the Trinity, but still there are so many beliefs that purport that they are the one's that have the right way. Thus, there are many different applications of truth and everyone can in some ways think that they each are in fact declaring what the Bible is saying and that Christ is even head of the church. In other words, what I am seeing is each body often believes they are the only one's that are truly holding to the word of God and doing things correctly.  I have found this to be true as I've spoken to people. 

I've always been enamored by this in life. I think it is interesting the diversity. And yet it is also unnerving. It is hard to reconcile. God I believe has placed me in the place where I am at, but even in that in my lifetime I have been a regular attender at Baptist churches, Church of Christ in college and non-denomination, Evangelical Free, and Baptist again. Most often it is Baptist where I reside. But, I am not sure that they always have the market on truth and I tend to respect that there are other institutions that are just as good but God has simply directed people to different places, to live, serve and minister. What is important to me is the doctrine of salvation - faith alone and that there is no semblance of any work. Infallibility of scripture, the belief in the trinity and the consistent upholding and study of the Word of God. I've visited churches where the Word of God is not studied, but rather it is more topical and even small group Sunday schools are reading Christian books. I think there is a danger in this and I prefer to stay close to those that hold to the Word and overall its traditional application. I'm concerned again when we start to change theology to make it more palpable to the world around us and what they are experiencing and thinking. We need to be different and let God make us relevant. 

Summary: Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Promise: Christian leaders need to be accountable to one another. We must be cautious of churches in which the pastor seems to have little accountability. 

Prayer: God, it seems clear to me that You have called us to be in church and to be in community with one another. You know me and even in this I've struggled to understand church at times and questioned things in it, but what I know for sure is we need this fellowship and I need this fellowship and community in my life. Lord, I wish we could be a people that shared truth, but then we would all be the same. I do pray that people would be drawn to truth and only You God would be their Lord. Keep helping me to discern You and lead people to You and You alone and help us be in environments that encourage this. Protect us from veering off course. Thank you God for being rich in mercy and grace.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.  

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. 

My Utmost for His Highest - April 5th - His Agony and Our Fellowship

Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 

Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

Matthew 26:36,38

     We can never fathom the agony in Gethesemane, but at least we need not misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and Man in one, face to face with sin. We know nothing about Gethsemane in personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary stand for something unique; they are the gateway into Life for us.

 
     It was not the death on the cross that Jesus feared in Gethsemane; He stated most emphatically that He came on purpose to die. In Gethsemane He feared lest He might not get through as Son of Man. He would get through as Son of God--Satan could not touch Him there; but Satan's onslaught was that He would get through as an isolated Figure only; and that would mean that He could be no Saviour. Read the record of the agony in the light of the temptation: "Then the devil leaveth Him for a season. (Matthew 4:11)" In Gethsemane Satan came back and was again overthrown. Satan's final onslaught against our Lord as Son of Man is in Gethsemane.

   
     The agony in Gethsemane is the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Saviour of the world. The veil is drawn aside to reveal all it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony is the basis of the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ is a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that Our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Every human being can get through into the presence of God now because of what the Son of Man went through.

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

Revelation 1 - Jesus and His Servant John

Revelation 1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Message: Jesus and His Servant John

Time: John mentions himself as writer of this book 4 times. He wrote it from the island of Patmos around AD 95. It is a book of eschatology (last things), first writing to 7 churches John had been involved with. It then deals with the specifics of the tribulation (4-18) and then Christ's dominance over the forces of evil and a re-creation of a place for the redeemed (19-22). 

What the Lord is Saying:

So after spending much time looking at Jesus, Christ alone and what it meant that Jesus came. I've spent the last remaining lessons looking at the encounters Jesus had with people. Nathanael, Samaritan Woman, Pontius Pilate, Two men on the road after his resurrection, Saul, and now John the Revelator (as Phil Keaggy would say). 

These words giving to John are events which must soon take place. John received visions or was in the Spirit of what would happen and he records what he sees in these writings. He speaks to the seven churches who released us from our sins by His blood. 

