Words From The Word Of God
A topical, and expositional study from the Word of God, in order to Glorify and Exalt our Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; that we may reach the world with the Gospel, and grow in the Grace and knowledge of Him.. Grace and Peace to all, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(Isaiah 52:7) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"(Isaiah 55 10-11) 10) "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:"11) "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(John 3:16)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”(John 14:1-7) 1)"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."2)"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."3)"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."4)And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."5)"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?"6)"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."7)"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."(Romans 10 :9-10;13) 9)"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."10)"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."13)"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
All Done For The Glory Of God and To Exalt Jesus Christ The Lord!!!
Words From The Word Of God
Then Cometh Jesus: The Most Pivotal Moment in God's Redemptive Plan
The baptism of Jesus represents one of the most pivotal moments in human history and in God's redemptive plan, marking the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and revealing the Trinity in perfect harmony.
• Jesus' baptism fulfills centuries of prophecy dating back to Genesis 3:15
• The phrase "Then cometh Jesus" carries eternal weight, signifying God's perfect timing
• Jesus demonstrated profound humility by coming from the insignificant region of Galilee
• John the Baptist initially hesitated to baptize Jesus, recognizing his own unworthiness
• Jesus insisted on baptism "to fulfill all righteousness," identifying with humanity's need for redemption
• The heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father's voice declared Jesus as His beloved Son
• Scripture reveals little about Jesus' first 30 years, but Luke notes he "increased in wisdom and stature"
• Jesus' ministry began at age 30 and would last approximately three years before his crucifixion
• The Trinity is clearly displayed at the baptism – Father (voice), Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit (dove)
• Jesus serves as our perfect high priest, understanding our temptations yet remaining without sin
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
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Good morning and welcome to this another edition of Words from the Word of God as we join together again in the Gospel of Matthew. I know we've been moving at breakneck speed as we have come to as far as verse 13. We have talked a great deal about John the Baptist, his message, his mission and the purpose for his message and mission, and that was to set the example of the boldness One man filled with the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, led by the Holy Spirit, in the power and spirit of Elijah coming forth in his bold message and how it was a seekerker, friendly, and so on and so forth. We've talked in great deal and great length about that in the last three broadcasts. But now today we come to the most pivotal moment. And don't get me wrong. Now there's many pivotal things, many great things that have happened in the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan so far here in the Gospel of Matthew, from chapter 1 to here in chapter 3. But we come to a juncture here, a most pivotal juncture, most significant happening in the history of mankind, may I say, but also in the history of God's redemptive plan. And we will read this, but drop with me, if you will now open the word of God to Matthew, chapter 3. And I want you to hold your place there. I want you to turn over to Luke, chapter 2, chapter 3. We're going to read a couple of verses and then in chapter 4, we're going to read a couple of verses. There we're going to read a couple of verses and then in chapter 4, we're going to read a couple of verses. There we're going to read a few verses in chapter 2, but it'll kind of give us the context of what we're talking about here.
Speaker 1:As we look into the other Gospels, as we go along here in the Gospel of Matthew, we want to try to put things as close together as we can and show the depthness of scripture, and not only that, but showing how scripture supports scripture and how scripture defines and points to scripture. Uh, many times throughout the word of god. But if you will start reading with me here in the gospel of matthew, chapter 11, excuse me again, chapter 3, verse 11, he says I indeed, again in context, 3, verse 11. He says I indeed, again in context of Scripture. This is John the Baptist. He says I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, whose fan, his winnowing fork, is in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Then cometh Jesus Did you hear those three words? Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him, but John forbade him, saying I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me. And Jesus, answering and said unto him Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he, speaking of John the Baptist, suffered him, jesus. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him.
Speaker 1:I believe that's speaking of John the Baptist, because the next he is talking about John the Baptist, what he saw at this point. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus, upon him. And lo, a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And the tense there in that well pleased, I am well pleased is I am well pleased. And the tenth there in that well pleased. I am well pleased, as I am already in whom I am already well pleased. He was already well pleased in his son speaking of God the Father, beautiful display of the trancy here.
