Hebrews 2-Crowned With Glory
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Monthly Archives: February 2022
Matthew 1- Incarnation of Christ
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18-20
Every year around Christmas time, the great debate begins among Christians, “Should we celebrate the birth of Christ”? While many Christians opt to celebrate Hanukkah instead, which wasn’t commanded by God either and has no relevance to the New Covenant. The Incarnation of Christ is a central and essential doctrine of Christianity. If Christ didn’t become human there would be no atonement for your sins!
Mary was a virgin and she conceived the Son of God by the Holy Spirit. The Incarnation, much like the Triunity of God, is difficult for us to wrap our human minds around. Often people who can’t comprehend it, just reject it like the Triunity of God. Just because you can’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s not true. If God is truly the Creator of everything, don’t you think He will be a little complex? The reality is The Incarnation of Christ had to happen to save humanity, the Son of God had to become a man to pay for the sins of the world
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:21-25
The Apostle Matthew felt the Incarnation of Christ was so important, that he began his gospel writing with it. Why? Well because 700 years earlier the prophet Isaiah foretold The Messiah would come from a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) What will be the sign of the Messiah? God said “A virgin will give birth to a Son and he will be called Immanuel” Matthew goes on to give us further commentary that Immanuel means “God Is With Us”, think about that God became flesh and lived among Us (John 1:14)
And if there is any doubt God said His name will be Jesus (Yeshua) and He will save us from our sins. Christians have gotten so distracted around Christmas with arguments about paganism, that they forget or miss what happened in that manger in Bethlehem!
The sign was delivered by God, the Son of God becoming human to reconcile us back to The Father. The New Covenant is now upon us, Thank you Jesus! Amen!
Hebrews 1- Thy Throne O God
Luke 24- The Ascension of Christ
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Luke 24:50-53
The hour has come for Jesus to ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right hand of The Father. It was exactly 40 days after the resurrection that Jesus ascended to Heaven. The number 40 in the Bible is often symbolic of a time of judgment or testing. We can reference the Israelites spent 40 years in the Wilderness (Joshua 5:6) and Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4)
Notice it says “They worshiped Him” the disciples worshiped The Lord Jesus Christ. Those who deny the deity of Christ or claim Jesus isn’t God, how do you explain this? Was the first century Church a group of Idolaters? Of course not, because Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14) The Son of God who came to reconcile us from our sins. The early Church understood and recognized the deity of Christ. And they rejoiced as Jesus took his position as sitting at the right hand of God The Father.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
Luke records the same account in the book of Acts, notice the Angels told the disciples Jesus would return in the same way he was ascended. Yes Jesus Christ is going to return again (Matthew 25) and when He returns its not going to be a mystery or secret, every eye will see him (Revelation 1, Matthew 24) just as the same way He ascended back to Heaven.
The Ascension of Christ is the completion of Jesus’ Earthly ministry. We are now in the time of the Fullness of Gentiles, and Christ will not return until the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) is completed. Many Christians claim to want Christ to return, if you truly do, then we must do our job and share the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone!
Lift your heads brother and sisters because redemption is drawing near in Jesus name Amen!
Philippians 4- Peace Of God
Luke 24- The Coming of The Holy Spirit
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:46-49
The time was coming for Christ to Ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right of the Father. However before he left, he visited his disciples and he reminded them about the coming of The Holy Spirit. Now if the disciples remembered, Christ taught them about the Holy Spirit several times in John 14 and John 16, however he’s reminding them about the Promise of God The Father”
Now notice Jesus gave them specific directions, stay in Jerusalem. At first the disciples were confused about this command, however even though they didn’t understand , they were still obedient to Christ and carried out his orders. Maybe we as Christians today, should stop trying to overanalyze the Word of God and just listen. We try to make human understanding of everything Gods says, but His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Before Jesus went to the cross, he repeatedly told the disciples that the Christ would have to die for our sins and be raised on the third day. Even though it was prophesied in the Old Testament, and even though Jesus continually reminded them of this, they still didn’t get it, even after it already happened. Jesus is reminding them again, He had to die for the sins of the world, and He is now Risen. However now salvation is now possible for the entire world by the New Covenant, beginning at Jerusalem.
