Loving the Needy - 1 Timothy 5:1-16

How do you view those who are in need? Some of us struggle in this area. We are often naturally skeptical of people who are needy. In American culture, there are many safety nets for the poor and all of them are abused by some. But, does that relieve the local church from caring for them? We are actually commanded to do so. This is what 1 Timothy 5 is all about. Beginning with looking at those in the church as “family,” we see that it makes us not responsible for more than financial needs, but we are to love and care for people whom God puts in our paths.
Loving the Needy – LESSON AUDIO
In the first century culture in which the Bible was written, widows and orphans were the neediest people there were. As the Apostle points to loving other members of the church he says;

1 Timothy 5:1-3  Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,  2  older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.  3  Honor widows who are really widows.

Love and respect everyone and honor the widows.  Honor includes caring for them in every practical way.

1 Timothy 5:4-8  But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.  5  Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.  …..  7  And these things command, that they may be blameless.  8  But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

If she is your widow (a relative of yours), take care of her! There is not much worse you could do than neglect them. However, there are those who have no one to care for them. These, if they were godly widows, were actually supported by the church.

1 Timothy 5:9-10  Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,  10  well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

In American culture in the 21st Century, we really don’t have this situation very often. The basic theme of the passage though has to do with loving and caring for the neediest people in our fellowships and families. As Christians we cannot neglect care for the poor or others in need. Many more conservative churches have reacted against the social gospel or more modern things like friendship evangelism because they never really get to the Gospel of Jesus Christ but substitute care and friendship for it. The biggest problem with these things is not that they are outright lies, but half-truths. Care and relationships are important to the Gospel and a great foundation for gaining the ear of those outside the church. Good works should always accompany the Gospel. The question is, who is the one who is needy in your life, your church, your community? Not just financially, maybe they need a friend, a counselor,  or just to know that somebody notices them. How can you demonstrate love and care for them and give them the Gospel or build them up in the faith?
You can hear more on this subject if you click on the link to the audio of the lesson below.

Loving the Needy – LESSON AUDIO

In Christ!
Kevin

The Faithful Redeemer [Exodus Pt.1]

What does a story about a bunch of cranky slaves being freed from bondage in Egypt have to do with me, a Christian living in the 21st century? Well it has as much to do with the God who delivered them as it does with our own need for redemption. Remember last time when we noticed that the Apostle Paul pointed to Ancient Israel as a type for us to consider in 1 Corinthians 10:11.

The Faithful Redeemer – SERMON AUDIO

As Exodus begins, we are introduced to the family of a man named Israel and we are told that they all arrived safely in the land of Egypt. This are the subject of God’s blessing and His promise to a man named Abraham who lived a couple of generations before them. We need to begin with these men and their names in order to be assured that what follows is in line with God’s covenant. It is a demonstration if His Word being good and it work among the sons of men.

Exodus 1:1-5  Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob:  2  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;  3  Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;  4  Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.  5  All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already).

However, the very next words seem a bit strange. Time passes and those people are no longer around, yet the promise to the posterity of Abraham and through him Jacob, are still being accomplished.

Exodus 1:6-7  And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation.  7  But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

This should come as not surprise because it is just how the Lord said it would happen.

Genesis 15:13-16  Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.  14  And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.  15  Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.  16  But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

God brought His people through a lot. He formed them and kept them and freed them and prospered them. He did it through the events of their lives even while they were unaware it was happening. One of Jacob’s sons, Joseph, was sold into slavery by his brothers and through God’s intervention was the source of their provision when they arrived. (You probably know the story in Genesis 39-50) We see this idea come from his own lips as he says to his brothers once they come to realize that he is the governor of Egypt; “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
The question may occur to you, Why did God do it that way? Couldn’t He have just gone “ZAP” and made His people, quick and clean? Sure, He could have, but that was not His purpose. If they are a type or example to us, what comfort could we draw from their lives and relationship to God, they need to live lives that are like ours in some way. We live in a world where we are in bondage to sin and where we struggle with sin and disobedience. Because of our place in the world, we need to see God at work in people’s lives who are like us, who struggle and have to deal with the depravity of the world.
I think God also did it this way to show a temporal illustration of the eternal truth of our ultimate Redemption from sin.

Hebrews 2:14-15  Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,  15  and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

It is all there for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11), it needs to correspond to our reality. From it we see that God is powerful and prepared, that He is able and intends to redeem His people, that as He did to the most powerful king in the days of ancient Israel, He has also done to the most powerful of our spiritual enemies, the devil. He has illustrated the reality of our eternal redemption in His ancient people. He has given us something we can see to hold on to as we await the final redemption of our bodies and the renewal of all things.
There is a lot more here but if you want to understand it all, I encourage you to listen to the sermon. I pray that as you read and listen that you would see God, more and more, as a God who has the power, plan and purpose to redeem and that is doing so, you would be inclined to give Him the glory!

