DON'T BURY THE GOSPEL IN YOUR DAILY LIFE, YOUR WORK, YOUR SCHOOL, OR YOUR CHURCH...the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord

This above YouTUBE video features some very powerful words by Dr. John Piper. It is a must listen to. You can listen to this entire message he gave at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary here.


In this week's installment of "Your Weekly Dose of Gospel," I felt the urgency further direct your hearts and minds to feast upon the Word of God as it speaks to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. As you read and maybe meditate upon the many verses below, I trust they will be an encouragement in your life and in your service in the gospel to worship the One who conquered sin, Satan, death and the grave. The resurrection of our Lord isn't something we should just focus on once a year during the Easter season, treating it only as the "icing on the cake" of Christianity. But it should occupy our souls and eclipse all other joys every day as the central theme of our faith. There is no greater news than, "He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven, heaven's gates are opened wide... He's alive!" Therefore, as part of the worship-centered life we should live Coram Deo 24/7 rejoicing and glorifying in the resurrected Jesus.

The tragic fact is though, in today's evangelical climate the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is sometimes strangely absent - or even purposely left out of gospel presentations. But even more concerning, it is now acceptable by some evangelicals that the gospel, without including the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, could be embraced as the genuine gospel. That is a hellish lie beloved. If Christ did not rise from the dead, we are the world's greatest fools, our faith is a sham, and there is no gospel to proclaim. This should be a burden to us all; and produce in each of us deep, aching, heart-wrenching prayer for revival and reformation to the very gospel that demands our lives be forsaken even unto death.

What a joy to go into all the world and proclaim this good news to people in every nation that salvation is only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And as we go to our neighborhoods, cities, schools, places of work, and families may we never leave out of the gospel beloved, the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord is risen,,,
Steve
1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Gospels:
Matt. 16:21 ¶ From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.

Matt. 20:19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

John 2:22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

Acts:
Acts 2:14 ¶ But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Acts 2:24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

Acts 3:15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

Acts 4:2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

Acts 17:18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

Acts 24:21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

Acts 26:23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

The Epistles:
Rom. 1:4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Rom. 4:24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, Rom. 4:25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

Rom. 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Rom. 7:4 ¶ Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

Rom. 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Rom. 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Rom. 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

1Cor. 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1Cor. 15:12 ¶ Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1Cor. 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 1Cor. 15:14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 1Cor. 15:15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 1Cor. 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 1Cor. 15:17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 1Cor. 15:20 ¶ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

2Cor. 4:14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.

Gal. 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

Eph. 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph. 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Phil. 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; Phil. 3:11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Col. 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

1Th. 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pet. 1:21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1Pet. 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

THERE IS NO ONE LIKE HIM...look unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, 

so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him 

and established in the faith, 

just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive 

by philosophy and empty deceit, 

according to human tradition, 

according to the elemental spirits of the world, 

and not according to Christ. 

For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 

and you have been made complete in Him, 

who is the head of all rule and authority. 

-Colossians 2:6-10

"Jesus is the Truth. We believe in Him, —not merely in His words. He Himself is Doctor and Doctrine, Revealer and Revelation, the Illuminator and the Light of Men. He is exalted in every word of truth, because He is its sum and substance. He sits above the gospel, like a prince on His own throne. Doctrine is most precious when we see it distilling from His lips and embodied in His person. Sermons [and songs] are valuable in proportion as they speak of Him and point to Him. A Christ-less gospel is no gospel and a Christ-less discourse is the cause of merriment to devils." -C.H. SPURGEON

"Jesus Christ is the sum and quintessence of the gospel; the wonder of angels; the joy and triumph of saints. The name of Christ is sweet, it is as music in the ear, honey in the mouth, and a cordial at the heart… the Mediator of the covenant, the restorer of lapsed sinners." -THOMAS WATSON

QUOTE OF THE DAY...uncommon wisdom drawn from the well of God's Word

Christ is All-Glorious:

by John Owen, Communion with God.

