The expression "Living Large" is described as, "Living an extravagant
lifestyle." Naturally, this refers to a worldly concept that is solely a
self-indulgent lifestyle. But for believers, if we were to think of
what Jesus did for us through His death, resurrection and glorification,
we to would come to realize that in Christ we too are "Living an
extravagant lifestyle." This does not insinuate that as the world we are
to be self-indulged, but truly thankful that all Christ is and has, is
ours. Jesus tells us, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However,
when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all
truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears
He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15)
Notice, "All things that the Father has are Mine...He will take of Mine and declare it to you."
The Apostle Paul tells us some wonderful things concerning what the
Father has given to Christ, Christ has given to the Holy Spirit and the
Holy Spirit has given (made all these things available) to believers. "For
you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you
received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:15-17) Paul continues, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) You might ask, "How could this be so?"
One of the things that bears witness to what Paul tells us is the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection is the proof of Satan's
defeat, man's redemption, which gave the Father the legal right to make
the believer a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Ephesians 1:7 also
bears witness with this fact, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Christ has made redemption both eternal and available to all who confess Him. The
moment one is born again, redemption is immediately ours and Satan's
dominion over us ends. Redemption has nothing to do with us, it is
according to the riches of His grace. We were crucified with Him, died
with Him, were buried with Him, suffered with Him, were justified with
Him, were made alive with Him, conquered Satan with Him, were raised
together with Him and are now seated with Him. (Romans 6; Ephesians 1-2) Hallelujah!!!
The resurrection of
Jesus is proof of our victory over the adversary. It is not theory, but
fact that cannot be denied. Every person who confesses Jesus as Lord
and takes Him as Savior, in the mind of the Father is a victor over the
adversary. Unfortunately, so few of the Father's children have seen this
mighty truth, that is, our victory was in the victory of Christ. When
Jesus broke the power of death, Satan and sin, His victory became our
victory. The Apostle Paul tells us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1) In the mind of the Father it was our translation, our deliverance, "from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Colossians 1:13)
I believe that the greatest message of our perfect victory over the adversary is found in Ephesians 1:19-23 "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far
above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name
that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
The same power that resurrected Christ and united Him with His dead body
to reanimate it and fill it with immortality is also in the believer.
Look at the wonderful Word from God through Paul to us, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20) We
are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) because of the life of God that
was imparted to us in the new creation. It is the power of God unveiled
in the resurrection that shook the foundations of hell. Today, when
believers know that they were raised together with Christ, when they
know they are victors in every situation and over every circumstance
they may find themselves in, then they know the fact that God has lifted
us far above all rule, authority, power and dominion, not only in this
age, but in that which is to come.
The Father gave Christ who is the head of the body to be master over all
the forces of the universe. Because we are His Body, the church,
therefore, God has put all things in subjection under the believer's
feet. Jesus gave to the believer a legal right to the use of His Name.
(Mark 16:17) He actually gave all believers the power of attorney so that in the
Name of Jesus every demon and every power should obey that Name when
spoken from the lips of the believer. There isn't anything too hard for
God. (Luke 1:37) God's ability is the ability that He gives to us, so
His resurrection
is the proof of our right to reign over Satan and demons. He was raised
because He had conquered Satan in our stead, so that we should no
longer live in fear, condemnation, guilt or inferiority of the unseen
forces of darkness.
This is great news. This is why we can consider ourselves as "living
large." We do this by God's grace and our faith in Jesus Christ. We do this knowing
that "we can do all things through Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:13) We do this knowing that “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) And we do this knowing "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) So let us live large. Let us "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10) Let us live large by grace through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. It is "in Him we live, move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)
Showing posts with label resurrection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resurrection. Show all posts
Monday, January 29, 2024
Life More Abundantly
Monday, April 6, 2020
Let Us Exceeding Rejoice
The word freedom comes with a variety of definitions, such as; the power
or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or
restraint; absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic
government; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Out of these
definitions, "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved," seems to
best sum up what Jesus accomplished for humanity. When looking through
the scriptures we find that God began the process of redeeming man as
soon as man fell, promising that a Redeemer should come who would break
the dominion of Satan and restore to man his lost dominion and standing.
Some of the most compelling passages of scripture concerning this
monumental event were foretold by the prophets, especially the prophet
Isaiah.
