Conversion experience

 

Title of Jesus

 

Prince of peace

What a beautiful title for our glorious LORD

Yesterday I was listening in person to Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Christians, groping around for peace at a rally here. Jesus Christ as the true source of peace was largely left out- definitely not honoured as He should be.

True peace begins with, peace with God, which then enables peace with others.

Peace with God is only possible through God’s Son, Jesus Christ the LORD. God stepped  into time and spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. Jesus a sacrifice sufficient to take away the offence of our sin, so that we can now know we have we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 3-5)

 

Primarily, the Holy Spirit is converting  hearts to trust and obey the Prince of peace (Jesus).

Secondly by the cross of Christ He is achieving peace between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2)..

The nations have some peace when Jesus is given His rightful place – usually by godly leaders (like Queen Elizabeth11). Real peace upon the earth will happen when Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19). Before Jesus left earth, He promised many times that He would return in power and great glory.

His coming will incur final judgement on all unbelievers.

His coming will vindicate Himself and all who trust and love Him.

His coming will bring peace that will endure .

 

Peace was lost by the disobedience of Adam.

Peace can only be restored by the obedience of Christ

 ( see Romans 5)

And so as we focus on the shame of a ‘cross’, we can discover God at work, so that ‘He is our peace’

 

By the blood of the Lamb, He achieves our peace with God.

By the strength of the Lamb strife will be removed from the earth and true peace will reign.

Until He is given His true honour, peace will elude the sons of Adam.

 

Peace perfect peace

in this  dark world of sin

The blood of Jesus

 whispers peace within.

Father

 

Everlasting Father – Father of Eternity

A father is the origin and provider and protector.

Hebrews 1 puts it very clearly:

“The Son, He is appointed heir of all things, through whom He made the worlds – the ages.

Who being the brightness of God’s glory, the exact expression of God’s person , now upholds all things by the word of His power……”

 

………..enough to inspire worship, but there is more…..

“when He had by Himself made purification for our sins,

He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High.

 

Past eternity – He was foreordained as the Lamb of redemption (1 Peter 1:20)

Present era – He is the way back to the Father (John 14.6)

Future eternity – He will be the forever object of praise (Revelation 5)

Does this title conflict with “God the Father”?   - No   - It rather confirms the words of the Lord Jesus himself:

“He that hath seen Me, has seen the Father.”

”I and my father are one”  -- the character of the Father is so completely expressed in the teaching, words and actions of the Son, Jesus, well He could say “I and My Father are ONE”

 

I am so glad that the ages of the ages are in HIS care – when He will gather together in one , all things in Christ  (Ephesians 1.10)

God incarnate

 

Another Title of the Messiah – Isaiah 9

“Mighty God”

In my interactions with many cultures, many religions, the confusion about God is sad, but the insufficient designations they give to Jesus is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

The Bible narrative of the anticipated Messiah described His full deity.

Psalm 45:8 unto the Son he said “Your throne O God is forever and ever”  - quoted in Hebrews 1

Zechariah 13:7 A verse Jesus claimed for Himself (Luke 26:31) – “the man that is my fellow”

Psalm 110, Daniel 7 , Genesis 2

 

So when Jesus said God was His Father, they instantly accused Him of making Himself equal with God - and rightly so.

 

The Apostles were very clear about Him being the Son given, the Mighty God:

Thomas  -  My Lord and my God

Peter – Jesus Christ our God and Saviour

Paul  - He is God who rules over everything

John – The Word was God

 

In His choice to become humble at His appearing, He appeared less than Divine. Even the titles He used of Himself were the opposite to arrogant pride of a warrior or statesman. For example – son of man, servant, shepherd, friend of the outcasts etc.

But the glimpses of His Divine glory on selected occasions shone through: - on the holy mount, stilling the storm, raising the dead, rising to life after His death etc

 

As one with the Father He was and is the mighty God.

