Post by Les Brewer on Jun 16, 2012 19:08:01 GMT
Friends-of Jesus
What is Jesus Christ Doing Now?
That’s a good question. What would your answer be? If you’re not sure, we hope this brief article helps you understand the moment-by-moment involvement of your living Lord Jesus in your life to the end that you grasp the reality of his presence and are energized by it.
Sad to say, too many Christians have never been taught what Jesus Christ is doing today, and every day since he became the “Lord” and the “Head” of the Church, which is made up of the members of his Body. We all know that he died for us, was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven and is now “seated” at God’s right hand. But does that mean he is “just chillin’”? No way. He is even busier than he was when he lived on the earth, and Mark 5, for example, is a great chapter to illustrate what kind of days he had then. Whew!
Jesus studied the Hebrew Scriptures and understood all the prophecies about his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and future kingship of the world. He fulfilled all those prophecies relevant to his first coming on the earth by being obedient all the way to his torturous death on the cross. Because of his obedience to his God and Father, Jesus was highly exalted as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and seated at God’s right hand (Phil. 2:8-11).
In biblical times, the right hand was the hand of blessing, authority, and power, as opposed to the left, which was the hand of cursing. This is where we get our common phrase, “right hand man.” A right hand man does not sit around, but is very vigorous in carrying out the orders of the one he serves. This relationship is typified in the Old Testament account of Joseph and the Egyptian Pharaoh.
Because of what Joseph did to save the people of Egypt, the Pharaoh gave him all authority in the land of Egypt. As Joseph said, “God has made me lord of all Egypt” (Gen. 45:9). Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet ring (which symbolized his all-encompassing power and authority in Egypt) and had him ride in a chariot as his Second-in-Command. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt” (Gen. 41:44). Pharaoh was still Pharaoh, but he had given all authority to Joseph and fully equipped him with the power to carry out his work, thus making Joseph functionally equal with him.
God has done the same thing with Jesus Christ. He gave Jesus “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18), and made him “Lord” (Acts 2:36). God is still God, but Jesus is now functionally equal with Him, and that was God’s idea. Jesus now has everything he needs in order to carry out his function as second-in-command, God’s “go-to-guy” and right hand man.
So what is the Lord Jesus Christ doing now? Let’s take a look. Where? Not in People magazine, or even Sports Illustrated. We want to know what the Word of God says.
Jesus Christ is now the Head of the Church.
Ephesians 1:20-23
(20) Which he [God] exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
(21) far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
(22) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
(23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
As the “Head” of his “Body,” Jesus is constantly connected to each of his body parts, i.e., you and me. Thus we can have continuing communication with him, and that comes in handy as we pick our way through this fallen world. Jesus is the only human being who ever perfectly entrusted himself to God despite all the temptations thrown at him, and he is ready, willing, and able to mentor each of us in the art of faith and help us maximize our unique spiritual potential. We “re-present” him in the world today, and he will help us be our best for him.
As our Head, the Lord Jesus is our leader, our example, and the captain of our salvation. He is also our Commander-in-Chief, who leads us into battle.
Jesus Christ is building his Church by pouring out the gift of holy spirit to all those who believe.
It is the head that regulates the growth process of the body, and it is the Lord Jesus who is adding to his body by saving those who call upon his name.
Acts 2:46 and 47
(46) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
(47) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:32 and 33
(32) God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
(33) Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Jesus Christ is interceding for us as our mediator.
Hebrews 7:24 and 25
(24) but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
(25) Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede [entugchano] for them.
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding [entugchano] for us.
Entugchano means to “make intercession” or “to pray.” What a comforting truth this is. Even if no one on the planet remembers you, Jesus Christ does, and he is praying for you. As per 1 Timothy 2:5, the Lord Jesus is “The Man,” the one mediator making intercession (consulting and speaking) to God on our behalf.
Jesus Christ hears our prayers and responds to us.
Proverbs 18:24 speaks of “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” and Jesus Christ is “stuck on you.” He is both a big brother and a friend to each of us. He is our confidante, the one who understands all our frailties and who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15). We can pour out our hearts to him any time and know that he completely identifies with us and is there to comfort and strengthen us.
Acts 1:23-26
(23) So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
(24) Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
(25) to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
(26) Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 7:59 and 60
(59) While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
(60) Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
2 Corinthians 12:8 and 9
(8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it [the “thorn in his flesh”—those who were persecuting him] away from me.
(9) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Jesus Christ is giving grace to all believers.
Ephesians 4:7
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
It has been said that grace is “that condition that allows us to go farther than we ever thought possible.” The Lord Jesus has equipped each member of his Body with all we need to serve him in this world of needy souls.