In Isaiah 7:14, we have a declarative statement of the incarnation, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Notice how this would come about, "The Lord Himself" emphasizing God's might and power shall give a sign or miraculous work and wonder for our benefit. What would this miraculous work be? "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son." She is to be a daughter of the House of David, (remembering that Christ would be of the House of David and that Joseph was not Jesus' father, God was) and she shall conceive and bear a Son and His name shall be called "Immanuel," that is, God with us. Hallelujah!
As we proceed forward, look at Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, (inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvelous) Counselor, (the great attorney of God's family) Mighty God, (all powerful) Everlasting Father, (having no beginning or end) Prince of Peace" (complete freedom from disturbance; complete quiet and tranquility). Yet, in all these glorious names, He would humbly come as the sin substitute for all humanity.
Turning to the four gospels, it is there we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane pouring Himself out in prayer as He was about to face the most horrific event that he would ever face. We see Him arrested, taken to the High Priest Caiaphas; insulted and struck; He is taken before Pilate, then Herod; He was mocked; see Him scourged, His back laid open, blood flowing, His flesh torn as the cruel blows fall mercilessly upon His bared back by the awful Roman lictor. His own clothes replaced with the mock garment of kingly authority; a mock crown of thorns pressed deep upon His brow; more mocking comes and His own clothes are placed roughly about Him, forced to carry the patibulum (a wooden beam weighting about 100 pounds) in which He would be nailed to. Heading to Golgotha, He staggering beneath the weight of the patibulum and fal1s to the ground. Rising from the ground, He again heads ever closer to Golgotha.
Weakened by the loss of blood from the merciless beating, He staggers blindly up the mountain side, surrounded by soldiers who encircle Him. He and the patibulum which He carried are laid roughly down upon the stauros (a wooden beam in which the patibulum was attached to form a cross). Next, Roman soldiers with cruel hate drive the spikes into His hands; then He is lifted up naked, and the Cross is dropped into a hole to support it. Jesus the Nazarene is crucified! We watch the mob as it surges backward and forward about the Cross. We hear the chief priest's hurling their bitter taunts in the face of the suffering Son of God. We hear the mob in their bitter denunciation, led on by their priesthood. Such a horrific sight. It was not a sight for angels, or for men, but for demons only, and yet the worse was yet to come for the suffering Substitute.
In see this unfold, we now have a better understanding of the prophecy spoken by Isaiah, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4) In the Four Gospels we see Him only stricken of man, but Isaiah sees into the spiritual realm. He sees the Redeemer as He hangs there,"stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." God is dealing not with Jesus' body, but with His spirit. Isaiah goes on, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6) Here we see God taking our sin and laying every bit of it upon the spirit of the innocent Lamb of God, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus, who is God the Word who became flesh (John 1:1, 14) is now man's sin Substitute. He has taken man's place. The whole human race is now represented in Him, as He hangs there under judgment on the accursed tree becoming a curse with every curse (Galatians 3:13). We also see that He becomes sick, with all of humanities sicknesses, "Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief and made Him sick..." (Isaiah 53:10 AMP) God takes your sin and mine, as well as every sickness and every curse and places it upon Jesus, into His very being. Jesus, nailed to the cross, suspended between heaven and earth becoming the outcast of heaven and earth. From the cross the Son of God cries out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me." (Matthew 27:46) Finally, the time had come when "Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last." (Mark 15:37) As mentioned before, when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane pouring Himself out in prayer as He was about to face the most horrific event that he would ever face, it was finally here.
Not only was it the Father's plan for His sinless Son to die on the cross, that His blood be shed for all humanity, but he was to go to hell itself to pay the full penalty of man's sin. God in His justice could not have acquitted humanity so that mankind could stand in His presence until every charge against him had been wiped off the books. (Isaiah 43:25) Only then could man stand before God as clean and as free as though he had never sinned. God could not pardon man until an adequate sacrifice had been made. Jesus tells us, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) Peter quotes David the king, "For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27) The story unfolds.
Peter tells us, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18) Notice, Jesus was made alive in spirit. He would not have been made alive in spirit had not He died in spirit. As it was with Adam, so it was with Jesus. Jesus died in spirit on the cross, before He died in the flesh. Peter declares that Jesus not only died in the flesh, physically, but that He also died in spirit, spiritually, and therefore His resurrection was a double resurrection. He was made alive, first in spirit, and then in the flesh, His spirit being raised from the dead and re-united with His body. The Apostle Paul tells us, "He put off from Himself the principalities and the powers, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them." (Colossians 2:15) Here is a picture of Christ in hell, with the whole host of demons attempting to keep Him there, but when the penalty of our sin had been paid in full, when justice was satisfied, Satan had no power to hold Him.
