Podcasts about jesus christ lord

Now there are happy video tape recordings. You know, audio recordings of our kids when they were little before their voices changed, Karen and I giving our vows to each other at our wedding. And then, there are not so happy tapes. Like the ones of former President Richard Nixon years ago, after the Watergate scandal. The accusations flew back and forth without any fatal damage until an aid testified that the President had recordings of his oval office conversations. There was a big legal battle over releasing those tapes, but eventually the world heard the not very pretty things that were said behind closed doors. I wonder if President Nixon just forgot, sometimes, that the recorder was running, or if he thought no one would ever hear what he was saying. Wow, was he wrong! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "When Your Words Come Back to You." Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Matthew 12:34. Jesus said, "For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." Pretty sobering, huh? You show what your heart is full of by your words and then He says the divine tape recorder is always running. When you're on the phone, when you're angry, when you're whispering, when you're talking behind someone's back, when you think no one heard it, the recorder is running. And one day all of it will be played back in the presence of the living God. You talk about being without defense, wow, there it is, listening to yourself say it. See, words really do matter. By your words you show what's in your heart. By your words you will be acquitted. By your words you will be condemned. Our words will be there to meet us when we stand before God: encouraging words, God-praising words, Christ sharing words, loving words. But also our careless words, our dirty words, our hurting words, those backstabbing words, angry ones, lying ones. If our words will be the measure of our judgment there are some steps we need to take now! First, we need to realize we don't stand a chance before God's judgment without a Savior. The Savior - the only One who died for our sins. That would be Jesus. There are just too many words that have done too much damage. They are objective proof of the darkness that has been inside us called sin. The sin that God's one and only Son died to pay for. He paid the death penalty for all of it. If you've put all your trust in Him to be your personal sin-rescuer today, you will be forgiven once and for all. But beyond that we need to listen to ourselves to ask God to help us hear what He hears in our words. It's time we join David in his prayer, "Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3). Ultimately the weight of our words should cause us to make Jesus Christ Lord of our tongue every new day, every hour. If we can win the word battle, we can win anything. But believe me, it takes the control of Jesus Christ himself to tame a runaway tongue. So, if you're judged by your words, if they are evidence of the sin and the darkness in your heart, the words that have hurt people, the angry words, the dirty words, the unforgiving words, the hurtful things, isn't it time to make the Savior who died for all of that your savior. The only way to escape God's judgment is to accept the payment that He made when He took God's judgment for you on the cross. So reach out to Him today and say, "Jesus, I'm yours. I'm pinning all my hopes on you for the forgiveness of my sins." Go to our website. It'll help you be sure you belong to Him. It's ANewStory.com. Talk is not cheap. It can be very expensive. The President of the United States was ultimately judged by his own words, and we will be too.

Is it possible for Jesus Christ to be your savior and not your Lord? Many people think so. Tune in this week to the Bible Study Hour and find out why calling Jesus Christ Lord and Savior is essential to your salvation. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29

The modern “gospel” has often been reduced to a true/false test — a simple prayer at the end of a sermon. But biblical salvation requires you to repent and believe … to make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of your life. And this response to the Gospel is not something we do once but is an ongoing lifestyle and response we live everyday. This is why Christians are called “believers” — we are the ones who continually believe (put our hope, trust, and faith in Jesus Christ and His Word).

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created... More...

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created... More...

Those who reject Jesus Christ in this world will call him with fear, because then, Christ will come not as a saviour, but as a judge. Those who reject Christ will not enter the kingdom, but will remain in hell forever. Jesus is not only the promised Messiah, but He is one with God (I and the Father are one). Jesus was not only a man but was and is God Himself. He is the only true incarnation of God. Let us be careful not to make mistakes like the unbelievers. Let's pray that if we are spiritually blind, the word of the Gospel will make everyone's eyes see, so that we don't lose eternal life.

Send us a Text Message.A couple of days ago, as I was pondering where we stand morally and ethnically as a nation, I couldn't ignore the simple fact that in the next couple months, our country will undergo a series of events where many of us will be tested in our faith, integrity and convictions. We could easily wonderful off from the direction of truth and set our gaze on the deficiencies we see all around us. The general elections are just around the corner and there has been many theories of what will happen if such presidential  candidate were to win in November elections and the direction the country will go to. The most important thing we could is pray for our nation and leaders, but we must set our gaze on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ Lord and Savior, and not man itself.   