Jesus Christ is strengthening and protecting his people.
Satan, the Lord’s Adversary, and yours, wants you out of commission. The Devil and his army of evil spirits have one threefold mission: “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). In the face of such a powerful, supernatural enemy, we need a more powerful supernatural friend. What a friend we have in Jesus!
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Jesus Christ is giving revelation to the members of his Body.
The whole book of Revelation is God giving Jesus Christ revelation that he in turn gave to the Apostle John (Rev. 1:1-2). The Lord speaks to his people whenever we need to hear from him. We absolutely need his guidance and direction to negotiate our particular paths of righteousness in this sinful world.
Galatians 1:11 and 12
(11) I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.
(12) I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is giving ministries to Christians.
Biblically, “ministries” are ways of service. Those mentioned in the following verses are specifically leadership functions. It is significant that Jesus was the Apostle, the Prophet, the Evangelist, the Pastor, and the Teacher, and that, as the Head of the Body, he is now “diversifying himself” by enabling some of his followers to serve in these capacities.
Ephesians 4:11-13
(11) It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
(12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
(13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The Lord also equips members of his body with other functions, as the following verses show:
Romans 12:4-8
(4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
(5) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
(6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
(7) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
(8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Jesus Christ is the Commander of the angels.
The world is a war zone, and the battle is being fought primarily in the spirit realm. The Devil has his army of evil spirits, and the Lord Jesus is in charge of God’s army of angels. Their primary job is to serve God’s people.
Hebrews 1:4 and 5
(4) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
(5) For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
2 Thessalonians 1:6 and 7
(6) God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
(7) and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
Jesus Christ is eagerly anticipating raising all dead Christians and giving them and all living Christians new bodies when we meet him in the air.
It is the Lord Jesus who will both raise from the dead and judge all believers from all time (John 5:21-23), beginning with all Christians at the end of the Church Administration when he gathers us all together to meet him in the air.
Philippians 3:20 and 21
(20) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
(21) who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
(15) According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
(17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
(18) Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Today, and every day until he comes for us, the Lord Jesus Christ is “alive and well.” It is we who are fellow laborers with him, and he needs us, as members of his body, to walk in sync with his headship and lordship. To the degree that we do, he will be an active, powerful force in each of our lives, and thus he can make himself known to the world. Let us take his hand and walk with him.
www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=450
What is Jesus Christ Doing Now?
That’s a good question. What would your answer be? If you’re not sure, we hope this brief article helps you understand the moment-by-moment involvement of your living Lord Jesus in your life to the end that you grasp the reality of his presence and are energized by it.
Sad to say, too many Christians have never been taught what Jesus Christ is doing today, and every day since he became the “Lord” and the “Head” of the Church, which is made up of the members of his Body. We all know that he died for us, was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven and is now “seated” at God’s right hand. But does that mean he is “just chillin’”? No way. He is even busier than he was when he lived on the earth, and Mark 5, for example, is a great chapter to illustrate what kind of days he had then. Whew!
Jesus studied the Hebrew Scriptures and understood all the prophecies about his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and future kingship of the world. He fulfilled all those prophecies relevant to his first coming on the earth by being obedient all the way to his torturous death on the cross. Because of his obedience to his God and Father, Jesus was highly exalted as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and seated at God’s right hand (Phil. 2:8-11).
In biblical times, the right hand was the hand of blessing, authority, and power, as opposed to the left, which was the hand of cursing. This is where we get our common phrase, “right hand man.” A right hand man does not sit around, but is very vigorous in carrying out the orders of the one he serves. This relationship is typified in the Old Testament account of Joseph and the Egyptian Pharaoh.
Because of what Joseph did to save the people of Egypt, the Pharaoh gave him all authority in the land of Egypt. As Joseph said, “God has made me lord of all Egypt” (Gen. 45:9). Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet ring (which symbolized his all-encompassing power and authority in Egypt) and had him ride in a chariot as his Second-in-Command. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt” (Gen. 41:44). Pharaoh was still Pharaoh, but he had given all authority to Joseph and fully equipped him with the power to carry out his work, thus making Joseph functionally equal with him.
God has done the same thing with Jesus Christ. He gave Jesus “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18), and made him “Lord” (Acts 2:36). God is still God, but Jesus is now functionally equal with Him, and that was God’s idea. Jesus now has everything he needs in order to carry out his function as second-in-command, God’s “go-to-guy” and right hand man.
So what is the Lord Jesus Christ doing now? Let’s take a look. Where? Not in People magazine, or even Sports Illustrated. We want to know what the Word of God says.