It is clear from this first chapter that Jesus spoke to John and he received a special experience from Jesus that has now been relayed to us. It reminds me that Jesus is involved in our lives. He is still speaking to us, through the Holy Spirit. We are really enamored and enthralled by this text. It has been a controversial text and many different people walk away from it with many different interpretations. To me, that seems fine. It is fun to understand the text but understanding it is not crucial I believe to my salvation. But, I do believe Jesus had this encounter with John and he is passing on that understanding through these words. 

Conclusions - I have spent a lot of time on this particular issue of Tabletalk. I started looking at in January, reading through the articles and providing a synopsis of them. I suppose I decided to be thorough in looking at the issue since I was taking so long to go through it and it wasn't until the end of March that I started my first post on the Divine Nature of Christ. The issue is about solus Christus - Christ alone. It has been very illuminating to me. It seems too small to simply say that Jesus has had a significant impact on my life and the life of us all. But, it also seems necessary to say that Jesus and His mission completes the story of our lives and faith. He is divine and this is significant though remains quite controversial. But, in addition to being divine he had a human nature, needing to eat, needing rest and being tempted, as I am daily. 

The lesson on Jesus as our Federal Head is an interesting one to me for Jesus makes us all alive as Adam ushered in sin to all men. It makes sense and yet it is truly a message that is difficult to understand for those that have not been given divine understanding of it by God. And it was followed up by saying that Jesus is the True Israel, the true Messenger from God and the one as our Messiah that will rescue and deliver His People. O how rich is this understanding of God and His word. 

These lessons were followed with understanding further Jesus obedience. For Him to be our Messiah, and Messenger and final substitute, he must have been completely obedient in every way - as he grew up and He also showed us the importance of baptism and how we are to respond to temptation and how Jesus fulfilled the Law. I am incapable of being obedient to the Law so the Law means something a little different to me, it first and foremost reminds me that I can't obey it but it was meant to be obeyed and Jesus did this. Therefore, I always return to Him for having saved me and done this. And in saving me He suffered. Sin has consequences and Jesus took on all of those consequences for me. 

Then there were lessons about Jesus' titles - Prophet, Priest and King. Again, what I see in Jesus is completeness and finality. He is the only Prophet that is needed. He spoke for God and He always accomplished God's purposes. He did it all so there is no reason for anyone else. He is our High Priest, clearing the way for us to approach the Father. And He intercedes for me. He is all I need. He is King. he is King of Kings. 

It is his atonement that makes me whole. He paid the penalty of sin for me, once for all, but also for all he has called. The reality is that not every person will be drawn to Him. And so while he can save all, he only saved those that He has called. And it is only by Him rising from the dead that I can rise from the dead. He conquered death and it is through my faith in Him that I share this resurrection. 

This lesson ended with Jesus and his encounters with people, reminding me that He is encounters us and meets us and what a joy this is to me, to all of us. 

Promise: Everything changes in our lives or should change in our lives when we encounter Jesus. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for these lessons. They've taken me a lot of time to get through but getting through them has been an absolute joy. It has reminded me Jesus how you have done it all for me. And that life is always about You. O forgive me for shying away sometimes from speaking of You. Help me to be a light for you and to encourage people as I can about You. Thank you for speaking so clearly to me through these words. Thank you for giving me new life and that life is all about You. Continue to give me discernment and knowledge of You and Your word. Bring to mind these truths in my life, as I live life, as I engage with people. I want to be like you Jesus and think and do the way you think and do. I praise your name and thank you for changing my life for not just now, but for all eternity. 

Mark 5:21-43 - The Divine Nature of Christ

Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” 24 And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him.

A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They *came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.

Message: The Divine Nature of Christ

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Overview of this Series

Tabletalk for this day states - Christianity is all about Christ, who He is and what He has done. Christ alone is head of the church; Christ alone is worthy of adoration; Christ alone saves.

In this study celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation (which was actually back in 2017), the Reformers sought to return people to Christian orthodoxy, echoing statements like the Definition of Chalcedon.

The Chalcedonian definition is a declaration of Christ's nature, adopted in AD 451 at the Council of Chalcedon. This was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451, at Chalcedon, a town of Bithynia in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey (on the north-western shore) and now Chalcedon is a district within Istanbul. The purpose of the Council was to come against the heresy of Eutyches. What Eutyches was saying at the time is hard to define, though it seems that he was stating that Jesus was not fully human. The Council was led to convene because of the talk that erupted and the off-shoots of this heresy. Heresy is making a statement that has been revealed by God and confirmed by the Church in which the person refuses to be corrected.

