One of the most amazing statements about the coming of Jesus to earth is found in 1 John 3:8. “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” Normally we would say that Jesus came to save sinners which Paul affirms about his own conversion in 1 Timothy 1:15.
A close look at the devils work in Genesis 3 shows that he was successful in polluting the whole human race with disobedience to God and a refusal to accept His authority. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son...to redeem those who were under the (condemnation of the) law"' (Galatians 4:4). This required destroying " the works of the devil" and "that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). In His Son Jesus, God goes right to the source of the sin problem and destroys the one who started rebellion against God in the first place, the devil. How grateful we must be for the work Christ has done through His death on the cross! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
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When we consider the many descriptions of Jesus, particularly His own words about Himself, it is amazing the scope of the mission He fulfilled.
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28). Notice how Jesus combines the truth about Himself with how this attitude must be adopted by those who want to follow Him. On the other hand, when He is confronted by Pilate, a Roman governor, “Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice”” (John 18:37). Jesus knew His purpose and the character that should accompany that purpose. Do we know our God given purpose and the character that should go along with it? One of the hardest things we face in our world is watching and experiencing the crumbling of proper authority, not just in governments, but in every form of human relations. This began with Adam making the fatal decision to reject God's authority. Since that time, mankind has twisted authority to fit their selfish ambitions and sinful desires which has caused pain, unrest, and the lack of peace in every corner of the world.
Is there any hope for something different? I want to draw your attention to a prophecy and promise that God made over 700 years before Christ was born. In referring to Him, Isaiah says, “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7). We often associate this prophecy to a future time and forget that it begins in your heart and mine NOW. That is one reason why Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). The challenge is whether we want Christ's rule in us now or not. Think with me about the mission that Jesus came to fulfill. He was very clear about how His mission would be fulfilled. The following verses show that Jesus carried out His mission in a way that upset the religious status quo.
“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”” (Matthew 9:13). “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus had an understanding of His mission that did not agree with those around Him. This was because He was faithful to the one who had sent Him on His mission. ““I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I seek not My own will but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). How do you think this affected the success of His mission and ministry? Do you think the success of our mission and ministry would be much greater if we felt the same calling? We are praising God, along with our "Timothy" in Nepal, for these students who graduated this weekend. Here is the message that was sent to us: "God enabled me to take these people through God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD). Among this group that were trained are elders, deacons, deaconess, and lay leaders. Keep praying for them that they will take what they have learned back to their churches and train their own people." He has received many invitations in different places throughout Nepal and India and needs our prayers so that this work will be done God's way with His resources. We received an urgent message from a leader in India today. With celebration events among Christians during this season, particularly in the Uttarakhand area, they are being threatened if they hold any celebrations for Christmas. This comes in the face of a constitutional right for persons to practice their faith. In some areas, churches have been vandalized and services disrupted.
Hebrews reminds us to “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” (Hebrews 13:3). This should immediately inspire us to pray for our brothers and sisters in these places. It is amazing that this request comes just as our work there is expanding far beyond what we ever though possible. The Lord has a plan and purpose that will not fail. How He is going to make a way, we do not know, but He does. PLEASE PRAY WITH US! As I ponder the coming of Jesus into this world, there are verses of Scripture that expand for us His majesty. Without adding comments, consider the enormity of what He has done.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14–15). WHAT A SAVIOR - WHAT A HUMILITY - WHAT POWER TO DESTROY THE DEVI “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
Take a moment as you read this short blog and write down the "if only" of your life. If you do not have one, what would it be? Would it make an eternal difference? Just under the southern border of Chin@, God is using our Timothy to establish and strengthen disciples in God's Word. Security is a delicate issue in this part of S.E. Asia so that Tim could not attend any training or graduations there. These conditions have not stopped God's plan and purpose for these believers or the plans of our Timothy to continue training at every opportunity. This graduation (picture) took place on December 12th which is the 28th graduation for students in this ethnic minority group (Hmong and Red Dao). There were 18 people in 3 different places. It is important that we keep this groups in our prayers since there are times when these believers are persecuted by the government and nationals. For several months Tim planned the first of December to visit Tel Aviv, Israel as a follow up to our training with the Chinese Church in Haifa. But, for obvious reasons, he had to cancel that trip. In talking to Senyang or Michael, a longtime Chinese friend and brother, he asked Tim if he would come and introduce our material to the Chinese Church in Oslo, Norway. So, on December 6th, Joseph and Tim headed to the cold and snowy Oslo and he repeats, really COLD and SNOWY! Since Michael is fairly new to this church, having recently moved from Sweden, neither Tim or Joseph knew what to expect. On the first day, Michael invited 2 or 3 over to their apartment to introduce the Mandarin and English God's Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and God's Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD). More people than expected, came and heard the introduction to our material, and enjoyed the fellowship together with some pizza. The following day, Sunday, Tim was asked to share with some couples on the subject of parenting. Word got out and the small room was filled with those who were eager to learn. Because an announcement was made in the morning service inviting persons to attend the introduction of GPHD that afternoon, expecting a handful, they again had a room full. There were many questions and much interest in missions, particularly on unreached people groups. Tim and Joseph were able to supply each person with a copy of the English and Mandarin GPHD. That evening before going to the airport hotel, Michael and his wife invited the team over again for a second evening meal with them. Their hospitality was a blessing. We are all amazed at the favor the Lord granted Joseph and Tim! Please pray that this introduction will result in the expansion of God's work throughout Europe. |
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