God Calls You Members of One Body

Metaphor: Members of One Body

Concept: If we honor and respect our bodies we have begun to understand being a member of one body with others who believe in Jesus as their savior.

Eph 4:25 Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.  [Zech 8:16.]    

Eph 5:30 Because we are members (parts) of His body.

Col 3:15 and let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. AMP

Our world system teaches us to look out for ourselves above all things. This selfish, self centered philosophy is a twisted version of our God given survival instinct. God gave us the built in instinct for the survival of our species, our family and then our self. With the fall from God’s plan in the garden came a self centeredness based in our insecurity because of sin and a deep awareness that we have missed the mark of God’s best for our lives.

This insecurity can be overcome as we grow in Christ and realize we are secure in Him and that we can do all things through Him. He has restored our relationship and has given us freedom to return to His original plan to think of others as a part of our well being. This requires transforming of our mindset and the security and grace of God as we interact with others in the family of God. It also requires that we be wise and not entrust ourselves completely to others even as Jesus did not because He knew people hearts.

We can be confident in Him and not be self righteous. We can consider others desires without becoming a doormat to them. We can encourage others to fulfill God’s plan for them without fear they will get something meant for us. Most of all we can be all He created us to be and allow others to be all that He created them to be and walk side by side as we serve God.

God Calls You Living Stones

God Calls You Living Stones

Metaphor: Living Stones

Concept: We are a spiritual house or dwelling for God.

1 Peter 2:5  [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. AMP

JUST AS Jesus is the spiritual foundation for the house of God, we as members of His body are living stones of that spiritual house for God. Living here is alive, full of life and spiritual activity. The working of God’s Spirit in us acts as a supernatural catalyst activating our lives in the power of God to bring forth far more than they can on their own, fulfilling God plans which requires more of everything than we ourselves can accomplish.

Dr. Maslow talked about the highest achievement of people being self-actualization, but what we really need is the actualization which comes when we come back into harmony with God’s original plan for us! Let’s call it God-actualization or as scripture calls it TRANSFORMATION which comes from God alone.

So let us lay aside everything that would keep us from effectively taking our place as a living stone in the house of God! May our lives be spiritual sacrifices offered up to God acceptable and pleasing to god through Jesus the Messiah!

Make Me Good News, Salt and Light

When People See Your Life What Do The See?

Text: Luke 19:10 & I Tim 1:15, Matt 4:16, Rom 13:12, Col 1:13-14, Gen 1:26-31 & Genesis 3:1-11 & Matt 20:28, Acts 1:1 & 1:7-8

Introduction: What Did Jesus Come To Do?

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. By lost we usually mean without God, without salvation or without hope.

If we look into the first three chapters of Genesis we will find what we as men and women had that we lost. Beginning at Genesis 1:26-30

LK 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." NASU

1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. KJV    

Introduction: I would like to start by focusing on Lk 19:10    

What was Lost 

Gen 1:26-31 God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.  [Ps 104:30; Heb 1:2; 11:3.] 

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.  [Col 3:9,10; James 3:8,9.] 

28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. 

29 And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 

30 And to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the ground — to everything in which there is the breath of life — I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. 

31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. AMP 

Next let’s look at Genesis 3:1-11

1 NOW THE serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?  [Rev 12:9-11.] 

2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, 

3 Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 

4 But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,  [2 Cor 11:3.] 

5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. 

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate. 

7 Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apron like girdles. 

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 

9 But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? 

10 He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. 

11 And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? AMP

When we read this and the account in Genesis three of mankind’s sin and failure to trust God we see what was lost: 

We were lost, Matt 4:16 (Those who were in darkness saw a great light)Our relationship with God , Our Dominion over the Earth Our access to the Tree of Life, Our freedom from death. Illness, deception and the corruption of all of creation. Our willingness to believe God alone. 

BUT we were transferred out of darkness in the kingdom of light 1:13-14 and Romans 13:12    

Therefore let us lay aside cthe deeds of darkness and put on dthe armor of light. NAS

LET US REVIEW

1. Jesus Came to seek and save what was lost, 

Salvation in the Greek

Sozdso= to mend, make whole, deliver, restore 

1. Jesus Came to empower us to the work of the Kingdom by His power and authority

Matt 20:28 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."NASU

Acts:1:1 + Acts 2:8 We are to continue to all that Jesus came to do and teach by the power of the Spirit

Acts 1:7-8 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs whichathe Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." NASU

1. What then shall we do since we have this message of Good News along with Jesus authority and empowerment ?

Parable of the Sower

Using what you have. ‘Be the best You, You Can Be!

Preparing the soil or hearts of those around you. Producing the fruit of the spirit and giving it away to others. Gal 5:22

Salt and Light

Salt, preserves freshness in the natural realm and righteousness, Godliness in the spiritual realm.      

Light, Radiating, Demonstrating, Producing or Manifesting the True nature of God in Your life, and proclaiming that God has this Good news for all who will come to Him.

