The Supremacy of God's Son

Having just come off of the Christmas season it is safe to say that as disciples of Christ our minds are focused on the greatest gift ever given, the Savior.  Our desire now is to move deeper into who this Savior truly is and what God’s Word has to say about Him.  More specifically, we will be diving into the book of Hebrews beginning this Sunday morning.

The author of Hebrews has no little quip or story to inspire disciples to know Jesus Christ deeper and more intimately.  Instead, he goes directly to the character and person of Jesus, what he does, what he did, and who he is. Namely, the supremacy of Christ over all things.  I encourage each of us to read through the first chapter of Hebrews to prepare us for what the Holy Spirit will say to us this coming Sunday.

May we see, sense, and experience the joy, conviction, and truth of the gospel message as we gather together as His people.  God is good and the author of all truth.  To his name be given all praise and glory.

The Glory of Jesus

“Some men become proud and insolent because they ride a fine horse, wear a feather in their hat, or are dressed in a fine suit of clothes.  Who does not see the folly of this?  If there be any glory in such things, the glory belongs to the horse, the bird, and the tailor” (St. Francis de Sales).

As the shepherds witnessed the glory of God through his angels on that night so long ago, they did not think of themselves as great, wonderful, or suddenly spiritually awe inspiring.  They instead sought the one of whose glory was spoken.  The same can be said of us today.  When we witness the glory of Jesus Christ first-hand through the power of the Holy Spirit in saving us from our sins we should not think that we are glorious in-and-of-ourselves.  Instead, we should seek the glory of the One who has made us glorious.

As we gather together this Sunday may the glory of Jesus Christ become real to us, may we witness the awesome work of his mighty power, and may we be driven to seek out the Glorious One each day of our lives.

J.C. Ryle: Our Love of Christ and Our Future Salvation

"The words which John Bunyan puts in the mouth of Mr. Standfast, as he stood in the river of death, are very beautiful.  He said, 'This river has been a terror to many; yes, the thoughts of it also have often frightened me.  But now methinks I stand easy: my foot is fixed upon that on which the feet of the priests that bear the ark stood while Israel went over Jordan.  The waters indeed are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the convoy that waits for me on the other side, lie as a glowing coal at my heart.  I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are ended.  I am going to see that head which was crowned with thorns, and that face which was spit upon for me.  I have formerly lived by hearing and faith, but now I go where I shall live by sight, and be with Him in whose company I delight myself.  I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and wherever I have seen the print of His shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot, too.  His name has been to me a civet-box; yes, sweeter than all perfumes!
 His voice to me has been most sweet; and His countenance I have more desired than those who have desired the light of the sun!'  Happy are those who know something of this experience!  He that would be in tune for heaven must know something of love to Christ.  He that dies ignorant of that love had better never have been born."

J.C. Ryle: Our Love of Christ and Our Faith in Him

"A true Christian loves Jesus Christ.  This love is the inseparable companion of saving faith.  A faith of devils, a mere intellectual faith, a man may have without love, but not that faith which saves.  Love cannot usurp the office of faith.  It cannot justify.  It does not join the soul to Christ.  It cannot bring peace to the conscience.  But where there is real justifying faith in Christ, there will always be heart love to Christ.  He that is really forgiven is the man who will really love (Luke 7:47).  If a man has no love to Christ, you may be sure he has no faith."

The Strength of Christ

At the age of two our son thinks he can do everything himself and yet is very much in need of our help with even simple tasks.  For instance, as he attempts to climb on the couch with his hands full of toys he finds it extremely difficult.  He tries and tries until through sheer frustration he begins to complain.  That, of course, is the cue for us to help him get onto the couch.

It is the same with the relationship between us and Christ.  When our strength wanes it is Christ’s strength that picks us up.  What does this look like practically in the life of a disciple?  What does this have to do with the Christmas season?  What encouragement is there in the realization of our weakness and Christ’s strength?

Join us this Sunday as we look into God’s word for the truth about the strength of Christ.  May the Spirit prepare us and speak to us as we hear the Gospel message of the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.