UNDERSTANDING
THE GOSPEL
Jesus
(Jeshua)and the Good News Message
It
seems that in the course of living a
"religious" life, we tend to lose sight
of some of the most basic essentials
of Christianity. The essentials contain
within them foundational truths and
indispensable revelations. Among these
essential truths is the fact that the
Christian faith is built upon the gifts
bestowed by one man, this one man who
is the only begotten son of God..
UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL
Jesus (Jeshua) and the Good News Message
Who is this man and what makes him special? Did he come to teach about
love? Did he come to model a moral lifestyle? Did he come to found a
religion replete with ritualistic protocols? Who do men say that I
am?, Jesus asked his disciples. If we do not get the correct answer
to that question, you can not avail yourself of the 'gift of God' which
he brings.
There is a simple African hymn-tune that states:
God loved the world and sent a savior, That we might live with Him
forever, If you believe, if you receive, You can be born again.
Jesus was born a man, he was a man, but he was more than a man. He was
son of man and son of God. His name given by angels, in Hebrew is Yeshua
(Jeshua or Jesus.) The name means Jehovah is Salvation. It was
only after his ministry, death and resurrection that he became known as
the Christ. Christ was not his last name. Christ (Greek Kristos -
Anointed One is the equivalent title for the Hebrew Meshiach or
Messiah) the Son of God.
Christ is not unlike the belief of universalists and new-agers claim, an
office, or an attribute of an exalted human achievement of
enlightenment.
Jesus name in Hebrew, Yeshua , means 'Jehovah is Salvation'.
Angels were sent to announce the miraculous birth both to Mary and to
Joseph, in the gospel accounts. The angel told them what his name was
to be, You shall call His name Yeshua for he shall save his
people - - (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31).
Prophecy foretold the Messiah's birth in
detail. Prophecy is the testimony or witness of Jesus Christ.
(Revelation 19:10.) It began in the earliest verses of the Book of
Genesis and continues through the books of the law, the psalms, and the
prophetic books of the first covenant, (old testament.) There is an
unbroken line of scriptural promises and scriptural fulfillment
attesting to the birth of Jesus. In addition Jesus Christ was portrayed
metaphorically as a spiritual type throughout all of the Old Testament.
In a sense the whole Bible is a composite picture which, when
constructed shows the fullness of God in one Man, the Son of God, Jesus
Christ.
Prophetic words spoken and recorded
hundred of years in advance, describe the time of birth, place of birth,
manner of birth, the life, and death of Jesus Christ in perfect detail.
His
birth was to be at a certain place, at a certain time, under certain
circumstances. At the birth of Jesus, God affirmed that Word of
prophecy with precision. precisely and in perfect timing. Jesus' life
continued on its prophetic course, as sure as hands on fine clock, from
the time of Jesus matured and was presented to the public, to his being
received as the messiah (by some) rejected, tried, and crucified. All of
these events followed a precise time-line corresponding to the sure
words of prophecy.
Since
most of the prophecies found in the Old Testament point to the certainty
of the birth of the Messiah, God's prophets were afforded no misses in
their predictions. A prophet who missed only 10% of the time was
declared a false prophet and subject to death by stoning.
There
are many interesting books and commentaries which biblical scholars have
written which detail the hundred of specific prophetic scriptures and
their fulfillment pertinent to the life of Jesus. These studies are
available for any who wish to pursue them. Details of prophecy goes
beyond the scope of this writing but the point is to note that Messiah
was foretold by God.
Jesus and Salvation Derives From Jewish Heritage
The Jews were the ONLY people that God
chose and fashioned to bring forth the Messiah. ("Salvation is
of the Jews.") God chose a man, (Abraham) made a covenant with him
with the singular purpose of having a people for His own special
treasure. These generations from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, persevered
through generations of trials, unfaithfulness, captivity and deliverance
to become a people to prepare God's man, His seed. Through
the line of David he was to be Savior and soon King.
It
was God's Wisdom and design to construct a Way, in such an
improbable manner to be reckoned implausible in man's reasoning. Thus He
could prove the superiority of His own wisdom. When God chose and man
(Abraham,) he chose one "as good as dead", whose wife (Sarah) was
far past the age of child-bearing and nurturing.