Conclusion: 

1. Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost
2. He has chosen us whom he has saved to be the ones who take this Good News to the other people in the world.
3. We Must be the salt and Light in their world.

This requires that we are people in a growing relationship with God. Allowing Him to Mold and Shape our lives.

Call to Respond: 

Will You say yes to God today,

 Will you say yes, make me the Good News to those in my world,

 Make me a demonstration of Your life O God?

Let me be Salt and Light to a dying Generation!

Artwork by Graham Braddock

God Calls You a Letters from Christ

Metaphor: Letters from Christ

Concept: When people look deeply at your life they will see in the midst of who you are the love letter of God written by His Spirit in your heart.

    

2 Cor 3:2-3 [No] you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody.  3 You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.  [Ex 24:12; 31:18; 32:15,16; Jer 31:33.] AMP

The one thing the human heart needs more than everything else is to know that God whose DNA they share is in love with them and that His love goes beyond their sin, failings and imperfections. 

Scripture tells us that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. One of the words used in the Bible which is translated saved is Sodzo which also means to mend or make whole again. I will be posting a fresh message on my Equippers Network http://equippersnetwork.blogspot.com blog titled ‘Make me Good News, Salt and Light within 24 hours. This message lays out what was lost and what God wants to do for us. It is a deeper understanding of the reality laid out in these scriptures. 

God help others to see the love letter you have written in my heart and may I make it easy for them to see that letter!

God's Workmanship

Eph 2:10

10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. AMP

Bill studied art in college and had hoped to become a commercial artist. But when his wife told him she was going to have a baby, his life goals took an unexpected turn. He dropped out of school and took a job working on an assembly line for one of the major automobile companies. Although he had planned to continue his studies at home and even produced a few paintings, eventually Bill's brush, paints, and easel ended up gathering dust in the basement. For the rest of his life, Bill was haunted by the image of pictures that he had never painted. At the end of his life, Bill saw his existence as a blank canvas.

Although we may not realize it, we are part of a great work of art. According to Eph 2:10, we are "God's workmanship." In ancient Greek, this term referred to a finished work. Literally, we are God's "handiwork" or "that which is made" by God. We are God's masterpiece, designed in love and handcrafted by grace.

The fact that we are God's handiwork says as much about the role of divine sovereignty in shaping our lives as it does about divine artistry. Because we have been created by God, He has the right to order our lives: "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" (Isa 29:16).

The work of God spoken of in Eph 2:10 is one of creation, but of a special kind of creation. Those who have undergone new birth in Jesus Christ have been created "to do good works." This statement is significant in view of its context. It follows on the heels of Paul's assertion that salvation is by grace and through faith, rather than by works, so that none may boast (Eph 2:8-9).

The biblical concept of grace is a dynamic one. Grace is an active principle in the believer's life. John Wesley once said that the best definition of Christianity he had ever heard was this: "Christianity is the life of God in the soul of man." Certainly, Christianity is a body of doctrines, a system of truth revealed in the Bible. But it is also true that Christianity is a relationship. All the blessings of the Christian life flow out of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But grace is also a life-giving principle and a dynamic power that transforms the life of the Christian and calls forth a response.

The popular hymn "Amazing Grace" was penned by John Newton, a former sea captain and slave trader. For Newton, "Amazing Grace" was more than a song. It was actually a testimony of his own personal experience of God's power to transform. In a series of letters to a friend, Newton compared the grace of God in the believer's life to the development of an ear of corn. It begins as a mere blade at the point of conversion. The Spirit of God opens the blinded eyes of the sinner to see the need for eternal life in Christ. Next comes the ear. As the believer grows in assurance, he also grows in his understanding of what it means to be in Christ. This understanding has two dimensions. The believer begins to understand the depth of his own sinfulness and the deceitfulness of his own heart. At the same time, he knows that he is Christ's and that Christ is his. This assurance paves the way for the stage that Newton compared to the full ear of corn. In this stage, the believer is not as concerned about assurance but has one desire: to live for Christ.

One who has enjoyed the fully developed grace of the Christian life understands the role that works play in that experience. Works cannot save, but they are important because they reflect God's workmanship. We have been created by God, partly for the purpose of good works. Paul's use of the language of creation, however, also implies instrumentality. The good works of the Christian life are themselves a part of God's own creative work: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17).

I have an illustration of this in my own home: I occasionally have trouble hanging up my clothes because I find that my closet is too crowded. The wardrobe that I actually wear is relatively small, but my difficulty stems from all the old clothes that I find difficult to throw out, even if they are hopelessly out of style when compared with today's fashions. There are a number of reasons for this: Out of sentimentality, I might keep the old jacket I wore on my first date with my wife, or I may keep a comfortable old shirt simply as a matter of habit.

While I may keep the old clothes that I no longer wear, when Jesus Christ enters the believer's life, He brings with Him an entirely new wardrobe of behavior. The Christian is commanded to "put on the new self." This "new self" has been created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24). We must set the old way of life aside, as one would an old set of clothes. This isn't always as easy as it sounds. Although we may be tempted by familiarity or habit to hang on to this old wardrobe, it has no place in our new lives. There is no need to live like the old self because God has provided a new self.