 

Ours is the privilege to heed the word of God (Deuteronomy 32, Hebrews 1)

“Let all the angels of God worship Him”  for He is worthy!

next title

 

'Counsellor'

This child that was born, grew,  learned, suffered and as the scriptures have said – He grew in wisdom and stature. Much more than knowledge, He had true sympathy and empathy in His humanity.

In the anointing of the Holy Spirit, His commission was to go forth and speak for God (The Prophet of Deut.18) and speak as God the Son. (John 3)

When He opened His mouth, there come to the people, in words they could understand, Divine wisdom, heavenly values, God honouring directives giving solid rock foundations for living life and arriving at the final destination.

Never man spoke like this man!

         Concise  - not info overload

         Precise  - exactly what was needed

         Powerful – none could contradict

The Sermon on the mount  has counselled millions of people throughout the last 2000 years.

 

His voice in Revelation 1 is likened to a sharp two edged sword. – counsel to repent  and counsel to believe.

As the great communicator (Alpha and Omega) and the great counsellor He brings to humanity the fullness of Grace and Truth.

 

John 5:24

“Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My WORD and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life as will not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life.”

 

‘Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart’.

Title of Jesus

 

The Royal titles of the Messiah – Isaiah 9

 

“Wonderful” – the one who does wonders.

When Jesus stepped into public service for God, the people wondered at His healing power, they wondered at the authority by which He taught. The multitude wondered at His ability to feed five thousand from five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples wondered at His ability to still the storm and walk on water. Well we might sing -‘The wonder of sunset at evening’ – the wonder of Jesus the creator!

 

  But more than all this, the wonder of Him bringing people back to God – to pick up the pieces of broken humanity and by His wonderful grace - redeeming, restoring, reconciling , rapturing them into heaven itself.

  This word is the name of the angel that ascended in the flame of the alter – Judges 13 – they said “we have seen God” (Christophany) . And so it is the greatest wonder of all, that Jesus the child born, the Son given, ascended back into heaven by virtue of the sacrifice He made in His death. Well might we join with Thomas and say of the risen Jesus – “My Lord and my God”

 

One of the greatest joys of my life is to listen to the children at school sing this beautiful chorus

      Isn’t He wonderful,

      Wonderful, wonderful ,

Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful

Eyes have seen, ears have heard

It’s recorded in God’s word

Isn’t Jesus my Lord Wonderful.

The Son of God

 

“To us a Son is given” Isaiah 9

The Son is given – the most disputed truth across the planet. Most people of earth are happy to celebrate the child born. Millions reject the clear statement of this ancient prophecy.

 

   Jesus Himself said “I came down from heaven” (John 6:38). He referred to God as His Father (John 8:54) The Jews tried to stone Him for this. At the Jewish trial, the High priest asked Him the question –“Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed God?” His answer was “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at God’s right hand in the place of power, and coming back on the clouds of heaven.”

 

   Gabriel put it very clearly to Mary : “He will be very great, and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32)

At His baptism a voice from heaven said to Him : “You are My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Luke 3.22)

John, who knew Him better than most, wrote

“ The Father sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14)

 

Note please – the word son is different to child. A child has a beginning and matures in life influenced by DNA and circumstances. A son represents the father in character and function. An ambassador begins to represent the values and strength of a home country. Jesus was much more – as The Son He represented God the Father perfectly – as an image is pressed out of the reality. By learning Jesus Christ, we learn the personality, purity, passion, purposes of God.

      The prophets could only speak for God. This “Son given” spoke as God (John 3)

 

Psalm 2 presents the anticipated Messiah as God’s king, but also as “My Son”. Then the command is given : “Kiss the Son”.- this is the kiss of submission and adoration with bended knee.

What about the cross?  -   “God spared not His own Son but gave him up for us all” – Not only a lamb without spot or blemish (the child born), but the effective value of the sacrifice made was in the intrinsic worth of who He was – “the Son given”.

