Christ of the 2:10’s – 11th January 2009 pm
To the artist He is the One Altogether Lovely.
To the architect He is the Chief Cornerstone.
To the astronomer He is the Sun of Righteousness.
To the baker He is the Living Bread.
To the banker He is the Hidden Treasure.
To the biologist He is the Life.
To the carpenter He is the Sure Foundation.
To the doctor He is the Great Physician.
To the educator He is the Great Teacher.
To the farmer He is the Sower and Lord of the Harvest.
To the florist He is the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon.
To the geologist He is the Rock of Ages.
To the horticulturist He is the True Vine.
To the judge He is the Righteous Judge.
To the juror He is the True Witness.
To the jeweller He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the editor He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
To the oculist He is the Light of the Eyes.
To the philosopher He is the Wisdom of God.
To the Printer He is the True Type.
To the servant He is the Good Master.
To the student He is the Incarnate Truth.
To the toiler He is the Giver of Rest.
To the Sinner He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
To the Christian, He is the Son of the Living God, the Saviour, the Redeemer and Lord!
I. The Joy Bringer – Luke 2:10
Tidings of Great Joy! Tidings for all the people of the world, joy for all the people of the world, just what the world needs. It’s had it soldiers and sovereigns enough, it needs a Saviour.
This message of Joy and peace came to a world that had known much war. The famous “Pax Roma” (Roman Peace) had been in effect since 27 B.C. but the absence of war doesn’t guarantee peace or joy.
The philosopher Epictetus said, “While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than even for outward peace.”
The Jewish word “Shalom” means much more than a truce in the battles of life. It means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It has more to do with character than circumstances.
Life was difficult then (just as it is now) taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and the military state was in control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and even Jewish religion could not meet the needs of men’s hearts. Then God sent His Son! The Joy-bringer.
True joy can only come from Salvation. True joy can only come from a relationship with Christ. True joy can only come when your sins are forgiven. Jesus Christ is the Joy Briger.
II. The Character Builder – Ephesians 2:10
Good works are part of God’s plan for our lives. They are not the price of salvation but the proof. We are not saved as a result of good works; good works are a result of salvation. They are a result of God working in our hearts. They are proof of the glorious togetherness (as John Philips puts it) that exists between the believer and the Saviour.
When the Lord was here on earth He lived a life of good works. Peter said in that Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Now through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit He continues to do His good works in us.
The word workmanship poiema, indicates that we are His poem, His masterpiece. Each of our lives is the canvas on which the Master is producing a work of art that will fill the everlasting ages with His praise.
A great dispositional change marks genuine conversion, so that a person who is still dead in trespass and sins is in contrast to the believer who has been quickened together with Christ. If we profess to be Christians but our lives exhibit no evidence of behavioural change, we are just deceiving ourselves.
III. The Adorable Name – Philippians 2:10
The name Jesus was very popular in that day. It was no different than any other name which could be given to children. Even in our day, in Latin America, the name Jesus is very common. While this is true, this is still the name chosen by the Heavenly Father for the Son to use during the time of His humiliation. Therefore, there must be something very special about this Name.
The name Jesus was not given to our Lord by Mary and Joseph. It was a name handpicked by God, Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins..
To every other name could be attached a list of the good and evils done by that person. To the name of Jesus, however, can only be attached praise, honour and worship. The Bible tells us that when this name is heard, it is to be reverenced through praise and worship.
1. In Heaven - There the precious name of Jesus is honoured as it is nowhere else. When the name of Jesus is heard in the heavenly realm, it is the catalyst for rejoicing and praise. In Heaven the name of Jesus is a constant source of praise, Rev. 4:7-11; Rev. 7:9-11; rev. 19:1-3.
2. In Earth - For most, the name of Jesus is nothing more than a swear word. Yet, there are some who truly reverence the name of Jesus. When the sweet melody of this name is heard, the mind of the saint goes back to the hour when Jesus came in and lifted the weight of sin.
Our minds return to the countless times Jesus has appeared upon the storms of our lives and has spoken peace to the billowing waves that have threatened our peace and sanity. While there are a few who love and worship that name, there is coming a day when the name of Jesus will be exalted throughout the entire earth. The day will come when the earth will bow at the sweet name of Jesus!
3. In Hell – The dead – the unsaved dead – will be raised, summoned to the Great White Throne, and made to bow the knee. The founders of the world’s false religions, those who created false doctrines and wicked ideologies will be summoned to that judgement. Those who hated Christ will be there.