(cf, Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 2:9-18)

• glorious in His throne, which is at “the right hand of the Majesty on high”
• glorious in His commission, which is “all power in heaven and earth”
• glorious in His name, a name above every name—“Lord of lords, and King of kings”
• glorious in His scepter—“a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of his kingdom”
• glorious in His attendants—“his chariots are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels,” among them he rides on the heavens, and sends out the voice of his strength, attended with ten thousand times ten thousand of his holy ones
• glorious in His subjects—all creatures in heaven and in earth, nothing is left that is not put in subjection to him
• glorious in His way of rule, and the administration of his kingdom—full of sweetness, efficacy, power, serenity, holiness, righteousness, and grace, in and toward his elect—of terror, vengeance, and certain destruction toward the rebellious angels and men
• glorious in the issue of His kingdom, when every knee shall bow before him, and all shall stand before his judgment-seat.

HT: JT

THE TRIAL AND STONING OF STEPHEN...was, Coram Deo

"One must wonder as the crowd seethes under its own indictment: Will no one come to Stephen’s defense? Is there no one who will make a statement on his behalf against these charges? If the Sanhedrin thought Stephen stood alone in their courtroom, what happens next proves them to be dead wrong. Verse 55:

Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

We now know why Stephen’s face has been shining like Moses’ did on Mount Sinai. Stephen was not alone. This is no mere vision. At the end of his defense Stephen sees the exalted Christ standing at the right hand of God. Standing? Has not Peter already stated in Acts that Christ is seated? Christ is standing because it is the Advocate who stands in defense of the accused. Stephen has already referred to this advocate as The Righteous One, a designation that denotes Christ’s role as a mediator on behalf of His people before the Father. Stephen saw what John the Apostle wrote about when he said “we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, the Righteous. Stephen has been confessing Christ to the Sanhedrin. Now Christ confesses the preacher full of grace and power who had been doing signs and wonders among the people." -by Chad Bressen of "The Vossed World"

Read the biblical account
Acts 7:1 ¶ The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

Acts 7:2 ¶ And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, Acts 7:3 and said to him, ‘LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.’ Acts 7:4 “Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. Acts 7:5 “But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. Acts 7:6 “But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. Acts 7:7 “‘AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,’ said God, ‘AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.’ Acts 7:8 “And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Acts 7:9 ¶ “The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, Acts 7:10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

Acts 7:11 ¶ “Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. Acts 7:12 “But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. Acts 7:13 “On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. Acts 7:14 “Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. Acts 7:15 “And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. Acts 7:16 “From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

Acts 7:17 ¶ “But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, Acts 7:18 until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. Acts 7:19 “It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. Acts 7:20 “It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. Acts 7:21 “And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. Acts 7:22 “Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. Acts 7:23 “But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. Acts 7:24 “And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. Acts 7:25 “And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. Acts 7:26 “On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ Acts 7:27 “But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? Acts 7:28 ‘YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?’ Acts 7:29 “At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.

Acts 7:30 ¶ “After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. Acts 7:31 “When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: Acts 7:32 ‘I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. Acts 7:33 “BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. Acts 7:34 ‘I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.’

Acts 7:35 ¶ “This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. Acts 7:36 “This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. Acts 7:37 “This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.’ Acts 7:38 “This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. Acts 7:39 “Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, Acts 7:40 SAYING TO AARON, ‘MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT—we do not know what happened to him.’ Acts 7:41 “At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. Acts 7:42 “But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets,

‘IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL?
Acts 7:43 ‘YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’

Acts 7:44 ¶ “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. Acts 7:45 “And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. Acts 7:46 “David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. Acts 7:47 “But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. Acts 7:48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

Acts 7:49 ‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord,
‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?
Acts 7:50 ‘WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?’

Acts 7:51 ¶ “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Acts 7:52 “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; Acts 7:53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

Acts 7:54 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. Acts 7:55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; Acts 7:56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. Acts 7:58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Acts 7:60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. (NASB Update)

GRACE WORKS...the joy and struggle of growing each day in Jesus

For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 

not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.

-Ephesians 2:8-10

It is hard to live by grace. 

Grace robs us of our own glory and our desire to take credit for things only God can do. It steals from us the longing for control of our own destinies and lives and therefore strips us of casting unbiblical, unwarranted, hasty judgments against others. Grace fosters humility, creates unquestioned dependency, and grants us assurance and hope.