 

In the future:

“God has highly exalted HIM and bestowed on HIM the name which is above every name. So that at the name of Jesus , every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2)

 

We do well to spend time seeking to comprehend  who HE is, the Eternal Son of the Eternal God  and take our place at His feet:

“The Son of God loved me , and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2)

Who is this Child

 

“For unto us a child is born”  Isaiah 9

 

Why did the Messiah not just appear as a man? – because God chose to reveal Himself in real humanity!

Previously it was the overflowing flood

it was devastating judgements in Egypt

it was lightening and thunder with fire at Sinai

it was in the shekinah glory – tabernacle and temple.

This prophecy predicts God stepping into humanity as a child!

 

This is the Son saying “here am I send Me”

This is Him who was rich, choosing to become poor!  (2 Corinthians 8)

This is the Redeemer stepping down to ‘take part of human life’ (Hebrews 2}

But why?  - to set an example for us?? – Yes (1 Peter 2) – so that we could follow His footsteps and be wholly dependant on God the Father like He was.

                He came as the last Adam, demonstrating submission  and obedience to God ( Romans 5) , in a relationship with God intended at the beginning. (Genesis 1)

                  He came to show what true communion with God was meant be. (Mark 1:35  14:36)

         But most important – it was in His undefiled humanity that He became the redeemer, the sacrificial lamb, the one choosing to taste death for everyone . (John 1, Hebrews 2).

The baby that could have excelled in every human skill, grew up in the humblest of beginnings, content to live in despised Nazareth, at age twelve chose to submit to Joseph and Mary, (even though He knew His true identity). He laboured as the carpenter’s son to be a tradesman instead of climbing the ladder of prominence. After His baptism He chose to serve God, by serving the people in Galilee of the Gentiles. By seeking to serve, rather than rule He sympathised with the people in their need, showing the shepherd heart of God.

 

At the appointed time, He gave His very life for peoples so undeserving.

That child born  perfect , lived a sinless life, was crucified and laid in a tomb misunderstood by all, - except by God. In God’s eyes, this child had become the Lamb of God, bearing away the sin of the world.

 

When men thought He was finished, God intervened and raised HIM from the dead, thus vindicating His claims to purity and deity. As the ascended man in heaven, He is holy, harmless and undefiled – a true man in heaven, the Saviour of all who believe in Him.

 

The WORD that became flesh had fulfilled the purpose of God so completely  that, then and now,  the promise is true:

“to as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become the children of God”. (John 1:12)

The true Identity of Jesus

 

A fisherman charged with telling the greatest message ever told.

“For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His coming again. We have seen the majestic splendour with our own eyes. He received honour and glory from God the Father when God’s glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven “this is My Beloved Son, I am fully pleased with Him.”

We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with Him on the holy mountain.”  2 Peter 1

 

So important:

1.  Revelation in history

2.  Multiple witnesses in real life experience

3.  Moses and Elijah although living, became insignificant

4.  The voice was not an angel, rather from God the Father

5.  Second time Jesus is proclaimed by God as “The Son”

 

   Such was the dazzle of the experience that it was the Holy Spirit who moved Simon Peter to highlight the deep significance of this time alone with Jesus the Lord . Not some philosophical brainwave, or religious trance or academic research. Rather this was God giving a brief interruption to make known the identity of Jesus and the future kingdom of glory that will yet be His.

 

    In the gospel record (Matthew 17,Mark 9, Luke 9), it is quite important to note, Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah about His impending death!  - so essential to bring multitudes into that heavenly kingdom.

 

   This past experience gives power to present service:

1       - Who it is we serve

2       – Assurance of Divine revelation

3       – Anticipation of the eternal kingdom of glory

4       – this heavenly declaration removes the mask from the many religions that refuse to give Jesus his true identity and honour

 

The appearance  - Jesus the Holy one witnessed to by Moses and Elijah in the presence of Peter, James and John

The Voice   - the unique one revealed by God the Father, as the Beloved Son.

 

Well might Thomas say  -  “My Lord and my God”  (John 20)

Settled faith in a wonderful LORD

 

Mesage

 

Acts 16.31 “What must I do to be saved?”