The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars (Revelation 21:8) will bow the knee to Him – forever!
You see here the ultimate tragedy of those who reject Christ. God has given us the right (free will, choice) to decide whether or not we will own the Lord Jesus as Saviour; but God has given no one the right to decide whether or not he will own Jesus Christ as Lord. Hell will be populated by lost people who eternally own Him as Lord – the irony is that they could have known Him as both Saviour and Lord.
Some churches, in their zeal to keep before their people the great stoop Christ took and the sufferings He endured, portray Him either as a helpless infant in His mother’s arms, or as a helpless victim on the cross.
He is no longer in the cradle! He is no longer on the cross! He is seated now in the place of power. He has an Adorable name... Let’s make sure we honour that name.
IV. The Fulfiller of Life – Colossians 2:10
Two men were discussing life issues over a cup of coffee. One man told the other, “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I begin. So far today, I have finished 2 doughnuts, a packet of crisps and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”
There is something satisfying about completion. (Completing homework, housework, DIY...)
You are complete in Him. The tense of the Greek verb indicates that this fullness is a permanent experience. When a person is born-again into the family of God, he is born complete in Christ. His spiritual growth is not by addition, but by nutrition. We grow from the inside out.
What does this mean to you and me? It means, first of all, being full of Christ, I have all I need for eternal life. There is nothing lacking. There is coming a day when my faith will be sight. I shall be in his presence. 1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Secondly, because I am complete or filled full with Christ I have the capacity for fellowship with Him. Jesus would never ask you to do something that is impossible would He? And Jesus because He is fully in me, wants me to “abide in Him”. John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Finally, because I am complete or filled full with Christ I have the assurance of living a victorious Christian life. Galatians 2:20 - 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.
He is the Fulfiller of Life – we are complete in Him – nothing added….
V. The Captain of Salvation – Hebrews 2:10
God reveals who He is, His love and kindness, by making the captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings. The captain of our salvation is, of course, Jesus Christ. The word "captain" (archçgos) means the pathfinder, the pioneer, the author, the founder, the originator. It means the one who blazes forth and cuts through something so that others may follow.
Jesus Christ opened the way to God. This He did by suffering all the experiences of men—perfectly. He remained perfect through all His sufferings. He never sinned; He never failed, not even once. He secured a perfect and an eternal righteousness for man. He is the perfect pioneer who has cut the perfect path to God. He is the Ideal and Perfect Man who stands for and covers all persons...
• all who believe and trust Him to cover them.
• all who believe and trust Him to make them presentable to God.
God reveals who He is in Christ. We know that God is loving, gracious, and kind because He sent Christ to suffer for us. It is His sufferings—all that He bore and endured in purchasing our salvation—that shows us what God is like. God is love.
By sending Christ to bear the guilt and punishment for our sins shows us that He is love. By His promise to exalt us into glory shows us that He is love.
But remember: this is all through Christ. This is part of God’s eternal plan for Christ. God planned for Christ to save us so that we could see and know that He is loving, gracious, and kind.
VI. The Crown Giver – Revelation 2:10
Let me just make a statement here. Everyone who will live a holy, separated, dedicated life for Jesus Christ, in any generation, is going to face persecution, 2 Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.. This should not shock us, nor should it surprise us. Jesus said that it would be this way, Mark 13:13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.;
The reason the world hates the believer today is the same reason the world hated the believers then. The people of Smyrna hated the believers for just one reason: they loved Jesus! That is why the world hates us tonight! That is why the liberals hate us. That is why the minority groups hate us. That is why the Muslim, the Jew and religionist hate old time fundamental believers.
They hate us because we tell them there is one way to God and that His name is Jesus. They hate us because we tell them that they are headed to Hell unless they repent. They hate us because we will not join them and confirm them in their abominations. They hate us because we are different; we are intolerant and we are not afraid to say so. They hate us today, but things are just going to get worse!
It used to cost something to name the name of Jesus. Now, some people can call themselves a Christian and do what the world around them is doing. I think the day is coming when the fires of persecution will burn around us. I think God will use the hatred of humanity against His Son Jesus to purify the Bride of Christ before she is taken home to glory. I am not a prophet of doom, but I think there are some difficult days ahead for the faithful, fundamental people of God!
But... As long as we are willing to stand up for the name of Christ and live our lives accordingly, He will be the one to reward us. I will give thee...