Jesus Christ is now the Head of the Church.
Ephesians 1:20-23
(20) Which he [God] exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
(21) far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
(22) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
(23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
As the “Head” of his “Body,” Jesus is constantly connected to each of his body parts, i.e., you and me. Thus we can have continuing communication with him, and that comes in handy as we pick our way through this fallen world. Jesus is the only human being who ever perfectly entrusted himself to God despite all the temptations thrown at him, and he is ready, willing, and able to mentor each of us in the art of faith and help us maximize our unique spiritual potential. We “re-present” him in the world today, and he will help us be our best for him.
As our Head, the Lord Jesus is our leader, our example, and the captain of our salvation. He is also our Commander-in-Chief, who leads us into battle.
Jesus Christ is building his Church by pouring out the gift of holy spirit to all those who believe.
It is the head that regulates the growth process of the body, and it is the Lord Jesus who is adding to his body by saving those who call upon his name.
Acts 2:46 and 47
(46) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
(47) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:32 and 33
(32) God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
(33) Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Jesus Christ is interceding for us as our mediator.
Hebrews 7:24 and 25
(24) but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
(25) Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede [entugchano] for them.
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding [entugchano] for us.
Entugchano means to “make intercession” or “to pray.” What a comforting truth this is. Even if no one on the planet remembers you, Jesus Christ does, and he is praying for you. As per 1 Timothy 2:5, the Lord Jesus is “The Man,” the one mediator making intercession (consulting and speaking) to God on our behalf.
Jesus Christ hears our prayers and responds to us.
Proverbs 18:24 speaks of “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” and Jesus Christ is “stuck on you.” He is both a big brother and a friend to each of us. He is our confidante, the one who understands all our frailties and who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15). We can pour out our hearts to him any time and know that he completely identifies with us and is there to comfort and strengthen us.
Acts 1:23-26
(23) So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
(24) Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
(25) to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
(26) Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 7:59 and 60
(59) While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
(60) Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
2 Corinthians 12:8 and 9
(8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it [the “thorn in his flesh”—those who were persecuting him] away from me.
(9) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Jesus Christ is giving grace to all believers.
Ephesians 4:7
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
It has been said that grace is “that condition that allows us to go farther than we ever thought possible.” The Lord Jesus has equipped each member of his Body with all we need to serve him in this world of needy souls.
Jesus Christ is strengthening and protecting his people.
Satan, the Lord’s Adversary, and yours, wants you out of commission. The Devil and his army of evil spirits have one threefold mission: “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). In the face of such a powerful, supernatural enemy, we need a more powerful supernatural friend. What a friend we have in Jesus!
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Jesus Christ is giving revelation to the members of his Body.
The whole book of Revelation is God giving Jesus Christ revelation that he in turn gave to the Apostle John (Rev. 1:1-2). The Lord speaks to his people whenever we need to hear from him. We absolutely need his guidance and direction to negotiate our particular paths of righteousness in this sinful world.
Galatians 1:11 and 12
(11) I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.
(12) I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is giving ministries to Christians.
Biblically, “ministries” are ways of service. Those mentioned in the following verses are specifically leadership functions. It is significant that Jesus was the Apostle, the Prophet, the Evangelist, the Pastor, and the Teacher, and that, as the Head of the Body, he is now “diversifying himself” by enabling some of his followers to serve in these capacities.
Ephesians 4:11-13
(11) It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
(12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
(13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The Lord also equips members of his body with other functions, as the following verses show:
Romans 12:4-8
(4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
(5) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
(6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
(7) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
(8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Jesus Christ is the Commander of the angels.
The world is a war zone, and the battle is being fought primarily in the spirit realm. The Devil has his army of evil spirits, and the Lord Jesus is in charge of God’s army of angels. Their primary job is to serve God’s people.
Hebrews 1:4 and 5
(4) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
(5) For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
2 Thessalonians 1:6 and 7
(6) God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
(7) and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
Jesus Christ is eagerly anticipating raising all dead Christians and giving them and all living Christians new bodies when we meet him in the air.
It is the Lord Jesus who will both raise from the dead and judge all believers from all time (John 5:21-23), beginning with all Christians at the end of the Church Administration when he gathers us all together to meet him in the air.
Philippians 3:20 and 21
(20) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
(21) who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
(15) According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
(17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
(18) Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Today, and every day until he comes for us, the Lord Jesus Christ is “alive and well.” It is we who are fellow laborers with him, and he needs us, as members of his body, to walk in sync with his headship and lordship. To the degree that we do, he will be an active, powerful force in each of our lives, and thus he can make himself known to the world. Let us take his hand and walk with him.
www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=450