Paul tells us, "Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." (Romans 4:25) The very moment the sin problem was settled, the moment Jesus
Christ was legally justified, was made alive in spirit once more, He cast off the hosts of demons, and became the Master of hell by taking from Satan the keys of death and hell. (Revelation 1:8) Jesus died as our sacrificial Lamb, but He rose as Lord, as Master of death, of hell and of the grave. The matchless, mighty Son of God had gone into the strong mans house, bound him and took his spoils. (Matthew 12:29) Jesus has taken from Satan all his authority, his dominion and now offers it to fallen man through His matchless name and grace. What does this mean to humanity?
It means that every person who repents (express a sincere regret or remorse about their sin), confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and takes Him as their Savior, stands legally acquitted in the presence of God, free and clear of all charges against them. It means that God is vindicated, He has taken advantage of no one. He can now save humanity by His grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8), but also judge every person for rejecting His way to freedom. It means that Satan is defeated, and man can be free from sin, sickness, disease, poverty, death and all the works of the devil. It means that man is legally justified, declared righteous and is an heir of God and joint heir with Christ. (Romans 3:21 through Romans 8:39). It means that man, through faith in Christ receive the promise of eternal life. (1 John 2:25) It means that man can become a child of God and have all the privileges as sons and daughters. (John 1:12-13) It means that heaven is legally the home of God's children.(John 14:1-4)
Let us look beyond "Resurrection Sunday" and live in the abundant and the triumphant life that Jesus has given to us. "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ..." (2 Corinthians 2:14) Remember, we are no longer imprisoned or enslaved by the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) So, let us never forget what Jesus has done for us, "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail" (exceeding rejoice) (Matthew 28:9) and every day, exceeding rejoice in our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Have a wonderful Resurrection Day. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always...
In Isaiah 7:14, we have a declarative statement of the incarnation, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Notice how this would come about, "The Lord Himself" emphasizing God's might and power shall give a sign or miraculous work and wonder for our benefit. What would this miraculous work be? "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son." She is to be a daughter of the House of David, (remembering that Christ would be of the House of David and that Joseph was not Jesus' father, God was) and she shall conceive and bear a Son and His name shall be called "Immanuel," that is, God with us. Hallelujah!
As we proceed forward, look at Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, (inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvelous) Counselor, (the great attorney of God's family) Mighty God, (all powerful) Everlasting Father, (having no beginning or end) Prince of Peace" (complete freedom from disturbance; complete quiet and tranquility). Yet, in all these glorious names, He would humbly come as the sin substitute for all humanity.
Turning to the four gospels, it is there we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane pouring Himself out in prayer as He was about to face the most horrific event that he would ever face. We see Him arrested, taken to the High Priest Caiaphas; insulted and struck; He is taken before Pilate, then Herod; He was mocked; see Him scourged, His back laid open, blood flowing, His flesh torn as the cruel blows fall mercilessly upon His bared back by the awful Roman lictor. His own clothes replaced with the mock garment of kingly authority; a mock crown of thorns pressed deep upon His brow; more mocking comes and His own clothes are placed roughly about Him, forced to carry the patibulum (a wooden beam weighting about 100 pounds) in which He would be nailed to. Heading to Golgotha, He staggering beneath the weight of the patibulum and fal1s to the ground. Rising from the ground, He again heads ever closer to Golgotha.
Weakened by the loss of blood from the merciless beating, He staggers blindly up the mountain side, surrounded by soldiers who encircle Him. He and the patibulum which He carried are laid roughly down upon the stauros (a wooden beam in which the patibulum was attached to form a cross). Next, Roman soldiers with cruel hate drive the spikes into His hands; then He is lifted up naked, and the Cross is dropped into a hole to support it. Jesus the Nazarene is crucified! We watch the mob as it surges backward and forward about the Cross. We hear the chief priest's hurling their bitter taunts in the face of the suffering Son of God. We hear the mob in their bitter denunciation, led on by their priesthood. Such a horrific sight. It was not a sight for angels, or for men, but for demons only, and yet the worse was yet to come for the suffering Substitute.
