JESUS SHALL TAKE THE HIGHEST HONOR
Chris Bowater
Tuning: Standard
Key: A
Source: christiantabs.wordpress.com
Verse 1:
A E F#m
Jesus shall take the highest honour
D E F#m
Jesus shall take the highest praise
D E F#m A
Let all earth join heaven in exalting
D F#m E Esus
The Name which is above all other names
Verse 2:
A E F#m
Let's bow the knee in humble adoration
D E F#m
For at His name every knee must bow
D E F#m A
Let every tongue confess He is Christ, God's only Son
D F#m E Esus
Sovereign Lord, we give You glory now
Chorus:
A E F#m
For all honour and blessing and power
D F#m A E
Belongs to You, belongs to You
A E F#m
All honour and blessing and power
D F#m A E
Belongs to You, belongs to You
F#m A D E A
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God
Monday, 25 August 2014
JESUS SHALL TAKE THE HIGHEST HONOUR
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise
“Make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
John_2:13-25
John_2:13
We have seen him there once before as a son in his own house, and here we see him in riper years as a son over his own house, the heir, exercising authority in the Father’s palace.
John_2:14
They were necessary for public convenience that the worshipers might purchase offerings, and might exchange Roman for Jewish money, since that alone could be presented to the priests; but they had no right to transact this business within the house of God.
John_2:16
Now was fulfilled in measure the prophecy of Malachi: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”
With like zeal will he drive out of His church all who seek their own advancement, and turn the worship of God into a means of gain for themselves.
This was the first occasion upon which our Lord purged the temple, and He had to repeat the work a second time. Nothing is so hard to cleanse as a place which has once been holy and has become defiled.
It does not seem that any one opposed the Lord Jesus; the majesty of His appearance probably held all in check.
John_2:20-21
The resurrection is the surest seal of our Lord’s mission, and the fact that He rose by His own power is a clear evidence of His deity. Who but He could say of His own dead body, “I will raise it up”? Since Jesus has risen we ought most heartily to believe on Him.
John_2:22
They no doubt before this believed both their Master’s word and the Scriptures, but when they understood them better, in the light of their accomplishment, they were as if they believed anew.
John_2:23
The gospel wins many converts, and some of them in after days do not turn out to be stable; this however we must look for, as Jesus did, for the next verse tells us that He did not trust those who were so eager to profess allegiance; for He understood the fickleness of human hearts, the superficial nature of much which passes for true religion, and the ease with which hasty conversions are turned into sudden and final apostacies. May the Lord cleanse our hearts and keep us to the end.
Savior, who dost with anger see
The lusts which steal my heart from thee,
The thieves out of thy temple chase,
And cleanse my soul by sovereign grace.
Thy blood hath made me wholly thine,
My body is thy Spirit’s shrine;
And now my God is dwelling there
My soul shall be a house of prayer.
“Ye must be born again.”
John_3:1-21
John_3:2
Perhaps he came by night because he was busy all the day, or because he would make private inquiries before he committed himself to the new teacher. Jesus did not refuse him a midnight audience, and Nicodemus came to him in courteous and candid spirit.
John_3:3
Thus he tried the faith which the inquiring ruler already had. The doctrine of regeneration has been a test question and a stone of stumbling to many; and always will be so. Jesus tried Nicodemus at the outset with this vital question, for he never suppresses truth to win followers.
John_3:4-6
Flesh at its best can only produce flesh; and since we must become spiritual in order to enter the spiritual kingdom of Jesus, it is inevitable that we must be born again, or else remain strangers to the things of God. Every man must be born twice or die twice: let this never be forgotten.
John_3:7-8
The regenerate man is a mystery, and whence his new nature came, and whither it tends, are both spiritual questions which the carnal mind is unable to answer.
John_3:10-12
earthly things or things belonging to this world
John_3:10-12
The higher truths are not opened up to those who are staggered by the simpler doctrines. It would be idle to attempt it.
John_3:13-13
It is remarkable that the same chapter which so strongly teaches us the need of the new birth is that which most clearly sets forth the gospel of faith in Christ Jesus. Both truths are to be cordially believed. We must be born again, and yet whosoever believe's in Jesus is not condemned.
John_3:18
Let this be well marked. All this family who have not believed are already condemned.