Similarly, when God chose a king for
Israel, He chose David a shepherd boy. When God chose a woman to bear
the Messiah He chose a virgin of low estate. When Jesus chose his
disciples he chose unlearned fishermen or workmen. When He chose how to
establish a kingdom he chose a king who would forego an earthly crown
and die the death of sinful man upon a cross.
God chooses the way of faith to recognize and believe and to follow
Christ.
Faith is essentially
a way of being persuaded by believing an inward
witness of God's word, rather than by
observation and reasoning. God chose to make reason
and human smartness a pitfall to believing His word
and His promises.
Jesus? The Messiah.
The Anointed One, The prophesied Son of
David. This Messiah, is prophesied to return to sit upon the throne of
an earthly kingdom. But that time is still to come. At the end of this
age Bible believing Christians look for Jesus to return physically to
put an end to all opposition and rebellion against God's purposes. This
end time event is described prophetically as The Day of Vengeance
(Day of Wrath) or the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is
described throughout prophetic scripture. It is then will unleash
devastation and judgment against all unbelief, unrighteousness, and
rebellion will be addressed and overcome by God himself. It will not be
accomplished through negotiation or compromise; it will not be
accomplished with reasoning, negotiation, nor with political bargaining,
nor with treaty making. Rather, God will exercise supernatural power,
all of the forces of heaven and earth against all the nations and
peoples who stand in rebellion against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The Messiah of the Gospels will return in
majestic glory revealed in the skies. He will not be that charismatic
politician winning over the peoples of the earth. He will rule with the
force and authority of the name of God Almighty. And one more very
important attribute, lest you should be deceived; He is the one who
carries the imprint of the nails in His hands! (Zechariah 13.6.)
Who is Jesus? The Son of God.
Jesus was conceived by the Spirit of God.
This makes him the only begotten son of God. He is the seed of
the woman who is mentioned in Genesis 3:15. It is important to
understand that the father's blood line of Jesus' parental
inheritance is that of God himself who was and is sinless and undefiled.
Yet within the human seed is the nature of humanity, weaknesses, want
and human emotion.
The life that Jesus lived was a life
lived within the limits of the human condition. Yet scripture states
that He knew no sin, and though he was tempted in all areas just
as we are. He remained undefiled and separate from the sin nature which
is peculiar among all of the natural born human race. (Hebrews 4:15,
7:26)
He was a man, but certainly unlike humanity in a special way.
The human race according to the bible,
has an Adamic hereditary line or genealogy, descended from the
line of Adam. Since Adam the human race is under a curse. The
fall and the curse is portrayed in the first chapters of Genesis. At the
moment, you may not believe in Adam or in any kind of curse, but for the
time being, set that argument aside. God can work that issue out with
you at a later time. It is necessary to believe that the Bible is not a
fable or fiction. To argue against the Bible is to lose the blessing of
believing in it, both in small questions and in larger questions.
Jesus
submitted his will to God the Father
The
Jesus of the Gospels demonstrated meekness, submission and servant-hood.
He did not present himself in the form of God but as the "Son of
Man!" Neither did Jeshua present himself as a worldly leader,
nor a member of the religious establishment. Yet he came to his
people, God's people, Israel as an old testament prophet an adherent to
the Law of Moses.
Jesus did not demonstrate God-like powers at will in his infancy
until he was baptized by John, though
some apocryphal stories speak of this. Scripture indicates he did no
miracles until his baptism in the Jordan river by the prophet who "made
the way" for Jesus' ministry, John the Baptist. After his baptism at the
age of 30 the Spirit of God came upon him and filled him with the
necessary endowment of miracle-working power. Even with supernatural
spiritual endowments there were times when Jesus himself was not able to
heal or do mighty works, this was owing to the faith (belief) or
unbelief of those he ministered to.
While Jesus did not flaunt God-hood it
would be an error to say that he did not know of his DIVINE nature or of
his divine calling. He spoke of being about his Father's business even
as a child. Jesus was filled with grace and wisdom, both of which
bespeak spiritual enablement given by God. Jesus was the Logos
(the Word, the whole counsel of God) made flesh.
