Jesus Alone is God

The principle of giving and receiving is deeply ingrained in the fabric of creation itself, as illustrated by the abundance and generosity of nature. Just as the sun, water, soil, and even deserts give forth their blessings, God expects us to give back to Him in abundance.

Our foremost offering to God is our lives themselves. In the same way that God gave us life, we are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, wholly devoted to His service. This includes dedicating our time, talents, and resources to His kingdom.

Abraham's willingness to offer his son Isaac and Hannah's vow to dedicate her son Samuel are powerful examples of giving back to God the very lives He has blessed us with. Similarly, Anna's lifelong devotion to serving God in the temple demonstrates the profound impact of giving one's time abundantly to the Lord.

When it comes to material wealth, we are reminded of Jesus' own sacrifice – though rich, He became poor for our sake, that through His poverty we might become rich in Him. Generosity is not only about monetary wealth but also about the attitude of the heart. God delights in a cheerful giver, one who gives freely and joyfully, without reservation.

The story of the miserly man who learns the joy of giving underscores the transformative power of generosity. Just as God gave His Son out of love for the world, we are called to emulate His sacrificial love by giving generously to others.

Ultimately, our giving reflects our faith and trust in God's provision. As we sow bountifully, we can trust that God will make all grace abound toward us, ensuring that we have more than enough to abound in every good work. Let us, therefore, give freely and generously, knowing that in doing so, we participate in God's eternal principle of giving and receiving.

The journey of Philip to meet the Ethiopian eunuch underscores the divine orchestration of God's plan to reach hearts and souls with the Gospel message. Despite the thriving revival in Samaria, Philip's immediate obedience to the Spirit's leading took him to the desert road where he encountered the seeking heart of the Ethiopian eunuch.

The Ethiopian's journey to Jerusalem for worship reflects a deep spiritual hunger and devotion, reminiscent of the psalmist's longing for the presence of God. In a world where many chase after temporal treasures, his pursuit of spiritual fulfillment in Jerusalem serves as a poignant reminder of the eternal significance of seeking God's kingdom above all else.

The encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch highlights God's inclusivity and impartiality in extending salvation to all nations. The eunuch's sincere engagement with Scripture in the desert setting demonstrates his genuine hunger for spiritual truth, which God honors by sending Philip to guide him.

Just as God revealed himself to Moses on Mount Sinai and to Elijah in the desert, the desert becomes a sacred space where God encounters his people in profound ways. In the barrenness of the desert, distractions are stripped away, allowing for a deeper communion with God and a clearer reception of his word.

The urgency of salvation is emphasized in the desert setting, where the harsh conditions serve as a reminder of the brevity of life and the need to prioritize eternal matters. Philip wastes no time in proclaiming the Gospel message, highlighting the singular importance of salvation through repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and the reception of the Holy Spirit.

In a world filled with distractions and diversions, the call to "be still and know that I am God" resonates deeply in the desert environment. As believers navigate the spiritual desert of the world, may they heed the call to prioritize the proclamation of the Gospel message and lead others to encounter the living God.

The analogy of sowing seeds, both in agriculture and in spreading the Gospel, underscores the importance of consistent effort and diligence. Just as farmers sow seeds in faith, uncertain of the outcome but trusting in the process, Christians are called to sow the seeds of the Gospel without hesitation or delay.

In a world where many are unaware of the source of their sustenance, the faithful work of farmers ensures a steady food supply. Similarly, the spiritual labor of Christians, though often unnoticed or under appreciated, plays a vital role in spreading the message of salvation to all nations.

The urgency of sowing the Gospel is emphasized by the unpredictable nature of the future and the ever-present threat of spiritual opposition. Like the Apostle Paul, believers are called to seize every opportunity to share the Good News, regardless of the circumstances or perceived obstacles.

Just as farmers patiently wait for their seeds to yield a harvest, Christians sow the seeds of the Gospel with the expectation of a bountiful spiritual harvest in due time. Though the enemy may sow seeds of discord and falsehood, believers are called to remain steadfast in their mission, trusting in the Lord to ultimately bring about justice and redemption.