Speaker 1:But now, if you will turn with me, to Luke, chapter 2. Now I'm asking you to go here because it must understand through scripture we are not told and I refer to them, and I have actually had a pastor laugh at me one time when I said this I refer to the early years of Christ as the silent years, because we don't have a whole lot, we're not given a whole lot of scripture concerning the early years of his life, up until he turns 30 and begins his ministry, as we'll see here in the Gospel of Luke. But the early years, the years that it's basically silence. From this you know up to this point here at the Jordan River. So we're not given a whole lot, but let's see what the word of God does give us. Turn with me again to Luke, chapter 2. I want to begin reading in verse 41. It says Now, his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover, and when he was 12 years old they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast and when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Speaker 1:They didn't know, he was not with them but they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey from Jerusalem. They were a day's journey away and they saw him among their kinfolk and acquaintance and when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem seeking him. And it came to pass. After three days they found him, him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, the highly religious, educated men that knew the word of god. They knew the existing scriptures at that time, the law, the prophets, the, the five, the five books of m, and so on and so forth.
Speaker 1:But he's sitting in the midst of these highly religious, might I say, self-righteous men who would be the very ones that would reject him. He's sitting in the midst of them, both, hearing them and asking them questions. Can you imagine that the word which was made flesh tabernacle among us, that we may behold him as the only begotten of his father, full of grace and truth, that Jesus Christ, all man, all God, sitting at 12 years old, in the midst of these self-righteous men who knew and these are the very ones that he would say you know not the Scripture as we get along in his ministry and we'll see his discussions back and forth with these same people, the Pharisees, sadducees, scribes, so on and so forth. But the doctors, he was sitting in the midst of them. Doctors, he was sitting in the midst of them. And and it says right here in verse 47, because when it says and that all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they, speaking of joseph and mary, saw him, they were amazed. And his mother said unto him Son, notice the capital S there, son, I believe that's recognizing his deity. Why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not Very important here? This will give us an idea of his early years. He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them. But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.
Speaker 1:Now, if you will turn with me to look right there in verse 23 of excuse me, let me find my place here verse 23 of chapter 3. The word of God tells us here now, this is Luke's record of jesus's baptism. But right here in verse 23 he says and jesus himself began to be about 30 years of age, being, as it was supposed, the son of joseph, which was the son of heli, and it begins the genealogy there. But you notice, right here in verse 41 through 52 of Luke, chapter 2, we find in the temple or in the synagogue there at 12 years old. And then we find here in Scripture, in verse 23 of chapter 3 of Luke, that he begins his ministry at 30. So there's about 18 years that are really not accounted for, not really given a whole lot of detail in Scripture. But if you will, I believe we'll get some idea of it. And you know, because there's different scholarly opinions out there and some of them are just really far-fetched talking about he went down and joined the Essenes and studied Scripture with them and he went off to some foreign lands and this, that and the other.
Speaker 1:But I believe we must stay with what Scripture says, because it says right here in verse, starting in verse 14 of chapter 4 of Luke. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. Now, this is after his temptation in the wilderness. In the context of Scripture, here in Luke, he says Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee and there went out fame of him through all the region round about, and he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all, and he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. Did you hear that? Where he was raised?
Speaker 1:And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read, and there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it is written or was written. The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, to recover the sight of the blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Of course that is fulfillment, uh, and that's the scripture of Isaiah, chapter 61, verses 1 and 2.
Speaker 1:But my point of reading the scripture here is to look into the early years of Christ's life, what is revealed to us here in Scripture. If you notice, as I said there, he's there at 12 years old, in the synagogue where Mary and Joseph find him, and then it says he returned with them and was subject unto them. Have you noticed that? That the God of creation, the Lord of all, jesus Christ, he goes back with these earthly parents and he is subject unto them. Subject unto them, can you imagine? But it also says something significant to them, can you imagine? But it also says something significant he grew in stature and wisdom and he was found in favor with God and man. That speaks of graciousness and in good standing with God and man. So no wonder we find here in Matthew, in the verse 17 of chapter 3, it says and lo, a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Now, I hadn't intended in getting into all that this morning, but I felt like we needed to set that context as moving forward.
