The Son can do nothing of Himself

... but what He sees the Father do (John 5:19). The Jews had been offended because they understood that He was making Himself equal with God, claiming God was His Father (verses 17, 18). Jesus doubles down on this, insisting that the relationship was so close that He had no power (dunamos) to do anything apart from the Father. But He does have  power to do what He sees the Father doing. Jesus goes on to describe His beautiful son - father relationship,  with the Father showing, instructing and enabling the son to do the same things the Father does. And what the Father does is to raise the dead and He honours the Son. In fact He commits all judgement to Him in order that “all should honour the Son just as they honour the Father,” In fact “He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him” (verses 20 – 23).

I have heard the relationship of Jesus with the Father described in terms of a skilled couple ballroom dancing. Traditionally the man leads, but watching them it is impossible to discern who is leading, for they flow together in perfect unity. According to this passage when Jesus spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, or took the little dead girl by the hand and told her to arise (John 9:6; Mark 5:41) He was doing this because He saw the Father doing it.  It is intended to be the same with us,  and I have heard testimonies of similar deeds being done by Christians, laying hand on people, “pulling” cancer out of someone's body. And of course with healing as the result.

Jesus is the God – man, fully God and fully man, but while on earth having emptied himself of His God attributes (Philippians 2:7). In this way He became the supreme example of man as God intended man to be. What Jesus did on earth, He did not do  as God, but as a Spirit filled man. And since we are commanded to be being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) it is His intention that we (a) have the same relationship with Him, as He had with His Father, and (b) that we do the same works that He did. Thus He could tell us “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5), but if “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). In fact we will do even greater works (14:12).

Father, most of us are not there yet, but we want to be. We need Your help to abide in Christ and to have His living rhama Words abiding in us. Lord I have been praying over these past days “I believe help my unbelief,” and it has been working. Thank You Lord! Thank You that You who began a good work in me continues it day by day, and that You will continue until that day we see You face to face. Thank You that on that day I will know You, because I will be like You. Hallelujah in Jesus Name Amen

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence

... And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:26, 27). Most commentators suggest that the fear of the Lord is reverent awe, but Paul could speak of the terror of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11). The Greek word is “phobos,” and it means both fear and terror. Many translations have fear, but I think that Paul is remembering being knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus. He had been murdering Christians, and the Lord was telling Him that it was He, Jesus whom he was persecuting (Acts 9:5). So I have no doubt “terror” is the correct translation. And though reverence and awe are part of phobos, it is not reverential awe that will cause unbelievers to call out to the rocks to fall on them (Revelation 6:16).

All this to say that we in the church, have soft peddled the fear of the Lord. We have failed to understand, and we have been intimidated by the tyranny of Political correctness into silence. The gospel we preach, when we preach it, is come to Jesus to be fulfilled. It is where we find fulfillment, but it was knowing the terror of the Lord that motivated Paul to persuade men (2 Corinthians 5:11 again). So are we intended to stay in this terror? Well the point is, that though our God is a consuming fire, He is also merciful and full of compassion. And Paul in speaking of being subject to governing authorities says “rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil” (Romans 13:1, 3). Likewise once we have received His Mercy and forgiveness and continue to walk in obedience, we no longer need to be in terror of Him. Rather (coming to this morning's proverbs) it gives us strong confidence (to come before the throne of Grace), and we find Him to be a refuge, and a fountain of life.

Part of this is that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). And it is wisdom to “turn away from the snares of death.” With wisdom we understand that we reap what we sow, we come out of deception and learn that if we sow to the flesh we will of the flesh reap corruption and ultimately death (Galatians 6:7, 8; James 1:15). And then and only then does “perfect love casts out all fear” (I John 4:18). Paul needed to know the terror of the Lord in order to come out of delusion and be set free. The Lord need to knock him down, before is was appropriate for His love to lift him up, and deliver Him from all his fears (Psalm 34:4). And having had the experience of both terror and the love of God, he could with the latter experience declare that the love of God constrains him to live for Him who died and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).

Father, once again we see the upside down Kingdom. In loosing his life for You, Paul gained it. Knowing the terror of the Lord changed him, as it does us. And when we respond this way to Your grace, we become powerful for the Kingdom. We need a revelation of the fear of the Lord Father, so that we might be changed and so then experience Your perfect love that casts out fear in Jesus Name Amen

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him

..... must worship in spirit and truth. The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:24, 23). Jesus was speaking to the woman at the well, and this part of the conversation was something of a rabbit trail, but it enabled Jesus to speak these profound truths. God the Father is Spirit, Jesus is Spirit and tautologically the Spirit is Spirit. Jesus is Logos, the Word, and the Word became flesh (John 1:14). It is mystery! If we understood God (Trinity) we would be God. Likely the closest we can get to understand this, is that mankind, made in the image of the God, is a triune (three in one) being. In particular, we are body, soul and spirit. There is a real sense however, in which the spirit is dead before conversion, dead in trespasses and sins, but made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5). And thus, as He spoke, because these things were about to be revealed, the time when mankind could worship spirit to Spirit was at hand.