Grace causes us to have unfettered worship in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthens us each day in our service and endeavors for Him. It produces love for the brethren - ALL the brethren - not just those in our own theological/doctrinal camp. Grace produces patience, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness and makes manifest in our lives the fruit of the Spirit and the law of Christ.

It causes us to love God and hate sin; to love our enemies, our neighbors, our church, our co-workers, our families, and the One Triune God. It is our daily teacher in the school of holiness and ultimately will see its instruction complete when we are home with Jesus in glorification.

IOW, grace... works. 

It is not passive - it is active. It is not a silent bystander, but the unmistakable voice of the Savior. It is not a one time remembrance in salvation, but our daily companion in sanctification. This is not cheap grace - it is costly, paid with the currency of heaven that only flows from our Lord's veins. Grace marks the intimacy and life with our spouses; it is the fuel of our prayers; and the source of all ministry. It as the Apostle Paul states, "we stand in grace."

The Disposition of Grace

"A Christian should not be sour, crabbed, and irritable in his temper for nothing almost tends so much to injure the cause of religion as a temper always chafed; a brow morose and stern; an eye that is severe and unkind, and a disposition to find fault with everything. And yet it is to be regretted that there are many persons, who make no pretensions to piety, who far surpass many professors of religion in the virtue here commended. A sour and crabbed temper in a professor of religion will undo all the good that he attempts to do." -Albert Barnes, NT Commentary, Phil. 4:8

A prayer for grace:

"Lord, teach us to live by grace, to love by grace, to confront by grace, to endure trials by grace, to not repay evil with evil by grace, to risk the rough waters someone else is going through to see them made whole by grace, to challenge by grace, to restore by grace, to walk by grace, to talk by grace, to worship by grace, to serve others by grace, to blog by grace, and govern all ministry by grace. And may all this be done according to Your Word, to Your glory, and in the power of Your Spirit. For Jesus' sake... Amen."

O SACRED HEAD NOW WOUNDED...the shame, suffering and satisfaction of the cross

an encore presentation

Before we move too quickly away from Resurrection Weekend, I wanted to post one more article about the great work of redemption our Lord has fully accomplished. No commentary; just the ancient words of Scripture speaking clearly about our Savior, Jesus Christ on the cross.

As the Apostle Paul has so powerfully proclaimed in Galatians 6:14 "

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

May we never tire of writing, sharing, speaking, proclaiming, heralding, witnessing, and blogging about Him - the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen?

The Suffering Servant of the Cross

"He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. as a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53:3-11

Reconciled by the Cross

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

"...that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:16-18

Redeemed Through the Cross

"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." John 17:4-5

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." John 19:30

"...you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.... But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.... For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast....." Ephesians 2:1-9

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:13-15

"...having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:20

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

The Love of the Cross

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. " Galatians 2:20

"God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

The Foolishness of the Cross

"...the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body...." Philippians 3:18-21

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Daily Bearing the Cross

"He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory..." Luke 9:23-26

" And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost..." Luke 14:27-28

"... he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:38-39

"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel...." Colossians 1:21-23

"Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.'” Mark 10:21

"Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect." 1 Corinthians 1:17

The Offense of the Cross

"...if I still preach circumcision [conforming to accepted cultural standards], why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased." Galatians 5:11

"As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to becircumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ." Galatians 6:12

The Glory the Cross

"...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Lyrics (J.W. Alexander's version, 1830)

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,

Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;

How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!

How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;

Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;

Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,

Though mighty worlds shall fear thee and flee before Thy glance.

How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!

How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;

From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.

Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;

Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,

For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.

I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;

Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,

For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.

Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.

Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;

Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;

O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,

When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,

Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,

When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.

O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,

Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;

Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!

When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,

But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;

Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.

Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,

My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.

THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES...the Lord Jesus - our wonderful, merciful Savior

“Therefore God also has highly
exalted Him and given Him
the name which is above every name,"

• Jesus Christ is sufficient for creation (Col. 1:16-17), salvation (Heb. 10:10-12), sanctification (Eph. 5:26-27), and glorification (1 Jn. 3:2).

