Bible Ballistics: Mighty God? December 8, 2013 Vol. 3 No. 4

As you remember we are spending this month of December looking at the names for Jesus as referred to in Isaiah 9:6,

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” 

We see the promise of a “child”, a son—a promise’s fulfillment, which we celebrate during this Christmas time.  The birth of the Savior, Jesus, who brought us the salvation that we can’t live without, literally.  We looked last week at the first of the four main descriptions of Jesus in this passage, ‘Wonderful Counselor’.  We’ll continue this week looking at the second of these: Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

“The Mighty God” is our focus for today.  As we consider this, our normal inclination is to look at “mighty” and “God” and we kind of just gloss over the “the”!!!!  Well, I believe it’s there for a reason.  ‘The’ is the definite article, which makes a distinction between “a mighty God” which would be one among many and “THE mighty God” indicating that He alone is God. He is “THE” mighty God in contrast to and superiority over anyone or anything else.  Our Savior and Lord IS THE MIGHTY GOD!!  He’s not “a” god—HE IS GOD.

Colossians 1:15-17 declares this of Jesus, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

This fact is also stated clearly in

John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” 

And if you remember Genesis 1:1 we know that

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” 

God created—our God, and according to Colossians and John’s Gospel, Jesus created.  So Jesus must be God.  But John made it certain with the very words of Jesus Himself.

In John 10:30 Jesus says, “I and my Father are one.” 

All of this out of “the”, who would have thought of that.  But let’s go on to the rest.  He is the “Mighty God”.  As we’ve already addressed His deity, what can we learn from the ‘mighty’ part?  What does scripture tell us about our ‘Mighty’ God, and His ‘Mighty’ Son, Jesus?

The first verse that comes to my mind is Ephesians 6:10,

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” 

We can be strong “in the Lord” because of HIS power and might.

Deuteronomy 7:21 “Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.”

Joshua 4:24, “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.”

Job 36:5, “Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.”

Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

And of Jesus in the New Testament,

Luke 19:37 says, “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;”

Luke 9:43, “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,”

John 1:9-14 reveals not only the creative power of Jesus over ‘nature’, but also His creative power in that He “makes/transforms” us into the ‘Sons of God’.

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” 

Here John reveals the power of God in Jesus

—He was/is light (the essence and substance of energy—creative energy)

—He made the world—He came into His own world

—He accepted rejection—But He SAVES those who accept HIM, to those that believe on His name (His name being that which represents His person, His power and His purpose as redeemer)

—He became flesh and dwelt among US

—He revealed HIMSELF to those who would receive Him

—He was/is full of grace and truth.

Remember Philippians 2:6

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made HIMSELF of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant…..”

In summary, Jesus IS GOD, the MIGHTY GOD, CREATOR, SAVIOR and REDEEMER.  What will you do with “the Mighty God”?  He came for you and me –born to die for ME, for YOU.  His power is there for YOU!!!!

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #21

I’m sitting here this morning looking at the lovely blanket of white, and I can’t help but think of the awesome power and might of God our Creator.  It’s a cold 16 degrees with a blanket of sleet, ice and snow on the ground. How amazing that all of our intelligence and technology can forecast the weather, but can’t “control” it.  God is truly in control, whether we pay attention and acknowledge it or not.

Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

 God’s power keeps this old world spinning and nothing catches Him by surprise, not even the weather.

Parts of Job 38:28-4:2 say, “Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? 29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? 30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.”  …. Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, 2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.” 

Who??? God or man??

In a nutshell, God is asking Job in this entire passage what man can do about creation?  The answer—not much!!!

Psalm 100:3-4, “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

The answer? “it is He that hath made us and NOT we ourselves”.

So?  Here’s our shot for the day???? God IS God—He IS IN CONTROL—whether we acknowledge it or not!!!

So??????  “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:6.  Trust God in ALL things!  Trust in His power and might. He will take care of You!!

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #20

Nehimiah 8:10b  “ …….. for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength...” 

“The Joy of the Lord!!!!”

Is my strength

              When I’m down

              When I’m discouraged

               When I’m alone

I can rejoice in the Lord for HE is always with me.

Hebrews 13:5-6 “ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me..”

I can rejoice because God has promised to never leave me—

Never—  No Never —Never—Never!!!

The God of the universe is my strength—HE cares.

So?  Here’s our shot for the day???? God is my joy and my strength.  Even when I have none of my own.

So??????  Be content in HIM always and REJOICE today!!!

Bible Ballistics: Counselor? December 1, 2013 Vol. 3 No. 3

Greetings on this fine Sunday, I hope that you’ve had a good time of Thanksgiving with friends and family this weekend.  We have been on the road all day heading home from a lovely time with some of our children and grandchildren, as well as friends and family on the Gulf Coast.

I hope you survived the “Black Friday” sales and are ready for the “Cyber Monday” sales coming up.  May we remember to keep our “attitude of gratitude”?  I would like our focus during this month to enhance our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Of course Christmas isn’t the ‘actual’ birthday of Jesus but it is the time that we, as Christians, have set aside to rejoice in His incarnation.  I hope that during this Christmas season you will remember that the lovely babe in the manger was born to die for our sin—mine and yours.

We’ll spend this month looking at some of the names given to this one called Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.” 

Here God reveals to Isaiah the character of the coming Messiah. We’ll take this month to consider the four main descriptions of Jesus in this passage: Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I believe that each of these descriptions/names can help us keep our celebration centered on the focus of “Christ”mas.

We’ll begin with Wonderful Counselor.  The word ‘counselor’ means, “a person trained to give guidance on personal, social or psychological problems”.  While earthly counselors must be trained in this skill of counseling, Jesus, in contrast, is the Creator (see Jn. 1:3 & Col. 1:16) and therefore able to counsel His creation in all things by His very nature. And ‘wonderful’ is extremely good.

Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  

And Hebrews 9:11-14 adds to this insight on Jesus,

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

This group of verses in Hebrews reminds us of what Jesus did for us in His coming, living and dying for our salvation.

He was tempted as we are –yet without sin—

He knows and understands our weaknesses—

He welcomes us to come boldly unto His throne—

He offers us mercy and grace to help in our need.

And who doesn’t have a need, more than one!!!! Hebrews 9 also reveals to us His sacrifice and and deliverance for sinners.—

He is a High Priest of better things, heavenly things—

He made atonement with His own blood—

He obtained eternal redemption through that blood—

He cleanses us through that blood to sanctification.

Sanctification—being clean and set apart.

We don’t have to be controlled by sin.

1John 1:5-7 says, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  

Jesus empowers us to walk in the light,

to be conformed to His image (see Romans 8:29b),

to have fellowship with one another and

to be continually cleansed

by His blood,

His Spirit and

His Word,

as we confess and turn from our sin continually.

Romans 8:1-2 reminds us how,  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” 

We are made FREE to do right rather than sin through this very blood that Jesus gave for us.

Jesus will be our Wonderful Counselor because

He has walked in our shoes,

He endured temptation,

He lived in this broken world yet without sin.

He welcomes us into His presence to receive forgiveness and the grace and mercy He gives to cleanse and restore us to useful service in His kingdom when we stumble.  He gives counsel that the world cannot match. 

There are countless instances in scripture of the folly of relying on “earthly” counsel. But I’ll close with only one,

Joshua 9:14, “And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” 

This wrong decision cost the lives of some three dozen men in a battle.  How many battles do we loose when we heed the wrong counsel.  Look to our Wonderful Counselor—HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!!!!!!!