The Faithful Redeemer – SERMON AUDIO
In Christ!
Kevin

Exodus, The Journey Begins!

It is time for a fresh take on the old way of life. There is so much going on, so many obstacles, setbacks and mundane details that we often get lost in the routine and forget the purpose of the journey. As Christians we are saved, not just to be kept from hell, but to be conformed to the image of Christ. The questions we need to ask are; Is God in it, is He faithful, does He care when we are caught in the rugged, day to day issues of life? This is where faith becomes most evident.

The Journey Begins – SERMON AUDIO

But before we run off to Egypt and discover all of the lessons we can gain from the Nation of Israel and their journey, lets put things in a bit of perspective. After all, how can I relate to a four thousand year old story of slaves being liberated from the tyranny of oppression? The New Testament actually speaks to that very issue and gives us a strong correlation;

1 Corinthians 10:1-6  Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,  2  all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,  3  all ate the same spiritual food,  4  and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.  5  But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.  6  Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthians Christians that we are really not that different from those ancient Israelites.  They were redeemed, we are redeemed. They were baptized and took communion too! But Paul also says that many who were among them, were not true believers. Yet, this nation is “our example.” The Greek word for example here actually tupos or a type. They are a picture of how God deals with those in His covenant community and a demonstration that all who are in that community are not true believers. Jude says it this way in his epistle, “But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 1:5)
Before we begin the journey, we need to ask whether we are really trusting in God? Do we believe that in spite of the difficulties of life and things going contrary to our expectations that God is in charge and will complete what He has begun? The evidence is really shown in our obedience and our attitudes;

1 Corinthians 10:6-11  Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.  7  And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND ROSE UP TO PLAY.”  8  Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;  9  nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;  10  nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  11  Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

See, the unbelievers among the Nation of Israel were more concerned about creature comforts than faithfulness (READ NUMBERS 11) (Vs. 6). They were willing to change the way they saw God and try to make Him over so that they could be comfortable in their sin and rebellion (READ EXODUS 32) (Vs. 7).  They were carried away by the culture into sexual immorality (READ NUMBERS 25) (Vs.8). They were persistent in their sin (READ NUMBERS 21) (Vs. 9). and never ceased to complain (READ NUMBERS 16) (Vs. 10).  Again, these events were recorded for our admonition, the Church of Jesus Christ. Everyone who professes faith and hangs out with Christians is not really a Believer. Unbelief here is demonstrated by mistrust of God, disobedience to His commands and complaints about our own situation. But, it does not have to end here!
This is what it looks like when we focus too much on the journey and not on the destination.  We need to change our focus. We need to remember who God is and what He has promised. He did not promise our best life now! He did promise to bring us through the difficulties of life and form in us the image of His Son. It is when we focus on the right things that we are able to walk in true faith.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The journey is not about us gaining worldly possessions or accolades. We do not stand on our abilities or successes but on the faithfulness of God! The journey is a success when we realize this and count on Him rather than ourselves or our circumstances. He will bring you through the difficulty, but don’t expect Him to reward you with temporal blessings, expect Him to accomplish His purpose in your life! The journey is easier, more exciting and you will find more joy in it.
Check out the audio from the sermon preached on Sunday, January 1, 2012 for more.

The Journey Begins – SERMON AUDIO
In Christ!
Kevin

Other People's Sin

Some people are masters at pointing out other people’s sins, aren’t they? It is our tendency to use the faults of others in order to justify or cover our own sinful attitudes and actions. You know what I am talking about. You know the type. The hard-core fundamentalists who veils his hateful attitude as he chastises the “worldly” Christians for their worldliness. Or the cool, contemporary Christian who feels justified in mocking his more conservative Brother while pushing the boundaries of his own morality. I bet I could get just about any of you going and lead you right into this very sin, comparing others to ourselves to feel or show our own alleged superiority. It is called self-righteousness.

Other People’s Sins – SERMON AUDIO

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were just such folks.

John 8:2-6  Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.  3  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,  4  they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.  5  Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”  6  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

Trying to trap Jesus, they managed somehow to find a woman who was “in the very act” of adultery. They thrust her forward as an example of a great sinner. But Jesus didn’t fall for it, instead He changed their focus.

John 8:7-9  So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  8  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  9  Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Jesus is more concerned about you dealing with the sin in your own life than He is about you pointing out the sins of others. Sure, there is a place for confronting sin in others, but it is always with the attitude of restoring our fallen brother or sister.

Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

It is never to be the source of advancing our own superior spirituality.

2 Corinthians 10:12  For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

No matter what the reason, Christianity ought not to be about comparisons. It is about following Christ. It is about dealing with our own sin and helping our brothers and sisters to grow and be more holy.

Other People’s Sins – SERMON AUDIO
In Christ!
Kevin

My Doctrine...

Everybody has an opinion! Some people say they are like armpits, everyone has them and they all stink. Opinions are not necessarily bad, but in this age of blogs and social networking, it seems that the most important thing is making our opinions known. This is really nothing new. Jeffersonian political theory, unfortunately spilled over into other areas in the early 1800′s and splintered the American church into thousands of denominations, each espousing their own unique brand of the Christian Faith.
My Doctrine - AUDIO
Though there were many denominations before that time, they were largely connected to ethnic backgrounds, The Scots were Presbyterians, the English Anglicans and the Germans Lutheran for the most part. The saddest thing about what happened in the American church in the 1800′s was that most of the newer denominations threw out the the standard interpretation that those many previous denominations largely agreed upon. This is not to say they were in perfect harmony, but they were in agreement on the most important truths for the most part. In place of what had been taught and believed for the previous 300 years (restored truths buried by Rome in the Dark Ages) everyone became their own interpreter. Often times, training in language and interpretation were shunned and even made fun of by these egalitarian sects.
Studying John’s Gospel, I see that this is just another manifestation of man’s desire to be in control even if he is largely ignorant of the realities he seeks to govern. In John 7, Jesus is has gone to Jerusalem for a feast. We read:

John 7:14-18  Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.  15  And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”  16  Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.  17  If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.  18  He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

Jesus came, armed with doctrine from heaven. His Father had given Him the things He taught. All of what He said was rooted in previously revealed truth from the Old Testament! Yet the more He spoke, the more conjecture came back to Him from the crowd.

John 7:26-27  But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?  27  However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
John 7:31  And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
John 7:40-43  Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”  41  Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?  42  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”  43  So there was a division among the people because of Him.

They make partial reference to the Scriptures, but assume what they know about Jesus. They could have found more about Him if they would take the time to look. Read Matthew or Luke’s Gospel some time and pay particular attention to phrases like, “for thus it is written by the prophet” The problem of men assuming that their knowledge was sufficient and rejecting the proper study of God’s revelation was common even in Jesus’ day.  If anything, it has proliferated in our day. People are looking for soundbites and maxims, but not for solid theology. If it sounds good to most of us, we will accept it, especially if it goes along with our presuppositions. This is critical information and we don’t want to get it wrong because we are tool lazy to dig it out or to comfortable to be troubled by truth. Yet, sadly this is where most of us reside. After 52 verses of discussion among the people and their religious leaders, those leaders made a pronouncement and then John tells us’

John 7:53  And everyone went to his own house.

For all of the talk, nothing really changed. No one was persuaded one way or the other,but hey, everybody had their say.  What about you? Are you satisfied with mere opinions? Will you dig in and receive the uncomfortable truths? Will you allow truth to change you or will you try to exert your will on the truth?
My Doctrine - AUDIO
In Christ!
Kevin

Living What We Know 1 Timothy 4

There is a whole lot of doubt in the world about the truth of the Christian Faith. On the other hand, there are a lot of people who name the name of Christ but do not really follow the teachings of the Bible. Timothy was confronting some of the folks who were in the second category.  Chapter 4 of 1 Timothy is Paul’s direction to Timothy for fulfilling the purpose of refuting the false and promoting the truth of the Christian Faith.
Living What We Know – AUDIO
The false teachers were involved in covering their sin with man-made rituals and restrictions. This is hypocrisy and trying to live as a Christian with a defiled conscience as we noted in the previous posts; Latter Times Falling Away, and The Christians Workout Routine. The rejection of the false way (1 Timothy 4:1-5) and working toward the holiness commanded by the Gospel (1 Timothy 4:6-11).  The thing is, that true holiness is rooted in accurate Christian doctrine. The Greek root didaskalia which means doctrine or teaching, appears in 1 Timothy 14 times. Paul tells Timothy, in order to deal with the false and promote the true;

1 Timothy 4:12-16  Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  13  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  14  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  15  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  16  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Notice the combination that is repeated here, live it then teach it.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:16aTake heed to yourself

But also;