A movie which came out several years ago,
The Last Temptation of Christ, portrayed Jesus as entirely human,
flawed with the worst of human weaknesses, dark passions, indecision and
unbelief. It depicted a Jesus with no divine or supernatural heritage,
whose only vision was of some kind of vague personal sacrifice. Though
this is clever or interesting fiction it portrays no understanding of
the truth. It does not dignify the person of Jesus Christ as one
possessing transcendent divinity or as having any potential for
impacting humanity with eternal consequences.
Jesus Christ, The Word Made Flesh
The Son of God, is called the
Word made Flesh, was born in human
form but he also had pre-existence with God. This can not,
however, be said of the rest of the human race though there are millions
in religions who believe in the doctrine of previous lives. Jesus
spoke of His own glory which he had with the Father before the world was
in his prayer recorded in John, chapter seventeen. From this it can be
stated with certainty that Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, was also
God. This becomes one awesome mysteries of the nature and person of God.
I find it beyond my ability to comprehend but I expect that it will be
revealed to my understanding at another time.
Because Christ was pre-existent some may conclude that we all
pre-existed. The question is appealing in
some ways, curious and interesting at least. It is argued as a reality
by those who have received spurious, demonically inspired
revelation. But let it be said by a person who once thoroughly believed
in reincarnation, that I have set that belief aside in favor of the
Bible's teaching. "It is appointed unto man to die once, and after
that the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27).
Reincarnation or Resurrection?
The doctrine of resurrection which is taught in the Bible excludes the
possibility of reincarnation. One life is
promised, one body and eternal judgment for that one life at some time
in eternity. The resurrection of Jesus' own physical body from the dead,
will be replicated for every living human soul, both the good and the
bad, righteous and unrighteous. Jesus was called, the first fruits of
they that sleep 1Corinthians 15:20.)
The doctrine of the resurrection is given much attention in the New
Testament especially in the epistles.
Nevertheless, it is unreasonable to the rational mind, to assert that a
body which is dead or has even returned to dust can be brought forth
alive (bodily) out of the dust. But that is in fact the teaching of
scripture from the prophet Daniel to Jesus, and restated by the apostle
Paul in particular.
The glorified man Jesus, will be presented one day
as he was already presented to the
disciples in Gospel accounts, alive õ in the flesh, bearing the same
nail scars and the same spear wound in the side. As he left in a
physical body ascended into glory, he will also return in a physical
body. As he departed from the Mount of Olives he will also return in
glory to that same spot to begin his reign.
No Resurrection, No Gospel!
The doctrine of the resurrection is the validation and the cornerstone
of the Gospel. Jesus had to rise again,
having defeated death, alive with the keys to hell and the grave.
The gospel which the apostle Paul presented stated this, If Jesus
Christ is not risen from the grave, then all of our preaching, is for
nothing and our faith is for nothing; furthermore our futures would hold
only misery. (1 Corinthians 15:17-19 paraphrased)
We could not have a supernatural
Gospel without a supernatural Christ. We could not receive
supernatural spiritual gifts from
believing in a Gospel presented by a mere man, even if he was a great
man! If the gospel we followed was a gospel without a resurrection, the
best we could do would be to try to live an honest and moral life using
the limited powers of our own will and abilities. We could not have
received total acceptance by God without Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
He was and is the Lamb of God.
Who is Jesus Christ? The Lamb of God
A
sacrifice is made, The price is paid.
I believe that if Christian
traditionalism has shorted us on any one thing, it is the knowledge and
understanding of Jesus Christ's sacrifice as the Lamb of God and
the legacy of Spiritual blessing that His sacrifice brings. These
blessings have the power to impact the life and circumstances of every
soul on earth. The sacrificial death of Jesus, God's only begotten, is
the reason that Jesus came. It is the cornerstone of the Good News, the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This
message of God's free love gift, the good news, is not just an option to
consider. The Lamb's gospel is established in the very heavens and every
person on the earth will be held to account for it. For, the earth is
the Lord's and everything that is in it. (Exodus 9:29 Psalm 24:1)
The sacrifice of the lamb of God is a
better sacrifice than the Covenant of Mosaic law, where bulls and goats
were killed and the blood of those offerings was applied to cover
the sin of the nation. These offerings could not extricate the innate
sin nature of people themselves, but were only a temporary fix, a
covering over for the sin of the people. The Book of Hebrews goes
into detail about the new covenant and the nature of the sacrifice which
Jesus made on our behalf. It compares the Mosaic and New covenant and
how the provisions of the new is a better covenant than the original.