Way too many Christians are way too timid in their prayer lives. Now, I'm not saying be belligerent and demanding, but let me tell you, if your faith is in Jesus … you have a lot more power in your prayer than you realised.   OUR FAITH IN CHRIST Well, welcome to this last program in the four part series that I've called, “The Power of Prayer”. Over the last few weeks we've been looking at this whole prayer thing – “Bridging the Communication Gap”. You know sometimes we're so busy, we're running around we're running around doing things. We just don't take the time to spend with God. Then we saw how Jesus taught us to pray, just a humble, simple communication. Not trying to impress God or trying to impress anyone else, just spending time humbly before Him. And then last week we saw what it meant to pray with power. This is so important. Last week on the program we saw time and time again God's Word teaches us to pray with boldness, not with arrogance, but with a confidence in who God is and who we are in Christ Jesus. When we talk about prayer one of the questions that comes up is, “Well, what can I ask God for? I mean, can I go to God and ask Him for anything? What if I want a flash new car, can I ask Him for that? Or a pay rise, or healing? How come sometimes He answers some peoples prayers for things like that and not others?” We're going to take a look at that on the program today, because you know something, it's an important question. On the one hand, absolutely, we should pray with boldness because that's what God's word tells us to do. But on the other, in our me-centric world, and we're all a product of that somehow aren't we, it's easy to get things the wrong way around. We put ‘me' at the centre and then we expect God to dance around to our tune. On the other hand, didn't Jesus say, “Ask for whatever you wish and it will be given to you. And you haven't received yet because you haven't asked. See the dilemma. On the one hand God is God. He's Sovereign, He's almighty. His thoughts aren't our thoughts, His ways aren't our ways. And yet He teaches over and over again to pray with a faith and a boldness and a perseverance and belief, as Paul puts it in Ephesians Chapter 1, “In the Power that we have”, with a capital ‘P'. Now how do we resolve this dilemma? How do we get it right? What are we missing here in our understanding about this apparent conflict? For me it starts and ends with a deep faith in Jesus. I was just reading this morning in my own devotion time the Gospel of Luke Chapter 6. Grab a Bible if you have one and open it up with me. Chapter 6 verse 17: Jesus went down with the people and stood on a level place. There was a large crowd of His disciples and a great number of people from Judea, from Jerusalem and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon and they had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured and the people all tried to touch Him because power was coming from Him and healing them.” See, power was coming from Him. The Greek word for power is ‘dunamis' we get the word dynamite. We are talking serious power was coming from Jesus and people were getting healed.  We have to look at what it says before then. You see it says that they had come to hear him and be healed from all their diseases. That's verse 18 of chapter 6 of Luke's gospel. And there's the key. We need to be open to who Jesus is and what He has to say. Jesus said some outrageous things. Love your enemy for starters. Forgive people. Call God “Dad” which is very radical. He ushered in a power, radical love. He hung around sinners and lepers and prostitutes and healed the lame, the blind on the Sabbath when he shouldn't have. And criticised the religious establishment for its hypocrisy. This Jesus, this unconventional saviour, that you just can't easily put it in a box somewhere. We need to be moved by Him. Influenced by Him. These people were open to Him. Listen to it again: A large of disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear Him and to be healed of all their diseases”. They were moved by Him, they were influenced by Him, they were open to Him and so they experienced His power. Somehow, you know, this seems to happen the right way up. Instead of creating God in our image to suit ourselves, these people were experiencing God as He was and is and accepting Him and so His power manifested itself in that place. They experienced His power. Just a bit beforehand, if you flick back a couple of pages to Luke Chapter 4 beginning at verse 19 and onwards, you read about how they rejected Him in His own home town of Nazareth. They drove Him out. He didn't do any miracles there. There was not much power happening there. It turns out that we need to accept Him for who He is on His terms and not ours, and then the power of God flows. The same is true in Prayer. This kind of “I'm-at-the-centre-of-the-universe” thing and “God-is-there-to-serve-me” attitude is not where it's at. Sometimes teenagers can have that view. If you're a parent you know it doesn't always get them anywhere with you does it? If anything, that attitude causes the parent to withhold blessing rather than to pour it out. No, these people have come to hear Jesus and then they were healed of diseases. Here was Jesus on a level place with a large crowd who had come to hear him. The question is, when we come in prayer do we come to hear Him? Do we give Him sway in our heart? When His word is hard to accept, painful even; when He tells us to forgive someone we don't want to forgive; when he calls us to let go of our pride or to humble ourselves before arrogant people; when He calls us to sacrifice, do we put Him first? Do we give Jesus true Lordship in our lives? Do we let His kingdom, His reign, His authority, His rule, His will override everything else? All of our selfish desires. Do we come to Him in prayer? To hear Him? Have we got the creator/creature relationship the right way up? Or when He has something difficult to say are we like the people in His own home town. “Who the heck does He think He is?” Jesus did some specific and powerful teaching on exactly this issue, when it comes to Him answering prayer. Right towards the end, just before He was crucified, we will look at this teaching next. WHEN JESUS MOVES OUR HEART There's power in prayer? Absolutely, there is! There's power when we come to Jesus. The problem is so often, even without realising it, we come to Him on our own terms. We want Him to do it our way, not His. I was struggling with an issue recently. It was something in an organization, and you know something, I wanted a certain outcome. ‘I' wanted! The question though, was for me, what did Jesus want? Well, what was His wisdom, what was His will? Was I prepared to go to Him and say, “Lord, this is how I see it, but actually, You know what I want more than anything else? I want Your will to be done.” Just like Jesus in Gethsemane, He prayed, “Father, if You can take this cup of suffering and make it pass from Me, do it, but not My will; let Your will be done.” None of us likes to suffer, do we? Never fun – Jesus didn't want to suffer, but sometimes that's what we are called to. Sometimes we are called into situations where on the surface, we lose and we want our outcome but are we prepared to make Jesus Christ Lord and live with His outcome? Have a listen to how Jesus taught His disciples on this issue – this paradox of prayer; this key that unlocks the power of prayer. If you've got a Bible, flick it open to John, chapter 5 – John's Gospel, fourth Book in the New Testament – chapter 5, beginning at verse 5. “Jesus said: “I'm the vine, you're the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you'll bear much fruit because apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone doesn't remain in Me, they're like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Branches like that are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned, but if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you. This is to My Dad's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” Isn't that a great picture – the grapevine and the branches? Well, it's pretty obvious isn't it? Unless the branch is in the stem of the vine it can't produce fruit. Grapes produce wine and there are symbols throughout Scripture of God's abundant blessing and the vine is the place where they get their life. And Jesus says: “Apart from Me you can do nothing. If you don't remain in Me, you know what's going to happen? You're going to wither and die.” What does that mean – ‘remain in Me'? Well He goes on to explain that – look at verse 7. “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you” – see there's a big ‘if' here – ‘if' you dwell in Me, 'if' you abide in Me, 'if' you stay close in a permanent relationship and bond with Me, I'll give you life. “And if My words remain in you” – there is it again; just what we were looking at earlier – “My words remain in you” – if you give Me sway in your heart, everything I've taught; everything I am; sacrifice; if those things have sway in your heart and you are close to Me, then, “ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.” Why this caveat? Well, it's about the Lordship of Christ in our lives. If we put Him first; if we grow in Him; if His Word is ‘the' thing that sways our hearts, no matter what the cost, then we have the relationship the right way up. Then more that anything, we'll want His will to be done. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.” The very first part of what Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer is getting the relationship with God the right way up. If that's where we are, then we can ask whatever we wish and it will be given to us. Why can Jesus make such a sweeping statement? Because it's to those in whose hearts He has complete sway; it's to those who call Him ‘Lord' and truly mean it; it's for those who have made Him Lord in their lives and will sacrifice their lives for Him. It's for those who, more that anything, want His will to be done and those one's He can trust with a promise like that. I don't know how it is for you but in my walk with Jesus, it's a journey. It's been progressively learning and growing and maturing and getting my actions in line with my heart. Putting this stuff into practise, takes practise and time. And time after time He's called me to lay things down along the way – to sacrifice things I wanted, so His will could be done. To leave my six-figure consulting salary and trade it in for a minister's salary so that God's Word could be proclaimed around the world. And you know each time I've done that, it's turned out to be a great joy and a great blessing. But you know, He tests our hearts – He give us an opportunity to live out what's in our heart and now when I come to Him, I take great care in what I ask for. You know why? Because I want His will to be done first. I know I can ask for anything I wish, but above all, I want His will to be done and for Him to be glorified. I know the reason for the promise is for His glory. See what He said at the end? He says, “This is for My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” See, it's all about Him – not about me – it's not about you. And so I ask for things that will bring Him honour. Sometimes I have needs – real needs – and I bring those to Him. Sometimes I see needs out there in other people or ministries or whatever, and I go and pray for those. I take this promise really seriously, because I know that it's for me. So I honour Him with all my will and my wishes. When we lay our lives down, that's where the power is in prayer – when Jesus moves our hearts; when He's truly Lord of our lives, that's where the power is in prayer. THE POWER TO CHANGE Over these last four weeks we have been looking at prayer from God's perspective and my prayer for you has been that you get a whole fresh perspective on what prayer is about. It's not about you and me trying to weasel stuff out of a stingy God – it's not that at all. God knows what we are going to ask for and what our needs are before we even open our mouths. But you know, sometimes, old habits, old perceptions – they die hard. I believe God want's us to do away with those right now – that He wants a people who know the power of prayer and have the power to change – the power to change their own lives and the power to change the world for the glory of Jesus Christ through prayer. Before the break we talked about the Lordship of Christ. Have you ever done this – have you ever truly made Jesus Christ Lord – Lord of everything? Lord of every decision; the Lord at whose feet we lay down our pride and our anger and our un-forgiveness and our selfishness. Not just believing in Jesus at a distance; not just some quick prayer when you need something – not that. The Lord of all in your life, of everything! Maybe you've laid your life down before Him, maybe once, a long tome ago, maybe never. Maybe it's something you'd like to do again, now. We are going to pray a prayer, if you want to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life – if you just want to renew that in your life, why don't you pray with me now. “Father God, You know each one of us; You know our hearts; You know our strengths and our weaknesses; You know our failures; You know our insecurities; You know every hair on our heads. Father, as we have heard Your Word today; the beautiful words of Jesus, we feel Your Spirit calling us forward, to bow down our lives before You. Father, we just want to come right now and admit our own failure and our own sin and our own rejection of You. Lord, our pride, our arrogance; all the things that we just know aren't from You. And Father, we just say please forgive us. We put our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross and we just ask that You would forgive us those things. Father we just invite You to be the Lord of our life. Lord Jesus come and rule and reign in our lives. We bow our lives down to You today, for all eternity, no matter what the cost; no matter what the sacrifice; no matter what You call us to, we truly want You to be the Lord of our lives. Father we just thank You that as we pray this prayer, You don't leave us on our own to live it out. We thank You that Your Holy Spirit brings resurrection life to our bodies. Holy Spirit come and fill us; fill us to overflowing with the live of Jesus. Lord, let us carry the death of Jesus around in our body, so that we can experience His life. We know there are going to be hard days. We know it's not going to be always easy. We know, Lord, that we are going to make mistakes and stumble along the way but from this moment on, Jesus, we make You the Lord of our lives. We pray this in Your name. Amen.” That prayer is about making Jesus Christ Lord and when we do that – simply, gently, yet radically, day by day, walk with Him – what we discover is power in our prayer. First Peter chapter 3, verse 12, says: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Prayer is the power to change. Without prayer there is no power from God. Doing things in our own strength – our own strength is so puny and so inadequate, so flaky, so tiny, compared to the unimaginably great power of God. You know, I recently, in the ministry, produced a Newsletter that goes out to all the supporters of Christianityworks and we have a great team of people here – people putting together stories and pictures just to share with our supporters the wonderful things God's been doing – testimonies from around the world. One of our board members owns an advertising agency and a wonderful Christian designer, a lady by the name of Mel, did the layout and design and when I saw it, I was so excited. It was so vibrant and beautiful and inspiring and I looked at it with delight at what God had produced through the team here and as I did, I felt the Holy Spirit say this to me, “Now pray that your Father in heaven will bless all of your supporters with the knowledge of what He as been doing through their gifts and prayers.” And you know, I would almost have sent that Newsletter out without praying that prayer. But you know, the Holy Spirit was right, because without Him, we can do nothing. I wanted that Newsletter to bless the people that support this ministry – how did I possibly think that we would do that without inviting God; without saying, “Jesus, You are Lord, this is Your work. Bless this into the hearts of all the people who support the ministry.” It doesn't matter what we do – it doesn't matter how good it is in the world's eyes, unless He's in it; unless His Spirit goes ahead and opens hearts, it won't deliver the joy of the Lord that it was meant to. And that's true in everything in life! We can race ahead and think, “God will just show up.” There's power in prayer – prayer is the power to change – prayer is joining hands with the Lord to do His will. Think about it! The God who created all the stars in the whole universe – trillions of them – joining hands with Him to see His will done here on earth. That's what prayer is and part of His will is to bless you and me – part of His will is to provide for you and me – part of His will is to bring healing into relationships, to put food on our table. He wants to do all that, He's our Dad, He loves us. But prayer is about joining hands with God and seeing His will done. I'm not a great prayer – I'm not some super-spiritual prayer – you know, what I just try to do is, most mornings, I sit down with God. I just rest with Him and say, “Lord, you know, I'd love these programmes to be heard by more people. I just want to see Your Word change more and more lives”, and just through that simple prayer – no more than that – in two years we have millions of people listening to the programmes each week. That's God; that's prayer! It doesn't get any better than that, does it? That's the sort of prayer Jesus spoke about – that's the sort of prayer the Bible talks about – it's awesome. We lay our lives down and just come to Him simply and humbly and say, “Lord, I want to join hands with You to do Your will.” We can ask for anything and it will be done for us.

