Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

Received Up In Glory, Part 6

Salvation

‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.’
I Timothy 3:16

Does your life prove the transforming work of Jesus Christ?

With nail prints in His hands and feet, the wound in His side, and the totality of suffering on our behalf, Jesus ascended into heaven in a resurrected body. All of heaven praises Jesus as the Lamb of God and He is seated at the right hand throne of God.

We rejoice in our salvation because Jesus finished the work that He was sent from the Father to accomplish. Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of Old Covenant and God is well pleased.

Now we live in the New Covenant relationship of Jesus. It’s not our works but His grace. His good work makes us completely justified in the sight of God.

The great mystery of godliness is displayed in our character of who we are in Christ. As Christians we are being transformed into the righteous person God desires us to be. Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Pray

Lord, transform me into the person You want me to be and let my life be acceptable to You. Help me to live by grace alone because of Your completed works. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that You have freely given to me.

God In The Flesh, Part 2

Faith

‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.’
I Timothy 3:16

As we continue in our study of 1 Timothy 3:16, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten our souls of the importance of Jesus’ humanity; God was manifested in the flesh.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And verse 14 says, “And the Word became 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.”

A firm essence of Christianity is believing that God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, came to earth in human flesh. He was fully God while simultaneously fully man. He is the God-Man.

Jesus laid aside His glory in heaven and took upon Himself mortal flesh so that He could become sin for us. Christ was perfect in every sense of the meaning. Perfect in completion and perfect in excellency.

Only those who believe that Christ was God manifested in the flesh can receive and fully understand the mystery of godliness in their life. The life of Christ is made manifest in the life of believers at the moment of salvation.

God wants to be with you and in every part of your life. Will you open the door to let Him in? Can you open your heart to receive His grace and mercy? Will you allow Him to come in to every area of your life?

Pray

Lord, I invite you into my life. I want You to be in every part of my life. Help me to lean on You for wisdom and understanding. Thank You for coming down from heaven to meet me right where I am.

Without Controversy, Part 1

Faith

‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.’
I Timothy 3:16

1 Timothy 3:16 is a wonderful verse and loaded with great truths. For the next few days we will break apart each phrase and dig deeper into the meaningful fundamentals of our Christian faith. The Apostle Paul reveals to us, and ages to come, a mystery of godliness.

In keeping the context of chapter 3, Paul is writing to Christian leaders instructing them on godly conduct, internal and external purity, and spiritual living. Each of these elements are expressed in the believer’s behavior.

The grace of God is made available to all who believe. This wonderful truth needs to be taught and spoken without controversy. It’s unfortunate when Christians debate or deny the fundamental truths of Christianity.

People develop personal beliefs by revelation of God’s Word and through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but sound doctrine is based upon Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and glorification. Debating or denying these truths cause controversy.

Godliness is weaved into every born-again believer and is not something conjured up. Godliness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that needs to be evident in our lives so that Christ is glorified. The more that Christ shines the more that people will believe.

Pray

Lord, thank You for saving my soul and making me a new creature. Thank You that the Word of God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. May my behavior reflect the glory and riches of Your great grace.