But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:8-15 KJV
It's right there on our logo and serves as the mission statement of the Redemption Centre Church.
"Christ revealed...in us and to the world!
No doubt we have given it a passing glance and never bothered to ponder on what it means to us as a local church, as a functional group within the church and as an individual member of the Body of Christ.
If we take time to ponder its meaning and significance we will find that there much more depth to it than it seems at a first glance.
Christ revealed is more than just an academic knowledge of an outstanding historical personality. It’s more than in-depth knowledge of a physical personality. It goes beyond the natural into the spiritual, beyond sense knowledge into revelation knowledge. When revelation knowledge breaks through you will never be the same again!
Three things about this statement will suffice for the present!
We sincerely desire a revelation of the Christ to us!
We sincerely desire a revelation of the Christ in us!
We sincerely desire a revelation of the Christ through us!
1. WE SINCERELY DESIRE A REVELATION OF THE CHRIST TO US!
Many are curious about Jesus and would most likely be pleased to meet Him. The Greeks visiting Jerusalem requested to see him maybe out of curiosity or interest in His teaching.
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21 KJV
Herod wanted to see Him hoping like so many to see a physical miracle
And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. Luke 9:9 KJV
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Luke 23:8 KJV
Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus lead to a revelation of who Jesus really was, and resulted in a profound change in lifestyle and loyalty
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. Luke 19:2-4 KJV
In John’s gospel chapter 4 the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar on meeting with the LORD sitting there, progressively saw a man, a Jew, a prophet and then finally the Christ! It was her revelation of Him as Christ (Messiah) that brought a change in her life and lifestyle and influenced her neighbors.
Revelation of the Christ produces belief in Him, leading to salvation and translation into His Kingdom as saints and children of God!
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10 KJV
2. WE SINCERELY DESIRE A REVELATION OF THE CHRIST IN US!
Paul said to the Galatians My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 4:19 KJV
To the Corinthians he said But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV
Receiving a saving revelation of the Christ is only the beginning! There is a whole new revolution prepared for those who have received a revelation of Christ.
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Colossians 1:26-28 KJV
It moves beyond the Christ in the physical to Christ in the spirit!
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 KJV
It is a revelation of the Christ in us until people are able to call us Christians not just because we are baptized and are members of a local church, but because they see Christ in us…in our walk, in our talk, in our total lifestyle.
3. WE SINCERELY DESIRE A REVELATION OF THE CHRIST THROUGH US!
We desire a revelation of the Christ in us until people are able to call us Christians not because we are baptized and members of a local church but because they see Christ in us…in our walk, in our talk, in our total lifestyle.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 KJV
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:13-15 KJV
Jesus instructs us in our need to reveal Him to the world when He said: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
As individuals we are to shine so that Christ is revealed to the world. As a functional group within the church we are to shine and as a local church we cannot afford to keep that light constrained within the walls of the church
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 KJV
Let us prayerfully consider and contemplate this need for revelation as we strive to live in such a manner that Christ will be revealed…in us and to the world.