The lamb of God was pre-figured in
the sacrifice made by Abraham of his own son, Isaac, the son of God's
promise. Abraham took Isaac to the mountain and as he prepared to put
him to the knife, said to his son, God himself will provide the lamb.
(Genesis 22:8). The lamb of God was also described prophetically with
great clarity in the Book of Isaiah, chapters 52 and 53. He was led
as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before the shearer is silent,
he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:3-9).
The
description of the purification of the priests who brought offerings
into the Holy of Holies is a depiction of Jesus Himself. It was His
blood that would purify and sanctify the mercy seat that was sprinkled
seven times upon heaven's altar.
Jesus' Undefiled Blood: Shed for Us
--
Was shed, when He sweat drops blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. Gripped
with the terrible thought of separation from his Father, who would turn
from him, abandoning him to death; Gripped with the horrible prospect of
being made a "Curse" and separated from God by the sins of the world.
-
-Was shed, when the servant of the high priest smote him upon the face.
- -
Was shed, when the Roman soldiers ridiculed him, mocked him, stripped
him, buffeted him and torn out His beard.
- -
Was shed, When he was flogged with the flagellum, the deadly scourging
with the whip. This flagellum with the nine strands and each tipped with
a metal or glass object which cut and wounded. Forty strokes were a
death sentence, Jesus received 39.
- -
Was shed, when the crown of thorns was plaited upon Jesus' head.
- -
Was shed, when Jesus hands and feet were penetrated by the spikes which
would hold him suspended above the earth upon a Roman cross (the curse
of hanging on a tree.)
- -
Was shed, when the Roman officer pierced his side with a spear and blood
and water flowed out upon the ground.
Blood
Purchased the Provisions of the Gospel
Discussing the blood of the lamb may strike you as something primitive,
strange or disgusting but it is the fact that it is the living
blood which makes a sacrifice spiritually effectual. From the
writings of Moses we learn that the Life is in the blood. Blood
is the life of the soul and holds potential for both blessing and for
defilement. Innocent blood is said to cry out from the earth. The
blood of victims of abortion and violence cry out continuously with a
certain voice from the earth.
Jesus' blood was blood untainted by sin or the curse or death. It is 100
per cent imbued with the power of life. This blood had within it perfect
eternal life; it still has, in the present, perfect eternal life. That
blood that sprinkled the earth from the Mount of Olives, to Pilate's
hall of judgment, to the via Dolorosa, to the hill called Golgotha, is
still nurturing the whole earth. As Jesus was dying the death of
crucifixion upon a cross, he declared the sentence which his blood would
continue to enforce, Father forgive them, they do not know what they
do. Jesus blood purchased the price for our sins, sins past, sins
present, and sins future.
Father forgive them, Among the last words spoken by Jesus upon the
cross is the legacy which any person whose soul is in want can
appropriate as his or her own personal blessing and legacy, eternal
life.
Who
is Jesus? (Aside from being the Son of God)
A Really Nice Guy, A Man who knew Love and Serving
It is
written in the law of Moses that we should make no graven image. Among
all of the ten commandments this one may not lend itself readily to
application although the first references seem to figure in the question
of idolatry both natural and figuratively. I think, however, it has more
application to our present knowledge or lack of knowledge about God. One
of the characteristics of human nature is to draw inferences, to
establish values and to form conclusions based upon things we see with
the natural eye.