Pablo Picasso was once asked to paint a portrait of the well-known author Gertrude Stein. She came to the painter's studio and sat for several sessions, but eventually Picasso sent her away and finished the painting alone. When Miss Stein was shown the finished work, she complained that she did not look like that. "But you will" Picasso replied.

In the same way that Picasso's painting of Gertrude Stein was a reflection of what she would look like, we have an idea of what we will look like in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul is telling us that we are a masterpiece, divinely crafted by the hand of God. In this case, however, the portrait is not one of us, but of the image of Christ, in whose image we have been created. For this reason, our lives do not have to be a blank canvas.

Creator God, create within me a clean heart and renew me after the image of Your Son. Enable me by the power of Your grace to do the good works that I was designed to do. Amen.

Thanks to John Koessler for allowing us to publish his material.www.johnkosessler.com

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John Koessler serves as chair and professor of pastoral studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Jane and has two sons, Drew and Jarred. John is the author of ten books and numerous articles. He also serves as a contributing editor for the Moody Bible Institute publication Today in the Word, where you can read his monthly “Theology Matters” column. You can contact John via email at John.Koessler@moody.edu or by phone at (312) 329-4077

Artwork, Majestic Life

The Israel of God

Metaphor:  Israel of God

Concept: Those therefore, who order their lives by the Holy Spirit's control, constitute the true Israel of God.
     Gal 6:16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God!  [Ps 125:5.] AMP

    The word walk is from ‎stoicheo ‎which means "to direct one's life, to order one's conduct." Rule is from ‎kanon ‎which here means "a principle." The principle here is the Cross and all that goes with it in the New Testament economy, including of course the ministry of the Holy Spirit which is so much in evidence in this last section of Galatians. Those therefore, who order their lives by the Holy Spirit's control, constitute the true Israel of God, not the Jews who have the name of Israel but are only children of Abraham after the flesh. The Greek word for "and" also has the meaning of "even" in some contexts. We translate here, "even the Israel of God" as identifying those who "walk according to this rule." From Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament.

God’s promises to Israel were based on the response of faith that was demonstrated as righteousness to Abraham.

 God’s promises are indeed based on faith in Him, so do not be deceived a good name and good works are not enough, simple faith and obedience that comes from faith are the pillars of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

God Calls us House of Israel

Metaphor: House of Israel

Concept: A New Covenant of the heart for all who call upon the name of the Lord, even Israel!

    Heb 8:8-10 However, He finds fault with them [showing its inadequacy] when He says, Behold, the days will come, says the Lord, when I will make and ratify a new covenant or agreement with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

9 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day when I grasped them by the hand to help and relieve them and to lead them out from the land of Egypt, for they did not abide in My agreement with them, and so I withdrew My favor and disregarded them, says the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds, even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. AMP

Beyond the awesome fact that God has not forgotten His people Israel and His promises to them is the realization that we are included as wild branched grafted into the promises of God to Israel.
We do not have a modern equivalent to the blood covenant which God had with Israel and which was consummated in the shedding of Jesus blood and His resurrection. This makes it difficult for us to comprehend the magnitude of what God is promising here. We however can see that the new covenant we have with God is of far greater magnitude than other relational or legal agreements we have today.

We can rejoice in God’s promises to us and we can stand in awe at the price that was paid for us to have this New Covenant in Christ.

God Calls us House of God

Metaphor: House of God

Concept: The promise is that we are and will be the dwelling of God if we are faithful, standing firm in our faith until the end.

        Heb 3:6 But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father's] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].   

Heb 10:21 And since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, AMP

     It is one thing to have the promise of God and it is yet another thing to fight to hold firm in that faith so that what is promised and of which we have a taste now will become a promise full of realization.

Often our leaders forget that we must be challenged and prepared to fight the good fight of faith.

Israel when they were to gain the Promised Land had to fight to obtain it, so we must be willing to fight the good fight of faith so that we gain all that God has for us.

       Today, let us remind ourselves of Ephesians 6:10-18

10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness eproduced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.  [Isa 52:7.]

16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit gwields, which is the Word of God.

18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). AMP

Artwork: Angel Near the gate by Ted larson

God Calls us a Holy Temple

Metaphor: Holy Temple

Concept:  The focus here is on the nature of this temple. It is unique in that we are the living stones that make it. The uniqueness character of this temple is seen in verse 21.

Eph 2:19-21Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household. 20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. AMP

Wuest gives this translation. In whom the whole building closely joined together, grows into a holy inner sanctuary in the Lord, in whom also you are being built together into a permanent dwelling place of God by the Spirit.

The importance we have in forming the temple and demonstrating the life of King Jesus is an encouragement to us that our daily life in which we can be the salt of the earth and the light of Jesus to a world in darkness is a motivation for us to keep giving our greatest effort to live the life Jesus has for us.