March 17 – Seal of Ownership

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (NASB)

If you have ever been in a church service or revival meeting there is a good chance you’ve heard someone cry out “Amen!” They are agreeing with the speaker or preacher who hit on a point that means much to them. In some churches, the minister needs the congregation to be giving him Amens. Although the Apostle Paul is writing in the Greek language he transliterates a common Hebrew word of affirmation.  The word is used by Jesus when He would say, ‘verily’, or ‘truly, truly.’ Amen, amen, our God is very much involved in our lives. Today’s verses remind us of this truth. Paul’s, ministry was blessed by God in many places for many years. But Paul tells us the he didn’t do any of this by himself. He recognized that God was involved and directing his life and work. This is true for us too. God is involved in our lives. We don’t live by ourselves. When our faith stands firm in Christ it is because God establishes us to stand firm. And more than that, he seals us with His Spirit as a promise to keep us established in our faith. 

194

March 23 – Jesus said, “I Am"

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” - Mark 14:60-62 (ESV)

Our passage today from the Gospel according to Mark, covers the illegal trial of Jesus before the Seventy of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council).  Witnesses have lied about Jesus and twisted His words into things Jesus never said. The High Priest wants to find legal means according to Jewish law to condemn Jesus to death. In Matthew 26:63 The High Priest is puts Jesus under oath by declaring, “by the living God” and demands an answer, an admission or denial, as to whether Jesus considered himself to be the Messiah and the Son of God.* Jesus unequivocally answered, “I AM,” meaning, “I am indeed the Christ, the Son of the Blessed.*” In fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, Jesus refused to reply to the false accusations or open his mouth to defend Himself. Now He responds with an absolute by saying, “You said (it), I am the Messiah, the Son of God.” Therefore, His meaning is a majestic, assertion that He is indeed The Anointed of God. “Yes, I AM.” He confirms that He is the Messiah. Our promise from Jesus is that one day we too will see Jesus come again in power with the clouds of heaven.

199

*The title “Blessed One,” used in this way is only here in the New Testament, is a Jewish substitute for “God”. The Jews avoided every opportunity to say or even write the name of God YHWH and instead created substitute titles known to be references to God.  These two titles of Jesus both refer to His claim to be the Messiah. The Jews also know very well the implication behind the name “I AM” for that is the name claimed by God YHWH Himself.

June 9 – God Who Demonstrates

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  -  Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Take notice in today’s verse that the word  “demonstrates” is in the present tense and the word “died” is in the past tense. “God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Why did Paul used the present tense, instead of the past,  “God demonstrated?”  Was not the death of Christ, when it happened, the ultimate demonstration of God’s love? And did not that demonstration happen in the past? The present tense implies that this demonstrating is an ongoing act that keeps happening today. And will keep happening tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.  God continues to demonstrate His love to happen.  And so, we should keep this in the front of our minds.  Even when things are tough, frightening, confusing and discouraging.  God sent Christ to die not after we believed but before, because of His unending love.  The past tense “died” implies that the death of Christ happened once for all and will not be repeated.  But he also knows that this past love must be experienced as a present reality (today and tomorrow) if we are to have patience and character and hope.

-198-

Material for this blog was gleaned from Dr John Piper’s Desiring God   

November 30 – Hearing the Essential Message

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (ESV)

Most of us have many opportunities to hear the Word of God. Not all people have the opportunities we have in a free society. What difference does that make to us?  So, when we hear His Word taught what effect does hearing it have on us?  The Word says in our verse of promise today that we will find our faith from receiving the substance, the truth found in the message about Christ.  It is the word of God that the Holy Spirit uses to awaken a response of faith within us, and it is the reliability of the Word of God on which we rest our faith for salvation.  If our hearts are open to the message of Jesus Christ when we receive it, our faith is increased.  The paraphrase called “The Message” renders our verse this way,  “The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.”  The words of Scripture are the words of eternal life. This is why proclaiming the gospel is absolutely necessary.

