audio by year 2006

Bible Minute: The Realization of the Son of God

In 2 Corinthians 1:20 Paul tells us that whatever promises are of God, the answer of yes to those promises are in Christ. God’s promises are not like those of mans, who often does not keep his promises. But all of God’s promises are confirmed in the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Romans 1:13 we read that Paul did not want the Roman believers to be ignorant of Paul’s plans to visit Rome. In chapter 15 Paul expands on this topic by telling them that the reason that his plan was hindered is because he was going to Rome to preach the evangel of Christ. God had chosen Paul as a special messenger to the Gentiles and there is an enemy at work to prevent this ministry.

In Romans 11:25 we read that Paul did not want the Roman believers to be ignorant of a secret. That secret was the fact that Israel’s callousness was only temporary. Paul in Romans had been teaching salvation to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were becoming proud and thinking that God was finished with Israel. But nothing can be further from the truth.

In 1 Corinthians 10:1 we read that Paul did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant of the lessons of Israel on the Old Testament. The redemption of Israel out of Egypt was typical of the spiritual deliverance which is ours in Christ. All were kept safe by the blood of the lamb All went through the red sea on dry land. All were identified with Moses. All ate of the manna.

In 1 Corinthians 12:1 we read that Paul did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant of spiritual gifts. Today there is much debate on the gifts. The most gifted church in the Bible was the most carnal. The reason that there was failure in Corinth is because the gifts were being used to draw a crowd, not edify the Church.

In 1 Thessalonians 4 we read that Paul did not want the Thessalonians to be ignorant concerning those were asleep in Christ. We do not sorrow as those who are without Christ do, when our dear ones die. Paul uses the term sleep as a most beautiful figure for the distressing Thessalonians. The resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee that all who are his will be likewise raised.

In Romans 8:19 we read that the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. The creation has been involved in the treadmill of corruption through the sin of man. When our bodies are delivered from their present slavery and death at our Lord's descent from heaven, He will transform them to conform them to His glorious body.

In Romans 12 we read that the as the body is one but has many members, so also is the body of Christ. The recognition of this unity of all Christians, NOT as denominations, but as individual members of Christ, results in practical fellowship and love for all saints. It destroys narrow sectarian prejudices and enables us to recognize every Christian and being one with Christ and with us.

In Romans 8:39 we read that nothing shall be able to separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Here all the great forces of the universe are arrayed, and none of them, no, nor all of them together, can come between us and the unconquerable love of our God as displayed in Christ Jesus. Death will be swallowed up by life.

In Romans 6:7 Paul says that he who is dead is freed from sin. Do you struggle with sin?

In Romans 12 we read that the believer is to present his body to God which is his reasonable service to God. Unless we distinguish between salvation by Grace and service, or discipleship, we are like to become confused when we read certain portions of holy scripture. We are not called to earn our way not heaven.

In Genesis 1:1 we read that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The first sentence of the Bible brings us into the presence of the living and true God. This verse is the door through which we enter into the rest of the Bible. If we can believe this verse, we will have no trouble believing anything else that is written in these precious pages.

In Genesis 3 we read that after man fell into sin the first act he did was to make fig leaves to cover his nakedness. This is really what is called religion. Man trying to cover his sins by his own good works. But when Adam stood before God, he said that he was naked even though he had an Armani fig leave suit on. Later, God sheds the blood of an animal and clothes adam.

In Genesis 3:2 we read that Satan questioned then denied the word and words of the living God. The sphere of Satan's activities is always in the realm of god's most recent testimony. In Genesis 3 he attacked what God said in Genesis 2. In Exodus 32 he attacked what God said in Exodus 20. In Acts 7 he attacked what God said through the apostles in Acts 1-6.

In Genesis 2:18 we read that God wanted to make for Adam an help meet for him. Adam was the image and glory of God and was to rule the earth for God's glory. So how was the woman to be a help?

In Matthew 2 we read that the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” In Genesis 3 when Adam sinned and hid from God, God called to Adam and said “where art thou?” The answer to fallen mans condition is found in the person of Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 5 we read that Enoch had a family and walked with God. To walk with God does not require you to shut yourself out from the world. Enoch was a practical man who raised a family and did all to the glory of God. He, even with the responsibilities of a husband and father found time to testify to his generation regarding the judgment that was coming on the world.

In Genesis 6 we read that God was going to bring a flood to destroy all flesh on the face of the earth. If we were to be able to see the days of Noah, we would have seen agriculture providing a large crop, industry booming, and entertainment at its best. Does this sound familiar?

In Genesis 9 we read that God cursed Canaan for the sin of his father ham. But what did ham do?

In Genesis 3 we read that God called for Adam and said, “Where art thou?” This question proved 2 things. First, that Adam was lost, and 2nd that God was looking for him. In Genesis 3 we have the root of sin. Through the disobedience of the first man Adam, sin entered into the world and with it came death.

In Genesis 10 we read about the beginning of nations in the earth. This truth is denied by many today. But if you read Genesis 10 and 11 we will see that the world as it exists today is founded on the disobedience of mankind at the tower of Babel. Man was to scatter over the earth and populate in subjection to God, but instead, they unite to defy God to make a name for himself.

In Genesis 12 we read that Abram came to the land of Canaan as God had told him. When you compare the end of Genesis 11 and Genesis 12 with Acts 7:2-4, you will see that the God of glory appeared to Abram and gave him a charge, but Abram didn’t totally obey. You will also see that God did not tell Abram anything else until he obeyed what God told him at first. This is a lesson for us all.

In Genesis 13 we read that after Abram had come out of Egypt he came right back to the place of the altar that he had made before he left for Egypt. Abram went down to Egypt in disobedience to God, yet he was enriched during the trip. But with God he gained nothing. He had to return right where he left off. How often we judge our efforts by whether they are prosperous or not.

In Genesis 14 we read that Abram rescued Lot and all that he had from his captors. The chapter previous, Lot’s people and Abram’s were fighting over things. But we do not see Abram hold a grudge against his nephew Lot. When Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he went into action to rescue his brother. Faith not only justifies us, but it worls through love toward our brethren.

In Genesis we read that Lord counted Abrams faith for righteousness. This was a very simple transaction. God asked Abram to count the stars, and Abram said as it were, I can’t. So God said to Abram, you’ll have so many children you won’t be able to count them. And Abram believed what God said, and God counted that faith as righteousness. Faith is taking God at his word.

In Galatians 2:20 Paul says that the life he lived in the flesh, he lived by the faith of the Son of God who loved him, and gave himself for him. Paul does not say faith IN the Son of God, but the faith OF the Son of God. Paul did not live by faith in his ability to please God, but he lived knowing that Christ has pleased God already.

In Acts 9:20 we read that after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, he heralded to all those around, that the same Jesus whom He had hated and persecuted is the Son of God.

In Romans 1:4 Paul begins his letter by saying that Jesus Christ our Lord is the Son of God with power, and this is proved by resurrection of the dead. Resurrection is what distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. What good would all the great teachings of Romans be if Paul did not begin Romans by showing the Jesus Christ has power over death?

Audio message: Sanctification, Love and Hope