As we eagerly await the return of the Lord, let us continue to sow seeds of faith and hope, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. Just as the farmer diligently tends to his fields, so too must Christians faithfully sow the seeds of the Gospel, trusting in the Lord to bring about a harvest of souls for his kingdom.

The biblical metaphor of the thief in the night serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of the Lord's return. Just as a thief does not announce their arrival, the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. Vigilance is therefore paramount; those who diligently watch for the signs of the last days will be prepared for his coming. Among these signs are wars, natural disasters, pestilences, and the rise of false doctrine and false prophets, a warning reiterated by Jesus himself.

The signs of the end times are not always dramatic; everyday occurrences such as abundance in food, drink, and material possessions, along with the proliferation of knowledge and information, are also indicators. Despite the accessibility of knowledge, there remains a pervasive lack of understanding of the truth of salvation.

Crucially, the Gospel has been preached in every nation, marking a significant milestone in the countdown to the Lord's return. As believers, we are called to actively participate in spreading the Gospel, knowing that each soul reached brings us closer to the fulfillment of prophecy.

The return of the Lord Jesus will be like a thief coming to steal the most precious treasure on earth: the church. Once the church is removed, chaos will ensue, signaling the beginning of the end for the world as we know it. However, for believers, the rapture signifies the beginning of eternal life, peace, and blessings.

In light of these truths, let us remain vigilant and focused on the imminent return of the Lord, eagerly anticipating the day when we will partake in the first resurrection and reign with him for a thousand years.

The narrative begins with the biblical account of the Exodus, where the children of Israel departed from Egypt after applying the blood of the lamb to their doorposts. This act symbolizes a resurrection of a nation that had been in bondage for 430 years. The power of the lamb in this event foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as the blood protected the Israelites from the destroyer in Egypt, Jesus' death and resurrection conquered death itself.

The physical death of Jesus, symbolized by his blood, defeated death and paved the way for resurrection. Paul's exclamation in Corinthians underscores this victory over death through Jesus Christ. Jesus' resurrection, a physical reality, was witnessed by over 500 disciples, ensuring the certainty of his victory over death.

Paul admonishes against doubting the physical resurrection of Jesus, as it is the foundation of Christian faith. He even names those who deny this truth, emphasizing its significance. The resurrection is the only hope for eternal life, made possible by God's sacrifice of his own Son.

Jesus' power to raise the dead is demonstrated in his miracle of raising Lazarus, foreshadowing his own resurrection. Unlike Lazarus, Jesus' flesh did not see corruption, affirming the reality of his physical resurrection. The apostles, including Peter, bore witness to this truth, and their testimony is the foundation of Christian faith.

Blood appears to have a voice, echoing from ancient times when Abel's blood cried out from the ground. Cain clearly underestimated the power of blood to appeal for justice when he killed his righteous brother. Blood is vital in keeping the body functioning properly and maintaining good health. Scripture emphasizes its role in atonement. Blood is never spilled in vain; it speaks a powerful language – the language of deliverance and salvation. In the prophecy of Jacob, the Messiah is intimately associated with blood. The Exodus narrative underscores its significance in safeguarding households. While human bloodlines are tainted by sin, Jesus offers a new and non-Adamic bloodline, through his flesh and blood that originated from the word of God. The blood of Jesus speaks powerfully. It says that Jesus is God(Acts 20:28). The blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel, because it took away the sins of the whole world. Through the blood of Jesus, sins are absolved, and debts to death paid. Heaven reverberates with praise for the blood's power to cleanse and redeem. Just as blood circulates within us, Jesus' blood continually offers purification to sinners and saints. Its call remains: "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

Sometimes, in order to better elucidate a question that may be difficult for some One God Christians to answer, it is helpful to formulate the question and meditate on it in light of the scriptures. One way to answer this question is by reminding ourselves that we put on the same body of the Lord in baptism. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). We can reinforce this scripture with another one to drive home the point that we do indeed put on the literal body of the Lord with which we can enter heaven. “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil 3:21). Now, once it is clear that we will have the same body as the Lord Jesus had on this earth, and still has in heaven, it becomes easier to answer the question: is the flesh of Jesus God? Obviously, the answer is that the flesh of Jesus cannot be reduced to all that is God for that would mean we ourselves have put on “God-flesh”. This is why it is so important to employ precise biblical language, or we will be in danger of courting false doctrine. Let us explore this theme further.