Speaker 1:Now, going back to Matthew, chapter 3, verse 13 through 17,. You know we've already spoken about this divine pivotal moment in history and in these verses we are drawn into this pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan. John the Baptist, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, has faithfully fulfilled his role as the forerunner, proclaiming the need for repentance and preparing the hearts of Israel for their coming Messiah, and pointing all who will hear to the true King from glory, the Lamb of God, jesus Christ. But in verse 13, we encounter the phrase cometh jesus from galilee to jordan. These words mark the divine intersection of eternity and time, when god's preferred perfect plan of redemption and salvation to his son aligns with his perfect time. You know it's just brought the scripture to mind as I was just speaking that, right there, turn over with me to Galatians.
Speaker 1:Galatians, chapter 4. Turn over there with me, right, quick. Let's turn there, right quick. Galatians, chapter 4. I'm going to read verse 4 and 5, if I can get there. My pages are sticking together, so bear with me here. You probably beat me there.
Speaker 1:But verse 4 and 5 says but when the fullness of time was come, god sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons Now. That speaks of his birth. But everything speaks to perfect timing. This didn't happen a moment too soon or a moment too late. It happened exactly when God had determined it to happen Him becoming flesh and dwelling among us, being born of a virgin, fleeing into Egypt, coming back to Israel and going into Nazareth, that he might be called a Nazarene.
Speaker 1:All of it speaks of the perfect divine plan of God, his divine redemptive plan, the way it would happen and God's divine timing. And it teaches us that God has a purpose, not only in our lives but in the time that we are here upon this earth. But the arrival of Jesus at the Jordan symbolizes the unfolding of God's eternal purposes fulfilling centuries Do you hear that? Centuries of prophecy? It is here that the public ministry of the Savior begins, a ministry that will lead to the cross, the resurrection and ultimately the redemption of all who will believe in him. You know it's like Hebrews. Chapter 10, verse 7, reminds us Jesus came with a purpose, he says in that verse. In Hebrews the author records Speaking of a prophecy there from Psalm.
Speaker 1:But this reveals the heart of Christ's mission Obedience to the Father's will, a divine act of love to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan for humanity. That is what this reveals to us. Lo, I come to do thy will, o God. We will find as we go through the gospel accounts that said many times I have come to do my father's will, I have come to do the will of him that has sent me. We will hear Jesus utter those words many times throughout scripture. But it speaks of his obedience and his humility and his great love for us. Great love for us.
Speaker 1:You know, many people want to separate jesus and god and say, well, you know, god showed great love and sending christ. Yes, but christ, as in great love, came to redeem us, knowing what was set before him and that was the cross. But he did that knowing the joy that was set before him, and that was eternal glory, back to heaven, seated at the right hand of his father. But he came in full obedience and full humility and I think we'll see that as we go through this message. But we see not only that, but we see the eternal mission, jesus willingness to come not only was obedient, but he willfully came.