• So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, or imperfection in Him (1 Pt. 1:18-20).

• There is no other God besides Him (Is. 45:5).

• He is the only begotten Son (Jn 1:14,18).

• All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Col. 2:3), all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Col. 2:3, 9).

• He is heir of all things (Heb. 1:2).

• He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him and for Him (Col. 1:16-17).

• He upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3).

• He is the first-born of all creation (Col. 1:15).

"so that at the name of Jesus
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven
and on earth and under the earth,"

• He is the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3).

• He is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 1:5).

• He is the Son that enlightens (Heb. 1:3), the Physician that heals (Lk. 4:23-24; 5:31), the Wall of Fire that defends (Ex. 13:21), the Friend that comforts (Jn. 15:14-15), the Pearl that enriches (Mt. 13:45-46), the Ark that supports (Gen. 6:18; Rev. 11:19) and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures (Deut. 32:18; 1 Cor. 10:4).

• He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high (Acts 2:34; Heb. 1:3; 8:1).

• He is better than the angels (Heb. 1:4-14), better than Moses (Heb. 3:3); better than Aaron (5:1-10); better than Joshua (4:8); better than Melchizedek (7:1-3); better than all the prophets (Eph. 2:20; Heb. 1:1).

• He is greater than Satan (Lk. 4:1-12; Jn. 14:30), and stronger than death (1 Cor. 15:55; Heb. 2:14).

• He is the First and the Last (Rev. 1:17-18), the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29), our peace (Eph. 2:14), our hope (1 Tim. 1:1), the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn. 14:6).

• He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2), the Captain of our Salvation (2:10), the Champion (Is. 19:20), the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Heb. 3:1).

• He is the Man of Sorrows (Is. 53:3).

"and that every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
-Philippians 2:9-11

• He is the Light (Jn. 1:7; 1 Jn. 1:5).

• He is the Son of Man (Mt. 20:28).

• He is the Vine (Jn. 15:5).

• He is the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:48).

• He is the Door (Jn. 10:7).

• He is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:10-13).

• He is Prophet, Priest and King (Heb. 1:1-3), our Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:9), our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30), the Rock of Salvation (Ps. 62:2; 89:26; 95:1), the Eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14), the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9), the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6),

• and He is the great I AM (Jn. 8:58).

compiled and/or written by Steve Camp

LOOK UNTO JESUSThe Captain of Salvation; The Conqueror of Death; The Spoiler of the Grave

by Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:2

When heart and flesh are fast failing, and the trembling feet descend into the dark valley of the shadow of death, to whom shall we then look but unto Jesus? The world is now receding, and all creatures are fading upon the sight; one object alone remains, arrests and fixes the believer's eye–it is Jesus, the Savior; it is Emmanuel, the Incarnate and now-present God; it is the Captain of our salvation, the Conqueror of death, and the Spoiler of the grave; it is our friend, our brother, our Joseph, our Joshua, loving and faithful, and present to the last. Jesus is there to confront death again, and vanquish him with his own weapons. Jesus is there to remind His departing one that the grave can wear no gloom, and can boast of no victory, since He himself passed through its portal, rose and revived, and lives for evermore.

• Sick one! in your languishing, look to Jesus!
• Departing one! in your death-struggles, look to Jesus!
• Are you guilty?–Jesus is righteous.
• Are you a sinner?–Jesus is a Savior.
• Are you fearful, and do you tremble?–the Shepherd of the flock is with you, and no one shall pluck His sheep out of His hands.

How fully, how suitably, does the gospel now meet your case! In your bodily weakness and mental confusion, two truths are, perhaps, all that you can now dwell upon–your sinfulness and Christ's redemption, your emptiness and Christ's sufficiency. Enough! you need no more; God requires no more. In your felt weakness, in your conscious unworthiness, amid the swelling of the cold waters, raise your eye and fix it upon Jesus, and all will be well. Hear the words of your Savior calling you from the bright world of glory to which He bids you come, "Arise, my love, my fair one! and come away." Believer! look to Him–lean upon Him–cleave to Him–labor for Him–suffer for Him–and, if need be, die for Him. Thus loving and trusting, living and dying, for "Jesus only."

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)