Today is day 52 and we are in the section on the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed on Jesus Christ the Son of God. Today we are on the fifth line: “His only Son, our Lord” and studying question 52. 52. What do you mean when you call Jesus Christ “Lord”? I acknowledge Jesus' divine authority over the Church and all creation, over all societies and their leaders, and over every aspect of my life, both public and private. I surrender my entire life to him and seek to live in a way that pleases him. (Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 7:21–23; Luke 9:23–26; Ephesians 1:15–23; Colossians 1:16–18) We will conclude today with The Collect for Christ the King Sunday found on page 623 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Church is center stage in being God's witness right now but one day in an abrupt about face God will flip the script and remove the Church and use Israel again as His witness to the Earth. For now we are to prove the Jews, the World to jealousy. To live in such lock step with God that they desire what we have. Do you live this way-- Have you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life and not just Savior--

The Church is center stage in being God's witness right now but one day in an abrupt about face God will flip the script and remove the Church and use Israel again as His witness to the Earth. For now we are to prove the Jews, the World to jealousy. To live in such lock step with God that they desire what we have. Do you live this way-- Have you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life and not just Savior--

The Church is center stage in being God's witness right now but one day in an abrupt about face God will flip the script and remove the Church and use Israel again as His witness to the Earth. For now we are to prove the Jews, the World to jealousy. To live in such lock step with God that they desire what we have. Do you live this way? Have you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life and not just Savior?

Commentary discussing Samson's strength and how it all comes from The LORD! We can only do great things by His Strength! We can't do it on our own flesh! Let's stop being prideful and humble ourselves and trust in The LORD Amen.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/jarvis-kingstons-tracks/support.

Last week, we saw Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath. Today, we see Him as the Lord of Mercy on the Sabbath Day. In other words, Matthew, our Gospel writer, proves Jesus' claim from last week when he told the Pharisees — Matthew 12:6 — "I tell you that something greater than the temple is here." Matthew 12:8 — "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” How does Jesus prove that He is indeed Lord/Ruler/Master/Creator? What does this mean for you today? Let's find out!

Friends of the Rosary: In today's Sunday reading (Mt 15:21-28), we see the Canaanite woman as a model of deep-seated faith and trust in Christ's power and goodness. The Canaanite woman sees God in Jesus Christ (“Lord, Son of David') and asks for a miracle. She opens herself to Him, insists on the Lordship of Jesus, and her daughter is healed from that hour. “O woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish,” Jesus said to her. Prayer is adoration, thanksgiving, and petition. It is necessary to persevere in our prayers of petition before Christ grants our requests. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • August 20, 2023, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Blowout meeting !! Cody Jones preached a powerful Holy Spirit lead message. Such hunger was in the room. He laid hands on every person in the building. And 11 people made Jesus Christ Lord over their lives! #RevivalisHere #TheKentucky120Tour

This is the twentieth sermon in our sermon series entitle Servant/King, walking through the Gospel of Mark. For more information about Northfield Community Church in Northfield, MN, go to our website - northfieldcc.org

Paul wrote the church in Colossae to strengthen it against false teachers trying to impose legalistic dietary and religious rules. Using a hymn in two stanzas Paul reminds them of their sufficiency in Christ who is the sovereign Lord of creation, the church, and their salvation. An exposition of Colossians 1:15-20.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Paul wrote the church in Colossae to strengthen it against false teachers trying to impose legalistic dietary and religious rules. Using a hymn in two stanzas Paul reminds them of their sufficiency in Christ who is the sovereign Lord of creation, the church, and their salvation. An exposition of Colossians 1:15-20.  ★ Support this podcast ★

As believers, we have been set free from slavery to sin, and now we serve a new Master. This is what it means to call Jesus Christ “Lord.” However, we don't always live in light of this new reality. Romans 6 shows us the necessity of actively submitting all things to the Lord, that He might use them to further His purposes in our own lives and in the world.

Today is day 52 and we are in the section on the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed on Jesus Christ the Son of God. Today we are on the fifth line: “His only Son, our Lord” and studying question 52. 52. What do you mean when you call Jesus Christ “Lord”? I acknowledge Jesus' divine authority over the Church and all creation, over all societies and their leaders, and over every aspect of my life, both public and private. I surrender my entire life to him and seek to live in a way that pleases him. (Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 7:21–23; Luke 9:23–26; Ephesians 1:15–23; Colossians 1:16–18) We will conclude today with The Collect for Christ the King Sunday found on page 623 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Jesus Christ in Every Book of the Bible. A Post on Facebook by Todd Zulick. Jesus said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:25-27 Jesus Christ - Lord of Lords & King of Kings In Every Book of the Bible