Speaker 1:The words then cometh Jesus, here in verse 13, carry eternal weight, for they signify the fulfillment of God's promise in Isaiah, chapter 42, 1 through 4, which foretells the coming of the servant of whom God's soul delights the coming of the servant of whom God's soul delights. Not only that, but Matthew, chapter 3, verse 1, speaks of the messenger who will prepare the way. We talked about that in the last broadcast. Matthew Malachi 3, 1 talked about John the Baptist. You know, this moment of Jesus coming to the Jordan from Galilee and Nazareth echoes the first prophecy of redemption. Here then cometh jesus, the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Speaker 1:From genesis 3 15, let's read that right quick or just lay that on my heart. I know we're kind of walking through the word of god this morning, but turn with me to genesis, chapter 3, verse 15, if you will, and read along with me there. Of course this is at the fall and we've already covered this several times, but we'll look at it again this morning. It says, and the word this is God speaking unto Satan, the serpent. Satan had taken or possessed the serpent. He says, and I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed. It now that is a pronoun in the Hebrew can be a he, her or it that he shall bruise thy head, speaking of a mortal head wound, mortal wound, and thou shalt bruise his heel, a heel wound which of course we know is not not, uh, fatal because, or a mortal wound because jesus would be resurrected, and it points to his resurrection at that point. But this, what this? These three words then cometh jesus. They carry eternal weight, for they are the fulfillment of God's promise and prophecy there, the proto-evangelium, there, in Genesis 3.15, the seed of the woman which was promised to crush the serpent's head, satan's head. And we know that happened that day at Calvary.
Speaker 1:But we must understand that this also speaks of Jesus coming willingly, not out of compulsion, but perfect obedience to the Father's will. John 6, 38 says and this is Jesus speaking, and it affirms this fact of his willingness. He said, for I came down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this willingness is further captured by the Apostle Paul in Philippians, chapter 2, verses 6 through 8, showing us how Jesus, though being in the form of God, made himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and, being made in the fashion as a man, humbled himself and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. So we see the humility, the continued humility, the continual humbleness, the continual obedience, the continual willingness of Jesus to come.
Speaker 1:The deliberate act of coming to the Jordan reflects the heart of our Savior, fully committed to accomplishing the eternal plan of redemption, echoing his willingness as prophesied in Isaiah 53, verses 6 through 7, which tells us All we, like sheep, have gone astray and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He came willingly, with a purpose. Jesus had a purpose for everything that he did in his life, no doubt guided by the Holy Spirit. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Now, the child, the human child, was conceived in Mary's womb. Jesus was not conceived. He is eternal. He's co-eternal with God, coexisting with God.
Speaker 1:But we must understand that. But as we come into here in these three words then cometh Jesus. We see his obedience, we see his humility, we see his willingness. Now we look at his humility. Verses 13 through 15,. The word of God tells us here then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan, unto John to be baptized of him, but of Psalm 119, 172.
Speaker 1:But the humility of Christ is found here from Galilee to Jordan. It is deeply symbolic those words. Galilee is often viewed as an insignificant region and becomes the starting point of the mission of and ministry of Jesus Christ, that would change the world. Similarly, in Matthew, chapter 2, verse 23,. Remember what we read there about that he shall be called a Nazarene. This fulfills the prophetic imagery of Isaiah 11, 1, where the Messiah is described as the netzer, the branch and that's what the word Nazarene comes from is the netzer, the branch that would spring forth from humble beginnings, from Judah and that masonic line, nazareth itself. Take that into consideration. Nazareth itself was held in such low regard that when Nathanael was brought to Jesus he said can any good thing come out of Nazareth? As in John, chapter 1, verse 46.
Speaker 1:Micah, chapter 5, verse 2, again speaks of his humble beginnings there in Bethlehem, where he was born, and it reminds us of his humility, his humility throughout all his life he stayed humble, teaching us that humility is the way to go and not pride us. That humility is the way to go and not pride. Jesus had every reason to be prideful he is God in the flesh and he could have been prideful, but no, he set the example for us of obedience, full obedience, willingness to do the Father's will, to do our Father's will not only that, but to be humble in doing so and be obedient, fully obedient in doing. But it says right there in micah, chapter 5, verse 2 but thou, bethlehem, ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is, to be ruler of Israel. This humility of Jesus is further displayed as Jesus submits to the baptism a right of repentance. Jesus had no sin, so why should he be baptized unto repentance? When John the Baptist hesitates to baptize him, jesus assures him Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. What does that mean? In this act and in these words, jesus expresses his commitment to the Father's will fully identifying, listen closely, fully identifying with humanity's need for redemption.