My message went like this:

The desperate prison guard cried out :”What must I do to be saved?” What he meant by ‘saved’, I don’t know. He may have wanted to be saved from execution, but rather, he had been listening to Paul and Silas singing and praying!

Paul wrote a letter to the people down the road at Ephesus about the need to be ‘saved’.

Ephesians 2

1.     The problem of sins and trespasses causing disconnection from God.

2.     The pull of the course of this world taking people down the broad road.

3.     The deception of the prince satan, master of media.

4.     Peer pressure to disobey God

5.     Destruction by passion and lust

6.     Dominance of body over spirit

7.     Human anger blaming God for things going wrong

8.     Common condition of humanity – LOST

A real need to be SAVED.

 

So God interrupted the situation with mercy (withholding the punishment deserved). God’s love moved Him to graciously provide a remedy by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Now God only calls for faith in Him – not by works or ritual.

God establishes the connection – reconciled believers accepted into the family of God.

But more -verse 7- God promises the repentant believer a place in the future glory at the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

In summary, verse 8 –“For by grace are you saved through faith, not of your own doing. It is the gift of God, not as result of works, so that no one may boast”

 

So the wonder of it all is, that we all , like the prison guard can be ‘SAVED’

 

Faith in Jesus Christ  is a commitment that leads to action – as with the prison guard, caring for the needs of others ( he washed their wounds and gave them food), but also declared publicly his new allegiance to Jesus Christ by immersion in water (baptism)

 

The outcome – joy in the whole household as they listened  to  and believed the Word of the Lord.

 

The answer to the question was concise and true :

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household.”

 

Three words are needed in English to convey the meaning of believe:

1.      Believe in Jesus for who He is and what He has done.

2.     Trust Him for what He promises to do for us

3.     Faith that believes His words as God’s words

 

Faith is just believing

What God says He will do

He will never fail us,

His promises are true

If we but receive HIM

His children we become

Faith is just believing,

The wondrous work is done.

 

SAVED from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1)

ten commands

 

Changed

 

The Word of the Lord to me this morning:

“ So get rid of all malicious behaviour and deceit.

Don’t just pretend to be good!

Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing.

You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fulness of your salvation.

Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries out for milk, now that you have tasted of the Lord’s kindness.

1 Peter 2 NLT

 

The Lord knows the hearts, so let him that claims the name of Christ, depart from iniquity.

-         Let the cleansed heart be evident in a transformed life.

jojohnmckee@internode.on.net

Work ethics

 

Work life – 7 reasons to learn a trade

I think every boy should learn a trade before Higher Education!

1.    Jesus did, and also Peter and Paul and John and Andrew etc

2.   Each teenager needs to learn the discipline of work time schedule, learn from older people and learn to live on a lower wage

3.   The world chiefly operates on trades.

4.   Learning a professional career works better after learning a trade.

5.   Promotion from trade to manager instils consideration and understanding toward staff.

6.   Bible says a man should support his own family. An unskilled labourer can survive , but a tradesman leaves an example of skill  for those following,

7.   Working with others calls for discipline of action and reaction, giving opportunity to live and speak for Christ.

Bible

 

Jesus said:

“people need more than bread for their life;

They must feed on every word of God”  Matthew 4

 

The question arises – how available are Bibles, the Word of God?

Where in my city, your town, any village would you obtain a Bible?? Take a walk through the churches – are any available there?  An odd book shop could have some. The library may have a couple. The rare Bible bookshop is often hard to find. Some schools have class sets.

     But if you were born into a non-Christian family, where would you go to receive a Bible freely without interrogation??

     Perhaps the most accessible is on the internet – but rather confusing if you know nothing about versions etc

 

A whole Bible is a large , daunting book. That is just where the Holy Spirit delights to step in and make it meaningful. For some readers the narrative of human rebellion and God reaching out to many peoples is understood. But for many it is the Holy Spirit making the great and precious promises apply to the many situations of humans.