We know today , Jesus was referring to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit was poured down upon believers in Christ, and the gospel was spread to many nations spoken in many different languages. Many believe this is the official beginning of “The Church” , Pentecost was obviously an instrumental day for the establishment of the Church and the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)
However Christ foretold about Pentecost, just as He foretold about his death and resurrection. Are we listening? The Bible still has other prophecies not yet fulfilled including the Return of Christ, are we ready? It’s time to do more listening to God and less disobedience. Did the Israelites understand when Moses told them to walk through the Red Sea? Did the disciples originally understand why Christ was crucified? Did the disciples understand why Christ told them to stay in Jerusalem? No but God knew and He is always sovereign and able, Amen!
Philippians 3- The Calling
Luke 24- Jesus Appeared
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:36-40
If there was any doubt if The Lord has Risen, the doubts were ended here. Jesus appeared to his disciples in bodily form. Its important to note, Jesus didn’t get resurrected as a Spirit, as some would teach. Jesus is Risen in a physical body, as he showed his disciples the nail marks from the cross on his hands and feet. As Jesus said “For a spirit does not have flesh and bone”
Those who claim Jesus only rose as a “Spirit” are denying the very words of Christ himself. Or they are claiming Jesus “tricked” his disciples into believing he had a physical body. Which we know God can not lie, therefore Christ can’t lie. We remember Doubting Thomas in gospel of John, (John 20) Jesus had him touch his wounds from the cross, was this a deception? Of course not, Jesus is Risen in a physical eternal glorified body.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Luke 24:41-45
Does a Spirit eat food? Of course not, but here Jesus ate food with his disciples. I keep emphasizing this because of the false teachings out there that Jesus is just a Spirit. We also will have physical resurrected bodies at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) It’s important to understand in Gods Kingdom, we will not be floating around playing harps, we will be in glorified bodies, just as God intended before the curse of sin entered into the world
Secondly, Jesus confirms the entire Bible. As Jesus said “All things must be fulfilled written in the Law of Moses (Torah), in the prophets and in the psalms, concerning me” This is the entire Old Testament Jesus is referring to and Christ fulfilled it. Everything written in the entire Old Testament is about Jesus!
So how do you know the Bible is true? Because Christ is Risen, and Jesus affirmed the entire Bible, therefore you can have confidence knowing the Bible is truly the inspired Word of God and sin and death have been defeated forever! Amen!
Philippians 2- Every Knee Will Bow
Luke 24- Road To Emmaus Part 2
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. Luke 24:25-29
As we continue to look at Jesus and his two disciples on the road to Emmaus. At this point , the disciples still had no idea it was Christ. However now Jesus was going to show them in the scriptures, how He fulfilled all the prophecies. The knowledge of the scriptures were there all this time, for hundreds of years, however nobody in Israel could properly interpret them. Jesus told them how all the prophets and Moses were fortelling about Him!
When they drew closer to the village, they asked Jesus to stay with them and discuss more about these prophetic scriptures. How many today are still blinded of the prophecies? How can anyone today read Isaiah 53 and still reject Jesus? Or read Psalm 22? Or read Zechariah 9? Jesus fulfilled over 300 Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament, which is mathematically almost impossible, but It was Finished!
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. Luke 24:30-35
Notice how they recognized it was finally Jesus, by when they were having Communion together. As Jesus said “Do This In Remembrance of Me” (Luke 22) It’s important to have Communion because it’s a remembrance of everything The Lord has done for us, and the promise of His return
Also how did they know it was Jesus “Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked” When you read the Red letters of Jesus Christ in the Bible, doesn’t your heart burn with passion and desire to get to know The Lord more? We should be on fire for The Lord, doing His will, sharing the good news, serving the community. Just as his disciples did when they realized Christ Is Risen, they went back to Jerusalem to tell everyone!
Even though the men didn’t realize it, Jesus was walking with them the whole time! The same Jesus is walking with you right now, leading and guiding you by the Holy Spirit, let your heart be on fire for The Lord! He is Risen! Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 