In see this unfold, we now have a better understanding of the prophecy spoken by Isaiah, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4) In the Four Gospels we see Him only stricken of man, but Isaiah sees into the spiritual realm. He sees the Redeemer as He hangs there,"stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." God is dealing not with Jesus' body, but with His spirit. Isaiah goes on, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6) Here we see God taking our sin and laying every bit of it upon the spirit of the innocent Lamb of God, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus, who is God the Word who became flesh (John 1:1, 14) is now man's sin Substitute. He has taken man's place. The whole human race is now represented in Him, as He hangs there under judgment on the accursed tree becoming a curse with every curse (Galatians 3:13). We also see that He becomes sick, with all of humanities sicknesses, "Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief and made Him sick..." (Isaiah 53:10 AMP) God takes your sin and mine, as well as every sickness and every curse and places it upon Jesus, into His very being. Jesus, nailed to the cross, suspended between heaven and earth becoming the outcast of heaven and earth. From the cross the Son of God cries out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me." (Matthew 27:46) Finally, the time had come when "Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last." (Mark 15:37) As mentioned before, when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane pouring Himself out in prayer as He was about to face the most horrific event that he would ever face, it was finally here.
Not only was it the Father's plan for His sinless Son to die on the cross, that His blood be shed for all humanity, but he was to go to hell itself to pay the full penalty of man's sin. God in His justice could not have acquitted humanity so that mankind could stand in His presence until every charge against him had been wiped off the books. (Isaiah 43:25) Only then could man stand before God as clean and as free as though he had never sinned. God could not pardon man until an adequate sacrifice had been made. Jesus tells us, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) Peter quotes David the king, "For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27) The story unfolds.
Peter tells us, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18) Notice, Jesus was made alive in spirit. He would not have been made alive in spirit had not He died in spirit. As it was with Adam, so it was with Jesus. Jesus died in spirit on the cross, before He died in the flesh. Peter declares that Jesus not only died in the flesh, physically, but that He also died in spirit, spiritually, and therefore His resurrection was a double resurrection. He was made alive, first in spirit, and then in the flesh, His spirit being raised from the dead and re-united with His body. The Apostle Paul tells us, "He put off from Himself the principalities and the powers, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them." (Colossians 2:15) Here is a picture of Christ in hell, with the whole host of demons attempting to keep Him there, but when the penalty of our sin had been paid in full, when justice was satisfied, Satan had no power to hold Him.
Paul tells us, "Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." (Romans 4:25) The very moment the sin problem was settled, the moment Jesus
Christ was legally justified, was made alive in spirit once more, He cast off the hosts of demons, and became the Master of hell by taking from Satan the keys of death and hell. (Revelation 1:8) Jesus died as our sacrificial Lamb, but He rose as Lord, as Master of death, of hell and of the grave. The matchless, mighty Son of God had gone into the strong mans house, bound him and took his spoils. (Matthew 12:29) Jesus has taken from Satan all his authority, his dominion and now offers it to fallen man through His matchless name and grace. What does this mean to humanity?
It means that every person who repents (express a sincere regret or remorse about their sin), confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and takes Him as their Savior, stands legally acquitted in the presence of God, free and clear of all charges against them. It means that God is vindicated, He has taken advantage of no one. He can now save humanity by His grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8), but also judge every person for rejecting His way to freedom. It means that Satan is defeated, and man can be free from sin, sickness, disease, poverty, death and all the works of the devil. It means that man is legally justified, declared righteous and is an heir of God and joint heir with Christ. (Romans 3:21 through Romans 8:39). It means that man, through faith in Christ receive the promise of eternal life. (1 John 2:25) It means that man can become a child of God and have all the privileges as sons and daughters. (John 1:12-13) It means that heaven is legally the home of God's children.(John 14:1-4)
Let us look beyond "Resurrection Sunday" and live in the abundant and the triumphant life that Jesus has given to us. "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ..." (2 Corinthians 2:14) Remember, we are no longer imprisoned or enslaved by the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) So, let us never forget what Jesus has done for us, "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail" (exceeding rejoice) (Matthew 28:9) and every day, exceeding rejoice in our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Have a wonderful Resurrection Day. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always...
Monday, March 26, 2018
The Greatest Plan
The purpose for the incarnation was that man might be given the right to become a child of God (John 1:12). Man could only become a child of God by receiving the nature of God. Therefore, Christ came that man might receive eternal life (John 10:10), that is, life as God has it. Man could receive eternal life only after he had been legally redeemed from Satan's authority (Colossians 1:13-14).