Throughout the nearly two thousand years of Christian tradition we
become the victims of iconography, Icons which in some manner or another
depict God or the Son of God. Any of us who have ever been to a major
museum have seen depictions of Jesus Christ created during different
historical eras. The characteristics of portrayal is to make a
presumptuous statements about the personality, the humanity or the
divinity of the subject that is being portrayed. Iconography has colored
our interpretation of who Jesus is. Some of these images are very static
with a very narrow portrayal. A sense of Jesus Christ's humanity was not
apparent for centuries. When he was depicted by the first Christian
artists there was not a trace of life or humanity. For the period from
the 4th century until the 14th, he was no more than an stylized icon,
lacking any features which would make him like us. Later, after the
fifteenth century, he was portrayed as very human in works by Rembrandt,
or Caravaggio, Rubens, and others. The point that I am making is in
respect to images that form a narrowness and misunderstanding of who
Jesus was. Religious traditions sometimes portray Jesus in such a narrow
light that we can not associate him in all of his attributes, human and
divine. For example images of Christ on the cross may take us away from
the image of a gloriously resurrected Jesus.
Thinking of Jesus in the form and manner that he ministered on earth; a
friendly, loving and kindly person does not interfere with his divinity
nor his sovereignty. The human quality of Jesus needs to be preserved. I
think the phrase "Jesus was a nice guy," may strike a chord of
impertinence the religious and formal. So much of Christian life has
tuned into structured liturgy. But I say it for a reason. We need to
de-iconize, de-mystify Jesus and make Jesus accessible to people,
especially in the now of the Gospel rather than the then
of religion. Those who minister as Christians to others need to regard
the manner of life and service that Jesus modeled. The Lord is not
someone who placed himself out of the reach of humanity.
Paul's phrase of "Knowing Jesus no more after the flesh" brings a
Spiritual reality of who Jesus is in the present, enthroned in heavenly
glory at the right hand of great power. This brings into account of
Jesus now enthroned as the sovereign who continuously intervenes as the
High Priest over his Spiritual Kingdom. The Kingdom of this world
is yet to be fulfilled with the Sovereign seated on the throne of his
earthly kingdom.
There
are other many other attributes or prophetic descriptions of Jesus,
as depicted by the the Hebrew names of Jehovah: Nissi, Tsidkenu, Rapha,
Shama, Jireh, Sabbaoth, and numerous others, as well as: the 'Righteous
Judge', the 'Captain of the Army of God', the 'Ancient of Days', and
many other powerful and illuminating titles. One day, we will all fall
before Christ, the Righteous Judge. But for now Jesus is still
approachable as the gentle shepherd, full of compassion, forgiveness,
restoration and blessing to those of us with a need. He is extending a
hand of friendship to those who need a friend.
Jesus' friendly and compassionate personality is called a friend to
sinners, one who went out of his way to meet and have fellowship with
those that the religious community excluded (Matthew 9:10-13.) Jesus was
known to have been in the middle of fun and frolic where there was
feasting and drinking. He said of himself, that he was accused of being
a glutton and a wine bibber, but in spite of this Jesus, declared that
wisdom is known by her offspring. (Matthew 11:19 paraphrase).
You can find interesting encounters of Jesus with people in the
Gospels.
There are numerous accounts of men or women who were considered 'least
acceptable' received mercy and acceptance from the Lord's hand:
Zaccheus the publican; (described in Luke
19:2-10)
The Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar; (John 4:5-30).
The woman taken in adultery; (John 8:4-11).
Mary, a former prostitute anointed Jesus feet at the house of Simon the
leper with a costly perfume; (Luke 7:37-47).
Jesus who came to the grave side of
Lazarus and wept; (John 11).
Jesus who consoled the man healed of blindness after the church council
expelled him; (John 9).
At a certain future day when Jesus will be the host at a great feast and
serve all of those attending. (Luke 12:37).
The demonized man of Gadara.
The friendship factor as it pertains to
the person of Jesus is something that must not be lost. There is a
proverb that states, There is a friend that sticks closer than a
brother. (Proverbs 18:24) This is the love and friendship of Jesus
Christ.
There
are so millions hurting, there are millions who are bruised, all needing
a friend. The love and power of the Spirit of Christ Jesus can supply
this. It is a kind of supernatural miracle that someone who needs and
asks believing can receive.
FEATURES of The GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
Jesus' went forth teaching the Message of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
There are two Kingdom models which coincide and yet are different in
expression and fulfillment.
The Kingdom of God is always connected to the "Kingdom of the Heavens."
