The Potter and the Clay

Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)
But now, O LORD, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our Potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.

Notice how God is addressed by Isaiah: O LORD, Our Father and Potter. He is the Everlasting Creator who shapes us into the image of His Son Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29). God is bringing many sons to glory through Christ the Captain of our salvation who suffered, died on the cross of God's wrath and arose from the grave to live forevermore (Hebrews 2:10; Revelation 1:18). We are the clay, the work of the Potter's hand and He is making us fit to be in His presence as the New Jerusalem forever which is Christ's Bride without spot, wrinkle, or blemish (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21:1-5).
Thank You, Father!

The Beatific Vision By Al Stoner

“And they shall see His face; and His Name shall be in their foreheads” (Rev. 22:4).

What has been called the beatific vision speaks of a time and experience when seeing “through a glass darkly” shall give place to seeing God “face to face”, and when knowing “in part” shall suffer obsolescence, making way for knowing “even as we are known” of God.  It is “the direct knowledge of God enjoyed by the blessed in heaven” (Merriam-Webster).  From an adaptation of an Internet source, it has been said that a person possessing the beatific vision reaches, as a member of redeemed humanity in the communion of saints, perfect salvation in its entirety, i.e. heaven. The notion of vision stresses the intellectual component of salvation, though it encompasses the whole of human experience of joy, happiness coming from seeing God finally face to face and not imperfectly through faith (see I Cor. 13:11–12). 

We are speaking here of what is specifically declared in such places as Revelation 21, 22, and elsewhere regarding the final state of blessedness of redeemed personalities. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. 22:1-5). 

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:9-12).

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (I Cor. 13:10).  "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (I Cor. 13:12). 

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (I Cor. 2:9-10).  There are incomprehensibly marvelous things that God has prepared for them that love Him. " "Oh how great isthy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" (Ps. 31:19).

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps. 36:7-9).

Those who are in Christ Jesus yearn for this time when they shall appear with Christ in glory, being glorified together with the blessed Savior.  As Brother Tony Parker once well said, "The new creature is preset for glory."  Those who are begotten of God find within themselves, by virtue of their new birth, new desires and longings that can only be satisfied in the world to come, when they shall be "forever with the Lord".

Those who are presently living by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are waiting, yea, they are longing for the time when, in the diction of the Apostle, that which is perfect shall indeed have come.  Their new birth has translated them into the kingdom of God's dear Son, and has imparted to them a heavenly status and citizenship, constituting them as sojourners and pilgrims here in this present evil world.  Whereas they once ran with the citizens of this present world to the same excess of riot, they now feel themselves to be strangers and foreigners.  By many in the world they are now, because of their heavenly status, regarded as offscouring and filth (see Lam. 3:45; I Cor. 4:13).

Judicially they are reckoned to be complete in God's beloved Son, with the substantiveness of that completeness being tasted of by faith, but not by sight.  In the present time God's redeemed sons and daughters are acutely made to sense and know that what they have received of Him in their partakement of His great salvation in Christ is "in part".  They have been given the first fruits of the Spirit, which is the earnest, or down payment of their inheritance. They, who were once darkness, have now been illuminated; they are children of light. Such ones have been given to taste of the good Word of God, of the heavenly gift, and of the powers of the world to come (see Heb. 6:4-5).

They have been given a new spirit, a new perspective of all things, and a new and holy desire. They now have within them new longings that the things of this world cannot satisfy.  Satisfaction is now derived from their consideration of Christ, and their awareness by faith of their identification with Him, and with the salvation that He has accomplished in their behalf.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

8-23-2015 Sermon (Mike Baker) Psalm 27

Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession was Faithful to Him that Appointed Him

Hebrews 3:1-2 KJV Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (2) Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Hebrews 2:17 KJV Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

John 6:38-40 KJV For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 17:4 KJV I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Some thoughts:

God appointed His Son. God ordained Him. When did God appoint His Son? God's Son was faithful to Him. Christ is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. We are to consider Him. Holy brethren and partakers of the heavenly calling enjoy considering Christ. It encourages them as they sojourn this earth. The main thrust of this passage is God and His Son, Christ Jesus.

Outline:

Introduction:

• Thank you for asking me share some thoughts from Hebrews 3:1-2 and for the hospitality.
• Hebrews 3:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, (2) who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
• Prayer
• Our identity in Christ.
  • We are Holy Brethren.
  • We are Partakers of the Heavenly Calling.
• Therefore we consider Christ Jesus.
  • We desire to do this.
  • We enjoy doing this.
  • We wait in great expectation for the appearing of Christ.

Discussion:

• #1 God appointed His Son, Christ Jesus.
  • When did this appointment take place?
    • It took place in eternity before creation.
    • God made a covenant with the Word who was God.
  • What was Christ appointed to be and do?
    • He is the Apostle of our confession.
    • He is the Great High Priest of our confession.
    • With this appointment comes holy work.
• #2 Christ Jesus was faithful to God who appointed Him.
  • Moses also was faithful in all His house.
    • Moses is a type and shadow of Christ.
    • The LORD says in Numbers 12:7 of Moses, “He is faithful in all My house.”
    • Hebrews 11:23-29 tells us that by faith Moses lived for God. He believed that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, (Hebrews 11:6).
    • In Exodus 40:16 (NKJV) we have the outworking of the faith of Moses: “Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.”
    • 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV) says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
  • In the four Gospels we see the faithfulness of Christ.
    • As the Man Christ Jesus, He believed that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, (Hebrews 11:6).
    • Luke 5:16 (NKJV) says, “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” The word prayed in the four Gospels (NKJV) always refers to Jesus: Matthew 26:39,42,44; Mark 1:35; 14:35,39; Luke 3:21; 5:16; 9:29; 18:11; 22:32,41,44.
      • Christ fellowshiped with the Father through prayer.
      • Out of this He was strengthened to do the will of His Father.
      • As we fellowship with Christ and the Father through the Word, prayer, and the fellowship of the saints we will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to do the Father's will.
    • Today as Christ is seated at the right hand of God's throne He experiencing His reward, “the glory which He had with God before the world was,” (John 17:5).
• #3 Christ was faithful to God as the Apostle of our confession/profession.
  • Our profession/confession is this: Matthew 16:16 (NKJV) Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
  • He is the Anointed Son of the living God. We are those who believe this to the saving of the soul.
  • Christ is God's Apostle who was sent to us so He could bring many sons to glory.
    • Two prophecies in Isaiah that God would send His Son.
      • Isaiah 48:16 (NKJV) "Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me."
      • Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, (3) To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
    • The fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-3.
      • Luke 4:16-21 (NKJV) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. (17) And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
      • (18) "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
      • BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR;
      • HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED,
      • TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
      • TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED;
      • (19) TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
      • (20) Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (21) And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
    • The Gospel of John records the fact that Christ was sent by God to us.
      • John 3:34 (NKJV) John the Baptist says: For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
      • John 4:34 (NKJV) Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
        • God's work is that of bringing glory to His name through those who believe in Him and the Christ whom He sent.
        • God is bringing many sons to glory through His Son.
      • John 5:24 (NKJV) Jesus: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
      • John 6:29 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."
      • John 6:38-44 (NKJV) Jesus: For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (39) This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (40) And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (41) The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." (42) And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?" (43) Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. (44) No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
      • John 6:57 (NKJV) Jesus: As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
      • John 17:3-4 (NKJV) Jesus: And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (4) I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
      • John 17:6-8 (NKJV) Jesus: I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. (7) Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. (8) For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
      • John 20:21 (NKJV) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
• #4 Christ was faithful to God as the Great High Priest of our profession/confession.
  • Old Testament prophecies of Christ as our Great High Priest.
    • Genesis 14:18 (NKJV) Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
    • Psalm 110:4 (NKJV) The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
    • Zechariah 6:12-13 NKJV Then speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: "Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; (13) Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both." '
  • The fulfillment of these passages is found in Hebrews.
    • Hebrews 2:17-18 (NKJV) Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
    • Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV) Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (15) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
    • Hebrews 5:5-11 (NKJV) So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU." (6) As He also says in another place: "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK"; (7) who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, (8) though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (9) And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (10) called by God as High Priest "ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK," (11) of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
    • Hebrews 6:19-20 (NKJV) This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, (20) where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
    • See Hebrews 7:1-8:6.
    • Hebrews 7:23-28 (NKJV) Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. (24) But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (25) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (26) For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; (27) who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. (28) For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
    • Hebrews 9:11 (NKJV) But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
    • Hebrews 10:19-22 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Conclusion:

• So as we can see from the Holy Scriptures Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession was faithful to Him who appointed Him.
• So we press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
• Because of Christ's faithfulness to God we who are in Christ can enter God's rest and see God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit in the fullness of their glory.
• Hebrews 2:10-13 (NKJV) For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (11) For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, (12) saying: "I WILL DECLARE YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN; IN THE MIDST OF THE ASSEMBLY I WILL SING PRAISE TO YOU." (13) And again: "I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM." And again: "HERE AM I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME."
• Discussion and comments from the Brethren.

Why Do We Come To The Lord's Table?

Why Do We Come To The Lord’s Table?

Communion Meditation

Thursday evening, August 6, 2015

Refreshing Waters Renewal #26

Joplin Missouri

Why do we come to the Lord’s Table?

• Some partake of the Lord’s Supper because it is what they have always done.
• Others may do it because they like the taste of the bread and the Welch’s Grape Juice.
• Those are the wrong reasons.
• 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (NKJV) says, Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  (28)  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  (29)  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  (30)  For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (die).

Eleven reasons we come to the Lord’s Table:

• Because Christ the slain Lamb of God who lives forevermore has sanctified (made us holy) us by His blood.
• Because we love God and Christ. We have a deep love for them because They saved us. And, we love God and Christ because They first loved us, (1 John 4:19).
• Because we desire to remember Christ. This do in remembrance of Me, (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). We want to remember what it cost God and Christ to redeem us.
• Because we want to thank God and Christ for sanctifying us ( 1 Corinthians 11:24). We want to offer the sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of our lips, which is giving thanks to Him, (Hebrews 13:15).
• Because we want to commune with the Lord often so we can proclaim His death till He come (1 Corinthians 11:26).
• Because we are reminded that this is the New Covenant in Christ’s blood, (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). This is very practical in the sense that we can hold the bread and cup in our hand and be reminded of the suffering of Christ on the cross while we partake of these emblems. Christ took our place and received in His body the wrath of God. In Christ we are given grace that empowers us and forgiveness that washes away our sin.
• Because Christ is the Living Bread who came from heaven to enliven us for the His kingdom (John 6:51).
• Because Christ redeemed us with His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).
• Because we have been justified by Christ’s blood and saved from God’s wrath through Him (Romans 5:9).
• Because Christ has made peace between God and man through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20).
• Because Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5).

Close with the reading of Hebrews 2:1-13. This passage has given me great comfort over the past three year as I preached through the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 2:10-13 (NKJV)

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  (11)  For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

(12)  saying: "I WILL DECLARE YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN; IN THE MIDST OF THE ASSEMBLY I WILL SING PRAISE TO YOU."  

(13)  And again: "I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM."

And again: "HERE AM I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME."

Prayer for the Loaf and Cup