John_3:19-21
With such simple teaching before us, it will be terrible if any one of us should live and die in unbelief. It becomes us at once to believe in Jesus, for ere long we shall be gone where gospel promises are no longer presented as a ground of hope. Lord, we believe, and by grace we are saved.
John_2:13-25
John_2:13
We have seen him there once before as a son in his own house, and here we see him in riper years as a son over his own house, the heir, exercising authority in the Father’s palace.
John_2:14
They were necessary for public convenience that the worshipers might purchase offerings, and might exchange Roman for Jewish money, since that alone could be presented to the priests; but they had no right to transact this business within the house of God.
John_2:16
Now was fulfilled in measure the prophecy of Malachi: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”
With like zeal will he drive out of His church all who seek their own advancement, and turn the worship of God into a means of gain for themselves.
This was the first occasion upon which our Lord purged the temple, and He had to repeat the work a second time. Nothing is so hard to cleanse as a place which has once been holy and has become defiled.
It does not seem that any one opposed the Lord Jesus; the majesty of His appearance probably held all in check.
John_2:20-21
The resurrection is the surest seal of our Lord’s mission, and the fact that He rose by His own power is a clear evidence of His deity. Who but He could say of His own dead body, “I will raise it up”? Since Jesus has risen we ought most heartily to believe on Him.
John_2:22
They no doubt before this believed both their Master’s word and the Scriptures, but when they understood them better, in the light of their accomplishment, they were as if they believed anew.
John_2:23
The gospel wins many converts, and some of them in after days do not turn out to be stable; this however we must look for, as Jesus did, for the next verse tells us that He did not trust those who were so eager to profess allegiance; for He understood the fickleness of human hearts, the superficial nature of much which passes for true religion, and the ease with which hasty conversions are turned into sudden and final apostacies. May the Lord cleanse our hearts and keep us to the end.
Savior, who dost with anger see
The lusts which steal my heart from thee,
The thieves out of thy temple chase,
And cleanse my soul by sovereign grace.
Thy blood hath made me wholly thine,
My body is thy Spirit’s shrine;
And now my God is dwelling there
My soul shall be a house of prayer.
“Ye must be born again.”
John_3:1-21
John_3:2
Perhaps he came by night because he was busy all the day, or because he would make private inquiries before he committed himself to the new teacher. Jesus did not refuse him a midnight audience, and Nicodemus came to him in courteous and candid spirit.
John_3:3
Thus he tried the faith which the inquiring ruler already had. The doctrine of regeneration has been a test question and a stone of stumbling to many; and always will be so. Jesus tried Nicodemus at the outset with this vital question, for he never suppresses truth to win followers.
John_3:4-6
Flesh at its best can only produce flesh; and since we must become spiritual in order to enter the spiritual kingdom of Jesus, it is inevitable that we must be born again, or else remain strangers to the things of God. Every man must be born twice or die twice: let this never be forgotten.
John_3:7-8
The regenerate man is a mystery, and whence his new nature came, and whither it tends, are both spiritual questions which the carnal mind is unable to answer.
John_3:10-12
earthly things or things belonging to this world
John_3:10-12
The higher truths are not opened up to those who are staggered by the simpler doctrines. It would be idle to attempt it.
John_3:13-13
It is remarkable that the same chapter which so strongly teaches us the need of the new birth is that which most clearly sets forth the gospel of faith in Christ Jesus. Both truths are to be cordially believed. We must be born again, and yet whosoever believe's in Jesus is not condemned.
John_3:18
Let this be well marked. All this family who have not believed are already condemned.
John_3:19-21
With such simple teaching before us, it will be terrible if any one of us should live and die in unbelief. It becomes us at once to believe in Jesus, for ere long we shall be gone where gospel promises are no longer presented as a ground of hope. Lord, we believe, and by grace we are saved.
You must be born again!
“You must be born again!”
John_3:1-21
John_3:2
Perhaps he came by night because he was busy all the day, or because he would make private inquiries before he committed himself to the new teacher. Jesus did not refuse him a midnight audience, and Nicodemus came to Him in courteous and candid spirit.