In the expression kingdom of the heavens, God expresses himself
spiritually, supernaturally, upon the earth through Christ the Messiah
in the two thousand years of church age. Jeshua, Jesus is the one
approved by God to bring forth the kingdom of righteousness upon the
earth. It is done in two stages. First the invisible kingdom (Paul's
gospel to the gentiles) and finally, (soon) to natural Israel, when the
kingdom will be realized. (Matthew 25) The natural kingdom fulfillment
has everything to do with Israel's restoration and recognition of Him
who was rejected in his original presentation to his people.
Too
often, religious tradition has taken away the spiritual nature, power
and potential provided through our relationship with Jesus Christ and
replaced it with human- centered ideas and institutional church
behaviors. The foundational Gospel is the message of God's plan for
restoring the earth and reconciling its people under His own rulership;
to gather them unto himself. (Exodus 19) It is a prophetic plan and
timetable for God's rulership. (Matthew 4:23) "And Jesus went about
all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, (1) teaching and preaching
the gospel of the (restored) kingdom, (2) healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people." and delivering those who
are oppressed by Satan in manifold ways.
The Gospel addresses the systematic restoration and redemption of all
of mankind, delivering the people from the control of Lucifer. It was
Satan, (Lucifer) who once had been given the dominion of worldly
rulership. Jesus regained authority over principalities and powers and
made a triumph (a victorious parade) before every spiritual power
entity, ( angels and demons) and displayed that He, Jesus, the son of
man had received kingship, all ruling spiritual authority, in the
World. "The Son of God came to destroy the works of the Devil."(1John
3:8)
There are Two Kingdoms in Spiritual Conflict
Jesus came Against Satan's Kingdom with Messianic Power
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew 9:35) "The blind
receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the
deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached
to them." (Mat 11:5) "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our
Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel:"(2 Tim 1:10) "Remember that
Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to
my gospel:" ( 2 Tim 2:8)
Destroying Bondages and Removing the Curse
The curse of Adam and the curse of the law and was/is evident in all
sickness and evil that is manifest in the world. Satan is reluctant to
surrender control and authority and must be driven out by the conquering
king. Those who have been born of God are given authority in His Name.
Just how long will Satan's "lease" be allowed to stand? There are
diffeing opinions on this. The answer is hidden in the "mystery of
iniquity". Though some do not read the scriptures with the prophetic
terms "end times" with the same understanding, most agree that the "end
times" are here and now. The Mount of Olive discourses that Jesus
outlined the end-time events are recorded in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and
Mark 13. They answer the disciples questions pertaining to the destiny
of the kingdom of Israel, signs describing the end of the age, and the
second coming of the Lord. The literal end of the age outlines the final
prophetic defeat of the Evil One in an all-out conflict in the end.
The
day of the Lord is the prophetic reference to that time of Judgment by
God against those who resist and repress his Gospel and live in
rebellion to Him.
Judging the True Gospel
The Gospel of the Kingdom combines the teaching of a Gospel of power,
peace and earthly righteousness: The Gospel is the Power of (from) God
to those who will choose to believe it. I believe, has three important
elements, all of which touch upon or are founded upon the rulership and
authority of the "King and heir of all things," Jesus Christ. 1. To call
many sons unto himself. The gospel to the gentiles extends God's grace
to those outside of the covenant of Israel. This is the harmony and
fellowship of the Spirit made possible by the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2. To empower the sons to be Kings and priests and fellow heirs. This
gospel is a unique revelation given to Paul as one chosen by God as an
apostle to usher in a dispensation of the age of grace to the gentiles,
called the church age. Finally 3rd, to restore the Kingdom of God on
earth after purging the evil at his second coming.
The King Who is this King of Glory?
This one man, Jesus of Nazareth, has been ordained to be the Head of
the Kingdom of God? It is He who has been given all authority within the
Kingdom. It is He who was appointed by God the Father, approved by Him
in the resurrection of His body from the dead.
Redemption -- Being freed from the Consequences
of
Our Old Nature
Redemption goes much further than belief and ideology. Fallen man had to
be changed supernaturally from the inside out. A provision had to be
made to deal with the sinful nature residing within every person in a
fallen race. God's plan to is to make something new out of that man, a
new creation, recreated by the Spirit of God. This new right-standing
status is not achieved by philosophy, theology or religious disciples,
rituals or beliefs but through the power of a New Life.
