What makes Christianity distinct?
“God,
(The Letter to the Hebrews 1: 1-5a NASB)
after He spoke long ago to the fathers
in the prophets
in many portions and
in many ways,
in these last days has spoken to us in His Son,
whom He appointed heir of all things,
through whom also He made the world.
And
He is the radiance of His glory
and
the exact representation of His nature,
and
upholds all things by the word of His power.
When
He had made purification of sins,
He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
having become as much better than the angels,
as
He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
“YOU ARE MY SON,
TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”?
- What are you pursuing in life?
- What wakes you up in the morning, commanding your attention?
- What excites you, making you want to go out into this world?
- What commands your attention, causing you to strive toward being your best?
- It is a fact that we will pursue that which we deem most important.
- It is a fact that we will pursue the choices that are important to us.
- It is a fact that we will pursue what our heart says is important to us.
So, what are you & I pursuing?
What are we leaning in toward, standing up for, writing and speaking about each day?
Last week, a dear soul left this world to go home to heaven. This same man, eleven years ago, stood at the end of his earthly life, facing death because his heart was just worn out from working so hard. Back then, the man said: “I’m not ready to go; I have too much work to do.”
The LORD gave this man a new physical heart through an open-heart operation.
- For this man to live, another had to die.
- For this man to live, he had to recognize how God had more for him to do during his earthly life.
His new heart gave this man (a husband, a father, a grandfather, an employee, a church member & most importantly—a child of God) a new lease on life. Richard lived his next eleven years in service to others. Anyone who knew Richard, saw it so.
- He served his wife, caring for her when she became sick.
- He served his children and grandchildren, giving to them what they needed to survive.
- He served his employer, working even on the days when his health failed him.
- He served his church and the children, handing out pizza each Wednesday night, feeding the hungry before the Bible lesson.
Anyone who knew Richard, knew a servant’s heart.
Then, eleven years later, when his work was accomplished here on earth, on the day of his death, Richard said, “I am ready to go home.” The LORD brought him home to heaven because it was the day the LORD had appointed for Richard’s last day on earth.
“For our citizenship is in heaven,
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 3: 20-21 NASB)
from which also we eagerly wait
for a Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ;
who will transform the body of our humble state
into conformity with the body of His glory,
by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
What makes Christianity distinct?
- Jesus was present with God at creation of the world.
Jesus remains unchanging in His nature!
Divine—Supreme—Foreshadowed in the Scriptures!
- Jesus Christ came to earth from heaven.
- Jesus took on human flesh.
- Jesus was tempted by the devil, like man, but sinless Jesus remained.
- Jesus walked in obedience to the Father’s will.
- Jesus was crucified on Calvary’s cross.
- Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb & was dead for three days.
Then God raised His Only Begotten, the Son of God, back to new life!
Then, forty days later—
Jesus ascended back to heaven, where He sat down next to the Most High!
BEHOLD, THE MAJESTY OF JESUS!
May you and I respond with a heart filled with devotion and reverence to HIM!
JESUS CHRIST—
- The fulfillment of God’s promises!
- The One in whom we must believe!
- The Savior and the Redeemer of the world!
- The Son of God who will stand one day and return to earth!
The Son of God, the Christ in whom we believe!
“When He had made purification of sins,
(The Letter to the Hebrews 1: 3b-5a NASB)
He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
having become as much better than the angels,
as
He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
[for to whom did ALMIGHTY GOD say]
“YOU ARE MY SON,
TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”?
- May we pursue HIM with all our heart.
- May we serve HIM as HIS HOLY SPIRIT leads.
- May we live our lives in complete obedience to HIM.
This is what makes Christianity distinct—Praise God—We Worship a Risen Savior!