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?" Yesterday we learned that David wrote this Psalm and possibly it was on the occasion of his defeating Goliath of Gath. He meant for it to be song of victory for God's people. In this beautiful expression of praise to God, David stands amazed that the God of creation, the great and glorious Jehovah, would pay any attention to frail people on earth. David understands that God glorifies Himself in the heavens, but how can He glorify Himself on earth through such weak, sinful people? David asked the question, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” This is a "nature Psalm" meaning that David often used God's creation of the heavens and earth to describe His awesome power and glory! For other “nature Psalms read Psalms 19, 29, 65, and 104. Psalm 8 is also a Messianic psalm and is quoted at least three times in the New Testament (Matt. 21:16; Heb. 2:6-8; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22). The answer to the question "What is man?" is ultimately answered by Jesus Christ, the "Last Adam," through whom we regain our lost dominion. That God, in His remarkable condescension, should focus attention on us is proof of our dignity as creatures made in the image of God. The grandeur of men and women is found only there. Apart from knowing God, we have no understanding of who we are or what we are to do in this great universe. In this chapter we learn at least three reasons that we should worship and praise God for God. In verses 1, 2, and 5a, we are reminded that God Created Us. The phrase "our Lord" is a threefold confession of faith: there is but one God, all people were created by God, and the Jewish people in particular are "his people and the sheep of his pasture" (Ps. 100:3). They can call Him "our Lord." Read Psalm 135:5, 147:5, and Nehemiah 10:30. However, Jehovah was not a "tribal god" who belonged only to Israel, for He wanted His name, meaning His character, His reputation, to be known "in all the earth" (Psalm 66:1; 83:18; Ex. 9:14, 16; Josh. 3:11). In verses 4 and 5, we are reminded that God Cares for Us. God spoke the worlds into existence, but David saw creation as coming from God's fingers (v. 3; see Ex. 8:19 and 21:18) and hands (v. 6), the work of a Master Craftsman. It was evil for the Jews to worship the heavenly host (Ex. 20:4-6; Deut. 4:15-19; 17:2-7), but they understood that creation was proof of a caring Creator who prepared the world for the enjoyment and employment of mankind. God is mindful of us ("remembers," see Gen. 8:1; 19:29; 30:22) and cares for us ("visits," see Jer. 29:11; Job 10:12). God completed His creation before He made Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, so everything was ready for them, to meet their every need. In verses 6, 7, and 8 we are told that God Crowns Us. Why does God pay attention to "frail creatures of dust"? Because He has made them in His own image, and they are special! The Lord crowned Adam and Eve and gave them dominion over the other creatures (Gen. 1:26-27). We are co-regents of creation with the Lord! The angels are servants (Heb. 1:14), but we are kings, and one day, all who have trusted Christ will be like Him (1 John 3:1-3; Rom. 8:29). God the Father created us to be kings, but the disobedience of our first parents robbed us of our crowns. God the Son came to earth and redeemed us to be kings (Rev. 1:5-6), and today the Holy Spirit of God can empower us to "reign in life by one, Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:17). When you crown Jesus Christ Lord of all, you are a sovereign and not a slave, a victor and not a victim. "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent in your name in all the earth!" God bless!

I. Ruling As Lord -II. Willing Servants-III. A Privileged Confession

I. Ruling As Lord -II. Willing Servants-III. A Privileged Confession

I. Ruling as Lord-II. Willing Servants-III. A Privileged Confession

I. Ruling as Lord-II. Willing Servants-III. A Privileged Confession

This evening service at Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee centered around a Scripture passage usually read at Christmas but not in August. These three names of our Savior are presented as facets of a magnificent precious gem. Dr. McIntyre preaches on insights to who He was, who He is, and what He means in the lives of each believer. The invitation hymn was "Have Thine Own Way Lord" led by a soloist before being joined by the congregation.

Listen as Pastor Garry Adkins gives a Biblical description of the Heavenly Paradise that awaits al those who call Jesus Christ Lord.

Listen as Pastor Garry Adkins gives a Biblical description of the Heavenly Paradise that awaits al those who call Jesus Christ Lord.

1- Pictures-2- Purpose-3- Preaching

PREACHER: Al Jackson | Pastor Philippians 2:5-11 1 | Jesus Christ was Lord in eternity past (v. 6) 2 | Jesus Christ was Lord during His earthly life and ministry (v. 7-8a) 3 | Jesus Christ was Lord while on the cross (v. 8b) - John 10:11-18 4 | Jesus Christ is Lord both now and forever (v. 9-11)

A life of obedience toward the Lordship of Christ glorifies God."For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."  1 John 5:3 Obedience to God:Is not optional.Is ongoing.Is the optimal way to live.

3/7/21 AM Pastor Jeff Perry John 17:1-5

In this episode, we discuss what it means to say that Jesus Christ is the Lord.

>https://youtu.be/HqGkbzg38Bk [ Moyo Wangu by Patrick Kubuya ]. https://youtu.be/tzdQgjKUTwM [ I need you by Donnie McClurkin ]. These have songs have touched me deeply , made me feel gratitude for just being here

Hebrews 2, Isaiah 14, 1 Corinthians 1,2,5. Jesus Christ Lord and Owner. Hallelujah!

In this episode, we begin to delve into the practical realities of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our individual lives as well as in our gatherings and the Church as a whole. #francischan #holyspirit, #housechurch --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/paul-trosclair/support

The Bible’s story is the history of the world, but with a particular focus - God’s salvation plan.In these talks, John Benton (Pastors’ Academy) develops the Bible’s big story.The Coming of God | The Coming of Grace | The Coming of the Kingdom | The Coming of the Future“But now God had come in the most unexpected way, taking human nature to himself.”“All Jesus’ dealings with needy people speak of unconditional love”

This Episode about Finding God and Why Christian Do the things they do and why the lost people are lost so come join me and Lets see what we can do for Jesus Christ Lord and Savoir Today.All prayer request can be sent to godspathwaytolife@gmail.comAnd God Bless you allSupport the show (https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/433047)

All things are changing. Ms.Drake knows about this all to way. Anchor fans enjoy some crunk Jesus music. Other fans enjoy the amazing message. Let's go for Jesus Christ Lord of Lords!!!!!!! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/GGTHW/message

