Posts Tagged Jesus

Do we talk to much about the cross?

Chris Tomlinson wrote an article over at 'The Gospel Coalition' titled "Is it possible to talk too much about the cross?
He ask's Himself this Question due to the fact that some preachers/Teachers seem to talk about the cross all the time,
why is that? do they need to?  The one thing to remember is that the evangelists spend a lot of time in the gospels talking about the cross, and it is to which Jesus kept referring to when he was talking about His ''Hour".

We can understand why they might carry on in this way because we know the primacy and weight of Calvary.  But there are still times this thought crosses many of our minds:  “Great, so I understand the cross is important.  But can’t we move on to the next topic?”

 

Here’s why the cross matters It is at the cross that we see God most clearly.  If history were the vastness of space, the cross would be its brightest star.  We see the fullness of God’s being most clearly at the cross.  We see the fullness of His active purposes most clearly at the cross.

At the cross

…We see God’s sovereignty—reigning with absolute control over humanity’s greatest sin.

…We see God’s purpose—making known the mystery of His will prepared before time.

…We see God’s plan—to unite all things, on heaven and on earth, in Him.

…We see God’s judgment—requiring recompense for guilt.

…We see God’s holiness—demanding the perfect sacrifice.

…We see God’s power—crushing the Son of God according to the purpose of His will.

…We see God’s wrath—punishing the wretchedness of sin.

…We see God’s sorrow—wailing as only a forsaken son can.

…We see God’s mystery—the Son, as God, separated from the Father, committing His Spirit to God.

…We see God’s compassion—pleading to the Father to forgive the ignorant.

…We see God’s gift—His one and only Son, bruised and broken on our behalf.

…We see God’s mercy—making unrighteous sinners righteous.

…We see God’s love—Christ dying for sinners.

…We see God’s rescue operation—delivering us from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His Son.

…We see God’s proposal—pledging Himself to His bride forever.

…We see God’s revelation—the Word of God speaking His last so He might speak on behalf of many.

…We see God’s victory—disarming His enemies, putting them to shame, and triumphing over them.

…We see God’s glory—the name of the Father being magnified for the sake of all peoples.

But seeing God most clearly is not an end to itself.  If it were, then the point of all history would be our own clarity of sight.  But that is not history’s purpose.  Everything exists for Jesus, so that in everything He might be preeminent.  We study the Scriptures to know more of God.  We look forward with great hope to the day we will see Him face to face.  But in the here and now, we know God most fully when we look upon the person and work of Jesus on the cross.

 

There are many good Articles and blogs at the gospel coalition, have a look for yourself.  This article can be found here

  • Share/Bookmark

, ,

No Comments

Scandalous!


I have just started reading a book called: Scandalous: The cross and resurrection of Jesus.

The Author is D.A Carson, The book is based on 5 talks he gave at MarsHill Church Seattle (Mark Driscoll).

The first chapter (based on Matthew 27:27-51a) is on the mocking of Christ in His final Hours by Roman guards and those at the scene of the crucifixion. First of all the deep irony of the mocking Roman guards, dressing Jesus up as a King and taunting Him. Of course, the irony of this is, that, Jesus really is the one true King something they did not realise in their taunts and the same goes for those mocking at the crucifixion.

This is the last part of the Chapter and I love it … just thought I would share with you.

 

  1. The man who is mocked as King —- is King

  2. The man who is utterly powerless—- is Powerful

  3. The man who can't save Himself—– saves others

  4. The man who cries out to God——–Trusts God

 

Followed by this poem.

 

On that wretched day the soldiers mocked him,

Raucous laughter in a barracks room,

“Hail the King!” they sneered, while spitting on him,

Brutal beatings on this day of gloom.

Though his crown was thorn, he was born a King -

Holy brilliance bathed in bleeding loss-

All the soldiers blind to this stunning theme:

Jesus reigning from a cursed cross.

 

Awful weakness mars the battered God-man,

Far too broken to hoist the beam,

Soldiers strip him bare and pound the nails in,

watch him hanging on the cruel tree.

God's own temple's down! He has been destroyed!

Death's remains are laid in rock and sod.

But the temple rises in God's wise ploy:

Our great temple is the son of God.

 

“Here's the One who says he cares for others,

One who says he came to save the lost.

How can we believe that he saves others'

When he can't get of that bloody cross.

Let him save himself! Let him come down now!”-

Savage jeering at the king's disgrace.

But by hanging there is precisely how

Christ saves other as King of grace.

 

Draped in darkness, utterly rejected.

Crying, “Why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus bears God's wrath alone, dejected–

Weeps the bitt'rest tears instead of me.

All the mockers cry, “He has lost his trust!

He's defeated by hypocrisy!”

But with faith's resolve, Jesus knows he must

Do God's will and swallow death for me.

  • Share/Bookmark

, , ,

No Comments

Modern Parables.

modern parables

 

Parables with a difference.  Modern Parables, are providing on video a modern take on
Jesus' parables along with teaching materials. These would be a great asset for any church..
particularly youth groups.  Just click on the picture above for the link or Modern Parable

,

No Comments

To us a Child is born.

112976_nativ2_lgFor to Us a Child Is Born

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness  have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,  on them has light shined (Isa 9:1-2).

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,  whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days (Mic 5:2).

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6).

because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79)."

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4).

 

Just a thought, remember no matter what gift you get a Christmas.  Big or small they have no value compared to the greatest treasure of the whole universe, that is, Christ Jesus the Lord.

 

Jesus said…… "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

,

No Comments

Pt3, The Power of the Blood

 The Power of the Blood Pt3.   

(Part 1, Part 2)

 
Last time, Andrew Murray showed what Jesus said about the 'Blood'. Now he moves to what the Apostles say on the 'Blood'. With the Resurrection and Ascension the Apostles no longer know Jesus in the flesh, Murray points out that “all that was symbolical has passed away, and the deep spiritual truths expressed by symbol, are unveiled (The teaching of the Apostles under the Holy Spirit).
 
The book of Hebrews, which shows the end of temple service and that God had intended it to pass away, now that Christ had come, Has some important verses.
 
  • He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption (Heb 9:12).
  • How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God (v14).
  • Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus (Heb 10:19)
  • And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood ( Heb 12:24)
  • So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured (Heb 13:12-13).
  • Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant(13:20).
 
 
The Holy spirit is teaching us as Murray says that “the blood is really the central power of our entire redemption”. “Not Without Blood” is as valid in the New Testament as it is in the New.
 
The Blood of Jesus – shed in His death for sin,can:
  • cover sin from God's side
  • or, remove from it on ours
Paul writes, “ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins (Romans 3:24-25”.
To the Corinthians, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ (1 Cor 10:16)?
Paul reminds us in Ephesians that “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Eph 1:7)”. and, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13)”.
Peter tells his reader's, “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood (1 Pet 1:2)”. And redeemed by, “the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:19)”.
 
John Assures us that “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7)”.
 
Andrew Murray reminds us that, “All the Apostles agree in mentioning the blood and in glorying in it, as the power by which eternal redemption through Christ is fully accomplished, and is then applied by the Holy Spirit”.
 
“Not without Blood”.
 
Over at Challies, there is a weekly read along with a book by another Murray (John) the book is called Redemption Accomplished and applied. Check out also Rebecca's notes on the same book here.
 
(All scripture verses from 'ESV')

, ,

No Comments

Power in the Blood of the Lamb

Just to follow on from the post below, have a worship sing 'a' long with this gospel tune…

 

, ,

No Comments