The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 4

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-20 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints.

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Part 4

"Jesus Died for our Sins According to the Scriptures"

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 3

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-15 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints.

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Part 3

"The Gospel is Primarily a Proclamation"

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

Fitly Framed Together - Part 3

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; in Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21)

It is important for us to know why we come together. There are many church-goers, sadly, who do not even know why they meet together. They "go to church" because it is Sunday then they go come and watch football and the commentary could state "the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together" (Acts 19:32). It is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain or deliver any benefit in the assembly of the saints if you do not know why you are there. If nothing else, determine that when you gather with the people of God it is "for the better" (1 Cor 11:17), that is, for the betterment and advancement of everyone who is present. The Lord is framing people together in the church that He might maximize their capacity to edify one another. Togetherness is of great worth.

A Perfect Gathering. Being fitly framed together speaks of perfection; a completed project. The assembly of saints is not just a collection of individual parts but the fitting together of those parts. The church, after all, is the gathering of many incomplete members and unified as one complete body. The assembly, no matter how small a delegation, is a demonstration of that while the culmination of this framing together is in heaven when God finally gathers together all things in Christ (Eph 1:10). The assembling of ourselves together now is a kind of firstfruits of that greater more perfect gathering.

Completion is the aim of Paul's exhortation: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:10). That is an environment in which God can work. We see an example of this in the first days of the church when "all that believed were together, and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44-47). The brethren perfectly complimented one another by some selling their possessions and giving to other who had need. They were completing that which lacked - both physically and spiritually - and God strongly supported them.

Utility. Believers have been joined together that they might be an effective and productive people. The assembly of the saints is to be productive in the purpose of God. We are the building "of God" and are "being builded together" by Him and for Him (Eph 2:22). Like any building project, materials are gather and fitly framed together in order that they may function according to their purposed end. So it is with the church. The people of God are gathered and fitly framed together that they may function according to their purposed end - the glory of God and the building up of each other in love.

It is my perception that many people gather together with little or no expectation of being productive. Many people see the majority of the work of the church as something that happens outside of the confines of their gatherings together. Basically, their gatherings are a sort of tradition with no real work being accomplished. It is often seen as the place of preparation. But we must raise these expectations. The church is "an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22) in which and by which He is mightily working. When the whole church comes together there is great expectation because the assembly of the saints is a fruitful field. It has been divinely appointed that nourishment from God is delivered to the people of God "by joints and bands" and this is when they increase "with the increase of God" (Col 2:19). In a body the "Joints and bands" are where members come together! Nourishment is ministered there!

Diversity in the Assembly. The body of Christ needs every member. "The eye cannot say unto the hand, 'I have no need of thee'" (1 Cor 12:21). God has so "tempered the body together" that there should be no "schism...but that the members have the same care one for another" (1 Cor 12:24-25). The body is arranged in such a way that each member, whether comely or uncomely, is necessary and can provide care for the other members. This, again, is particularly true when those members all assemble together.

If God is working in someone, the rest of the body needs to partake of what God has wrought in them. In other words, what God gives to you is not only for you. The body of Christ needs every member to supply that which they have been given; "When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation..." The various members offer various things in the assembly but God works those things together for the good of all. Therefore, "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor 14:26).

The Blessed Work. The people of God are fitly framed together and "compacted by that which every joint supplieth" (Eph 4:16) and thereby are built up, increased, and grow with a growth from God. In this "togetherness" in the assembly God is able to supply the needs of each individual member by working through the others. He is able to give insight or understanding to a member who can add to and capitalize on what He gave to another member. He gives portions to each member so when they come together they are more whole. That member which is incomplete of itself is completed when it is gathered together with the other members. A great work is accomplished in the assembly of the saints. God is fitly framing His people together so that they can partake of and participate in this work of edification.

Let us all take up the prayer of the apostle for all saints everywhere, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (Col 2:2). Let us be among those who are "striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Php 1:27) "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb 10:25).

Fitly Framed Together - Part 2

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; in Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21)

A View of Salvation. In salvation we are gathered, not only together, but unto Jesus. When we are talking about togetherness we must start here. For, if men are gathered together but are alienated from God it profits them nothing. God has "reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 5:18). We have been "joined unto the Lord" (1 Cor 6:7). Having taken away our sin, Jesus made peace between us and God. "When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Rom 5:10). In Him all believers are made into one new man and brought to God. The assembly of the saints is an environment of togetherness. All believers were not only united with Jesus by their baptism (Rom 6:4,5) but they were also baptized into "one body" (1 Cor 12:13). One view of our salvation is reconciliation wherein we are brought together with God and one another.

Coming Together Unto God. The assembly of the saints is a gathering together with Deity, primarily. Like the disciples during the time of Jesus' earthly sojourn our assemblies are a gathering "together unto Him" (Mt 13:2). We do not simply gather together with one another; we gather "unto the Lord." We want to make this distinction because there are those who gather together and experience "togetherness" for other purposes. Some may "gather together against the Lord and against His Christ" (Acts 4:26). We, however, are on the Lord's side and we gather together to collectively draw near to Him to be with Him and to commune with Him. Our assemblies are in view of Jesus words: "where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mt 18:20).

A Concern. It is my perception and my fear that many churches gather together in their own name. They come together and carry on their services without any acute awareness of God. Where this takes place they will be alone. Jesus will not take a back seat to any attempt of men to promote themselves or their church. In the Revelation the churches are seen as candlesticks with Jesus standing in the midst of them (Rev 1:12,20). The churches that neglect Him and His Father are promptly removed from His presence. Let us fear lest such a thing happen to us. For if we come together in the name of the Lord and He is not present, we have wasted our time. Be certain that when we come together, we are together with God.