- Thanks to Hallow for sponsoring this episode. To get started, click here: https://hallow.app/portal/#/PrayerPlan/?referrer=mattfradd - Hey, be cool and support us on Patreon. You'll become immediately more attractive to the opposite sex. Okay, I can't prove that ... but it's possible. Right? Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd - Here is the text from Aquinas we read today: “And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” It is not only necessary for Christians to believe in one God who is the Creator of heaven and earth and of all things; but also they must believe that God is the Father and that Christ is the true Son of God. This, as St. Peter says, is not mere fable, but is certain and proved by the word of God on the Mount of Transfiguration. “For we have not by following artificial fables made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eyewitnesses of His greatness. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, this voice coming down to Him from the excellent glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.’ And this voice, we heard brought from heaven, when we were with Him in the holy mount” [2 Pet 1:16]. Christ Jesus Himself in many places called God His Father, and Himself the Son of God. Both the Apostles and the Fathers placed in the articles of faith that Christ is the Son of God by saying: “And (I believe) in Jesus Christ, His (i.e., God’s) only Son”. Errors There were, however, certain heretics who erred in this belief. Photinus, for instance, believed that Christ is not the Son of God but a good man who, by a good life and by doing the will of God, merited to be called the son of God by adoption; and so Christ who lived a good life and did the will of God merited to be called the son of God. Moreover, this error would not have Christ living before the Blessed Virgin, but would have Him begin to exist only at His conception. Accordingly, there are here two errors: the first, that Christ is not the true Son of God according to His nature; and the second, that Christ in His entire being began to exist in time. Our faith, however, holds that He is the Son of God in His nature, and that he is from all eternity. Now, we have definite authority against these errors in the Holy Scriptures, Against the first error it is said that Christ is not only the Son, but also the only-begotten Son of the Father: “The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him:” [Jn 1:18]. And again the second error it is said: “Before Abraham was made, I AM” [Jn 8:58]. It is evident that Abraham lived before the Blessed Virgin. And what the Fathers added to the other [Nicene] Creed, namely, “the only-begotten Son of God,” is against the first error; and “born of the Father before all ages” is against the second error. Sabellius said that Christ indeed was before the Blessed Virgin, but he held that the Father Himself became incarnate and, therefore, the Father and the Son is the same Person. This is an error because it takes away the Trinity of Persons in God, and against it is this authority: “I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me” [Jn 8:16]. It is clear that one cannot be sent from himself. Sabellius errs therefore, and in the [Nicene] Creed of the Fathers it is said: “God of God; Light of Light,” that is, we are to believe in God the Son from God the Father, and the Son who is Light from the Father who is Light. Arius, although he would say that Christ was before the Blessed Virgin and that the Person of the Father is other than the Person of the Son, nevertheless made a three-fold attribution to Christ: (1) that the Son of God was a creature; (2) that He is not from eternity, but was formed the noblest of all creatures in time by God; (3) that God the Son is not of one nature with God the Father, and therefore that He was not true God. But this too is erroneous and contrary to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. It is written: “I and the Father are one” [Jn 10:30]. That is, in nature; and therefore, just as the Father always existed, so also the Son; and just as the Father is true God, so also is the Son. That Christ is a creature, as said by Arius, is contradicted in the “Symbol” by the Fathers: “True God of true God;” and the assertion that Christ is not from eternity but in time is also contrary to the [Nicene] Creed: “Begotten not made;” and finally, that Christ is not of the same substance as the Father is denied by the [Nicene] Creed: “Consubstantial with the Father.” The truth It is, therefore, clear we must believe that Christ is the Only-begotten of God, and the true Son of God, who always was with the Father, and that there is one Person of the Son and another of the Father who have the same divine nature. All this we believe now through faith, but we shall know it with a perfect vision in the life eternal. Hence, we shall now speak somewhat of this for our own edification. It must be known that different things have different modes of generation. The generation of God is different from that of other things. Hence, we cannot arrive at a notion of divine generation except through the generation of that created thing which more closely approaches to a likeness to God. We have seen that nothing approaches in likeness to God more than the human soul. The manner of generation in the soul is effected in the thinking process in the soul of man, which is called a conceiving of the intellect. This conception takes its rise in the soul as from a father, and its effect is called the word of the intellect or of man. In brief, the soul by its act of thinking begets the word. So also the Son of God is the Word of God, not like a word that is uttered exteriorly (for this is transitory), but as a word is interiorly conceived; and this Word of God is of the one nature as God and equal to God. The testimony of St. John concerning the Word of God destroys these three heresies, viz., that of Photinus in the words: “In the beginning was the Word;” that of Sabellius in saying: “And the Word was with God;” and that of Arius when it says: “And the Word was God” [Jn 1:1]. But a word in us is not the same as the Word in God. In us the word is an accident; whereas in God the Word is the same as God, since there is nothing in God that is not of the essence of God. No one would say God has not a Word, because such would make God wholly without knowledge; and therefore, as God always existed, so also did His Word ever exist. Just as a sculptor works from a form which he has previously thought out, which is his word; so also God makes all things by His Word, as it were through His art: “All things were made by Him” [Jn 1:3]. Now, if the Word of God is the Son of God and all the words of God bear a certain likeness of this Word, then we ought to hear the Word of God gladly; for such is a sign that we love God. We ought also believe the word of God whereby the Word of God dwells in us, who is Christ: “That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts” [Eph 3:17]. “And you have not His word abiding in you” [Jn 5:38]. But we ought not only to believe that the Word of God dwells in us, but also we should meditate often upon this; for otherwise we will not be benefitted to the extent that such meditation is a great help against sin: your words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against You” [Ps 108:11]. Again it is said of the just man: “On His law he shall meditate day and night” [Ps 1:2]. And it is said of the Blessed Virgin that she “kept all these words, pondering them in her heart” [Lk 2:19]. Then also, one should communicate the word of God to others by advising, preaching and inflaming their hearts: “Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith” [Eph 4:29]. Likewise, “let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another” [Col 3:16]. So also: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine” [2 Tim 4:2]. Finally, we ought to put the word of God into practice: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” [James 1:22]. The Blessed Virgin observed these five points when she gave birth to the Word of God. First, she heard what was said to her: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you” [Lk 1:35]. Then she gave her consent through faith: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” [Lk 1:38]. And she also received and carried the Word in her womb. Then she brought forth the Word of God and, finally, she nourished and cared for Him. And so the Church sings: “Only a Virgin nourished Him who is King of the Angels” [Fourth Responsory, Office of the Circumcision, Dominican Breviary.].

The Cleansing of a Leper read Mark 1:40 Leprosy is a picture of sin Many people in the ancient world were affected by leprosy A disease deep inside, spreads, decay and it was a slow death A leper was a social out cast , dressed in clothes of mourning, cried unclean Leprosy caused eventual death and separation A perfect example of everyone who comes to know Jesus Christ “ LORD if you are willing You can make me clean ! ” Jesus is MOVED with COMPASSION …put forth His hand …touched him “ I WILL” LORDSHIP – “ Lord “ Repentance – “ beseeching, ….please make me clean “ – hated his condition Faith – he said, “ YOU CAN …”I know you can make me clean …He BELIEVED Surrender to God HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF WHAT YOUR GREATEST NEED IS ? Clean heart / Clear Conscience / Rest in your soul / knowing you are Loved by God GOD IS ABLE TO OFFER THAT TO EVERYONE WHO COMES TO HIM (John 6:35) Cleansing from Sin 1. Understanding Cleansing – Read John 13:3-8 2. Experiencing Cleansing – I John 1: 8, 7, 8,9 Why do I need cleansing ? The Curse of Sin Mark 7:15, 20-21 Who can cleanse me ? The Coming of Christ Heb 1: 3 “ God spoke by his Son” How does it happen ? The Conversion of the Soul Titus 3:3-5 “ washing of regeneration” Understanding Cleansing – Read John 13:3-8 – deep spiritual imagery Eternal love - “ loved them unto the end Stooping down in grace - “ He lay aside his outer garment Became the servant who washed their feet – “ washing the filth from his disciples” Complete cleansing – “ he that is washed is entirely clean…save to wash his feet” Cleansing from Sin Experiencing Cleansing – I John 1: 8, 7, 8,9 Experiencing Cleansing – I John 1:7-9 Realizing our weakness – “ If we say we have no sin …we deceive ourselves Walking in the light – “ If we walk in the light ….we have fellowship one with another” Humility in confession - “ If we confess our sins …He is faithful to forgive us and will CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS After we have confessed our sins ….we need to accept His forgiveness by faith … HE PROMISED ! Romans 7 Experience “ Oh wretched man that I am …. Who shall deliver me VICTORY IN JESUS !

“Jesus Christ: Lord of the Church Year, Lord of all Years”Christ the King Sunday November 24, 2019Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Iowa City Iowa

Pat Mannon - Jesus Christ: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic? - 08/04/2019

We talk about Jesus being our “Lord and Savior,” and we know what that term “savior” means because Jesus saves us from our sin, from a punishment in hell. But, do we really know what it means that He is our Lord? A Lord is a master and owner, with complete might and power. The Lord is the person who is in charge. One way of looking at it might be that Jesus’ status as our Lord means the most after his life is over and His status as Lord matters most in our daily life. Jesus is the “Lord of all” because everything and everyone comes under His subjection.

There are two systems and we all serve one or the other. One system is the world system (Caesar) and the other is the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is a system you serve by Jesus Christ being your Lord and King.

As God's redeemed people, we must resist legalism, but likewise must recognize the significant blessing of God's plan of restoration in each Lord's Day.

As God's redeemed people, we must resist legalism, but likewise must recognize the significant blessing of God's plan of restoration in each Lord's Day.

Just as there is a natural earthly sabbath rest for mankind, so is a heavenly spiritual Sabbath too. Jesus Christ – Lord of our souls, is Lord also of the Sabbath. Man through disobedience, has neglected God’s commands and adapted the laws of mankind. God's enemy - Satan has a plan to destroy mankind; through his disobedience to God's Commands or law. Listen to this ...