    Often it is a particular verse that convicts, converts and consoles the sincere reader. ( like John 3:16) To be alone with God and His word is best. Sometimes explanations and study guides can help.

    “For the Word of God is full of living power. It cuts deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.”   Hebrews 4

 

The Lord Jesus said:

“ For the Scriptures say “ you must worship the Lord your God and serve HIM only””     Matthew 4

 

Explanation hardly needed – obedience required!

 

So dear Christian reader, have you tried making this precious volume available to others?  Many are seeking! Last weekend we gave away 

25 at the local market.

 

If my reader does not have a Bible, I have some to spare – send me a request and I will try to get one to you.

 

John McKee

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Saved

 

The question was asked:-

   “What must I do to be saved?”

This man realised that he needed to be right with God. He could not save himself. His sins would be judged  and he would be lost forever!

The answer:-

    “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household.”

Not by reformation or religion, but by true faith in Jesus Christ the Lord. The promise of God’s salvation and forgiveness was freely available to him and his household. Wisely, they all believed. To show the genuineness of their faith , they were baptised.    Bible -Acts 16

 

The same today –

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Committed

 

Bible verse for today:

Jesus Christ gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing what is right.

Titus 2:14 NLT

Cause for worship

 

“Let us be thankful and please God by worshipping Him with holy fear and awe”    Hebrews 12

 

When God shakes the earth and heaven, it will be to remove the dross and establish the eternal.

      What should I do in the days granted to me?

             Worship Him in spirit, soul and body!

 

As I begin to understand God in reference to eternity, I worship with holy awe.

-      He is eternal, knowing all things, seeing all people.

-       He is sovereign over all things with good providence

-        He is judge of all, bringing all persons to account

-          He is gracious, having acted to redeem all people

 

As I begin to understand myself and my world, I worship with holy fear.

-      I am finite, limited in understanding and knowledge

-       I belong to a rebellious family in Adam

-        I deserve eternal damnation because of my sin

-          I can be right with God through Jesus Christ His Son

 

O the wonder of it all, that God so great has put in place salvation for all who will accept Jesus as God’s Son, the Saviour for all. He then places the believer in His Eternal kingdom, as heirs with Christ forever.

 

May God’s grace be with you all.

The call to Christian living

 

A Bible verse for today:

“Try to live in peace with everyone and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14

 At such a time as this, how shall we react to the chaos around us?

 

This command starts out so gentle – and so it was that the Lord Jesus was meek and lowly – not proud and forceful.

Then the call of God is to repent of sin and godless ways – and so it was that the holy life of the Lord Jesus and His care for others became the ridicule of the servants of satan.

Finally, the truth of eternity is applied – the unholy will be forever separated from God – His love, His favour, His illumination. And so it was when the Lord Jesus opened His mouth, words of grace flowed to those seeking the LORD, but also words of truth that caused unbelievers to know clearly  that hell was for real.

 

Lord God Almighty, keep me focused on HIM, to be like HIM in purity, love and truth speaking.

Evangelism

 

Evangelism encouragement

I am encouraged in recent times by the increased interest in evangelism.

To Timothy Paul wrote :- “do the work of an evangelist” . I discern that Timothy was a teacher with limited courage, but he was exhorted to step out of his comfort zone and make known the Gospel to those who needed it most. 2 Timothy 1-4

      Interestingly, it is Christian women who have stepped up, to reach out in Toowoomba. Women from a prayer group now operate a monthly market stall giving away many Bibles etc. People from many, many nations attend for their fruit and vegetables. After Six hours of evangelism they are encouraged.

Others make blankets for the babies of migrant mothers.

Others visit the people in their homes, helping with English and citizenship, and looking for opportunities to speak the truth about Jesus the Saviour and Lord.

Others teach Religious instruction at state schools

But the question remains – Where are the men?