Speaker 1:I recall what the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 21, one of my favorite verses where he proclaims for he, speaking of God, hath made him, speaking of Christ, to be sin for who? For us, the sins of the world. He made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him and being baptized. He was identifying directly with us because we were in great need of redemption, and that redemption would only come through the one and only Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, foreshadows the ultimate humility, the ultimate in obedience and the ultimate willingness that Jesus would display on the cross of Calvary, where he bore the sins of the whole world. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians, chapter 8-9, for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for yet for your sake he became poor. This humility, lived out in Jesus' baptism, underscores the depths of his obedience to the Father, his willingness to come, his humility and his great love for all of mankind. Great love for all of mankind. Hallelujah and praise God for that. You know, where would we be without Christ? Where would we be?
Speaker 1:Then we see the public declaration of the Messiah. As he comes up, he says and when Jesus was baptized, went up straightway out of the water. This is verse 16,. And lo, the heavens were opened unto him. And John, speaking of John, saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him. And lo, a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
Speaker 1:The baptism of Jesus culminates in a divine declaration. I love it. As he rises from the water, the heavens open, the spirit descends. The Holy Spirit descends like a dove and the father's voice declares this is my beloved son, in whom I am already in the transliteration there, in whom I am already well pleased. Remember what it said about him being in the favor of God and man. There in Luke, chapter 3, verse 23. And as he began his ministry at 30 years old and those 18 silent years from 12 to right here at this very point, being 30 years old at this time it was 18 years between that but in that whole time preparing himself for exactly what he was getting ready to do, and that was his ministry here on earth and his purpose driven life for the cross of Calvary. History here on earth and his purpose-driven life for the cross of Calvary.
Speaker 1:But this moment not only establishes Jesus' authority, but it also reveals the Trinity. You know people want to deny the Trinity, but if you look and you pray prayerfully, read the word of God, the Holy Spirit will reveal the Trinity to you throughout scripture, all the way from genesis, all the way to revelation. But here we have a beautiful portrait, verbal portrait, painted out of the trinity, you know, the three persons of the eternal godhead in perfect harmony. God, the sun rises from the water. God, the Holy Spirit descends from heaven like a dove. Might I say a symbol of sacrifice. It was because the dove was a sacrificial animal and the dove is a sign of signal of peace, so a symbol of sacrifice and peace. But the Holy Spirit descends from heaven like a dove and lights upon him, and then we have God, the Father, audibly affirming Jesus's identity. Together they proclaim the divine nature of Jesus's mission, emphasizing his unity and purpose within the Godhead. This event fulfills Psalms 2-7, where it says thou art my son. This day have I begotten the affirming Jesus as the Messiah.
Speaker 1:John the Baptist's testimony further reinforces this. Remember, we talked about it in the last broadcast. We're going to read them again. John, chapter 1, verse 32, 334, where john the baptist is, and john, speaking of john the baptist, bare record, saying I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it abode upon him, and I knew him not. But he that sent me to baptize with water, the same, said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him. The same is he which baptized with the Holy Ghost, and I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God.
Speaker 1:The Apostle Paul would remind us of this again in Colossians, chapter 1, verse 19 through 20, where it encapsulates the significance of this very moment. He says, for it pleased the Father that in him, speaking of Christ, should all fullness dwell. That means all the fullness of the Godhead would dwell and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself. God reconciling all things to himself through his son and the blood of his cross, I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven, the public declaration right here, the Spirit descending, jesus coming up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descending as a dove, the voice from heaven thundering from heaven.
Speaker 1:I can only imagine how that vision must have been. Was it a dimensional, interdimensional thing? When the heavens opened up? Could you see all the way up into the third heaven? How did that look? But I can only imagine it was an amazing and awe-inspiring experience, because we get excited about it. Reading about it, we get excited about it, reading about the events of it. Can you imagine what it must have been like for John the Baptist to see this and to hear this voice, and all around to hear this voice, this proclamation.