As Jesus calls His disciples, He reveals the greatness of His power through the miracle of the great catch of fish, showing forth His lordship and glory. Seeing the power and sufficiency of Christ, let us joyfully forsake all other things in order to follow Christ, even as we call others to trust in Him.

As Jesus calls His disciples, He reveals the greatness of His power through the miracle of the great catch of fish, showing forth His lordship and glory. Seeing the power and sufficiency of Christ, let us joyfully forsake all other things in order to follow Christ, even as we call others to trust in Him.

You aren't a Christian because you were born into a Christian home or even that you were baptized. You are a Christian as you bend the knee, call Jesus Christ Lord and God and surrender your life into His hands.Mysteries of the Kingdom: Dr. John Neufeld unpacks Matthew 11-13 in this 20-message series. These three chapters will give us an insight into one of the great mysteries that every single Christian must understand: how is it possible to believe that Jesus is King when so many other people seem to have authority that don't submit to Jesus.

Let me begin this year by saying that I would not want to face whatever happens in 2019 without having a personal relationship with Jesus where, with his help I will give up my way and seek to make Jesus Christ Lord of my life. You too can know what it is like to have that personal relationship with Jesus today.

Dr. Ken Wilgus challenges us to seek Jesus in times of crisis—trusting that, as “Lord of the storm,” He is at work in the midst of our most trying times.

Common sense and Common law went out the window in the sexual revolution of the 1960's. The people of the newly created -generation gap- were resisting the White Anglo Saxon Protestants who had created the social fabric which had held the United States of America together for nearly 200 years. The Anglos and Saxons were two tribes in England who were waring together until they were evangelized and organized as the foundation of the British Empire.----King Alfred the Great unified the tribes and brought the Scotts, Irish, Anglos, and Saxons together into one nation. He created a common law which became the common sense for the British Empire and consequently the United States of America.----Common Sense had been rejected and the generation gap was created because because the sense and sensibility of King Alred had not been confirmed by scientific experimentation. Common Sense was rejected because the so called age of enlightenment was really the age of 'endarkenment'. The true age of enlightenment is found in 1 John 2-8.-----Again, a new commandment I write to you,--which thing is true in Him and in you,--because the darkness is passing away,--and the true light is already shining.-----With the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the darkness of the Greek and Roman Empire began to pass away. The true light of the gospel of Jesus Christ was already shining as the morning sun guilds the sky and rises to the fullest day - - High Noon.----When we first come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the light of the gospel has begun to shine upon us.

Jesus Christ is Lord of the unseen world you will enter- trust Him as your guide.

In this episode I take a look at what it means to call Jesus Christ Lord, and then submit to him, in every sphere of your life.

What gifts do we give God to worship Him? The most precious gift to Him is when you submit to Him as Lord. What does it mean to make Jesus Christ Lord?

What gifts do we give God to worship Him? The most precious gift to Him is when you submit to Him as Lord. What does it mean to make Jesus Christ Lord?

--Called to Live as Good Stewards Readings: 2 Sam 5:1-3; Col.1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43

"Han är den osynlige Gudens avbild, förstfödd före allt skapat. Ty i honom skapades allt i himlen och på jorden, det synliga och det osynliga, tronfurstar och herradömen, makter och väldigheter. Allt är skapat genom honom och till honom." - Kolosserbrevet 1:15-16: I avsnitt 26 besvarar vi våra lyssnares funderingar om kristen metal och hur vi väljer att bemöta det i musiken? Varför har Erik och Tomasz en aversion till mänsklighetens frälsare och varför lockar Beelzebub mer? Tack till Jonatan Fjelstad för inlägget och intressanta tankar. Vidare väljer Erik att redogöra för det nackont han ådrog sig när han såg Torche och Red Fang inta Debaser Strand. Slutligen gör Tomasz sorti med sin power metal-fas från tonåren och redogör för fem nostalgiska favoriter på temat drakar och stål. Hail!

The text of Colossians 1:15-20 is most assuredly poetic, and could very well be an early Christian hymn dedicated to the supremacy and deity of Jesus Christ. In this second sermon about the poem, we will look at how Paul links Jesus' saving work with the Son's creative work.

The text of Colossians 1:15-20 is most assuredly poetic, and could very well be an early Christian hymn dedicated to the supremacy and deity of Jesus Christ. In this first sermon about the poem, we will look at the nature of the divinity of the son, and try to clarify some confusion that surrounds the first verse, namely that Christ is the "firstborn of all creation."

August 14, 2016 Sermon "Jesus Christ....Lord of All" by Pastor Curtis Geary

As you think about this message, think, “how does God want my beliefs and or actions to change? What is one thing I can do to bring about this change?

Jesus Christ...Lord of All Acts 10:36 July 12, 2015 Doug Phillips

Pastor Ma taught from Phillipians 2:4-11

Breaking the Yoke of Boundage through the power of the Word of God!

Do not lose focus of the main thing, the message hat is the gospel of the kingdom that requires submission of the Spirit to do the mission of delivering the message. The message us the gospel of the kingdom.

Pastor Larry Fryling presents the 5/12/13 message at Christ's Community Church in Hayward, CA. Visit us online at www.ccchayward.com.

Salvation is from the Lord and salvation is for all who trust in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. A truth stated and anticipated by the prophets but now, in the ministry of Christ, coming to full fruition. Salvation to the Gentiles, grace to all who turn to Him. Listen as Matthew unfolds the glory of the revelation of the compassionate power and provision of Christ to the Gentiles.

