Wednesday, December 26, 2012

My Meditations for Christmas 2012

John 18:37
...to this end was I born...
Christ's Humanity
He presented pure humanity to God.
He brought manhood to heaven.

...for this cause came I into the world...
Christ's Deity
He presented perfect Deity to man.
He brought Godhood to earth.

The Conception in the Womb
...was I born...
* He Who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15) dwelt in space (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:31) and time (Matthew 2:2).

The Coming into the World
...came I into the world...
* Only Christ could come into the world (contrast with John 16:21 - everyone else was born into it) because He existed before the foundation of the world with the Father (John 16:28).
* The Father sent and Christ came willingly (contrast John 3:17 with John 3:19; 1 John 4:9 with Hebrews 10:5).
* The usage of the phrase "into the world" is mainly found in John's gospel and mainly describes Christ either coming or being sent into the world which is no surprise as John's emphasis is the Son of God who existed from the beginning (John 1:1-3).

The Characteristic of the Witness
...that I should bear witness unto the truth...
* Christ is the truth (John 14:6)
* Christ is full of truth (John 1:14)
* Christ manifests the truth (John 8:40,45 - words; Psalm 33:4 - works)

The Challenge for the Willing
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
* Are you of the truth?
* Are you hearing His voice (John 10:27; Revelation 3:20 contrast with Song of Solomon 5:2-3)?

Sunday, December 09, 2012

The Church in Ephesians

The Church as:
* The Body (Eph 1:23) - living relationship
* The Building (Eph 2:21) - lasting relationship
* The Bride (Eph 5:32) - loving relationship

- J.J. Stubbs

The Calling (Ephesians 4:1)

Ephesians 1:18 - His calling
Ephesians 4:4 - Hopeful calling
Philippians 3:14 - High calling
2 Timothy 1:9 - Holy calling
Hebrews 3:1 - Heavenly calling

Outline of Ephesians


Eph 1:1 - 3:21 (Doctrine)
In Christ - position
Eph 4:1 - 6:24 (Direction)
In the Lord - responsibility

Christian Wealth (Eph 1:1 - 3:21)
Christian Walk (Eph 4:1 - 5:33)
Christian Warfare (Eph 6:1-24)

Eph 1:1-23 - The Blessing (Devotedness)
Eph 2:1-22 - The Building (Holiness)
Eph 3:1-21 - The Bounty (Witness)
Eph 4:1-32 - The Body (Preparedness)
Eph 5:1-33 - The Bride (Thoughtfulness)
Eph 6:1-24 - The Battle (Faithfulness)
(the last one is borrowed from a source I cannot remember)

7 Walks in Ephesians

Eph 2:2 - Worldly Walk (Course of this world)
Eph 2:10 - Working Walk (Creation unto good works)
Eph 4:1 - Worthy Walk (Calling of the saints)
Eph 4:17 - Wayward Walk (Carelessness of their mind)
Eph 5:2 - Warm Walk (Compassion of the Christ)
Eph 5:8 - Well-lit Walk (Children of the light)
Eph 5:15 - Wise Walk (Carefulness of the wise)