The gospel is so simple a little child (or an uneducated Samaritan woman) can grasp what is needed in order to respond. But it is also so profound theologians and philosophers can never grasp its depth. God speaks and has spoken, in parables and shadows, to help those who truly seek Him to at least start to tap into these mysteries. He hides for us, not from us in order that we might search for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27). The sacrificial system, the food laws and festivals etc., these things, together with our modern ceremonies and rituals, are all shadows of a deeper reality whose substance is Christ (Colossians 2:16,17). A shadow is an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object, but it's not the thing itself.

Worship with just the form of these things is what it means negatively to worship in spirit. What it means positively is harder to grasp. But it certainly includes spirit to Spirit adoration, thanksgiving, and the presentation of our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2 NIV) etc. It also includes what David counselled himself to do to “Bless the Lord o my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name” (Psalm 103:1). To worship in truth is easier to grasp. It is to walk in the light, in the truth and in the Spirit, being sanctified by the Word and, by the Spirit putting to death the deeds and the passion of the flesh.

Father, the wonder of it all is that You are seeking those, the little old me's, to worship You in spirit and truth. To this end we were made, and in this we find our purpose, our destiny and our fulfillment. So we worship You this morning Lord. Help us to delight in You, as You delight in us. Thank You Lord that in Christ You have made us worthy to do this. We are accepted in the beloved, and having been adopted we are Your beloved sons and daughters in whom You are well pleased. We praise and bless You Lord, in Jesus precious Name Amen

He must increase, but I must decrease

He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth (John 3:30, 31). The Jews had come to John the Baptist telling him that Jesus was baptizing and “all are coming to Him” (verse 26). With this morning's title, we are left in no doubt as to how John felt about it. His response is one of humility and of acknowledgement of the supremacy of Jesus. John is of the earth, Jesus is from above, and John is on no doubt that Jesus is the (unique) Son of God (1:34; see also 3:16). John's example is all the more remarkable because he is still operating under the Old Covenant (Matthew 11:11). In particular, even under the New Covenant with all its advantages, the temptation to cling to, and identify with, our individual ministries is huge. Been there, done that!

It's all about Jesus. “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18). That is, He is superior to, and notably above, all others. Then and now, there are those who love the preeminence (3 John 9). However “he who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11). Pride was behind the first sin (Genesis 3:5), and pride is what so often lies behind our refusal to give Jesus first place. And part of this is disbelieving Jesus' testimony of what He has seen and heard (verse 32). Verse 36 put it plainly “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Once again the Scripture is telling us that there is no fence, no middle ground. This is not a popular, or a politically correct position to hold, but it is a Biblical position. The earlier verses make very clear what verse 36 means (in case we should want to wiggle out of it). In particular “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (verses 17, 18). So in the end it is either all about me, or all about Jesus. And if it is to be all about Jesus, then He must increase, and I must decrease.

Father, please forgive us, forgive me, for wanting my cake and eat it too. Giving You the preeminence Lord Jesus is all about me dying to self. I certainly have a part to play in this for, as the scripture says “if by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the flesh you will live” (Romans 8:13). It is by Your Spirit, but it is also “you” (i.e. me), who does it. And my part is to receive Your testimony, to believe and have faith in You. To fail to do this is to call You a liar (verse 33). Help us Lord, help me, not to be intimidated by the World, give us the courage to come to You and die, to take up our cross daily and follow You in Jesus Name Amen

In those days there was no king in Israel

.... everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6). This commentary on the things that were happening in Israel (the whole of the book of Judges) so soon after the death of Caleb, illustrates well the need for some form of government. Paul could command “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” He goes on to say “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil” and that a ruler “does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:1-4). It is well to remember that at the time Israel was under Rome, a far from perfect authority!

In particular, the Scripture is not naive concerning the corruption, or righteousness, of rulers. And “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). In the early days of Solomon, when he made his judgement over the disputed child of the two prostitutes, we read “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice” (1Kings 3:28). But over and over in 1 and 2 Kings we read this or that ruler did either evil or good, in the sight of the Lord. And of course “It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).

All this to ask the question “How should we as Christians respond and act towards government?” Well first there is an important exception to obedience to governing authorities. Peter when being told not to teach in the Name of Jesus declares “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). But we do need to obey where the laws are righteous. We also need to pray for government (1 Timothy 2:1). We aught also surly to give feet to our prayers at the very least by voting. Many Christians have neglected this and perhaps when things were more in balance it was relatively okay to do that. We also need Christian politicians, and we need to support those who God calls to this difficult ministry. In fact we need Christian leaders in all of the “seven mountains of influence” (Government, Media, Arts and Entertainment, Business, Education, Religion and Family). And we should pray for these things.