John_3:3
Thus he tried the faith which the inquiring ruler already had. The doctrine of regeneration has been a test question and a stone of stumbling to many; and always will be so. Jesus tried Nicodemus at the outset with this vital question, for He never suppresses truth to win followers.
John_3:4-6
Flesh at its best can only produce flesh; and since we must become spiritual in order to enter the spiritual kingdom of Jesus, it is inevitable that we must be born again, or else remain strangers to the things of God. Every man must be born twice or die twice: let this never be forgotten.
John_3:7-8
The regenerate man is a mystery, and whence his new nature came, and whither it tends, are both spiritual questions which the carnal mind is unable to answer.
John_3:10-12
earthly things or things belonging to this world
John_3:10-12
The higher truths are not opened up to those who are staggered by the simpler doctrines. It would be idle to attempt it.
John_3:13-13
It is remarkable that the same chapter which so strongly teaches us the need of the new birth is that which most clearly sets forth the gospel of faith in Christ Jesus. Both truths are to be cordially believed. We must be born again, and yet whosoever believe's in Jesus is not condemned.
John_3:18
Let this be well marked. All this family who have not believed are already condemned.
John_3:19-21
With such simple teaching before us, it will be terrible if any one of us should live and die in unbelief.
It becomes us at once to believe in Jesus, for ere long we shall be gone where gospel promises are no longer presented as a ground of hope.
Lord, we believe, and by grace we are saved.
THE PROVIDENCE OF THE TRIFLE
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THE PROVIDENCE OF THE TRIFLE
"O Lord, the God of my Master Abraham, send me, I pray Thee, good speed this day.., thereby shall I know that Thou hast shewed kindness to my master."--- Gen_24:12-14.
FROM THIS beautiful incident we can learn much of God's guidance of the soul. Evidently Eliezer, the faithful servant, had absorbed something of his master's faith and method; so that, as we read this artless narrative, we can realize some of the principles on which the entire camp was conducted. Four times he speaks of "the God of my master Abraham." When he had been taken into Abraham's confidence, he entered into the plan with as much zeal and interest as if it were his own private concern. Would that we were equally intent on our Heavenly Master's business, and that those who are our dependants and associates were equally impressed by the reverence and prayerfullness of our lives!
Each step was taken in fellowship with God; but that did not prevent him from exercising his own careful management of the successive steps for ascertaining the disposition of this young girl who was so suddenly summoned from the obscurity of Haran to become a link in the Messianic chain. Eliezer's faith in the Providence of a trifle is most interesting and instructive. He held his peace as the girl drew the water; then, in the assurance of faith that his prayer for guidance had been answered, without further hesitation he placed the bracelets on her arms. Be on the outlook to see God's hand in everything!
Count up the number of times in which this worthy man contrives to bring in the two words, "My master!" We may learn from him how to speak of our Saviour, whenever we get the opportunity--"Rabboni, which being interpreted, is, My Master!"
When asking for good speed to be sent to himself, he alleged as his plea that it would be showing kindness to his master Abraham. So when we ask great things from God, we can plead in the Name of Jesus and be sure that He will show kindness to us for His sake (John_15:16). This old-world story is a beautiful lesson for those who call Jesus Master and Lord.
PRAYER
Send me, O Lord, I humbly ask, good speed this day. May I know when to speak and when to be silent; when to act or refrain from action. In all details of daily life may I faithfully serve Thee, my Master and Friend. AMEN.
The Importance of God's "Unpopular" Promises
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The Importance of God's "Unpopular" Promises
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. (John_8:24)
Generally speaking, God's promises are "popular" with many people. When most of the Lord's promises are read or taught, people are delighted.
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed... Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (John_8:36; Mat_11:28; and Mat_4:19).
Promises like these are so often received with favor, because they are so encouraging. They are embraced with approval, because they are so comforting. On the other hand, some of God's promises are definitely "unpopular" with certain segments of humanity.
This type of promise is scorned or rejected, because of its convicting or sobering character.
Nevertheless, these promises that are not always well-received have great importance in God's plan.
One such promise is given two-fold in our present verse. "You will die in your sins... you will die in your sins." In a tolerant world that wants to deny the reality of sin and its consequences, this is an unpopular promise. Yet, the promise is true nonetheless.
Sin brings spiritual death.
