Sunday, November 02, 2008

THE FOUNDATION OF REFORMATION
...a right view of the Lord Jesus Christ

Just the name of the Lord Jesus Christ itself, contains the most all-encompassing Christological statements of His nature, work and person found anywhere in all of theology: we call Him Lord, because He is Sovereign God; we call Him Jesus, because He is Savior; and we call Him Christ, because He is the Sufficient Messiah.

He is Lord--that is coronation (Phil. 2:5-11); He is Savior--that is incarnation, humiliation, identification (Heb. 2:9-18); He is Messiah--that is substitution, propitiation, justification, and imputation (Rom. 3:21-26).

He is prophet; priest, and king! "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they." (Heb. 1:1-4)

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Solus Christus!
Steve
Col. 1:15-19



The sight of Christ's beauty- God's greatest gift! 



"How excellent is that inner goodness and true religion that comes from this sight of the beauty of Christ! Here you have the most wonderful experiences of saints and angels in heaven. Here you have the best experience of Jesus Christ Himself. Even though we are mere creatures, it is a sort of participation in God's own beauty. "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature." (2 Pet 1:4) "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." (Heb 12:10) Because of the power of this divine working, there is a mutual indwelling of God and His people. "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16) This special relationship has to make the person involved as happy and as blessed as any creature in existence.

This is a special gift of God, which he gives only to his special favorites. Gold, silver, diamonds, and earthly kingdoms are given by God to people who the Bible calls dogs and pigs. But this great gift of beholding Christ's beauty, is the special blessing of God to His dearest children. Flesh and blood cannot give this gift: only God can bestow it. This was the special gift which Christ died to obtain for his elect. It is the highest token of his everlasting love, the best fruit of his labours and the most precious purchase of his blood.



By this gift, more than anything else, the saints shine as lights in the world. This gift, more than anything else, is their comfort. It is impossible that the soul who possesses this gift should ever perish. This is the gift of eternal life. It is eternal life begun: those who have it can never die. It is the dawning of the light of glory. It comes from heaven, it has a heavenly quality, and it will take its bearer to heaven. Those who have this gift may wander in the wilderness or be tossed by waves on the ocean, but they will arrive in heaven at last. There the heavenly spark will be made perfect and increased. In heaven the souls of the saints will be transformed into a bright and pure flame, and they will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Amen." -Jonathan Edwards


Our Sufficient Savior:
the Lord Jesus Christ


"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves,
but our adequacy is from God"
-2 Corinthians 3:5

"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him
and given Him
the name which is above every name." -Philippians 2:9


-Compiled by Steven Camp-

• Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4)
• Sufficient for creation (Colossians 1:16-17)
• He is our salvation (Hebrews 10:10-12)
• He is our sanctification (Ephesians 5:26-27)
• He is our glorification (1 John 3:2)
• So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, error or imperfection in Him (1 Peter 1:18-20)
• There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5)
• He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14,18)
• All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Colossians 2:3)
• All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Colossians 2:9)
• He is heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2)
• He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16-17)
• He upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3)
• He is the first-born of all creation (Colossians 1:15)
• He is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3)
• He is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 1:5)
• He is the Son that enlightens (Hebrews 1:3)
• the Physician that heals (Luke 4:23-24; 5:31)
• the Wall of Fire that defends (Exodus 13:21)
• the Friend that comforts (John 15:14-15)
• the Pearl that enriches (Matthew 13:45-46)
• the Ark that supports (Genesis 6:18; Revelation 11:19)
• and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures (Deuteronomy 32:18; 1 Corinthians 10:4)
• He is the Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
• He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high (Acts 2:34; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1)
• He is better than the angels (Hebrews 1:4-14)
• He is better than Moses (Hebrews 3:3); better than Aaron (5:1-10); better than Joshua (4:8); better than Melchizedek (7:1-3); better than all the prophets (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 1:1)
• He is greater than Satan (Luke 4:1-12; John 14:30)
• He is stronger than death (1 Corinthians 15:55; Hebrews 2:14)
• He is the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17-18)
• He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
• He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)
• He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1)
• He is our Life (Colossians.3:4)
• He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)
• He is the Strength of Israel (1Samuel 15:29)
• He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)
• He is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
• He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)
• He is the Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10)
• He is the Champion (Isaiah 19:20)
• He is the Elect One (Isaiah 42:1)
• He is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1)
• He is the Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11)
• He is the Lord of Hosts, the Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5)
• He is the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)
• He is the Light (John 1:7; 1 John 1:5)
• He is the Son of Man (Matthew 20:28)
• He is the Vine (John 15:5)
• He is the Bread of Life (John 6:48)
• He is the Door (John 10:7)
• He is Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:10-13)
• He is Prophet, Priest and King (Hebrews 1:1-3)
• He is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9)
• He is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30) people
• He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
• He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
• He is Lord God of hosts (Isaiah 47:4)
• He is King of the nations (Jeremiah 10:7; Revelation 15:3)
• He is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
• The Word of God (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13)
• the Rock of Salvation (Psalm 62:2; 89:26; 95:1)
• the Rock of Israel (Isaiah 30:29)
• the Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
• He is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9)
• Creator and Comforter (1 Peter 4:19; Isaiah 43:1; John 16:7)
• Messiah (John 1:41)
• and He is the great I AM (John 8:58)

7 comments:

Tom Chantry said...

I'm reminded of one of John Newton's lesser known hymns:

http://grace-for-today.com/371.htm

ann said...

You write:
(Remember to mark down Tuesday, October 31st, Reformation Day, as a day of fasting and prayer
for reformation, repentance and revival for the church in America.)
And that is very honorable and good. I could not agree more.
But why in America only?
Steve, people all over the world read Your blog, and I strongly believe that we should pray for every country. As far as I know, church in Europe needs the revival desperately, probably even more than the American part of it (if it is possible to put grades on the need).
We look up to You in America, because we think that You are showing the way, because You people over there still have the freedom necessary to preach the Word unabridged and unchanged. It is different here, unfortunately (but this is not the topic of Your post, so I do not elaborate).
Let us all pray for Christ's Church in every country. We are one. In Him.

SBC Layman said...

Steve,

Thanks for the list.

It's always humbling to the see the character and nature of God

Troy

SJ Camp said...

ann_in_grace

I agree with your thoughts and have made the change to reflect the body of Christ in every nation.

Thank you for your gracious word of exhortation...
Campi

ann said...

I appreciate it, Steve.

For the Glory of Christ.

Hazlett Lynch said...

Hi Steve

Good to see that you are promoting the true Gospel through the internet. Jonathan Edwards is also one of my favourite authors, and a dear and true divine indeed.

If you have the time, please feel free to visit my website www.TheReformedFaith.blogspot.com and tell me what you think. We need to discuss matters of great personal importance and be an encouragement to each other.

pro rege

Unknown said...

I'm trying to find the words and music to Steve's "There is No other Name" preferably in sheet music. But I'll take it any way I can get it.

pastor@northsidebiblechurch.org