# # #

December 12 - Who is Christ the Lord

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (ESV) 

At the time of the birth of Jesus, there were several messages from heaven which told people on earth what an important event the birth was.  One message came through the angels who came to announce the birth to the shepherds near Bethlehem.  We read about this message in Luke's record in and today's verse from chapter 2 is part of that message.  We've considered that when the baby born in Bethlehem was given the name Jesus, this meant that He would save His people from their sins.  Now in our verse today the angel mentioned that He came as our Savior.  We also notice in our verse now that the baby would be Lord.  That is also a very important name.  When we see pictures of the manger scene with a baby lying there, let's remember that He, Jesus our Lord, deserves honor from us in our lives each day.  He is our Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  It is good to understand Jesus, had the title Christ which means, “the anointed One”, or “the chosen One.”  Jesus is His human name as announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:31), and Christ is His title, as the promised, chosen, anointed, Son of God.

What does Christ mean?

#-#-#

Please take a moment to share with friends.

March 18 - Seal of Ownership

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)

Our God in heaven is very much involved in our lives here on earth. Today’s verses teach and remind us of this truth. These words were written by the Apostle Paul who God used to start many churches during the first century after Christ’s ministry on earth. Paul was a great preacher and teacher whose ministry God blessed in many places for many years. But Paul tells us the he didn’t do any of this by himself. He recognized that God was involved and directing his life and work. This is true for us too. God is involved in our lives too. We don’t live by ourselves. If our faith stands firm in Christ it is because God establishes us to stand firm. And more than that, he seals us with His Spirit as a promise to keep us established in our faith. 

January 15

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

These are words of encouragement for anyone of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and have become children of God. Our verse today is for God’s children urging us to remember what Jesus is doing for us every day. Jesus died for us making it possible for us to become children of God. When he returned to heaven after his death and resurrection He took His place at His Father’s side. Today He is there praying for us and this makes a tremendous difference for us. Our verse reminds us not to forget that up there in heaven Jesus is praying for us while we are living here on earth. We are connected by our new birth and eternal life. Remember today what our verse reminds us to do, “set your hearts on things above where Christ is.”

December 29

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIV)

The end of the year is a time for reflection and a time for inventory. People involved in business use this time to find out what assets they have to start another year. It is a good time for us as Christians to remind ourselves what our assets are. The blessings which God has given us are a wonderful treasure. His promises are of great value which we are not really capable of assessing. But we know His power is available to us each day. Is not that a great asset? Let us not forget to thank Him and trust Him daily. 

December 25 - Christmas Day

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The good news of the birth of Jesus was for everybody. The following verse, which we read yesterday, explains that the baby would be a Savoir – a very special Savior for He was Christ the Lord. And this Savior was not just for a small group of shepherds. He had come to be a Savior available to everybody – for all the people. The news from heaven was about a great joy available to everybody. We should never forget this. And what is it that brings us joy at Christmas? We should enjoy having time with friends and loved ones. We should enjoy the gifts. But the really greater joy comes from knowing our Savior. So enjoy the eternal life he gives and the assurance of His presence with us. And, if you do not know the Savior, you can right now – believe and receive the gift from God and you will have great joy and eternal life.

December 24 - Beginning of Hanukkah

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NIV)

On the very night that Jesus was born the angel came to tell the shepherds about the event. God chose the shepherds to be the first to hear personally. He said “a Savior has been born to you.” The shepherds needed a Savior and they could personally benefit from His birth. Believing the words of the angels, the shepherds went to find the newborn baby. After seeing and marveling at the event, they returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, exactly as it was told them. I would like to suggest that each of us can apply that message to ourselves personally. Jesus was born for you and for me, to be our Savior. Each of us needed a Savior and He came for you and for me. What a great difference this has made in our lives. Let us listen to the angel’s message – “He is Christ the Lord.”

*Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

August 15

“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NIV)

Among the lessons which we as Christians should learn is how dependent we are upon God. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, tells them that he was learning this lesson. He was a very intelligent and capable man and he had received a good education. But he did not depend on any of his own personal abilities. He recognized that it was God who was producing the results. So it is with us. We may have various personal abilities but they are of real value only if God is working through us. Let us depend not on our abilities, but on God’s presence and His working in and through us

May 21

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:28-29 (NIV)

This is the testimony of the apostle Paul. Was he doing his work as a teacher of the gospel in his own strength? No, of course not, that is the point of this verse. It was a struggle to encourage people to grow in their faith but Paul struggled with energy from God. And did you notice what he felt about the help God was giving him? He said God’s energy was working in him powerfully. What has God given to you today to do that you are struggling with? God’s energy is available to you and me too, and it will work powerfully in us as we yield to Him and trust Him.