Laborers Together with God. Where God is present there will be life, liberty, and productivity. The assembly of the saints is a place of focused kingdom work. In the gathering of saints every saint is working together to build up one another and glorify Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. The design of the assembly of the saints is that every member of the body is working, not just one or two, and they are working together with God. The surest way to "burn out" is to minister in the strength of the flesh rather than with "the ability which God giveth" (1 Pet 4:10). Not only does God help us in our ministry but God Himself is working in our midst (1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1) along with His holy angels (Heb 1:14). There is fellowship in ministry that cannot be experienced in spectating. When you gather together in His name determine to effectually work according to your measure. God is glorified in this.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Fitly Framed Together - Part 1

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; in Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21)

God has "set the members, every one of them, in the body as it hath pleased Him" (1 Cor 12:18). He has done this in an orderly fashion. As a wise Master builder He has fitly framed each part, though vastly different one from the other, together. They are compacted together. They work together. They are members "one of another" (Eph 4:25). This is how God has built His church, and the benefit of such a union is best experienced and displayed when "the whole church be come together into one place" (1 Cor 14:23).

While "oneness" speaks of having the same mind, heart, and purpose, "togetherness" speaks of the participation and work of those who are one. It speaks of them working as one in a cohesive and complimentary manner. Oneness speaks of having all things in common, while togetherness speaks of our diversity being integral to our fitting together as one.

In Christ, God has brought together Jew and Gentile. He has fitly framed together the commonwealth of Israel with strangers. He has joined together His enemies with His children. He has united the uncircumcision with the circumcision. Christ broke down the middle wall of partition between them and brought peace. But not only that! He didn't just make the two into one; He is fitly framing them together and building them together "for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22). Their agreement isn't the primary purpose, His dwelling with men is!

Togetherness! The assembly of the saints is an environment of togetherness wherein God takes many various parts and fitly frames them together to accomplish a purpose. He takes men and women, parents and children, bond and free, and uses them to compliment one another that they all may grow into the fullness of Christ. Their individual differences is actually a source of strength to the whole. They fit together, function together, and work together. Without this "togetherness" they are just individual parts. But being fitly framed together upon the foundation of Christ and the apostles, and being in-dwelt by the Spirit of God they become the habitation of Deity. Now, THAT is an environment in which God can work.

The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 2

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-15 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints.

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Part 2

"The Reception of the Gospel"

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

(1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

God is Giving Men to Jesus

"And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them." (John 17:10)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

This text is a summation of the work of God through Christ. It tells us how men are saved. It is an exposition of Jesus being "the Way" (Jn 14:6) and "the Good Shepherd" (Jn 10:14) and "the Captain of our Salvation" (Heb 2:10). This is how God's "own arm" is bringing salvation to Himself (Isa 63:5). God is saving men and safely, victoriously, triumphantly bringing them to Himself by Christ. All of the Father's children are given to Christ and Christ brings them to the Father.

When Jesus prayed as recorded in John 17, He made many things known concerning His work in the earth and the fulfillment of the Father's will. It was an incredibly insightful prayer that the disciples were permitted to hear. In that prayer Jesus prayed "not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine" (v9). He identified believers as a possession of the Father's and consequently He made known His ministry in bringing God His possession. Jesus was and is the very "elect" of God (Isa 42:1) the One chosen for this great work of salvation. He is the Savior of the world and He is very capable of accomplishing "the work" that the Father has given Him to do (Jn 17:4). He is mighty to save.

Jesus said, "Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee" (v1). Salvation - your salvation and mine - is this very thing. The Father is glorifying the Son and the Son is glorifying the Father.

The Father has exalted Christ and raised Him up to save. He "hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" (v2). Jesus has, in fact, been given authority to forgive sins and to give eternal life. Jesus is the only man who had "life in Himself" (Jn 5:26) and is Himself "the Life" (Jn 14:6). He is the only suitable source of life; for no one can give what they themselves do not possess. Jesus was given power to give life to all those that are given to Him of His Father. The Father is giving men to Jesus so Jesus can give them eternal life.

But that is not all that Jesus gives them. "I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me" (v6). This is specifically true of the apostles but also to all those that the Father gives to Jesus. Jesus manifests the name of the Father to them. In "the midst of the congregation" Jesus is declaring the name of God unto His brethren (Ps 22:22). When Jesus teaches men (Eph 4:20-21) they become acquainted with the Father. In fact, "this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (v3). When Jesus gives men eternal life He is given them to know the Father and Himself.

Ultimately, the Father is giving men to Jesus so that Jesus can keep them in His name and give them back to the Father. "Those that Thou gavest Me I have kept," Jesus said (v12). If Jesus could do that while He was in the world how much more can He keep us now, having been exalted and glorified and seated at the right hand of God. He is able to keep all those whom the Father has given Him. If you are in Christ today it is because Jesus is keeping you. If you are believing God today it is because Jesus is keeping you. If you are overcoming the world by faith it is because Jesus is keeping you. And if Jesus is keeping you it is so that He can give you to the Father. "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am" (v24). He is not just "giving" you to the Father, He is "bringing you" to the Father (1 Pet 3:18). In other words, He is going to the Father with you that where He is, there you may be also - even in the presence of the Father.

This is a very specific view of salvation. It is "how" you are being saved. Men may not realize it while it is happening, but nevertheless, this is how it is being done. Jesus said, "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw Him; and I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn 6:44). Most think that they simply came to Jesus but they came because the Father drew them and gave them to Him. Jesus continued, "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me" (Jn 6:45). The Father teaches men, draws men and gives men to His Christ and His Christ gives them eternal life, manifests the Father's name and brings them safely home. That is a thorough salvation.

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)