The Preeminence of Christ

On June 9, 2011 I posted an article called "Which Jesus Do You Believe In". That article discussed who the writer of Hebrews says Jesus is, compared with what others say Jesus is. The Apostle Paul had a similar view of Jesus as the writer of Hebrews. Paul had been a persecutor of Christians and complicit in the murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. However later, Paul had a dramatic face to face meeting with Jesus on the Damascus road that forever changed him and his view of who Jesus was. Writing to the Church of Colosse from a Roman prison around 60 AD, Paul’s letter was intended to counter what was being taught about Jesus by false teachers. In Colossians 1: 15-20, Paul quotes from what scholars think is an early Christian hymn. In one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible, Paul explains who Jesus Christ is this way:

^{Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,  for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.  He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.  Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.  For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,  and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (Col 1: 15-20, NLT Bible)}

From these verses, Paul describes the following characteristics of Jesus:

1. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus. Similarly, the writer of Hebrews called Jesus the very character and nature of God imprinted (stamped) in human flesh (Heb 1:3).

2. He existed before anything… Jesus existed before anything, therefore Jesus is eternal.

3. … is supreme over all creation. The word supreme in verse 15 is the Greek word prototokos, which means firstborn (the one who inherits all of the father’s possessions and authority, like a prince who becomes king upon the father’s death) or the preeminent one. Jesus is preeminent over all creation. Only God can be preeminent over creation.

4. Through him God created everything. Everything that exists was created by God through Jesus. Likewise, the Apostle John says that Jesus created everything that was created (John 1:3). This verse also indicates the separate divine personality of the Son to the Father (the Trinity).

5. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see. Jesus created angels and all of the heavenly realms.

6. Everything was created through him and for him. Not only did Jesus create everything, everything that Jesus created is specifically for him and for his glory. Everything belongs to him. We belong to him. Only God can have this kind of authority.

7. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Jesus not only eternally existed before creation, Jesus holds all of creation together at this very moment. The reason we are alive at this moment and why anything that we know exists at all is because of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb 1:3). This kind of power is unimaginable; it is the power of God.

8. Christ is also the head of the church. As the divine Son of God who willingly became a man in order to come to Earth and give himself to save human beings from the penalty of sin, Jesus is the head of the church and is the one who the church worships.

9. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. Jesus is described as supreme over all who rise from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection means that death itself and the power of sin is conquered and makes a believer’s resurrection possible.

10. So he is first in everything. Jesus is first and supreme in everything as creator, sustainer, and savior. Therefore, we should place Him first in everything.

11. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ. When Jesus came to Earth, he was both God and man, a perfect human being who had all the fullness of God in him.

12. and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. God took the initiative to save human beings from sin and make a way to pay the penalty of sin by means of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. God poured out his wrath for sin upon Jesus on the cross. The creator acted to make a way of salvation for the creation he made, and forever break the power of sin and death.

As we look forward to Christmas this season, let us remember who Jesus really is. He is the eternal creator and sustainer, the one who created us for his glory. He is the one who holds everything together and is the exact image of God. This is why there is salvation in no other. Because of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, he alone is worthy of our worship. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life, a life that only Jesus makes possible.

Grace and Truth at Penn State

Most people that heard of the unfolding events at Penn State University last week were horrified and saddened. It seems that a University President, Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, and Assistant Coach apparently would not take decisive action necessary to investigate, follow-up and/or stop the alleged sexual abuse of children by one of their own. Conflicting emotions took hold of many on the campus. Some reacted angrily to the removal of their beloved coach, who had up to this point been a pillar of virtue. Others rallied to remember the victims. Sometimes God allows the horror of sin to be revealed or shakes our world in order to direct our attention to Him.

For me, the one light shining in the awful darkness of this sad situation was the Penn State and Nebraska football teams gathering for prayer prior to the game on Saturday. Below is a video of Nebraska Running Back Coach Ron Brown leading prayer for both teams prior to the game.

Below is Coach Brown's press conference after the game, where he explains why the teams prayed and what Grace and Truth are. Coach Brown is a Christian who is not afraid to share his faith or the hope that he has in Christ.

A Chosen People



Winters in Chicago can be particularly difficult, even though our city is one of the best prepared for it. Along with only 8-9 hours of daylight, we can experience many days of overcast along with the snow and cold. And when the sun finally does shine, the temperature usually drops to near zero degrees Fahrenheit. Early last February was particularly difficult, when we had a blizzard which brought 60 mile per hour winds and two or more feet of snow. It took a couple days for most people to dig out, then the temperature dropped and we had even more misery.

Winter days seem to accentuate the difficulties of everyday life. The guys in our small prayer group at church were going through some particularly difficult times during this period: one was going through home foreclosure, another was experiencing a drop in business and difficulties with a son, and another had a sick wife. It was during this gloomy and depressing time that we came across the Bible passage of 1 Peter 2: 9-10, where Peter is giving encouragement to believers going through hard times, which says:

"…. for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.　Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy."

The words in this passage are very encouraging for a believer. It says we are a chosen people; God in His mercy, chose us. It says we are royal priests; unlike the Israelites of the Old Testament, we can approach God and the throne of grace as a priest because Jesus Christ’s sacrifice had torn the veil of the Temple between mankind and God. As believers, we are God’s own possession; He will not let go of what belongs to Him. In gratitude for what He has done for us, we will want to tell others of how God brought us out of spiritual winter of darkness and death, and into His marvelous light and eternal life. As believers, we can rejoice for we now have an identity as God’s chosen possession, a God who knows us by our name, a name that He has written in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world. And all of this is because we have received God’s mercy through faith in what his Son, Jesus Christ has done for us, something we could not do for ourselves.

