SPOTLIGHT ON JESUS

SPOTLIGHT ON JESUS THE CHRIST

    We live in a world that is always in crisis.  But the God who overcame the forces of Egypt to set His People free is still our  God.  John was given a Vision which he wrote in the Book of Revelation.  Look to JESUS and His glory!  God was in Christ bringing the world back to Himself (2 Cor. 5:17-21).

    1. SATAN OPPOSES AND CONFUSES.

    “So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.”  Rev 12:15 (NKJV)

    Satan wants us to think this way.  “Just give up! It is all lost. Go and hide. We are vanquished. Christianity is over. Our time is gone. Anyone with eyes to see will agree. Greater than waves, tsunamis rather surge against life, against common sense, against freedom and against innocence! See the crimson tide of abortion; the green tide of Islam; the pink tide of inversion; the black tide of pornography; and as a deadly mix of all others, the fluorescent tide of political correctness.”   Verrier

    [PS: Yet out of all this rises His Church!]

    2. JESUS IN GLORY.

    “And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”  Ezekiel 43:2 (NKJV)

    “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” Rev 1:12-16 (NKJV)

    “I turn round to see who’s talking. There’s seven halogen floodlights, solid gold. Right in the middle is the Christ dressed like a High Priest with a gold belt round His torso. His face and hair are brilliant white, His eyes are on fire, His feet are glowing bronze like they’re still in the smelter, His voice is like a wild white-water river. His right hand’s holding seven stars and His words are like a samurai sword – razor sharp both sides. Looking into His face is like looking up at the sun.”  Lacey on Revelation 1:12-16.

    3. FLESH & BLOOD, SKIN & BONES!

    “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”  2 John 1:7 (NKJV)

    “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”  Heb 2:14-16 (KJV)

    Jesus is the Human One and He wished to introduce His companions into the mystery of Life, into the mystery of His life.  He showed them by eating, sleeping, healing, preaching and praying, just what it means to be the Son of God.  He invited them to share His life, His inner self, and His presence among them.  He allowed them to touch, in His flesh, the life of the Father.  He helped them to experience, in His gaze, in His going out in power, the newness of praying to “Our Father.”  In Jesus “Abba, Father, Our Father,” has no trace of routine or mere repetition. On the contrary, it contains a sense of life, of experience, of authenticity.  With these two words, “Our Father,” He knew how to live, praying, and to pray, living.

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5 (KJV)

    “O Lord our GOD, let Your beauty be upon us!  Let us your servants see Your Work again!  Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.  Our Father, show us Your approval and make our works successful!  How short life is.  Teach us to grow in wisdom and love.  We pray in the Name of Christ Jesus.  Amen.”

Way to Pray

Ways to Pray in Times Like These

        “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.  And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.  And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” Rev 8:3-6 (KJV)

        “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”  Rev 14:13 (KJV)

        “Daniel praised the God of heaven.  He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.  He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.”  Daniel 2:19-22 (NLT)

1. "Lord, do something that will show people Your glory over all the earth.           

        “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations.  For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth; That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.”  Psalms 108:3-6

        God is continually at work in our world.  Now is a moment for God to do something that no diplomat, no world leader, no army could possibly do.

2. "Lord, use these anxious and uncertain times to bring many to Christ." 

        “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”  2 Thess 3:1-2

        God can use this fearful time to reach the hearts of many—in Iraq, across the Middle East, in America, among the young men and women of the military.

3. "Lord, guide our leaders to be instruments of Your will on earth." 

        “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.” 1 Peter 2:13-14              

        A Christian's responsibility to "honor the king" and to pray for those in authority, transcends political labels and issues—it is a spiritual responsibility!

4. "Lord have Your Way and Your Will in the lives of our enemies." 

        "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you."  Luke 6:27-28

        Jesus has charged us to represent even our enemies before His Throne of Grace.  [Note Psalm 76:10.]

5. "Lord, help Your people model peace in these troubled times, pointing the people around them to Jesus—at a time when hearts can be reached."

        "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." Hebrews 6:19

        "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" John 4:35

        This uncertain time is a life-saving moment—when those who belong to Jesus have an unusual window of opportunity to announce Jesus to those who don't know Him. But the window may not be open for long.

6. "Lord, use world events to open many doors that have been closed to Your gospel." 

        "Pray that God would open for us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ…" Colossians 4:2-3

        God's plan is much larger than disarmament, political change, or military victory—He's about getting the Gospel of His Son to hearts and places it has never gone!

        "And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."  Romans 16:20

God Works Through People

GOD DOES HIS WORK THROUGH PEOPLE

And the Lord shouted down:

Saul of Tarsus, have I got a job for you!

You'll be persecuted and hated and

shipwrecked and put in prison.

BUT, you'll open blind eyes and

bring people to ME!

And your letters will echo on down

through the centuries until I Come Again!

        Lacey

    “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.  Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future.   And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’”  Acts 26:15-18 (NLT)

    1. Apostles had a hard job

    “Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home.  We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.  We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.”  1 Cor 4:11-13 (NLT)

    a) Paul's credentials.

    “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham?  So am I.   Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.”  2 Cor 11:22-23 (NLT)

    b) Jewish opposition.

    “The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.  But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.” Acts 14:1-4 (NLT)

    2. But God's protection and blessing

    “Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.   One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!  For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”  So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.”  Acts 18:8-11 (NLT)

    “That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”  So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.”  Acts 16:9-10 (NLT)

    3. The Gospel Paul preached.

    “Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning.  I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.”

Gal 1:11-12 (NLT)

    “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.  He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.  After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.  Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.”  1 Cor 15:3-8 (NLT)

    “Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.  Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses?  Of course not!  You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”  Gal 3:1-3 (NLT)

JESUS IS ALIVE

     Jesus  Is  Alive!!!

        "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."  Rev 1:17-18 (NKJV)

        Around the world people are celebrating the traditional Easter - the Resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead.  We celebrate the Cross & Resurrection every Sunday in the Lord’s Supper.  We should always be looking back to that Day in the First Century when Jesus Rose From Death!

I see YOU, Jesus, with the eye of faith.

I see you lifted up on the Cross,

dear Lamb of God,

taking away the sins of the world.

I see YOU, Jesus, buried in the tomb,

lying cold in death, covered with a shroud.

The world had done its thing,

and could do no more to You.

I see YOU, Jesus, rising from the dead,

coming forth from the tomb

in Your Resurrection Body.

You are Alive!!!  Forevermore!!!

I see YOU, Jesus, ascending back to heaven,

there to sit at God’s Right Hand,

having all Authority and Power,

You are High and Lifted Up!!!

I see YOU, Jesus, Coming with the Hosts of Heaven!

Bringing a countless army of Your saints!

Raising all the dead, who will stand before You!

Fulfilling Your Eternal Plan of Salvation!

    1. Death has no dominion over Him now.

        "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him."  Romans 6:8-9             

    2. He rose for our justification.

        "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."  Romans 4:23-25                                         

        "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  John 11:25-26

    3. We are risen with Him.

        "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Colossians 3:12-14

        "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," Ephesians 2:4-6

        "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

    4. Holiness - experiencing the power of His Resurrection.

        "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:9-14