This definition stated that Jesus is one person who possesses two natures, a divine nature and a human nature, truly God and truly man. A nature is that which makes something what it is, those attributes that define it. The divine nature is marked by divine attributes of omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, self-existence, eternity, and so on, thus to have all the attributes that make God who He is. Thus, we are saying Jesus possesses every attribute that God possesses and is therefore truly God. The following study will talk of the Human nature of Christ.

Today's Lesson

For example, today's passage states in verse 23 that a daughter of a man is at the point of death. In Matthew 9:18 records that "My daughter has just died." In Mark, the man stated that she was taking her last breath and by the time of Matthew's record she had died. What Jesus does then is give life to this girl as stated in Mark 5:41, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" Genesis 1 records God creating life and now here Jesus is creating life.

Thus, in this situation is the first example of how it was recorded that Jesus, the man, also had a divine nature - giving life to this girl. 

Promise: Many respect Jesus, but only few see him as Lord and King and truly God and worthy of our worship. Jesus is the God incarnate creator.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the truth of Your word and that Your ways have been confirmed throughout history. Thank you for men that saw a need to convene regularly to declare who You are and re-confirm who You are through clear definition. Help me Lord to continue to better understand You through Your word. Help me Holy Spirit to see Christ for who He really is and help others to know the same.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of April is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God's Final Revelation

Hebrews 1:1-4
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Message: God's Final Revelation

Time: Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They'd done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews feared that they might now turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution.The opinions on the author of Hebrews has varied.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - In these lessons thus far, the focus has been on the doctrine of authority/scripture alone/revelation. I've looked at the difference between natural revelation and special revelation. Natural revelation is revealed through God's creation. It provides a testimony of God, but is not meant to save us. It hopefully helps lead us into a personal identification of our own sin, but often for the non-Christian, although it is there and God gave it, a person exchanges that revelation for a lie and worships the creation rather than the creator. God has given us special revelation through the prophets and apostles and also through the work of sending God, the Son, to earth to speak to man and provide man a physical representation of God, like himself.

As I study these forms of revelation, it is no mystery that many people still believe God can speak through special revelation today and after the revelation that ended with the Apostles. This study from Tabletalk comes from the Reformers of 500 years ago and they believed in the doctrine of sola Scriptura -- the only source of special revelation for the church today is the Bible. God does speak in many ways, but this passage in Hebrews voices that He has spoken finally and definitively in His Son. God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.  I can see the struggle because once it opens up the idea that God speaks through special revelation today, then who has final authority or which brand is the best. Instead of Christianity, is it Catholicism, Mormonism, Islam, Hinduism, Jehovah's Witness - who is it because all believe in special revelation today.

There is a three-fold designation of special revelation: God's Son (Jesus), other New Testament revelation/Apostles, and the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms - Jesus said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 

Beyond Jesus and his earthly ministry, there are other New Testament writers that speak beyond the Lord's earthly ministry, following His resurrection. These words come though from direct eye-witnesses of the resurrection. And only direct eye-witnesses can confirm other Apostles. Thus, special revelation ended with the death of the Last Apostle in the first century. Acts 1:12-26 records the candidates of Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias to the group of Apostles. The idea presented was a man was to be selected, but he had to be one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. The lot fell then to Matthias to join the group of Apostles and restore it to 12 after the departure of Judas Iscariot. It is interesting that the Gospel of Matthias is a lost book, so there was a writing by Matthias. So the Apostles were important and significant. Peter quotes from Psalm 109:8 to apply the words there of Let another take his office to support the replacement of Judas Iscariot.

Yet, we have the words of Paul written to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. It is spoken that Paul went to visit Cephas (Peter) and spent time with him - Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days (Galatians 1:18) and then also Paul with Titus is mentioned visiting Barnabas - Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me (Galatians 2:1). Paul had received a revelation from Jesus to visit them. It started with Jesus revealing himself to Paul at his conversion.