The Holy Spirit gave to the Apostle Paul the revelation of the finished work of Christ concerning man's redemption.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith, to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." (Romans 16:25-27) and "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12)
Though Paul says in Romans "my gospel," we see that it is a revelation of Jesus Christ, not from man but from God. It is a revelation that had been kept silent but now has been made known. This is also revealed in Ephesians 3:1-12. In Ephesians, Paul reveals that his understanding in the mystery of Christ, that had not been known to other generations, was given to him by revelation. However, prior to the revelation given by the Holy Spirit concerning Christ, was only on the level of the sense, that is, they were only able to comprehend Jesus in the physical realm, through their senses. We see this as revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life." (1 John 1:1) Though the Apostle John had received a greater revelation of Christ by this time, he is revealing Christ in the natural sense in order that the reader can understand that Jesus came bodily form, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1, 14)
Therefore, we see that the knowledge, the understanding that man possessed of Christ during His life on earth was purely by his physical senses. However, we see Jesus with His disciples and He asks, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (Matthew 16:13) We see the disciples response, but then Peter says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus tells him,
"Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17) Jesus proceeds "to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." (Matthew 16:21) Although Peter had received this wonderful revelation of Christ from the Father, it was not enough for the disciples faith to rise up and stand on this revelation. We see this in Peter's response when Jesus revealed what would happen to Him in Jerusalem, "Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22)
They could not comprehend the greatness of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. They could only understand what their senses could assimilate. Even when the time came where they saw the beating of Christ; the nails driven into His hands and feet; when they heard the words, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46); when they saw and handled His body in the process of embalming it, and placing it in the tomb, they did not understand. Not only did they not understand these things in the physical realm, but they knew nothing of the spiritual suffering of Christ, as His spirit was made sin, sickness and a curse. (Isaiah 53:4-6, Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24).
They knew nothing as to what was taking place in the spiritual realm. Then, the third day had arrived. They saw that the stone rolled away from the tomb; they saw the empty tomb and grave clothes; the disciples were told of these things and yet they still could not comprehend, they could not believe. All they knew was the reality of what there senses could comprehend. Finally, Jesus appears to them and "as the eleven sat at the table, Jesus rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen." (Mark 16:14)
Jesus had told the disciples before His death, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) It appears that the reality of what had taken place had only became known, had only become real to the disciple after they had received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4) Now they could see with their spiritual eyes. They understood the judgment, that was upon man, fell on Jesus; they understood that Jesus died under our judgment; they understood that Jesus paid our penalty in hell and suffered there until God could justify the human race.
The great news for us today is, Christ has died for all; He had become identified with our spiritual
death as our substitute; in hell He was justified in spirit (1 Timothy 3:16); He was born of
God (Acts 13:33); He conquered Satan (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:18); He was raised from the dead by God's almighty power (Ephesians 1:19-20); He carried His blood into heaven (Hebrews 9:12); He is seated at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20-21); where He continuously intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25); and has given everything, every promise, every blessing for the benefit of His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) This is the greatest plan that has even been freely given to man. Now through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ, redemption has been made eternal, perfect, comprehensive and available to every man, woman and Child.
So, as we move towards what we call Easter Sunday, let us truly celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord. Let us do as David did, "I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,And I will declare Your greatness." (Psalm 145:1-6) Let us rejoice and celebrate the wondrous works of God...
