The Four Works of Christ

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Romans 8:33b-34 It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.     Thoughts for Today:   Salvation and eternal life are secure for the believer because of the following four works of Jesus Christ: 1. Christ died for our sin. His life was delivered as payment for our transgressions. 2. Christ was raised from death to life. He was raised for our justification. 3. Christ is seated at the right hand of God. In our passage today, Paul tells us Jesus "is at the right hand of God". We also know from Mark 16:19: "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God." If by comparison we look at the temple or the tabernacle we see no seat -- no place to sit. Why? Because the work of the Old Testament priest would never be finished. However, just before He died our Great High Priest Jesus Christ said in John 19:30, "It is finished." So why is Jesus seated? Because the work is finished. 4. Christ is interceding for us. Did you pray this morning? If not, you should have. But not to worry, whether you did or did not -- because Christ is right now making intercessions for us. These four works of Jesus Christ are the reasons why no one -- before God -- can condemn the acts of His chosen people. We have been forgiven.     Questions to Ponder:   God's chosen people are "justified sinners". His sovereignty, authority and power stand behind us. Why? Because Christ's death and resurrection removed all condemnation. Isn't that beautiful? Then why do we continue to beat ourselves up over sin? Isn't it time we fully embrace the power and majesty of God's sacrifice?

He Speaks in Our Affliction

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Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.     Thoughts for Today:   This society of ours seems to be dedicated to removing every last bit of suffering from our lives. But try as we might, we cannot completely eliminate suffering. We might not be so anxious to avoid suffering if we took a moment to look at it from God's perspective. Consider the following: Job 36:15: "But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction." I don't know about you, but during my greatest periods of suffering is when God has spoken to me most clearly. (Or perhaps I was more attentive.) Hebrews 12:7: "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" All too often we view hardship (suffering) as punishment. In fact, we often see discipline in much the same way. But isn't teaching a child to become successful through discipline -- in thought and action -- one of the goals of fatherhood? Psalm 119:50: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." While in suffering I've also learned to depend exclusively on the Lord -- sometimes because there was no other choice. The point Paul makes in our passage today is twofold. First, these periods of suffering provide insight into what it is like to have a close, personal relationship with the Father (in other words, the closeness we experience is a preview or a taste of the "glory that will be revealed in us" for all of eternity). And second, whatever pain we suffer will be nothing when viewed from an eternal perspective.     Questions to Ponder:   Here are three Biblical perspectives on suffering: First, there is suffering that simply must be endured without losing faith. Second, there is suffering meant to teach a lesson. Third, there is suffering to share in, understand, and depend upon the sacrifice Christ made for us. Which are you going through right now? Have you been steadfast in your faith? What attitudes need changing?

It's the busiest season of the year

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Don't forget to share hope this Christmas!

It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season. This year, set your heart and mind on what really matters. Be intentional about pressing in to God – and sharing the love of Jesus with others with these Christmas-themed pocket-sized Gospel of John CELEBRATE THE REASON. “I want to shine the light of Christ into the lives of the lost this Christmas season through the Christmas gospel of John booklets. I’m excited to bless them with a gift of the pocket gospels that could change their lives.” - Phyllis L. from Lancaster, PA

Scripture Works!

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Romans 10:11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."     Thoughts for Today:   In our passage today Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16b: "...the one who trusts will never be dismayed." The King James Version of this passage is: "...he that believeth shall not make haste." So what is the appropriate translation? Is it: never be put to shame; never be dismayed; or not make haste? What is the difference? All of these translations encapsulate the meaning of the Hebrew word chuwsh, which means to "flee with alarm". In other words, Jesus is never going to embarrass, He will never disappoint or discourage, and we won't need to rush off in a hurry because we're either humiliated or disheartened. Why? Because Scripture works. It works in our lives and it certainly works when shared with other people. We never have to wonder, "I hope they understand, I hope it takes, I hope they don't think I'm a fool." Have confidence, Scripture works. Trust in Him! Whoever submits to Jesus' Lordship will never be disappointed. His Word guarantees it.     Questions to Ponder:   I just love writing and teaching about Scripture. Why? Because it works!      I see lives changed, new careers found, marriages healed, children reconciled with parents, new friendships discovered, and people just simply doing so much better than they were before. Scripture works. Is Scripture working for you? Is it in your heart, in your mind and in your life? What about at work? At home? In your car? Surround yourself with Scripture and you too will experience the goodness and provision of the Lord.