The conclusion is that God's final revelation came by way of the Apostles after Jesus was resurrected. In addition Paul testifies of a personal revelation from Jesus. I must admit confused a little by this, not from the sake of questioning anything he said, but because there are others that stated a personal revelation and have been rejected. I believe Paul's authority is not based though on this personal revelation but rather the thought that the eyewitness apostles commissioned him or confirmed him.

Promise: We should be content with what we have as after the dying of eyewitness apostles, the passing on of confirming authority ended.

Prayer: Lord, I do thank you for the study of doctrine. It is helpful for me to understand thinking and conclusions on these subjects that in many ways I have not pondered. Thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit in speaking to me. Help me to filter out my own understanding and trust instead in You Lord only. Give me wisdom in trusting Your word each day and being confident in your truth. Give me wisdom and understanding Lord.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with February being about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve.

Jude 5 - The Trinity and Redemption

Jude 5
Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.

Message: The Trinity and Redemption

Time: Jude, half-brother of Jesus, not the apostle Jude. His full name is Judas though shortened to Jude due to the problem with the name Judas (the disciple who betrayed Jesus). Jude placed his faith in Jesus after the resurrection and ascension. The book was probably written between AD 67 and 80, though it is difficult to date. Jude in his writing wants to expose false teachers in the Christian Community and encourage followers to stand firm in their faith.

What the Lord is Saying:

I must admit, these concepts at times are a little difficult to understand and write about and I'm not sure I'm doing a very good job at explaining. As a believer of 51, having trusted in Christ 1 month shy of my 15 birthday I'm discovering now in these lessons some doctrinal understandings I never knew. I'm still piecing them together. But, it is good for there are things about God and my understanding of Him that I know I haven't delved into much. I suppose there is a tendency in life to focus on those things that one is most comfortable understanding. Even as I try to understand this it is somewhat non understandable. There is a mystery to it. But that doesn't mean that faith is blind, just more intellectual than we often give it credit.

The primary subject of late is one of the doctrine of inseparable operations. This doctrine says that each person of the Trinity has the same divine attributes, but each person acts in a manner fitting to His unique personal properties. Unbegottenness is the unique personal property of the Father, begottenness is the unique personal property of the Son, and procession is the unique personal property of the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Godhead existed at the same time and has always existed at the same time. Thus there is a unity of essence among the persons of the triune God. Every act of God is from the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. There is togetherness, unity, yet personal.

The doctrine of redemption - God redeeming or saving or rescuing His people - is the thrust of salvation for each person. For me to say that God has saved me is to mean that prior to my salvation, I was in bondage to living a life apart from God, not of God, not pleasing to God, but pleasing to self and sin. And I'm seeing more and more that this idea of redemption or a need to be found is being weeded out more and more in society. I firmly believe that this societal focus on tolerance has made us all think that whatever one thinks about themselves and their own desires, they are fine to think this and we should all move to accept everyone for the way they seem to be. And yet fear and anxiety and depression remain a part of defining many people as there are extreme societal pressures to achieve and succeed.

The statement that every act of God is from the Father though the Son and in the Holy Spirit - is a compelling statement. This verse from Jude 5 will show that the act of God saving His people from Egypt is here spoken of something Jesus had done. The verse states the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt. The Lord is the Greek word Iēsous which means Jesus or Jehovah is salvation. Thus, Jude states the act of saving a people out of the land of Egypt is something that Jesus did. Deuteronomy 5:6 says - ‘I am the Lord (Yahweh) your God (Elohim) who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.' Thus, in these verses the Lord Yahweh and Jesus are saving people from the land of Egypt. God works from the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. The act of redemption or sanctification is subscribed also to the Holy Spirit like In 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. The work therefore of saving and redeeming God's people is performed by God, the triune God.

Promise: God loves his people. But we come to Him in need, not already complete. God saves us through the work of the Father though the Son by the Spirit.

Prayer: God, I praise you for loving me and knowing what I need. You have saved me and I thank you for helping me see my need for you. I'm saddened by the state of our world and how we often think we don't need you. Lord, change hearts and help people to see their sin. Give me patience with people everywhere. Work through the lives of my children. Keep them safe and draw them each to yourself.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.