The Continuing Ministry of Jesus: God With Us

Scripture: “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” Isaiah 46:9-10

A mathematician once calculated that eight predictions of Christ's coming (like the ones we shared in last week's mail) had one chance in ten "quadrillion" (10,000,000,000,000,000) of being fulfilled in one person. Why did God go to such dramatic lengths to prove Himself?

He did it to “pitch His tent” with us

John 1:1-18 sums up the mission of Jesus. He needed to become a man to live among us. Verse 14 literally says He "tabernacled," or "pitched His tent" with us. So that He could represent us before His Father, “He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) “Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)

He did it to make us God’s children

God became a human child to make children of God out of those who believe in Him. (John 1:12) He "made peace through the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20) The only way eternal God could die was by becoming flesh and blood like us. It showed us He "is not ashamed to call [us] his brothers and sisters." (Hebrews 2:10-15) This is one reason the celebration of what we have in common ("communion") with Him is so meaningful. (1 Corinthians 10:16)

He did it to “explain Himself”

Becoming human was the way God made Himself plain to us. Without Jesus' sacrifice, no one was worthy to be in the presence of God; "But God the only Son is very close to the Father, and he has shown us what God is like." (John 1:18)

He did it so we could remain and continue His work

He wanted us to be fully convinced. “Who overcomes the world? Is it not the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5) Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:21) In His earnest prayer before His arrest, Jesus asked that His followers could “be with Me where I am and to see My glory,” (John 17:24) Why are we not yet there? We have been left here to continue the public ministry of Jesus: “God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

The Coming of Jesus: A Story Told Throughout the Bible

Scripture: “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke 24:44

What did Jesus mean when He said to the Jewish leaders of His day, “Examine the scriptures, since you think that in them you have eternal life. They also testify about me.” (John 5:39) As Christmas gets closer, let’s think about what His coming meant for us…and how true these words are.

What Moses says

When the first couple sinned, God’s judgment on their tempter was the first hint of Jesus’ coming: “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed.” (Genesis 3:15)

God gave Abraham a ram instead of allowing him to kill his son. Afterward, Abraham named the place “Yahweh-Yireh.”(Genesis 22:14) It showed he somehow knew God would see to it that a fitting sacrifice would be provided. He believed God when He promised, “All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your offspring, because you have listened to my voice.” (Genesis 22:18)

What the Prophets say

Isaiah tells more: “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’) (Isaiah 7:14). And Micah even predicts where He would be born: “O Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are but a small Judean village, yet you will be the birthplace of my King who is alive from everlasting ages past!” (Micah 5:2) Zechariah even announces Palm Sunday in advance: “your King is coming; He is righteous and able to save. He comes seated humbly on a donkey…” (Zechariah 9:9)

What the Psalms say

King David welcomes us to the very foot of the cross in Psalm 22. For our sake, Jesus is forsaken by His Father,surrounded by mockers, hanging with His hands and feet pierced and His bones out of joint while people gamble for His clothing. The next Psalm (23) shows us the sheep’s proper attitude toward the Good Shepherd.

Throughout the Old Testament, the law required a person’s redeemer to be related by family. When Isaiah 44:6 calls God the “Redeemer” who says, “besides me, there is no God,” it literally meant God Himself would become part of the family of mankind. He was the offspring of (only) a woman. So in the same way Adam’s sin had brought us all into judgment, (Romans 5:12), Jesus became the one who could humbly suffer the shame, rejection, and weight of sin for us all to offer us redemption.

Being Thankful When Family Disappoints You

Scripture: “Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

God knows we often grumble and complain so he reminds us throughout scripture to give thanks. When we focus on the things we lack, we can forget to appreciate what we have. God wants us to give thanks for everything! How can we be thankful for our spouse, children and parents when they don’t meet our expectations? Here are three reasons:

1.God is Good

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

When we give thanks we confirm God is good. It acknowledges we are placing our hope in a good God Who has given us these relationships for a purpose. Even if your spouse or children do not believe in Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 7:16), God may work through you to save them.

Even if you have a poor relationship with your parents, God will always be there for you—ready to show His unfailing love as your Heavenly Father. If your family has accepted Jesus Christ, then you can truly thank God that he promises to complete what he started. God can use our relationships to lead us to Him and strengthen our faith.

2. It is God’s Will for You

“Give thanks” is written as a command over and over in scripture. It is not a suggestion or a feeling. It takes a deliberate choice. “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Paul sang praises and thanked God even while he was in prison. We too can give thanks “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” who has given us salvation, eternal hope, and everything else good in our lives, including our family.

3. The Holy Spirit Fills Us

God never commands us to do something without giving us the power to do it. “...Understand what the Lord’s will is. …..be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God …..” (Ephesians 5:17-20). The key is being filled with the Spirit! Ask God to help you give thanks and fill your heart with joy.

It’s easy to dwell on the annoying things our loved ones do instead of rejoicing over the blessing they are to us. Keep your thoughts focused on good things that are worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8) Say the words, “I’m so thankful for you.” Appreciation lightens the heart, (Psalm 138:1), and spreads to those around us bringing peace, love and unity. (Colossians 3:12-17)

Starting Your Day with a Thankful Heart

Scripture: He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done... Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?..” Luke 17:12-17

One day, Jesus healed 10 lepers of their disease. As loving and kind as our Savior is, He noticed that only one leper thanked Him. Do you ever forget to tell God thank you?

Don’t forget what Jesus has done for you

Sometimes we pray for months or years to the Father asking for a job, a home or a child. Year after year Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, longed to be a mother. Finally, the blessing came and God gave her John the Baptist as her son. Her husband, Zechariah, gave God thanks and praise in this prayer: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel...And you my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way of the Lord.” Luke 1:68, 76.

Once we receive a blessing, we can be so involved with the gift that we forget to thank God—just like nine of the lepers did. But “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” Luke 17:15 Each day, sit down and think about the great things God has done for you. Then, go back to Him and give thanks.

How do you begin your day?

I want to start my day and end my day with appreciation and thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus. Ephesians 5:20 tells us to“...give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do you add praise to your thanksgiving prayer?

When God does amazing things, it reminds us of how great He is. When that happens, we can add praise to our thanksgiving. A great prayer of praise and thanksgiving is Mary’s song of praise. Mary, an ordinary woman, was scorned by many as she carried Jesus in her womb. Though her situation was not ordinary, she gave thanksgiving and praise to the Lord by saying: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl...generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me.” Luke 1:46-49

Did you say a prayer of thanksgiving after Jesus answered your last prayer?