From the beginning, this has been the case. "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die' " (Gen_2:16-17).
This truth was restated by the prophets of Israel.
"The soul who sins shall die" (Eze_18:20 ).
It was also repeated by the apostles in the early church. "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom_6:23).
Since everyone has sinned, this warning by promise that Jesus gave applies to us all.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23).
To escape the inevitable consequences of sin, one must trust in Jesus as the promised, divine Savior. "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." This statement ("I am He") hints of Jesus' deity.
Shortly thereafter, He openly declares that he is God, the Son. "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM" (John_8:58).
Here, Jesus applies to Himself the same name that God revealed to Moses.
"Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you' " (Exo_3:14).
Thus, this important promise by Jesus warns that only faith in Him as the divine Savior will deliver a person from the certain consequences of sin.
Lord Jesus, I thank You for this important warning given by promise. I am delighted to have yielded to its truth and certainty. I rejoice that my sins are forgiven. Use me to pass on this promise to others who need to respond to it, in Jesus name, Amen.
The Unity of God. God is one. The OT condemns polytheism and declares that God is one and is to be worshiped and loved as such.
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deut 6:4-5). He said through Isaiah, "There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but me" (Isa 45:21) And this conviction of the unity of God is continued the NT (see Mark 10:18; 12:29;
Gal 3:20; 1 Cor 8:4; 1 Tim 2:5).
more on this in next post!
The Importance of God's "Unpopular" Promises
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. (John_8:24)
Generally speaking, God's promises are "popular" with many people. When most of the Lord's promises are read or taught, people are delighted.
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed... Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (John_8:36; Mat_11:28; and Mat_4:19).
Promises like these are so often received with favor, because they are so encouraging. They are embraced with approval, because they are so comforting. On the other hand, some of God's promises are definitely "unpopular" with certain segments of humanity.
This type of promise is scorned or rejected, because of its convicting or sobering character.
Nevertheless, these promises that are not always well-received have great importance in God's plan.
One such promise is given two-fold in our present verse. "You will die in your sins... you will die in your sins." In a tolerant world that wants to deny the reality of sin and its consequences, this is an unpopular promise. Yet, the promise is true nonetheless.
Sin brings spiritual death.
From the beginning, this has been the case. "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die' " (Gen_2:16-17).
This truth was restated by the prophets of Israel.
"The soul who sins shall die" (Eze_18:20 ).
It was also repeated by the apostles in the early church. "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom_6:23).
Since everyone has sinned, this warning by promise that Jesus gave applies to us all.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23).
To escape the inevitable consequences of sin, one must trust in Jesus as the promised, divine Savior. "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." This statement ("I am He") hints of Jesus' deity.
Shortly thereafter, He openly declares that he is God, the Son. "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM" (John_8:58).
Here, Jesus applies to Himself the same name that God revealed to Moses.
"Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you' " (Exo_3:14).
Thus, this important promise by Jesus warns that only faith in Him as the divine Savior will deliver a person from the certain consequences of sin.
Lord Jesus, I thank You for this important warning given by promise. I am delighted to have yielded to its truth and certainty. I rejoice that my sins are forgiven. Use me to pass on this promise to others who need to respond to it, in Jesus name, Amen.
The Unity of God. God is one. The OT condemns polytheism and declares that God is one and is to be worshiped and loved as such.
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deut 6:4-5). He said through Isaiah, "There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but me" (Isa 45:21) And this conviction of the unity of God is continued the NT (see Mark 10:18; 12:29;
Gal 3:20; 1 Cor 8:4; 1 Tim 2:5).
more on this in next post!
YOU WILL NOT RISE WITH THE SAINTS TO ETERNAL JOY & HAPPINESS UNLESS YOU HAVE CHRIST IN YOU!
Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. Amp.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead,.... These words are not to be understood as they are by some, of the continued work of sanctification in the heart by the Spirit of God; for regeneration, and not sanctification, is signified by quickening, which quickening occurs when the Spirit of God first takes up his dwelling in the soul; besides, the apostle had spoke of the life of the spirit or soul before; and they are mortal bodies, and not its mortal souls, which are said to be quickened, for these cannot mean the body of sin, or the remains of corruption, as they are said to be, and which are never quickened, nor never can be. To understand the words in such a sense, is not so agreeable to the resurrection of Christ here mentioned; whereas Christ's resurrection is often used as an argument of ours, which is designed here, where the apostle argues from the one to the other. The Spirit dwells in the saints as his temples: the Spirit that dwells in them is, "the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead"; by whom is meant God the Father, to whom the resurrection of Christ from the dead is here and elsewhere ascribed. This "periphrasis" of him is used, to express the power, justice, and grace of God in the resurrection of his Son; to show that the Spirit of God was concerned in it; and the greatness of the person of the Spirit that dwells in the saints; and what reason they have to believe the sanctification of their souls, and the redemption of their bodies, since such a divine Spirit dwells in them; wherefore, he that raised up Christ from the dead, which is the Father, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you; not the souls of the saints, for these die not: but their "bodies", called "mortal", because appointed to death, are under the sentence of it, and in which it already works; "your" bodies and not others; mortal ones, and not airy, celestial, immortal ones; the very same they carry about with them here, and in which the Spirit of God had dwelt. These shall be quickened. The Jews frequently express the resurrection by תחיית המתים, "the quickening of the dead" some distinguish between תקומה "the resurrection" of the dead, which is common to the wicked, and תחיית, "the quickening" of them, peculiar to the righteous: though, it is observed, this distinction does not always hold: however, this act of quickening seems here designed to express the peculiar blessing, of the saints; for though the wicked shall be raised from the dead, yet they will not rise with the saints, nor by virtue of union to Christ, nor to an eternal life of joy and happiness; in this sense the saints only will be quickened, "by the Spirit"; not as an instrument, but as a coefficient cause with the Father and Son: or "because of the Spirit that dwells in you", the bodies of the saints are the temples of the Holy Ghost, they are sanctified by him, where he continues to dwell by virtue of union to Christ, and in consequence of it will quicken them at the last day; so the Jews say, that the Holy Ghost brings to the resurrection of the dead.
What is the TRINITY?
There is one eternal God, the Lord who is holy love.
Through His self-revelation He has disclosed to His people that He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet He is not three deities but one Godhead, since all three Persons share the one Deity/Godhead. The biblical teaching of the Trinity is, in a sense, a mystery; and the more we
enter into union with and deepen our understanding of Him, the more we recognize how
much there is yet to know.
Based on the biblical teaching, the traditional Christian confession is that God is One in Three and Three in One.
more about this in the next post coming soon!
And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. Amp.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead,.... These words are not to be understood as they are by some, of the continued work of sanctification in the heart by the Spirit of God; for regeneration, and not sanctification, is signified by quickening, which quickening occurs when the Spirit of God first takes up his dwelling in the soul; besides, the apostle had spoke of the life of the spirit or soul before; and they are mortal bodies, and not its mortal souls, which are said to be quickened, for these cannot mean the body of sin, or the remains of corruption, as they are said to be, and which are never quickened, nor never can be. To understand the words in such a sense, is not so agreeable to the resurrection of Christ here mentioned; whereas Christ's resurrection is often used as an argument of ours, which is designed here, where the apostle argues from the one to the other. The Spirit dwells in the saints as his temples: the Spirit that dwells in them is, "the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead"; by whom is meant God the Father, to whom the resurrection of Christ from the dead is here and elsewhere ascribed. This "periphrasis" of him is used, to express the power, justice, and grace of God in the resurrection of his Son; to show that the Spirit of God was concerned in it; and the greatness of the person of the Spirit that dwells in the saints; and what reason they have to believe the sanctification of their souls, and the redemption of their bodies, since such a divine Spirit dwells in them; wherefore, he that raised up Christ from the dead, which is the Father, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you; not the souls of the saints, for these die not: but their "bodies", called "mortal", because appointed to death, are under the sentence of it, and in which it already works; "your" bodies and not others; mortal ones, and not airy, celestial, immortal ones; the very same they carry about with them here, and in which the Spirit of God had dwelt. These shall be quickened. The Jews frequently express the resurrection by תחיית המתים, "the quickening of the dead" some distinguish between תקומה "the resurrection" of the dead, which is common to the wicked, and תחיית, "the quickening" of them, peculiar to the righteous: though, it is observed, this distinction does not always hold: however, this act of quickening seems here designed to express the peculiar blessing, of the saints; for though the wicked shall be raised from the dead, yet they will not rise with the saints, nor by virtue of union to Christ, nor to an eternal life of joy and happiness; in this sense the saints only will be quickened, "by the Spirit"; not as an instrument, but as a coefficient cause with the Father and Son: or "because of the Spirit that dwells in you", the bodies of the saints are the temples of the Holy Ghost, they are sanctified by him, where he continues to dwell by virtue of union to Christ, and in consequence of it will quicken them at the last day; so the Jews say, that the Holy Ghost brings to the resurrection of the dead.