This sermon explores the relationship between the Spirit of God and His flesh and blood. It begins by establishing that God, being spirit, cannot be made into anything. As stated in John 1:14, his word was made flesh. This distinction is crucial because God's essence is eternal and immutable, as affirmed in Malachi 3:6.

The explanation delves into the scripture in 1 Timothy 6:16 which speaks of Jesus having immortality. How can Jesus have immortality when he died on the Cross? The answer is that when we say “Jesus”, we are speaking about the Spirit in the flesh. Hence Jesus has immortality in his Spirit, but not in the flesh. This interpretation is supported by passages such as Romans 8:11, which speaks of the Spirit of God raising Jesus from the dead. It emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the mortal flesh and the immortal Spirit of Jesus.

The discourse warns against ancient heresies such as Marcionism and Docetism, which denied the reality of Jesus' physical body and his suffering and death. It underscores the biblical teaching that Jesus was genuinely man, with a corporeal body subject to suffering and death. The rejection of these heretical views is grounded in the biblical accounts of Jesus' physical resurrection and His post-resurrection appearances to His disciples (Luke 24:39).

Furthermore, the sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between the flesh and blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God. It refutes the notion of "spirit flesh" and asserts that Jesus truly died on the cross. It highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit for spiritual life, even after baptism. The text emphasizes the vital role of the Spirit in giving life, contrasting it with the limitations of the flesh. Ultimately, it warns against reducing the Spirit of God to the flesh and blood of God alone, and the flesh and blood of God to the Spirit of God alone – as that would be a heresy.

The sermon centers on the exaltation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the unparalleled significance of his name. Drawing from Philippians 2:9-10, the preacher highlights that God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed upon him a name above every other name. This exaltation is rooted in the fact that Jesus is the manifestation of God Himself.

Despite God's numerous mighty works, including the creation of the universe and the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, it is Jesus who receives the highest honor. The reason for this, as the sermon explains, is that Jesus is the vessel through whom God performed His most exalted work ever.

The narrative delves into the paradoxical nature of Jesus' exaltation, contrasting human rejection and humiliation with divine elevation. Despite the degradation Jesus faced during his earthly ministry, God exalted him above every name. The sermon emphasizes that the more Jesus is brought down by humans, the higher God will exalt him.

Using the example of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, the preacher illustrates the transformative power of encountering the exalted Jesus. Saul, who initially persecuted followers of Jesus, was profoundly changed when he encountered the exalted Jesus, leading to his confession of Jesus as God.

In conclusion, the sermon urges listeners to acknowledge and exalt Jesus as the manifestation of God Himself. It emphasizes the necessity of repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Spirit to please God and conquer the challenges of the world. The central message is that Jesus, exalted by God above all names, is deserving of honor and reverence as the one true God.

The sermon on Galatians 1:11 emphasizes the divine origin of the Gospel message. It starts by defining the Gospel as the story of God manifesting in the flesh, dying for humanity's sins, rising from the dead, and living within believers through the Holy Spirit. This Gospel, it asserts, was revealed by Jesus himself and was not conceived by humans.

The narrative highlights the mystery of the Gospel, which was hidden from prophets and apostles until Jesus personally revealed it. Despite their role in conveying God's messages, they did not fully comprehend the significance of the Gospel until later. Satan's efforts to obscure the Gospel from humanity are also noted, underscoring the importance of divine intervention in sharing the message.

The sermon emphasizes Paul's personal experience of receiving the Gospel directly from Jesus, rather than through human intermediaries. This underscores the uniqueness and authenticity of the Gospel, which is not passed down as an inheritance from others but is a direct gift from God.

In the context of contemporary challenges and societal trends described in 2 Timothy 3:1–5, the sermon emphasizes the enduring power of the Gospel for those who have received it directly from God. It asserts that Jesus speaks to individuals in their own unique ways, making the Gospel accessible and relevant to people from all backgrounds and cultures.