Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: jesus

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.

Seen By Angels, Part 4

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

Angels have an attentive role in the ministry of Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:16 stresses the fact that the ministry of Jesus was seen by angels and here are some of the ways.

  • They predicted the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:30-33),
  • They were present at His birth (Luke 2:13-14),
  • They warned of king Herod’s plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:19-20),
  • They ministered to Jesus after the temptation of the Devil (Matthew 4:11),
  • They ministered to Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43),
  • They rolled the stone away from His tomb (Matthew 28:2),
  • They announced His resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6),
  • They were present at His ascension (Acts 1:10),
  • They will be with Him at His Second Coming (Matthew 24:31),
  • They will separate the evil from righteous (Matthew 13:41,49).

The fact that angels have an important role in the ministry of Jesus is another testimony of His Deity. Just as they surround the throne of God and fill the presence of heaven, they also were around Jesus in His earthly ministry.

Today, angels surround us! They are ministering spirits sent to assist us in our life. Just as they were important to the ministry of Jesus so are they important to our life today. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (NLT)

Pray

Lord, I praise You in the presence of angels and in the presence of others. I make known to others Your great salvation. Help me to always know that I am protected by You.

Justified In The Spirit, Part 3

Faith, 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

Did you ever think that 1 Timothy 3:16 could be so deep? Great is the mystery of godliness. These truths unpack such a powerful meaning into our lives.

Just as God was manifested in the flesh through the person of Jesus Christ, He was also justified in the Spirit. Not because He was sinful and then made righteous, but that He was declared to be justified by the Holy Spirit. There are two passages of Scripture that shed light upon this truth.

At Jesus’ baptism, Matthew tells us, ‘When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”’ Matthew 3:16-17

At the resurrection of Jesus, Luke records, ‘This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.’ Acts 2:32-33

Jesus was declared to be righteous and holy by the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. He always was justified before the Father. He didn’t have to prove Himself righteous; He always was righteous. Therefore He rightly took our place on the cross and provided salvation to all who believe.

Pray

Lord, thank You for revealing the truth of the gospel to me and opening my eyes to Your great salvation plan. You alone are God and able to save. I pray that I may show the love of Christ in all that I say and do.