The Holy Spirit gave to the Apostle Paul the revelation of the finished work of Christ concerning man's redemption.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith, to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." (Romans 16:25-27) and "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12)
Though Paul says in Romans "my gospel," we see that it is a revelation of Jesus Christ, not from man but from God. It is a revelation that had been kept silent but now has been made known. This is also revealed in Ephesians 3:1-12. In Ephesians, Paul reveals that his understanding in the mystery of Christ, that had not been known to other generations, was given to him by revelation. However, prior to the revelation given by the Holy Spirit concerning Christ, was only on the level of the sense, that is, they were only able to comprehend Jesus in the physical realm, through their senses. We see this as revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life." (1 John 1:1) Though the Apostle John had received a greater revelation of Christ by this time, he is revealing Christ in the natural sense in order that the reader can understand that Jesus came bodily form, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1, 14)
Therefore, we see that the knowledge, the understanding that man possessed of Christ during His life on earth was purely by his physical senses. However, we see Jesus with His disciples and He asks, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (Matthew 16:13) We see the disciples response, but then Peter says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus tells him,
"Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17) Jesus proceeds "to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." (Matthew 16:21) Although Peter had received this wonderful revelation of Christ from the Father, it was not enough for the disciples faith to rise up and stand on this revelation. We see this in Peter's response when Jesus revealed what would happen to Him in Jerusalem, "Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22)
They could not comprehend the greatness of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. They could only understand what their senses could assimilate. Even when the time came where they saw the beating of Christ; the nails driven into His hands and feet; when they heard the words, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46); when they saw and handled His body in the process of embalming it, and placing it in the tomb, they did not understand. Not only did they not understand these things in the physical realm, but they knew nothing of the spiritual suffering of Christ, as His spirit was made sin, sickness and a curse. (Isaiah 53:4-6, Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24).
They knew nothing as to what was taking place in the spiritual realm. Then, the third day had arrived. They saw that the stone rolled away from the tomb; they saw the empty tomb and grave clothes; the disciples were told of these things and yet they still could not comprehend, they could not believe. All they knew was the reality of what there senses could comprehend. Finally, Jesus appears to them and "as the eleven sat at the table, Jesus rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen." (Mark 16:14)
Jesus had told the disciples before His death, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) It appears that the reality of what had taken place had only became known, had only become real to the disciple after they had received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4) Now they could see with their spiritual eyes. They understood the judgment, that was upon man, fell on Jesus; they understood that Jesus died under our judgment; they understood that Jesus paid our penalty in hell and suffered there until God could justify the human race.
The great news for us today is, Christ has died for all; He had become identified with our spiritual
death as our substitute; in hell He was justified in spirit (1 Timothy 3:16); He was born of
God (Acts 13:33); He conquered Satan (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:18); He was raised from the dead by God's almighty power (Ephesians 1:19-20); He carried His blood into heaven (Hebrews 9:12); He is seated at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20-21); where He continuously intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25); and has given everything, every promise, every blessing for the benefit of His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) This is the greatest plan that has even been freely given to man. Now through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ, redemption has been made eternal, perfect, comprehensive and available to every man, woman and Child.
So, as we move towards what we call Easter Sunday, let us truly celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord. Let us do as David did, "I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,And I will declare Your greatness." (Psalm 145:1-6) Let us rejoice and celebrate the wondrous works of God...
Monday, April 25, 2016
Living Large
The expression "Living Large" is described as, "Living an extravagant lifestyle." Naturally, this refers to a worldly concept that is solely a self-indulgent lifestyle. But for believers, if we were to think of what Jesus did for us through His death, resurrection and glorification, we to would come to realize that in Christ we too are "Living an extravagant lifestyle." This does not insinuate that as the world we are to be self-indulged, but truly thankful that all Christ is and has, is ours. Jesus tells us, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15)
Notice, "All things that the Father has are Mine...He will take of Mine and declare it to you." The Apostle Paul tells us some incredible things concerning what the Father has given to Christ, Christ has given to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit has given (made all these things available) to believers. "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:15-17) Paul continues, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) You might ask, "How could this be so?"
One of the things that bears witness to what Paul tells us is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection is the proof of Satan's defeat, man's redemption, which gave the Father the legal right to make the believer a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Ephesians 1:7 also bears witness with this fact, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Christ has made redemption both eternal and available to all who confess Him. The moment one is born again, redemption is immediately ours and Satan's dominion over us ends. Redemption has nothing to do with us, it is according to the riches of His grace. We were crucified with Him, died with Him, were buried with Him, suffered with Him, were justified with Him, were made alive with Him, conquered Satan with Him, were raised together with Him and are now seated with Him. Hallelujah!!!