Not Too Difficult or Beyond Our Reach

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Romans 10:8-9 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.     Thoughts for Today:   Is Jesus known through philosophy? What about theology? Jesus is only known through a child-like simplicity. We come to Him with belief in our hearts that He died for our sins, rose from the dead, and is alive. We make this confession with our mouth, "Jesus is Lord -- my Lord, I believe in my heart that He died for my sins, He is risen, and I am forgiven." So what happens? We are saved. How does it work? I'm not sure. Is it just that easy? Yes. In our passage today, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30:14. Let's take a moment and look at the preceding verses (Deuteronomy 30:11-14): "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." God has made it easy for us. All that's required of us is to profess with simple words our simple faith. Why do we make it so much more complicated and difficult? The word is near us -- in our mouth and heart. It's simple. Why? So we may obey. How? Just believe and confess.     Questions to Ponder:   Have you ever felt that sharing your faith was just too difficult ? Haven't had all the answers, so you've left evangelizing to "professionals". The Bible tells us, "the word is near us -- in our mouth and heart." We don't have to worry about coming up with the right words. God has placed His Word all around us. All we have to do is -- obey. Will you share your faith today?

The Cornerstone and a Stumbling Stone

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Romans 9:32b-33 They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."     Thoughts for Today:   This is a quote from Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16. Previously, Paul makes the point that Israel has tried it's best to follow laws which should have led to righteousness, but was left without it. However, their greatest error was in ignoring and rejecting the final step in God's plan for redemption. Ephesians 2:20-21: "...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." Consider Jesus' words in the following two passages: Mark 8:34: "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' " John 6:37: "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." So what does all of this mean? Answer: If we are to be saved we have a responsibility. What is it? To say "No" to the sinful nature ("deny self"), and faithfully follow Jesus. Paul tells us the Jews tried to pursue a righteousness of their own by following the Law. It didn't work for them and it won't work for us. We too will fail if we attempt (like the Jews) to arrive at righteousness through our own meager, self-serving, and prideful enterprises -- it is our "stumbling stone". Perfect righteousness only comes from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.     Questions to Ponder:   In John 8:37, Jesus spoke these words to the Jews: "I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word."   Jesus asks us this same question today: Do you have room for My word? Do we keep the teachings that suit us, and throw out the ones that don't? Give it some careful consideration: What has Jesus said that causes you to stumble? Are you like the Jews? What teaching are you ignoring?

Less of Me, All of Him

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Romans 9:16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.     Thoughts for Today:   One of the hardest lessons I had to learn as an adult was to rely on God's mercy versus my own drive, desire, or effort. I would ask: "How can it be with God -- that less of me means more of Him?" I think this question is well answered by the words of Saint Augustine: "We must be emptied of what we are full, so that we may be filled with what we are empty." Too often mankind looks upon God's mercy as recognition or reward for the work we've done. We think our efforts cause God to look upon us with more favor. However, if God rewarded our desire or effort with His Mercy, then we would be filled with pride because of what we had accomplished. The election of God is not something we can run for, earn or win. It does not depend on anything we do. Do you know why God saved me? It certainly wasn't because of anything I did. God saved me because He is God and He had mercy on me.     Questions to Ponder:   Of what are you full? Pride at what you've accomplished, or gratitude for God's mercy? We must lessen so He might increase. What is your perspective? Which of your attitudes need adjustment?