What is the TRINITY?
There is one eternal God, the Lord who is holy love.
Through His self-revelation He has disclosed to His people that He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet He is not three deities but one Godhead, since all three Persons share the one Deity/Godhead. The biblical teaching of the Trinity is, in a sense, a mystery; and the more we
enter into union with and deepen our understanding of Him, the more we recognize how
much there is yet to know.
Based on the biblical teaching, the traditional Christian confession is that God is One in Three and Three in One.
more about this in the next post coming soon!
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Glory to God in the highest
“Glory to God in the highest.”
Luke_2:1-20
Let us read with great joy of the birth of Jesus, the incarnate God.
Luke_2:2
The census was taken by Augustus, but the actual collecting of the tax was not carried out till the time of Cyrenius.
Luke_2:3-6
The decree of Cæsar was made to fulfill the decree of Jehovah, that Jesus should be born in Bethlehem.
Luke_2:7
Little love had the world for the Redeemer. It could find no room for him, no, not even in the place where the meanest traveller had free accommodation.
“No peaceful home upon his cradle smiled, Guests rudely went and came where slept the royal child.”
Luke_2:8
To simple minds, humbly doing their duty, the good news first came.
Luke_2:9-12
The heavenly messenger had scarcely concluded his announcement before he was joined by others who had hastened after him to swell the glory of the proclamation of the newborn king.
Luke_2:15
They believed the news, were interested in it, and went to see. If we believe the gospel, let us show our faith practically.
Luke_2:16-20
Here were three ways of treating the news concerning Jesus. Some wondered, and there the matter ended, as, it is to be feared, it ends with many who hear it in these days. Mary weighed all these things in her heart; to her they would be a perpetual source of blessing. The shepherds showed their piety in another manner, for they glorified God by telling the glad tidings to others. Have we not good cause to follow their example?
Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King,
“Peace on earth and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled.”
Veil’d in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus our Immanuel here.
Mild he lays his glory by;
Born, that men no more might die;
Born, to raise the sons of earth;
Born, to give them second birth.
“Lo, this is our God—we have waited for Him.”
Luke_2:21-22; Luke_2:24-38
Luke_2:21
Jesus signifies “Jehovah the Saviour,” and is the most melodious of all names in the ears of penitent sinners.
Luke_2:22; Luke_2:24
Our Lord having placed himself, for our sakes, under the law, was obedient to it in all points, thus fulfilling all righteousness on our behalf. The poverty of his parents is showed by their presenting the second poorest offering accepted by the law; there was one offering poorer still, but they were not in abject poverty, that worst distress was reserved for Jesus in his after years, when he would not have where to lay his head. Though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor.
Luke_2:25
He was just before men and devout towards God, and his faith looked steadily forward for the coming of the Messiah, whom those who believingly searched the Scriptures were daily expecting.
Luke_2:35
The highly-favoured mother had to endure unusually sharp and killing griefs as she saw the sorrows and the death of her blameless son.
Luke_2:37
Having lost her husband for eighty-four years, she had devoted herself to the continual worship of God, and had, no doubt, as a prophetess, been spiritually useful to many. Women are much more honoured under the gospel than under the law. It was meet that two of the first witnesses to our Lord should be an aged man and a venerable woman.
Luke_2:38
O for grace to embrace Jesus, to love Jesus, to testify to Jesus, and to be so joyful in Jesus that we may be willing, like Simeon, to die, or, like Anna, to speak of him to all around!
Saints, before the altar bending,
Waiting long with hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord descending
In his temple shall appear;
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doom’d for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now repeals the sentence,
Mercy calls you—break your chains;
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
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