Father, I repent again this morning for myself and Your Church for abdicating our responsibility in these areas. Help us Lord to support those You are calling to the seven mountains of influence in our society. It will never be prefect Lord, democracy is not perfect, but as History has shown, it is better than the utopia on earth that many misguidedly seek to establish out of none Biblical ideologies. Thank You Lord that this World is not all there is, and that there is One who will bring forth Justice and that He will will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice (Isaiah 42:1, 4). It will not fully happen until He returns. In the meantime show us our part Lord in bringing Your Kingdom to earth, and then help us to do it even as we pray “Even so come Lord Jesus.” We pray these things in His lovely Name Amen

Bless the LORD, O my soul

...... And forget not all His benefits (Psalm 93:2). David starts this Psalm by instructing his soul to bless the Lord, and this instruction to himself is repeated over and over in it. And like David, we likely need to remind ourselves not only to bless the Lord, but also to “forget not His benefits.” We were musing the other day on how different our world is from even a hundred years ago, particularly here in Newfoundland. It was all about survival, getting enough to eat, making sure there was enough wood for the winter, making sure the well did not run dry, having a warm dry roof over our heads etc. Paradoxically it seems to have been easier in those day to forget not all His benefits, than it is today. It seem the more we have, the more we think we need, and in the words of Kris Vallotton we make mountains out of molehills. So then what are some of His benefits?

Well for a start, the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy, and as far as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (verses 8, 12). When we confess our sins He cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). I was listening, I think it was to Roland Baker, the other day and he was saying what an amazing thing this is. For those of us who have experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit to ponder of a moment, that without His mercy and cleansing, we would have those feelings for all eternity. He is angry at all unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), but “He will not keep His anger forever,” and “the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him” (verses 9, 17).

Repeating part of verse 17 and continuing, we read that His Mercy is on “On those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.” Two things here. Firstly God's provision and protection (verses 2-4) is on those “who fear Him,” and who “remember His commandments to do them.” When we fail to do these thing we position ourselves outside of His Mercy and His benefits. There is no cheap grace here! Secondly His provision and protection come to our children's children's children when we (a) love God with all our heart, mind soul and strength, and (b) we obey His commandments (Exodus 20:5, 6; Mark 12:30). Most parents want the very best for their children, and one of the most important things to do is to leave them with a heritage that comes from loving God and obeying Him.

Father, I confess my sins and the sins of Your people this morning. We have not been thankful Lord, we have not remembered Your benefits, and we have not been doers of Your word (James 1:22). Your Word tells us Lord that love for You is to keep Your commandments and Your commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). Bring us to the place Lord where we delight to do Your will. Help us Lord to stop resisting You, and to surrender into the benefits with which You daily desire to load us down (Psalm 68:19) in Jesus Name Amen

Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who ranks before me, because He was before me. ... This is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit’ (John 1:29, 30, 33). John the Baptist is testifying about Jesus, and you have to wonder how much John understood. Only after the resurrection did the disciples understood that Jesus must suffer, though it had been hidden in plain sight in the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27). The concept of a sacrificial lamb went back to Abraham (Genesis 22:8). It was the blood of the lamb on the lintels of door post that caused the Angel of death to pass over the children of Israel at Passover (Exodus 12:1-13). And the sacrificial system at the temple regularly offered a spotless lambs as sacrifices for sin. These things were but shadows of things to come, but the substance was Christ (Colossians 2:17). In fact it is not possible that the blood of animals would take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). Only the spotless Lamb of God could do that (1 Peter 1:19).

Jesus of course was born after John (Luke 1:26, 36). In Hebrew thought the one who came first ranked before those who came after. So ranked in order we have Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses etc. So how could John say Jesus ranked before him? Well “the Lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the World” (Revelation 13:8). And Jesus could say “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). We are to understand that Jesus is God and that God operates outside of time. Do I understand that? Well not really, but if I understood God I would be God, and I am not! Did John understand it? I don't know, he was a prophet of course (Luke 7:28), but that does not mean he understood.

Then there is the reference to the Spirit. How much of that did John understand? In the Old Testament the Spirit came upon particular people, at particular times, for a particular purpose. But John's understanding of baptism is that he would baptize anyone who came to him to be baptize. So it's clear that he understood that Jesus would baptize anyone who came to Him with Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). And Jesus would later tell us “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13). So we just need to ask! This would not happen until Jesus was taken up to heaven (John 16:7). And it is better for us that Jesus would go because we now how the Spirit living within us. In fact we are the temple of Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and the Christian is a kind of Holy Spirit sandwich, He is with us on the inside, and we are immersed in Him from the outside.

Father, thank You for sending both You Son to be the saviour of the World, and the Holy Spirit to be our guide, our comforter and our teacher. Help us Lord to live in the reality that You will never leave us nor forsake us. We worship and praise You again this morning for You our amazing, incomprehensible, lovely, loving Trinitarian God. Thank You for Jesus, thank You for Holy Spirit, thank You that You have adopted us and that we can call ourselves Your children in Jesus Name Amen