The issue of righteousness outside of the law hangs upon this "New
Creation". He who was without sin was made sin for us, so that we
could become the righteousness of God. The teaching of the "power of the
cross" and the "exchange at the cross" are the hinge upon which the
miracle of the new birth and righteousness articulates.
The
Hidden Gospel -- An Extension of Jesus Ministry
The long-hidden aspect of the Gospel of the Kingdom
has to the do with the EXTENSION OF JESUS MINISTRY
on the earth by Christ acting spiritually through
every believer. We become as Kings and Priests in
the earth, with Jesus in us and working through us
with supernatural empowerment to minister and
experience the work of God. Through the enablement
of the Holy Spirit available to each disciple for
the sole purpose of doing the works Jesus and the
apostles were enabled to do.
One aspect has been conspicuously absent in the
revelation of the gospel for hundreds of years. It
is now only marginally coming to light. There is
great resistance to this message by the spirits of
darkness. The wonderful truth of "Christ In Us, our
hope of Glory" expresses a new life, a new
character, and new spiritual potential. It is not a
rite of becoming church members according to the
form of worldly tradition but partakers of Jesus
character and of his ministry (gr. Diakonia).
Commissioning Disciples
The gospel of the Kingdom is expressed more through
relationship than in religious knowledge or ritual.
Jesus chose men and women to disciple and to share
the witness of His glory. It was his original
disciples who witnessed all of the miracles and
wonders of His word and deed. Yet amazingly, it
was not enough for the disciples who witnessed His
words and His works for 3 years to share their
testimony. The Gospel required more than that. They
needed an surpernatural empowerment from God; the
same power that was in Jesus had to energize and
equip each man and woman.
The Enabling "Anointing" of the Holy Spirit Spiritual Ministry:
Preaching, Healing, and Deliverance
Jeshua quoted a portion of Isaiah 61 that was to outline the parameters
of his ministry and the ministry of those who would immediately proceed
into the church age. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to
heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised," (Luke 4:18) "Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go
your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the
blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the
dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached." (Luke 7:22) "And
they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and
healing every where." (Luke 9:6)
Darkness continues to withstand the full gospel message from being
taught. The "leaven of the Pharisees" is still an active agent of
resistance to the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is this religious spirit
that brings a believer into the bondage of unbelief and the traditions
of man. The Gospel says that we are transformed into a new life of
provision and authority and supernatural ministry but tradition says
otherwise; The gospel says we are as He was in this world, tradition
says otherwise; The gospel says we are Kings and Priests and the
anointing teaches all things, tradition says otherwise; The gospel says
he ascended and gave gifts to man and that every man has received these
gifts in order to minister, tradition says otherwise; The gospel says
there is but one mediator between God and man and we do not go to man to
meet God, tradition will direct otherwise. The gospel says not by man,
not by man's own will, or by any worldly means, tradition says
otherwise.
The Gospel of the Kingdom is Manifested Power
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
then to the Greek (gentiles)" (Romans 1:16)
"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so
that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully
preached the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:19)" The Gospel means "Good
News" - - Hope and Blessing
Why is the Gospel called the "good news"? Through it is found liberty,
peace with God, joy and righteousness. "And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things!" (Romans 10:15) "And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I
shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ."
(Romans 15:29) The Message of the Gospel is Hidden to Human MindsThe
natural man with all of his intellect can not receive things which are
spiritual, for it takes faith to believe. "But if our gospel be hid,
it is hid to them that are lost:"
(2
Corinthians 4:3) "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias
saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Romans 10:16) "In whom the
god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine unto them."(2 Corinthians 4:4) "For unto us was the gospel
preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit
them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Hebrews 4:2)
"Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," (Romans
16:25) "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:
not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of
none effect." (1 Corinthians 1:17)
False Gospels, Other Gospels There are many cultic or non
Christian "gospels" being taught. Every cult and sect has any of three
things which are wrong with it:
1.