Speaker 1:But this public declaration affirms Jesus' authority and marks the beginning of his earthly ministry. That's why I said remember at the beginning one of the most pivotal moments in the history of mankind and especially one of the most pivotal moments in the history of God's divine redemptive plan for mankind, which was first spoken of when man fell in the Garden of Eden, there in Genesis 3.15, where it's recorded, you know, jesus, this marks the beginning of his ministry. Remember what we read there in Luke, chapter 2, verse 23, that he was 30 years old when he began and he would minister for three years before he was crucified. A mission to seek and to save that which is lost. And you know, this speaks of his great love Because, remember he said greater love hath has no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his sin.
Speaker 1:Jesus came from galilee to the jordan. Then, cometh jesus. Most profound three words that could be uttered. Then, cometh jesus. Thank god that j came. Thank God that Jesus was obedient. Thank God that he was obedient unto the Father's will, thank God that he was humble. He came in humility and to show us and set the example of how we are to live. Thank God that he lived a sinless life to set the example, the perfect example, for how we are to live after we receive him as our Lord and savior. Thank God that he would bring all the principles, the very vision of the kingdom of God and God himself, because he was the logos, he was the living outward expression of God. You know Hebrews chapter. Turn there with you, right, quick, hebrews chapter one, verse three. Let's turn that.
Speaker 1:You didn't realize that we would know very little about God, except what's in the Old Testament scriptures, had it not been for Jesus but the cause of him. This is what we have, verse 3 of hebrews chapter 1. Well, let's go back to verse verse 1. He says god, who in sundry times and in diverse manners spake and times passed under fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by who, his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world, who being now speaking of Christ, who being in the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he hath by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of majesty on high. Jesus came that we might know the Father.
Speaker 1:Remember there in John, chapter 14, verses 8 and 9, I believe, when he had the conversation, philip says show us the Father, and it suffices us. He said have I been so long with you, philip? Whosoever has seen me has seen the Father. You want to see God? Look into the eyes of christ, look into the face of christ, because he is god, he was god and he will always be god. And eternity passes all the way through eternity, future, as far as you can count, all throughout eternity. Jesus christ is eternal. He is god, he was god and he will always be god, as he is the same today as he was yesterday and will be forever more. Not only that, but the last thing we see here are the eternal implications for then cometh jesus. The phrase then cometh jesus carries eternal significance for both humanity and the church.
Speaker 1:For humanity, jesus bridges the gap between a holy god and sinful mankind. If it were not for jesus, we would have no way to be reconciled. You remember what paul said there in colossians, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself. That means that we are brought into a right relationship with god through the blood of the cross of jesus christ. There is no other way. Jesus said in john, chapter 14, verse 6 I am the, the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me. It's signified again there in Colossians, chapter 1, verse 19 through 20, where he said he has made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself. By him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven. There is no other way for us to be reconciled unto the Father except through the blood of Jesus Christ's cross and Jesus Christ himself. Had he not come, there would be no bridge to bridge that gap between that great chasm that separates simple humanity from a righteous and holy God.
Speaker 1:Remember what scripture says there is one mediator between God and man, and that is the man, jesus Christ, one mediator. You cannot confess your sins to a man and expect God to forgive you. That's just not scriptural. You cannot work for your salvation. It is not scriptural. You cannot earn your salvation. That is not scriptural. You say well, where do you get that?
Speaker 1:From the most probably quoted verses in scripture Ephesians, chapter two, verse eight and nine. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works. Lest any man should vote so for humanity. It carries great eternal implications, because without Christ we would be hell-bound with the the hammer down. Then cometh Jesus, thank God. Then cometh Jesus For the church. For the church, we must understand this. You know well.
Speaker 1:Let's go back. I hadn't finished up with that last point. Humanity, let's look at this for a minute. There's a couple of scriptures I want to read and we'll move on. Humanity, let's look at this for a minute. There's a couple of scriptures I will read. We'll move on.
