Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

That which comes out

12/11/2012

15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man (Mark 7:15).

The Gospel is not a gospel of abstract rules and technicalities. In fact the Gospel is a very practical message. The Gospel is a message to the heart. It is to the heart because that is the location of Man’s problem in terms of sin. Sin is a by-product of actions. Our actions flow out of who we are as human beings. That is why it is essential that we born again, born again of the Spirit, refreshed and made anew.

Among His own kin

12/10/2012

2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house (Mark 6:2-4).

Besides His mother Mary and father Joseph, the rest of Christ’s family were slow to accept Him. But rather than reduce Christ’s legitimacy this actually increases it. Here is why. After Christ’s death and resurrection both James and Jude went on to be early leaders in the Church. In fact, James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and wrote the book of James, and Jude went on to write the epistle of Jude. So, at least two of Christ’s brothers were initially skeptical but later in life went on to be champions for Christ. Something must have changed their minds. That something was the resurrection of Christ. As was true in the beginning of the Church, the Christian faith hinges on the historical fact of the resurrection.

Tell them about the Lord

12/9/2012

19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee (Mark 5:19).

This is the heart of evangelism, to tell others what God has done and can do in our lives. Our lives are forever changed for the better once we surrender to God through Christ Jesus. Of course this does not mean everything will be rosy in this life, we know that this is not so. But, what it is does mean is that our perspective on life changes from the temporal (this world) to the eternal. It is in this eternal perspective that true peace is available to all that call upon the name of the Lord.

The ways of God

12/8/2012

11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them (Mark 4:11-12).

Verse 12 is a tough verse to deal with and to understand. The fact that Jesus is likely referencing Isaiah 6:9-10 may help us understand this verse. He is really lamenting the idea that people won’t hear the Gospel message. The Gospel message is not heard because the people’s hearts are hard against it before they even hear. And so rather than being given understanding they are given judgment. This is truly difficult for us to fully understand though; why not just un-harden their hearts or speak plainly? Of course we can’t answer this question, but here are some thoughts: Faith is a gift. The gift is given through a sovereign gracious action of God. Judgment is still individual, people are judged on their own actions. And finally, as the Apostle Paul states (Romans 9:20), “Who art though, oh Man?”.

Doers of the Will

12/7/2012

33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother (Mark 3:33-35).

It is the doers of the word of God that are known by Christ. It is not merely intellectual assent or words that make a believer but rather it is a changed life. A changed life results when the words of Christ are turned into actions. These actions don’t save but rather are manifestations or evidence that salvation has occurred. And so it is indeed by faith we are saved through grace, and this faith produces a new life in Christ.

The Power

12/6/2012

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house (Mark 2:9-11).

All things are under Christ’s power and dominion. And the miracles are an example of this power and dominion. The miracles He performed were for a set purpose. The purpose was both to heal and to provide visible evidence of Christ’s identity to those that were eyewitnesses. But in spite of the many miracles, most rejected Christ. In many cases, those that rejected Him were those you would have thought would have recognized Christ the most. The learned religious leaders rejected even the miracles and so they rejected Christ ability to forgive sin: to their own eternal loss.

The way prepared

12/5/2012

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him (Mark 1:16-18).

The Gospel of Mark begins with the story of John the Baptist and quickly proceeds to the calling of the Disciples. It is interesting that when Christ calls each of the disciples they come immediately. There is no hesitation, it is clear that they were waiting for the promised messiah. John the Baptist had indeed prepared the way for Christ. He prepared the way both in terms of the message of the Gospel and in terms of preparing those that would follow Christ.

He is risen

12/4/2012

6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay (Matthew 28:6).

The resurrection of Christ had multiple eyewitnesses. While many of the eyewitnesses were not aware that the resurrection was prophesized for centuries before, the fact of the resurrection was something that profoundly impacted them. The impact was one of reassurance. This reassurance was that Christ was the promised Messiah. The Messiah that defeated even death. The resurrection is the cornerstone of human history.

A last prayer

12/3/2012

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46).

Jesus is quoting Psalm 22 while He is being crucified. Psalm 22 is a prayer of praise and prayer of deliverance; it is also a Messianic Psalm. It is not accidental that these verses are recorded as some Christ’s last words. These are not words of desperation but rather are beginning words of a Psalm of triumph. I encourage you to read the 22nd Psalm and realize Christ was praying this prayer as some of His last words. These words speak of Him and the promise of His salvation (see Psalm 22:30-31).

The Cost

12/2/2012

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matthew 26:38-39).

Many think that this passage shows the human side of Jesus in that he dreaded that he would have to die. However, I don’t think that this is what this passage portrays rather it portrays that Jesus knew he would pay the penalty for our sin and that penalty would result in His temporary separation from the Father. Scripture literally says that Jesus bore our sins and His atoning sacrifice was to accept the penalty for our sin. A penalty that we could not withstand on our own, and that only could be withstood by the only begotten Son of God. It is not death or the pain of death that Christ dreaded but the wrath of God. Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf is the most costly gift ever to be given.

Created Through Him