The wrong Jesus, 2. the wrong Gospel, 3. the wrong spirit.
"For
if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or
if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another
gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
(2
Corinthians 11:4)
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the
grace of Christ unto another gospel:" "Which is not another; but there
be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
(Galatians 1:6,7)
"But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." As we
said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto
you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians
1:8,9) Fellowship with the Holy Spirit"Instructs us in the Gospel"
The Gospel of the Kingdom was communicated directly to the Apostle Paul
by revelation of the Spirit of God, and face to face with Jesus Christ
(revealed "to one out of due time " a time after the forty days when
Jesus made in the flesh visitation with his disciples before ascending
into heaven.) Paul was visited personally by Jesus. The epistles
indicate a time of extraordinary revelation of His Gospel.
Now for any who will seek it, there is the same Spirit of revelation,
"the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth". The Holy Spirit will communicate all
the things which are of Christ and show them to us in prayer, reading of
the word and in meditation.
"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me
is not after man."
(Galatians 1:11) "And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto
them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to
them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had
run, in vain." (Galatians 2:2)
The
Gospel: Good News of Salvation
Salvation is not limited strictly to promised heavenly rewards, having
been made free of the fierce judgment of God's wrath upon sinners.
Salvation encompasses total restoration, (salvation, healing and
deliverance.) "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," (Ephesians
1:13)
A Prayer of Faith,The Prayer Which Brings Salvation If any person
believes the Gospel in their heart and declare this aloud to witnesses,
that person shall be saved; changed and made alive in Christ! The
testimony of the believer which brings salvation is a prayer of Faith,
which is a spoken proclamation declaring a promise from the Word of God.
It should include some of the following understandings. "Who is Jesus?
What did he do for ME? What will He do in ME because I believe?" These
are elements of the Gospel you should know after reading these
chapters. Grafted into the Vine of God's ElectThe gospel of Jesus Christ
extends God's grace and provision outside of circle of the people of
God's original covenant. Beyond the fellowship of the Elect of Israel --
outside of the boundary of the Abrahamic line.
"That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and
partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians 3:6)
"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard
before in the word of the truth of the gospel;" (Colossians 1:5)
When the Gospel is Preached in its Fullness
Through mighty signs and wonders by the Spirit of God, from
Jerusalem and round about, I have preached fully (the gospel in its full
measure) the Gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19)
When
Fully Preached there are Signs Attesting its Truth.
Yes, God can and will manifest His power to bless in order to
demonstrate His power! "For our gospel came not unto you in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye
know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." (1
Thessalonians 1:5) The Gospel Age is the Season of the Lord's Favor
The church age has been called the age of Grace, the year of the Lord's
favor, or the acceptable year of the Lord. (Read Isaiah Chapter 61, the
portions the Jesus quoted in
Luke Chapter 4.)
In a future time, which may be nearly upon us, the night will come when
no man can work. The time will come for judgment and purifying the
earth. This promised, prophetic time will see "the thorough purging of
the threshing floor with fire. (a figurative picture of Jesus spoken by
John the Baptist, (Matthew chapter 3:12 and Luke Chapter 3:17.)
The day of the free access to Christ's forgiveness of sins is a window
of opportunity which will not be extended indefinitely and in terms of
us as individuals we do not know what tomorrow will bring. We may have
no tomorrow, as the evangelist Billy Graham has expressed so strongly in
all of his appeals.
It is a certainty that there is coming a time of wrath and judgment
upon those who have not believed or received the word of Gospel. "In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" (2 Thessalonians 1:8) "Unto
whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did
minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have
preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven;
which things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:12) The Gospel
Begins in Simplicity The Gospel begins simply in its scope as a simple
seed of promise, but deepens and grows as the mustard seed of the
parable into a great size; into greater and greater revelation and
spiritual wisdom of Christ.
"But the word of the Lord endures for ever.
And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (1 Pet
1:25) "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my
gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ -" (Romans 16:25)
As long as any disciple lives and grows in the knowledge of Christ he
or she will never exhaust the fullness of its splendor, or the greatness
of its wisdom. We are as the apostle says, looking in a foggy or cloudy
mirror. But some day that mirror will be clear
1995 - 2010
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