Speaker 1:Romans, chapter 5, verse 8, speaking of the love that christ, the love of god has toward us and through christ, and the love that christ has for us. But god commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, christ died for us. Then you have to to read Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 13 and 14. But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for he is our peace. Through his coming, grace, forgiveness, eternal life are made available to all. You hear this, to all who will believe. Can I say that again? Through his coming, through his coming, his dying on the cross, his resurrection, his ascension back to heaven, grace, forgiveness, mercy, love, eternal life are all made available to all, all who will Belief For the church.
Speaker 1:The coming of Jesus calls us to worship. It calls us to a mission. It calls us to the message of the gospel. It calls us to holy living in our daily lives and be a light of his example to all humanity. His humility, his obedience and love become the blueprint for our lives as true born again believers.
Speaker 1:You know, as the author in Hebrews, chapter four, would remind us that he is our perfect high priest and his perfect work is our high priest. We must remember that. You know he knows how we are tempted. Yet because he was tempted in every way, yet without sin, but because of him, we can come boldly unto the throne of grace that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. So anytime we fall short, you know he understands the temptations that we face. And of course, grace doesn't give us a license to go out and sin, but when we do, john would tell us.
Speaker 1:In 1 John he says if we sin, we confess our sins. He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You know, folks, it's just wonderful. So what does this mean for believers and unbelievers? For believers true born-again believers, as we consider this, reflect on the eternal significance of Jesus' willingness to come and identify with humanity through his baptism. Identify with humanity through his baptism. Let this inspire our lives to gratitude, surrender and worship of him. As he came in humility and obedience, so should believers, those that claim to be Christians, born-again believers walk in his steps. Remember the other day I spoke about Jesus telling us we are the light to the world, we are the salt of the earth. Well, he also says something there as well. We are not to do it to draw attention to ourselves. He said let them that they may see your works and glorify your father which is in heaven. And he teaches us in every way how to glorify the father which is in heaven, our father which is in heaven.
Speaker 1:For unbelievers, revelation 3, verse 20, and closing revelation verse. Chapter 3, verse 20, offers this he says this is jesus. Behold, I stand at the door and knock the door of your heart. He's standing there today knocking, knocking, and he'll continue to knock until you turn away and turn away, and turn away and completely reject him. He'll continue to knock. Continue to knock. Every time the word of God is preached, he'll knock. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction into your life.
Speaker 1:Just as Jesus came to the Jordan, that day he comes to meet you where you are. It doesn't matter where you're at, it doesn't matter what you're involved with. He's knocking at your heart's door today. He is knocking. Do you hear the knock? Do you feel the drawing of the Holy Spirit? Do you hear that voice telling you give your heart and life to me, come and make me Lord of your heart and your life, repent of your sins and receive me as your Lord and Savior. John 3, 16 provides this assurance, begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Today can be the day of your redemption, for now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. Will you not surrender to him today? Surrender your heart to him today? Will you not surrender to him today? Surrender your heart to him today? Repent and turn from sin. Turn completely from sin in the world and place your faith in Christ Jesus and turn to God by placing your faith and all your trust in him and accept him, asking him to your heart and life. Today.
Speaker 1:Some people I've heard in the past say well, that's just not scriptural. Well, read Romans, chapter 10, specifically Romans 10, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, so on, so forth, if you don't believe that. But Jesus says I love you. He said I love you from the cross when he said Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. That was a prayer throughout all the ages for all souls. Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Speaker 1:Let us stand in awe of the simple yet profound phrase then cometh Jesus. It is a reminder of God's eternal love and purpose, revealed in none other than Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Savior, our Lord. May this truth lead us to worship, to gratitude and to a life lived in the light of his glorious coming. Jesus came once to redeem. He will come again to reign, but before that happens he must first return for his church, and I believe that is not far off. And with that said, I close by saying the last prayer of the scripture. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Even so, come lord jesus. Even so, come. Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to the next time we can share the word from the word of god. God bless.
