LHIM Everything

To Jesus and to us, Yahweh is God and our Father. Jesus the Christ is our Lord.

To Jesus and to us, Yahweh is God and our Father. Jesus the Christ is our Lord.

Just as a human body functions, deriving its instruction from the head, so too, the church is to be in subjection to Christ for leadership and direction.

The Body of Christ has many members, but it is one body with one head.

The key to hold fast truly to the head, to know that you are truly being led by Christ, and not to be swayed into selfishness is to walk the more excellent way – walk in love.

What does it look like to function in the Body of Christ, being directed by the head? How can you tell if you are being directed by Christ? Are you walking in love?

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

May we hold fast to our head, Christ, and walk in love.

The book of Colossians offers understanding of the fullness of what was accomplished in Christ. To comprehend our completeness fully, we must first understand the prominence of Christ.

Colossians 1:9-12 Paul’s prayer for the church at Colossae

Peter remained the primary leader of the first century Church until a shift is seen in Acts 12:12-17. James the Lord’s brother began to rise to prominence.

1 Corinthians 15:4-8 Jesus appeared to James in his resurrected body.

Galatians 1:14-19 In Paul’s early days, Peter was the primary leader along with James the Lord’s brother. James rose to prominence for a number of reasons: he was the Lord’s half-brother, Jesus appeared to him in his resurrected body, and he wrote the book of James which was the first epistle written and distributed among the Church.

Starting in Acts 13, the focus switches from Peter to Paul. God reveals to Paul the greatness of the mystery, that is what God accomplished through the faith of Jesus Christ. The beginning of the new covenant and the inclusion of the Gentiles were central to this doctrine. The faith of Jesus Christ was God’s just way to make salvation available by grace and not by the works of the Law.

Acts 15:1-21 James is obviously the one in charge and makes the final decisions. Nothing was decided at the meetings about the Jews keeping the Law. They were still under the assumption that it was necessary.

Acts 15:22 Paul goes to Antioch with Barnabas.

Galatians 2:1-16 James apparently changed his mind and decided keeping the Law was still necessary.

Galatians 1:6-10 Very sharp language

Acts 21:17-26 Paul was then arrested.

The faith of Jesus Christ facilitates God’s gift of grace that those who have faith in Christ may receive righteousness with God. This grace is enough. Nothing more needs to be done; nothing more could be done.

Galatians 5:16-26 The only question for us is: Do I have faith? Faith can be seen by the fruit of the spirit, and unbelief can be seen by the works of the flesh.

Our attitude toward temptation determines its impact on us. We should not consider it strange that we are tempted (1Peter4:12), since it is common to all.

Simplicity of Faith

Temptations present themselves by pleasure or pain. Temptations caused by the pleasures of lust, immorality, greed, and such like or the pain from tribulation, persecution, or worldly pressures are a signal to act out. Faith grows through practice. Every time we ask God for help and receive it, our faith is strengthened. We prove to ourselves that God is dependable and will never leave us.

The topic of concern in chapter 12 is unity in the Church with diversity.

A grateful heart and thanksgiving are holy and godly attitudes that are pleasing to God, others, and self but cannot be forced, enforced, dictated, commanded.

SUMMARY

Matthew 21:21 and 22 With faith we can move mountains.

Ephesians 2:8 Faith is our part in the graceful relationship we have with God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 We do not lose heart during difficult times because of hope.

1 John 3:2 and 3 The hope is our polestar guiding us to righteousness and holiness.

John 13:34 and 35 Love is our distinguishing characteristic.

1 Peter 4:8 Love is above all.

1 Corinthians 13:13 The greatest of all

James 1:21 Study of the Scriptures is essential to gain and maintain faith.

James 2:14-26 Real faith always has corresponding works − one of which is prayer.

Hebrews 11:13-16 Keep focus on God not self, circumstances, or situations.

1 John 3:1-3; Hebrews 11 – True hope influences behavior. Hopers pray.

Psalms 37:3-7 Delight in Yahweh, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

James 1:26 and 27 Real love has corresponding actions.

Psalms 34:3-6 To remain loving, focus on God and not self or others is vital.

Luke 2:15 and 16 The Gospel of Luke records the actual birth of Jesus. Immediately after he was born, the shepherds arrived and found him in a manger outside of an inn in Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:10-11 The Magi found a young child, a toddler, and his mother in a house.

Matthew 2:16 Why two years old and under? This was based on the time the Magi first saw the star. When the Magi arrived, Jesus could have been up to two years old.

Matthew 2:1 The Magi

Matthew 2:2 “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?”

Matthew 2:3 Herod was troubled. He, through much political maneuvering, obtained the title of King of the Judeans. And now the Magi had announced that “The” King of the Judeans was born.

Matthew 2:4 Herod and the chief priests understood that the King of the Judeans was the Messiah. This is a fulfillment of the promise made to King David. (Acts 2:29-30; Psalms 132:11, 17)

Matthew 2:5-6 This Messiah or King would be the ruler over God’s people and would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)

Matthew 2:7-11 They presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and worshiped the King.

I Kings 10:9 & 10 The Queen of Sheba brought gifts of gold and spices.

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalms 72:8-11 Gentiles and kings would bring gold & incense, present gifts, and bow down before the king. They will show forth the praises of the LORD when the redeemer comes to Zion.

The Magi believed in the coming Messiah. They traveled hundreds of miles to pay tribute to this one born King of the Judeans. They bowed before this child who is to be King over all the earth.