Seems as though many hide behind the facade of church and church programs. A few venture to teach RI. It is not hard to put Gospel leaflets in letterboxes, to post a Gospel verse on face book, to give a Bible to the many who are seeking them. Opportunities still exist to connect with the community at markets. And of course, the Bible way  - using hospitality to befriend and share the Gospel by life and conversation.

  But all this is in vain if the motivation is missing:

-      To love as God loves   John 3:16

-      To be constrained as public ambassadors by the love of Christ    2 Corinthians 5

 

There are plenty of other reasons why we should obey the Lord’s command – the need of the lost, the command to go, the unifying value of evangelism, the impact on the community conscience, the restraint upon other religions  etc

Isaiah had it right – “ Here am I send me”  Isaiah 6,

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice” Romans 12:1

johnmckee@internode.on.net

First Love to Christ

 

The priority of ‘First love’

All the Bible study, all the Christian service, all the sanctity of holy living is in vain without ‘First love.’  It is a  love above all others for Jesus Christ the Lord – first in time, first in priority, first in every way.

         The greatest commandment “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart……………….”  This command takes on greater meaning since God the Father has been revealed in His Son.

    Now we love Him because He first loved us, and the song of heaven is – “unto Him who loved us and has redeemed us to God by thy blood”  (Revelation 5)

This priority of love for Christ, puts all other loves into perspective.

The poet put it well:-

 

         Lord Jesus I love Thee

         I know thou art mine

         My Rock and my Fortress

         My Surety Divine

 

My gracious redeemer

         My song shall be now

         Tis Thou who art worthy

         Lord Jesus tis Thou

 

Anything more important than Him is an idol!

 

To know Him ( through the Bible  and the experiences of life) is to love  Him (pure , worshiping love), with all our heart.

-        1  Worship

o   2  Adoration

§  Surrender

·      Service

Reference  :   Revelation chapter 2

Faith

 

A verse for today

‘It is impossible to please God without faith.

Anyone who wants to come to Him, must believe there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek HIM.’

Hebrews 11

Faith always has an object – faith in the unseen living Lord God, faith in the once crucified , now risen Lord Jesus.

Life abundant

 

“That Christ might dwell in your hearts by faith…. Filled with all the fulness of life and power that comes from God…To live for the glory of God”

  ( Bible Ephesians 3)

Positive :-  God has planned and enabled the best for all

Negative :- Living independent of the LORD God is idolatry.

 

    There’s a way back to God from the dark paths of sin

     There’s a door that is open and all may go in

       At Calvary’s cross is where you begin

         When you come as a sinner to Jesus.

 

“Behold I stand at the door and knock

If anyone hears My voice and open the door , I will come in……..”

 (Revelation 3.20)

 

“Today if you will hear His voice , harden not your heart”

( 2 Corinthians)

My reading this morning

 

“As it is destined that each person must die, and after that comes judgement, so also Christ died once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, but not to deal with our sins again.  This time He will come to bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for HIM.”  (Hebrews 9:27)

      

     ‘ Even so come Lord Jesus’

Hope in a hopeless world

 

What makes the Christian message so different to others?

It is that Jesus, who sacrificed Himself on the cross, this same Jesus is now alive in heaven  interceding before God for all who put their trust in Him.

Without HIM, people are very vulnerable to human violence, to the inability to cope with life. Hence the high suicide rates in our modern society.

        For those who recognize God, accountability to Him can be a fearful thing especially if one is trying to appease Him by one’s own effort.

BUT the good news is that Jesus Christ the Lord, has paid the debt of our sins and now He lives forever as our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Great High Priest in God’s presence!

 

“Christ was once offered for sins, the just for the unjust to bring us to God”  1 Peter 3:18

 

        For those who ignore this, or live independent of HIM, or worse, denying HIM as the Son of God -  their future is eternal destruction.

 Life then has no valid meaning and the future without hope.

Today

“HE is able to save completely  all that draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  “  Hebrews 7:25

Seek Him today!

continued

 

Jesus Christ our Lord