We are thrilled to be with you, beginning a new semester at Southern Seminary. Many of you have new fall schedules before you. Many of you have friends and loved ones, relatives who are beginning new academic terms. It's not always coincident with us beginning a new expositional study, but after about three years in the book of Hebrews, verse by verse, we turn this morning to begin in the book of James. If you find the book of James, which conveniently is the next book in our English Bible translations after the book of Hebrews, we'll begin our study. The title of the book is quite simple and straightforward: the letter of James. In many Bible translations and in its published format, you will see a reference to the epistle of James as one of the Catholic epistles. The Catholic epistles refer to the fact that even as many of the other epistles are addressed to a specific congregation, especially as you look for instance at the majority of the letters of Paul as you have the letter to the churches at Thessalonica and Corinth and Philippi and Ephesus, here you do not have a letter addressed in terms of its designation by the recipient but rather by the author.In other words, there is a clue to us here at the very beginning of this study, that it is the identity and role of James as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ that is going to be crucial to our understanding of this letter. This is a letter not written to a specific church that is then shared with the entire Christian Church, but rather this was addressed from the very beginning to all of the churches. The letter begins, as we are familiar with Greco-Roman letters beginning, with the identity, the sender: James. James identifies himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.” (1:1)As we begin our study, the book of James is going to be very interesting as we keep in mind that this has been one of the most controversial books in the entire New Testament. It was controversial from the start and became far more controversial in the 16th century and beyond. The reason for this is that if we are not careful, and if we do not practice a good process of interpreting the Scripture, a good discipline of interpreting the scripture, then we can fall into the trap of believing that there are certain texts that are at odds with other texts. In particular classically, it has been suggested that there is a conflict between the gospel as understood by the apostle Paul and the gospel as understood by James. I said the controversy was ignited in a big way in the 16th century, and of course you'll recognize that that is the century of the Reformation. In the Reformation, the gospel was recovered and it was asserted in terms of all of its Pauline and New Testament purity. There were many who were involved in the defense of the gospel at that time who were concerned that James appeared not to affirm many of the same things that Paul affirmed, but rather to be looking at the gospel from a very different direction. Luther himself, Martin Luther, the great magisterial reformer, referred to James quite infamously as “a right strawy epistle”. In other words, he saw it as “straw”, over and against the meat of Paul. There have been others who have suggested that the book of James is in many ways, a corrective to many misunderstandings of the gospel in the early church. As the most faithful Bible interpreters have understood from the very beginning, the Holy Spirit has given us not only individual books but the Canon of Scripture, that is the entire collection of scripture, in particular, the Canon of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit who inspired every single word of every one of these writings, superintended the fact that we need both of these witnesses, we need both Paul and James. Furthermore, even as we begin our study, we affirm our understanding that the authority and perfection of Scripture requires that we understand that there is a consistent understanding that if there appears to be some sort of contradiction or contrary word within the text, the problem is not in the text, but in our understanding. As the church has matured in its understanding of the book of James, it has come to the blessed realization that what we have in James is the gospel applied. Even as you have the recognition that the apostle Paul was inspired to define the gospel in such clear terms as being that our justification is by faith alone, along comes James to remind us that faith without works is dead.When we see a book like this, not addressed to a specific congregation by which it is known, but rather designated by its author, then the question immediately comes to us, “Who is this author? Who is this James?” In the New Testament you already know of several James'. There were two who were with Jesus almost from the beginning. One was the brother of John, the son of Zebedee. There were other James' also found within the New Testament, but from the very beginning of the Christian tradition, it has been understood that this particular James is James, the brother of Jesus Christ.Now, when we think about the story of Jesus, the account of the life and ministry of Jesus, and then we think about the account of the earliest church in the book of Acts, and then we think about the continuation of the story of the church in the New Testament, we recognize that James plays a very, very important part. There is no reason internally or externally to believe that the author of this epistle is anyone other than James. As a matter of fact, there are both external and internal references and evidence to indicate that this is none other than James, the brother of Jesus. And of course, when we say the brother of Jesus, we mean the half brother of Jesus. The main opponent to the understanding that this James is James, the brother of Jesus, is the fact that the Roman Catholic church, teaching the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, has argued for centuries that Jesus had no brothers. That indeed, when there are references to those who are the brothers of Christ in the New Testament, they're actually his cousins.Well, let's just make a couple things clear as we begin. There is absolutely no claim in the New Testament nor implication, nor inference of any sort that Mary remained a virgin married to Joseph after the conception and birth of Christ. As a matter of fact, in the infancy narratives, you have a very clear reference to the fact that she kept herself a virgin until the birth of Christ. Not only that, there are internal references within the gospels to those who are the brothers of Christ and the word used there is brother in the sense that we would use the word brother. Not just in the generalized sense, in terms of fellowship, but in the familial sense of a blood relative. If this is indeed James, then as we know the New Testament, we know that there is a particular meaning here to the fact that this is written by the brother of Christ.That means, before we get into the actual text of the letter, we need to consider just a few things about what the New Testament has told us already about the family of Jesus, including his brothers, in terms of his earthly ministry. We look to a text such as John 7:5, and here we read “for not even his brothers believed in him.” So John tells us in John 7:5 that there were many who heard Jesus were moved by him, were intrigued by him, who saw the signs and miracles. Even as many in the crowds believed in him, not even his brothers believed in him. It was a comprehensive statement, not one of Christ's brothers believed in him at this point, as we read in John 7. We look at the gospel of Mark 3:21. There we read concerning the family of Jesus, “when his family heard it, they went out to seize him for they were saying ‘He is out of his mind.'” So in other words, the revolutionary message of Jesus so scandalized the family of Christ that they sought to do what families do when scandalized by one of their members, to take him away and to try to explain it away. Mark is very clear about this, “they went out to seize him for they were saying ‘He's out of his mind.'” So, from John 7 and Mark 3 we have the indication, not only that his brothers did not believe in him, an emphatic statement, but that not believing in him, they were scandalized by him. They sought even to explain him away by saying, “He's out of his mind.”Now, there are many things we could trace out from this. One of them is that this is also one of the clear internal references to the fact that Jesus clearly claimed deity from the very beginning of his ministry. Liberal scholars throughout the last three or so centuries have tried to argue that it was the church's reinterpretation of the Scriptures, it was the apostles' later revision of the gospel in which Christ claims divinity. But what you see here is one of the internal evidences, when it says in John 7, that even his brothers didn't believe. What was it they didn't believe? It was the claims he made concerning himself. When it says in Mark 3 that his family was scandalized by what he said and when they tried to seize him saying, “He's out of his mind”, why do they think he was out of his mind? It's because he was clearly claiming to be deity and acting as if he were. Thenhen you have a very remarkable transformation. It's a transformation that has to be found as you look closely at the New Testament. Because one of the things that we must always keep in mind when we're looking at a text like this, or at a question like this, is that we have the testimony of the Scriptures. As we look to the Scriptures, we have the evidence of what the Holy Spirit inspired that we are to receive. We do not have the totality of the experience of the early church, which means obviously, as John says at the end of his gospel, if you were to collect everything Jesus said and did into books, the world itself could not contain all of them. There are times where we see a reference in Scripture, and then we realize, this is absolutely astounding.Something huge had to happen between point A and point B. Point A  in this case is the fact that not one of his family members believed in him, and that his brothers in particular are identified in John as not believing in him. Then you come to 1 Corinthians 15, the great passage in which Paul speaks to the priority of the gospel and of the power of the resurrection of Christ. He begins this way in 1 Corinthians 15:1, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as a first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas,” that's Peter, “then to the twelve.” (1 Cor. 15:1-5) Then notice carefully, “Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” (1 Cor. 15:6-7)James, simply mentioned here by name, because simply to mention his name is all that is necessary. This is clearly not one of the James who was in the original disciples of Christ. This is James, identified as one as an apostle who stands out simply by the reference to his name as being worthy and necessary of this inclusion. “Then he appeared to James.” James, the half brother of Jesus, as you know, becomes the central leader of the church in Jerusalem. The one who, along with his other brother, did not believe in Christ, who considered him insane and tried to explain that he's out of his mind. By the time you get to 1 Corinthians 15, we are told that Christ appeared to him, and then we understand the transformation. The central event, the transformation of James from one who thought that his half brother was insane to when he became the great pillar of the church, was his knowledge of the resurrected Christ. The resurrection changes everything. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changed everything in the life of James. When the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 recites how he became an apostle and the centrality of the resurrection of Christ to the gospel, he refers to the fact that as Christ made his series of appearances, he appeared to James and then to all the apostles. “Last of all,” Paul says, “as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1 Cor. 15:8) We also have another very important reference to this James from Paul found in the book of Galatians. As you look at Galatians 1:19, there is no mystery whatsoever that Paul leaves concerning who James is. Galatians 1:19, “But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.”Now it's very helpful to us because we would think that's who James is. We believe that's who James is, but we don't have to connect any dots here. The dots are all connected. This is Paul who says, now when I mention James you be very clear, this is James, the Lord's brother. James fulfills a very important role in the early church as is made clear in the book of Acts. And in particular, to make reference to the most important passage in the book of Acts, you look at Acts chapter 15. This passage is known as the ‘Jerusalem Council'. James plays a very important role and that very important role is underscored with some particular language that we will find when we look to this passage. This was the great question about how the Gentiles are to be incorporated into the church and in the dispensation of the gospel, how it is that the Gentiles are to be included. Must they become Jews in order to become followers of Christ, faithful Christian disciples? And of course the answer was no, but this council was necessary in order to determine that. To answer a basic question about circumcision, a basic question about the identity of the gospel, the leaders of the church are gathered here. What you find in the book of Acts chapter 15 is the chronology of this particular council. Now look at verse 13. As a matter of fact, look back at verse 12 first, “and all the assembly fell silent and they listened to Barnabas and Paul, as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, ‘Brothers listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for his name. And with this, the words of the prophets agree just as it is written,' ‘After this all will return, I will rebuild the tent of David that had fallen.I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord. That all the Gentiles and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,' says the Lord who makes these things known from of old.'” Then look very carefully at the first words of verse 19. “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them, to abstain from the things polluted by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood for, from ancient generations, Moses has had in every city, those who proclaim him for he was read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”Now the conclusion of the Jerusalem council is so important to the history of the church and frankly, to our own inclusion in the gospel of Christ and how we understand that gospel: the new covenant over and against and as the fulfillment of the old covenant. For our purposes in this study, the most important words are those that begin verse 19, which in context are thunders in their implications. There James says, “Therefore, my judgment is”. In other words, the stature of James in the early church and in particular in the Jerusalem church and amongst the apostles was so massive that when James says, “Therefore, my judgment is,” that's a massive judgment, as is made clear as you see in verse 23.Look at verse 22 first, “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders with the whole church to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter, ‘The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, Greetings.” And then they go on to relate the determinations of the Jerusalem council. So in other words, you put together verse 19 and verse 22. In verse 19, James says, “Therefore, my judgment is,” and then to verse 22, “then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders with the whole church.”So what do we know about James? We know from seeking a comprehensive picture of him from the New Testament, before we get to the letter that bears his name, that this is the brother of Christ, specifically the half brother of Christ, the son of Joseph and Mary. And that he, along with his other brothers during their earthly ministry of Jesus, did not believe in him, but that after the resurrection of Christ from the dead, when Christ appeared to James, James not only believes in him, but becomes an apostle one who is sent out with the authority of Christ as a leader of the church. And he becomes the pillar of the church of Jerusalem, such that when the Jerusalem council is held, James says, “My judgment is,” and it becomes the judgment of the church.We know something else about James, and there is of course, many other references to him in the book of Acts. But most importantly, what we know about James comes from the earliest historians of the Christian era, who tell us that during the governorship of Festus, James was martyred. The chronological year of that martyrdom would've been in AD 62. So the earthly life of James came to an end, according to the best historical sources, as he was martyred for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the very Lord who was his brother, who in whom he did not believe until he saw him when raised from the dead and then gave his life to serve as an apostle.The date of the letter of the book of James therefore is likely between that of 30 and 62 AD. It's a pretty wide span, but it is adequate for our understanding to date it in the earliest history of the early church. And thus, when James writes this letter, he writes it to a church that has experienced already, as we know from verse 1, a dispersion. “James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” James identifies himself, not as the brother of Christ. It's a very interesting thing here. Paul, as you saw in Galatians chapter 1, refers to James as the brother of Jesus, but otherwise he's referred to as James. And when he here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, begins a letter written to the whole church, he identifies himself, not as James, the brother of Christ, but as, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. It is a stunningly powerful way of making a point.The most important thing about James is not that he was the brother of Christ, but the servant of Christ. The most important thing about James in his own self understanding is that he was a doulos, a servant or a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He here refers to the one who by the flesh is his half brother. And instead of saying, “I was the brother to Jesus,” he says, “I am the servant of God,” and notice the title, “the Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, the centrality of the resurrection is so important as Paul makes clear in Philippians chapter 2, on the basis of his obedience, even at death, God has highly exalted him in the resurrection and given him the name that is above every name. And that is the title of Lord, promising that one day, “every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ Lord to the glory of God the Father.” This James, who knows that the most important thing about himself is not whose brother he was, but whose servant he is, he writes to the entire church. Following the traditions of Greco-Roman letters, he begins by identifying himself. By the way, that would be very helpful. And as a matter of fact, when we receive letters today, you'll remember what those quaint things are. They're printed on paper, they begin “Dear somebody” and end “Sincerely” or something like that, you still want to know who the letter's from. You can't understand the letter until you know who it's from. So we look to the bottom of the letter, the Greeks had a better system. The Greco-Roman system began in their conventions of letter writing by beginning with the sender, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, and then the address, “to the church of the Lord, Jesus Christ”. To the church here, the church there? No. The language of James is “to the 12 tribes in the dispersion, Greetings”. As we will follow word by word and verse by verse through the book of James, we will discover it is in every syllable saturated with the gospel, saturated with Christian truth.It is written to the church, not just to a specific congregation in a specific place in a specific time, but written to the church throughout all the ages everywhere it is found. He refers to the church as, “the twelve tribes in the dispersion”. Again, the meaning of this could be easily passed over, but it is thunderous and earth shaking. James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. The church in Jerusalem was the congregation, of course, where the gospel was first preached, in terms of the congregation there formed in the aftermath of the resurrection and the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, going all the way back to the day of Pentecost. The church in Jerusalem was made up of Jews who had come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Jerusalem church becomes the center of Jewish Christianity.Thus, when the gospel is then shared with the Gentiles and the door is open to the Gentiles, even the discussion of how the early church is going to understand that, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, comes to Jerusalem. It can't be settled anywhere but in Jerusalem. The council is held in Jerusalem and it is the leader of the church in Jerusalem, indeed, James, none other than the brother of Jesus, who says, “my judgment is”, and it became the judgment of the church. One of the hardest questions for the early church to figure out is, “What's the relationship between Israel and the church? What's the relationship between the Jews who come to know Christ and the Gentiles who come to know salvation in Christ? Are they one people or two people?” And of course you have in the New Testament a symphonic answer to that question. The summary of it is, that as Paul writes. It is the truth that the Gentiles have now been grafted on to the promises made to Israel.There is no more powerful demonstration of that than when James begins his letter referring, not to Israel, the Israel of old, but rather the new Israel, the church. By referring to the church as the twelve tribes in the dispersion. James knows to whom he is writing. He's  writing to those who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He's not just writing to Jews who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He's not just writing to Gentiles who come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has written to all those who by God's grace have come to know the gospel of Jesus Christ. And they are now the Israel of God.That doesn't mean that God does not still have promises made to the nation of Israel under the covenant of old. It does mean that salvation belongs to the Israel of God. The new Israel, made up of all those who buy their confession of faith and belief in Christ now find themselves amongst the twelve tribes in the dispersion. It's incredible. James doesn't say, “I'm James, the brother of Jesus.” He says, “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” He doesn't say, “I'm writing to the church.” He does say that, but in different words by saying, “to the twelve tribes in the dispersion”. The twelve tribes, the new Israel, the people of the new covenant and the dispersion, they're everywhere. Now the word dispersion is not an innocent word. It is a sinister word in the sense that it means that Christians have been scattered about. We know that even as the word dispersion was used in both the Old and the New Testaments, particularly in the New Testament, it refers to the fact that Christians have no homeland. Paul will say, our citizenship is in heaven. Peter will begin his letter by suggesting that we are aliens residing in places everywhere. So the church is not made up of a national people, not in terms of earthly kingdoms. The church is not geographically designated. The church is not locally limited in any way. The church is made up of the 12 tribes, the new Israel dispersed in the dispersion. In other words, James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is saying, “I'm writing to Christians wherever they are found, to Christian churches, wherever they've been dispersed. I'm writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to all believers and to all churches everywhere at all times until Jesus, my brother, comes. Greetings.” Just a few words.Most of the time when we begin a letter, we just begin it in order to get to where we want to go. We dispense with the niceties in order to get to the point. The formalities are just that. These are not formalities. These are not literary niceties. This is James, the brother of Jesus, who says, “The most important thing you need to know about me is that I am a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To whom am I writing? The new Israel, the church dispersed wherever it's found, whenever it lives, Greetings.” Now don't you want to know what follows that? It will be our privilege to learn every word together. Let's pray:Our Father, we are so thankful for the power of your Word. Every single word inspired by your Spirit and every single word is not only meaningful, but vital, essential in our understanding. Father, thank you for this which you have given us by the gift of our brother, James, the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, we will wait expectantly to hear your Word as you speak by your Word, and we'll pray that in so doing, you will conform us to the image of Christ by the Spirit in the word. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. You can find Dr. Mohler's other Line by Line sermons here.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.

12-1-2002 PM Isaiah 14 Preached at GVCC, Davis, CA US www.gracevalley.org