May these words encourage you as they encouraged us during the dark, cold, gloom of winter.

 

What Is Your Pin?

Near the end of the film Schindler’s List, World War Two is drawing to a close. With liberation by Allied forces imminent, 1100 Jewish factory workers gathered to honor Oskar Schindler, the man who had helped them escape the Nazi death camps. The Jews presented Schindler with a gold ring, made from a gold tooth given by one of the Jews, in appreciation for what Schindler had done for them. Moved by their gesture, Schindler comes to a moment of self-realization: he didn't deserve their honor because he could have saved more people using the many resources that he had wasted in the past. Removing a gold Nazi lapel pin from his jacket that he had worn for many years, Schindler realized that he could have saved two more people with it. Schindler is overcome with shame that he had held back something so small that could have been used to save a life.

Often times, we go through life thoroughly convinced that we are doing everything possible to give of ourselves to others. Living the American dream, we are often consumed with family, friends, work, and hobbies. But there are times, like with Oskar Schindler, we come to the realization that most of what we are doing, while not necessarily bad, is usually self centered and self serving. Recently, Kevin Conway, a missionary with Church Resource Ministries, told my Saturday Morning men’s group that the plight of the people in Croatia & Bosnia so moved him that he gave up his home, business, and career to serve God in the former Yugoslavia. Kevin also asked us to consider this question: Like Oskar Schindler, what is your pin? What are you holding back from God that could be used to save the lost?

Dr. John Piper, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis MN has a free on-line book (in .pdf format) that helps us think about this question: it is called Don’t Waste Your Life. The book is available free at the link below:

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/online-books/dont-waste-your-life

A Letter to His Flock From the Imprisoned Iranian Pastor

Youcef Nadarkhani is a Christian Iranian Pastor, who is currently in prison awaiting execution by the Iranian government. You see, it is illegal to be a Christian in Iran. Many are trying to put pressure on the Iranian government to stop the execution. Recently, the Iranian Government has released propaganda (shades of Josef Goebbels, the Nazi propagandist) stating that Pastor Youcef is not being executed for being a Christian, but rather for being a rapist and thief. This is in spite of all the documentation regarding the trial. I guess when you are used to lying as often and as regularly as the Iranian government does, it is hard to keep your stories straight. This reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 5: 11-12, where He says:


"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

From what Jesus says above, it sounds like Pastor Youcef is in good company.
Below is a letter written by Pastor Youcef to his flock over one year ago while imprisoned. When I read this, the Apostle Paul's prison epistles came to mind. I hope you are as encouraged as I am by Pastor Youcef's courage and abiding in the Lord. The letter sounds authentic; an Iranian propagandist couldn't write this.
_____________________________________________________________________________　

This is a letter from Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani written from prison in Iran earlier this year. Pastor Youcef currently faces the death sentence for apostasy – conversion from Islam to Christianity – and is waiting for the court’s final verdict. Please continue to pray.
This message has been translated from Farsi to English.

Dear brothers and sisters, Salam

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers.

Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement.
For I know well that you will be rewarded; as it’s stated: blessed is the one who has faith, for what has been said to him by God, will be carried out. As we believe, heaven and earth will fade but his word will still remain.

Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know them, So that in everything, you give more effort than the past, both to prove your election, and for the sake of Gospel that is to be preached to the entire world as well.

I know that not all of us are granted to keep this word, but to those who are granted this power and this revelation, I announce the same as Jude, earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

We are passing by special and sensitive days.They are days that for an alert and awake believer can be days of spiritual growth and progress. Because for him, more than any other time there is the possibility to compare his faith with the word of God, have God’s promises in mind, and survey his faith.

Therefore he (the true believer) does not need to wonder for the fiery trial that has been set on for him as though it were something unusual, but it pleases him to participate in Christ’s suffering. Because the believer knows he will rejoice in his glory.

Dears, the " judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, commit their souls to the faithful Creator. Promises that he has given us, are unique and precious. As we’ve heard he has said: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"

How can it be possible for a believer to understand these words?
Not only when he is focusing on Jesus Christ with adapting his life according to the life Jesus lived when he was on earth? As it is said " O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."

Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests in a more difficult manner, because no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests, and gain victory.

Therefore in the place of Christ’s followers, we must not feel desperate, but we have to pray to God in supplication with more passion to help us with any assistance we may need.
According to what Paul has said: In every temptation, God himself will make a way for us to tolerate it.

O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the true human nature.

It will be good for us to occasionally face persecutions and abnormalities, since these abnormalities will persuade us to search our hearts, and to survey ourselves. So as a result, we conclude that troubles are difficult, but usually good and useful to build us.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must be more careful than any other time. Because in these days, the hearts and thoughts of many are revealed, so that the faith is tested. May your treasure be where there is no moth and rust.

I would like to remind you of some verses that we nearly discuss everyday, (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.) but as long as our human will has priority over God’s will, his will will not be done.

As we have learned from him in Gethsemane, he surrendered his will to the father, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation, because neither he has tested us more than our faith and our endurance, nor does he do as such. And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail, but to advance in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, And consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to his name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

As a small servant, necessarily in prison to carry out what I must do, I say with faith in the word of God that he will come soon."However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Discipline yourself with faith in the word of God. Retain your souls with patience. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.
May you are granted grace and blessings increasingly in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Yusef Nadarkhani
Lakan Prison in Rasht
2/June/2010

Source: http://cyberbrethren.com/2011/09/30/a-letter-to-his-flock-from-the-pastor-imprisoned-by-the-iranians/