The resurrection of Jesus is proof of our victory over the adversary. It is not theory, but fact that cannot be denied. Every person who confesses Jesus as Lord and takes Him as Savior, in the mind of the Father is a victor over the adversary. Unfortunately, so few of the Father's children have seen this mighty truth, that is, our victory was in the victory of Christ. When Jesus broke the power of death, Satan and sin, His victory became our victory. The Apostle Paul tells us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1) In the mind of the Father it was our translation, our deliverance, "from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Colossians 1:13)
I believe that the greatest message of our perfect victory over the adversary is found in Ephesians 1:19-23 "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
The same power that resurrected Christ and united Him with His dead body to reanimate it and fill it with immortality is also in the believer. Look at the wonderful Word from God through Paul to us, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20) We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) because of the life of God that was imparted to us in the new creation. It is the power of God unveiled in the resurrection that shook the foundations of hell. Today, when believers know that they were raised together with Christ, when they know they are victors in every situation and over every circumstance they may find themselves in, then they know the fact that God has lifted us far above all rule, authority, power and dominion, not only in this age, but in that which is to come.
The Father gave Christ who is the head of the body to be master over all the forces of the universe. Because we are His Body, the church, therefore, God has put all things in subjection under the believer's feet. Jesus gave to the believer a legal right to the use of His Name. (Mark 16:17) He actually gave him the power of attorney so that in the Name of Jesus every demon and every power should obey that Name when spoken from the lips of the believer. There isn't anything too hard for God. (Luke 1:37) God's ability is the ability that He gives to us, so His resurrection is the proof of our right to reign over Satan and demons. He was raised because He had conquered Satan in our stead, so that we should no longer live in fear, condemnation, guilt or inferiority of the unseen forces of darkness.
This is great news. This is why we can consider ourselves as "living large." We do this through faith in Jesus Christ. We do this knowing that "we can do all things through Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:13) We do this knowing that “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) And we do this knowing "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) So let us live large. Let us "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10) Let us live large through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. It is "in Him we live, move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)
Notice, "All things that the Father has are Mine...He will take of Mine and declare it to you." The Apostle Paul tells us some incredible things concerning what the Father has given to Christ, Christ has given to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit has given (made all these things available) to believers. "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:15-17) Paul continues, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) You might ask, "How could this be so?"
One of the things that bears witness to what Paul tells us is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection is the proof of Satan's defeat, man's redemption, which gave the Father the legal right to make the believer a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Ephesians 1:7 also bears witness with this fact, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Christ has made redemption both eternal and available to all who confess Him. The moment one is born again, redemption is immediately ours and Satan's dominion over us ends. Redemption has nothing to do with us, it is according to the riches of His grace. We were crucified with Him, died with Him, were buried with Him, suffered with Him, were justified with Him, were made alive with Him, conquered Satan with Him, were raised together with Him and are now seated with Him. Hallelujah!!!
The resurrection of Jesus is proof of our victory over the adversary. It is not theory, but fact that cannot be denied. Every person who confesses Jesus as Lord and takes Him as Savior, in the mind of the Father is a victor over the adversary. Unfortunately, so few of the Father's children have seen this mighty truth, that is, our victory was in the victory of Christ. When Jesus broke the power of death, Satan and sin, His victory became our victory. The Apostle Paul tells us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1) In the mind of the Father it was our translation, our deliverance, "from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Colossians 1:13)
I believe that the greatest message of our perfect victory over the adversary is found in Ephesians 1:19-23 "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
The same power that resurrected Christ and united Him with His dead body to reanimate it and fill it with immortality is also in the believer. Look at the wonderful Word from God through Paul to us, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20) We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) because of the life of God that was imparted to us in the new creation. It is the power of God unveiled in the resurrection that shook the foundations of hell. Today, when believers know that they were raised together with Christ, when they know they are victors in every situation and over every circumstance they may find themselves in, then they know the fact that God has lifted us far above all rule, authority, power and dominion, not only in this age, but in that which is to come.
The Father gave Christ who is the head of the body to be master over all the forces of the universe. Because we are His Body, the church, therefore, God has put all things in subjection under the believer's feet. Jesus gave to the believer a legal right to the use of His Name. (Mark 16:17) He actually gave him the power of attorney so that in the Name of Jesus every demon and every power should obey that Name when spoken from the lips of the believer. There isn't anything too hard for God. (Luke 1:37) God's ability is the ability that He gives to us, so His resurrection is the proof of our right to reign over Satan and demons. He was raised because He had conquered Satan in our stead, so that we should no longer live in fear, condemnation, guilt or inferiority of the unseen forces of darkness.
This is great news. This is why we can consider ourselves as "living large." We do this through faith in Jesus Christ. We do this knowing that "we can do all things through Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:13) We do this knowing that “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) And we do this knowing "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) So let us live large. Let us "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10) Let us live large through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. It is "in Him we live, move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)
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