Jesus the Christ

So Jesus goes from Galilee to Judea. In the middle of the celebrated feast He goes into the temple and teaches.

 

He says, 'if any man thirst, let Him come to me and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture has said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water. (here He was talking about receiving the Holy Spirit which would be given once He was glorified).

 

The response by those listening was...
He is the Prophet
Some said, this is the Christ
But some doubted and said, shall the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scriptures said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?

 

Did they recognized something in Him; His teaching with authority and the miracles? But did they discounted it only because they didn't realize he was as the prophets had declared - The seed of David and out of the town of Bethlehem.

 

I wonder what their response would have been if they realized that the very One they were looking for was standing right in front of them?

 

I found this comment on a website and talking about the probability of only 8 prophecies about Jesus be fulfilled, with the answer as 1 in 1017...  That's 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000.

“The fact is, the birth, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are celebrated worldwide by folk of every race, language, and colour, every year. And believing in Jesus, they have been delivered from the most evil, disastrous, frustrating, debilitating habits and life forms possible. The real problem with Jesus Christ is not that folk can't believe in Him—but that they won't believe in Him.” My friend, in all honesty, what are the chances you've not been altogether objective about the nature of the baby born in Bethlehem? What if the baby was God? What if He is God? What if you are to submit your life to Him?

 

 

Seeing Life through the Lens of Jesus Christ

I was just now thinking how really blessed I am. And this doesn't come because I have not had any trials or issues... but as this quote puts it....

 

Seeing life through the lens of Jesus Christ.
Some of us wear glasses. It seems that the older I become, the more my lenses seem to change. No matter what pair of glasses any of us may wear, the lenses are designed to help us to see more clearly. The metaphor of a lens is also appropriately used to help us figure out how we a...re to see life. In a nutshell, it’s why we’re spending a year studying Jesus. He is the lens through which we are to see life.

 

So, it is my 'life's journey' (not a year) to learn of Jesus, His heart and ways. Walk together, do life together, and in learning of Him and His ways I know that His perspective will take seed in my heart and become mine. I only want to see life through His eyes.

 

These thoughts started with me thinking about how blessed I am with my job. God knows the circumstances and how it fits into my life. Just recently my hours have dropped but I see that I can use the time to prepare for classes that I am now involved in.

 

God knows the future!

Let Peace Rule

I was listening to a message on Col 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

It is pointed out that in this context he is helping the Colossians to live in unity and ensure peace within their fellowship. To get along with each other. To put off things which mar your communication and put on mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing and forgiving one another ...as Christ has forgiven you; so, let the peace of God rule in your hearts; members together, peace in your hearts for each other.

I always saw peace rule in your hearts as individual, and our help for guidance (peace through the Holy Spirit - an umpire), which it is, but within the above context - the preacher is encouraging the dwelling together in unity and in love. Let peace rule!

Be together and dwell together.... having:
The peace of Christ in our fellowship
The word of Christ in our fellowship
The Lordship of Christ in our fellowship

I just shared it with my friend and she said
in joyfulness..... 'oh, its a ONE ANOTHER verse'. 

(Simon Manchester - St Thomas Anglican Church, North Sydney)

T

The

T

We Are In The New

Imagine this...

John the Baptist is standing in the Jordan. He has been sent by God to water baptize people in preparation for the coming of a new Kingdom. He knows that he will witness the coming of the Messiah.

One day he sees Jesus coming to him and he knows in his heart (revelation) that this is the Lamb of God (the sacrifice) who will take away the sin of the world. No one else could do it.

Jesus and John talk; John is hesitant to baptize the Messiah, well aware of his own need to be baptized and cleansed by Jesus.

So John baptizes Jesus to fulfill all righteousness, and as God has told John to watch, he sees the Spirit, the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and remaining on Jesus, revealing in certainty that Jesus, who stands before him, is the Christ!

And in that moment, John says....he knows... that Jesus is the One. The Christ who has ALL authority; authority to save people from their sins, and power to baptise with the Holy Spirit. And there, John, in knowing, gives witness that Jesus IS the Son of God.

And John's journey here is near it's end.

The handing over of a prophet under the old covenant to He that was prophesied of, as Saviour to bring in the New.  The beginning of the 3 year journey to Calvary. A journey of love. Signs and miracles following Him. A witness to His being the Messiah. A Saviour, a Friend. The only One who could set the captives (that's you and me) free. Free by way of the cross, His death for our sin. And to think, that as you believe in your heart, by a divine act of God, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. The Spirit birthed in power in you, make this all a reality; yes, you are free!

You are His. Forgiven. Restored to God. Free. Death defeated by the Righteousness of One, the Christ. That which had been prophesied years before.

So, as believers we have the very Spirit of God; the same Spirit at creation that hovered over the waters; the same Spirit at the Jordan the day Jesus came forth, remaining on Him and raising Him from the dead. The same Spirit poured out at Pentecost.

His very Spirit is living in you and me.

His very Spirit baptizing you into resurrection life.

Wow!!! Imagine! The works He did; The witness, the salvations, the healings, the lives changed, the one's, the two's, the hundreds, the thousands. Think about His disciples; the prayers and the worship to God. The works, the witness, the salvations - God working through them. Nothing has changed, He is still the same; same heart, same power, same mission.

Believers..... His blood, His body, His Spirit!

The same Gospel, call and mission.

His desire is that none perish, and all come to repentance in Christ the Son. Restored to the Father.

To all who worship in spirit and truth!

To God be the Glory

.Amen