1 Timothy 4:13  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.

The combination of life and doctrine are the key to overcoming unbelief, both inside the church an outside it. Setting up false standards of righteousness and hiding sin is just the religious form of unbelief. Puritan Henry Scougal says in his booklet called, The Life of God in the Soul of Man  “Now, if such a person be conscientious and uniform in his obedience, and earnestly groaning under the sense of his dulness, and is desirous to perform his duties with more spirit and vigour, these are the first motions of the divine life, which, though it be faint and weak, will surely be cherished by the influences of heaven, and grow unto greater maturity. But he who is utterly destitute of this inward principle, and doth not aspire to it, but contents himself with those performances whereunto he is prompted by education or custom, by the fear of hell or carnal notions of heaven, can no more be accounted a religious person, than a puppet can be called a man.”
True “religion” is not motivated by external forces, not by what God or man thinks of us, but by understanding and appropriating the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

The mystery that works godliness in us, is believing the Gospel which involves us owning our sin and falling on God alone for mercy as the remedy. Legalism only proves that we do not actually believe the Gospel but on some level we believe that we can become righteous on our own. Not only are we lying to ourselves, but we are misrepresenting the truth of the Gospel to others! If we want an unbelieving world to listen to the Gospel,we need to begin by living right (taking heed to ourselves) first and then presenting the Gospel (the doctrine). Peter says as much in his first epistle.

1 Peter 3:8-16  Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;  9  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.  10  For “HE WHO WOULD LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.  11  LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.  12  FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”  13  And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?  14  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED.”  15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;  16  having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

They won’t always listen, the Holy Spirit has to be involved in the situation, but this is the order we are given in the New Testament. The real question is, How does your life line up to your doctrine? If there is a disconnect in this area, you have to ask yourself a couple of questions, First, Do I really believe what I profess? Second, Can I blame others for seeing through my own hypocrisy? Tough questions, but necessary ones!
I encourage you to check out the audio on this one. Living What We Know – AUDIO
In Christ!
Kevin

Emmaneul / Jesus, The Necessity of the God / Man

I am not a big fan of Christmas and all of its trappings. It is not Jesus’ birthday, but it is a time that we can turn our focus to the fact that God became a man. I love to celebrate the incarnation of the Christ, to sing the great hymns and to preach on the plan of God to redeem the fallen human race. This is not a “once a year” kind of truth! It is the foundation of the Christian Faith!

The Necessity of the God / Man – AUDIO

The point of this celebration is to recognize what God did to save sinners. He did not just manifest Himself in a human form, He BECAME a man. He was born like every other man. He lived in poverty in a hick-town in Palestine. He was not wealthy or privileged in any way. His parents were real people who struggled with the issues of life, like Mary becoming pregnant before the wedding day, like the government forcing them to relocate in order to register for their taxes, and like having to flee the threat of death from their local, Roman-appointed king. The struggles of life were as real to Him as they are to any of us. Yet He was God, the Creator of all! He did this because the Sacrifice that was required for sin needed to be one of us. We have seen from our Advent Study in Hebrews that the animal sacrifices of Old Testament times were not able to take away sin. They merely pointed to the One who could. The Man Jesus, a real Sacrifice, The God Christ, wholly God.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

He is a High Priest with the Power of God and the Empathy of His own real, human experience. The writer to the Hebrews goes on to say;

Hebrews 5:8-9 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

He was a Son, eternally, to God. But He learned obedience, that is, He experienced what it is like to have to obey God in the fallen world of men. It is not easy! Having lived perfectly as a man, He became the Sacrifice that was truly able to deal with our problem of sin. How important is it to understand the Jesus is fully God and fully man?

John 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” (English Majority Text Literal Translation)

Colossians 2:8-10 Beware lest anyone captures you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are completed in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

This truth has been under attack since the beginning of the Church. The Apostle John wrote against the false teachers who tried to misrepresent Christ as he penned his letters in the New Testament.

1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this the Spirit of God is known: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit which does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard that it is coming, and now is already in the world.

If you are unsure as to Christ’s place in the Godhead and in the Plan of Redemption, I strongly encourage you to follow up on this study. Check out some other teachings I have done on this subject:

• Heroes and Heretics, Developing Doctrine by Refuting Heresies; (Listen particularly to the studies on Tertullian and Athanasius)
• Christology; a detailed study on the person of Christ and His relation to the Godhead.

In the meantime, enjoy your gifts and Christmas cookies, but remember that a pivotal event in human history, one that was foretold and foreshadowed by God through ancient Israel is what it is supposed to be about. Meditate on the humanness of that Baby in the manger and then try to imagine that the Omnipotent God who created all things, subjected Himself to that level of vulnerability in order to redeem a race of rebels and traitors. Love has no more beautiful or profound face than the face of Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 4:6 Because it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Necessity of the God / Man – AUDIO

Merry Christmas!

In Christ!

Kevin