Text: Titus 1:4-9

Three Pillars of Church Administration

Contained within our text are three key areas of God’s administration in the Church.  The Apostle Paul as a good administrator addressed these areas in his Epistle to Titus.  Paul writes:  “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that you should set in order the things that a lacking, and ordain elders in every city, as I appointed thee⁵. . .Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.⁹”

Sound teaching (doctrine), qualified leadership (elders), and good order are the keys to successful ministry. Without these, any work will be in danger of failure.

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

The Apostle Paul continues in his letter to Titus:

            “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).   “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing un-corruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned. . .” (Titus 2:7-8).

Paul wrote to Timothy:

            “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6).  (See 1 Timothy 1:3, 10; 4:13; 16; 5:17; 6:1, 3; II Timothy 3:10, 16; 4:2, 3).

In his letters to Timothy and Titus we see the importance Paul placed on sound doctrine, or teaching.  As an Apostle, Paul founded churches in many cities.  It was critical to his effective and long standing ministry that these works be established on sound teaching.  Paul continually warned against false teaching (see his letter to the Galatians).

Paul wrote to the church at Rome:  “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).  On a more positive note Paul wrote, “But God be thanked that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Romans 6:17).

It is vital that our faith rest on the Scriptures and their correct interpretation given to us by the Holy Spirit.  Of the early church is it written: “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). 

A fundamental part of our gatherings, in addition to prayer, singing, testimonies and sharing is the teaching of the word. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “How is it then brethren when you come together, everyone of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Be encouraged today.  Be joined to a fellowshp that follows the teachings of the Scriptures and let God order your life to His will and purpose.  We will be blessed in all we do, if we follow God's administration in our lives.

1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause”?

Cause (def): n. <fr Latin: causa> the grounds, reason, basis, rational motive, or justification for an action.

David and Goliath:  Removing the Reproach (Shame)

David had it in his heart to defend the honor and majesty of the Lord God.  The Philistine giant, Goliath, had come to defy Israel causing a great reproach (shame/disgrace) to come upon them.  David saw this and asked “What shall be done to the man that kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel?  For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David as a type of Christ was willing to take the reproach upon himself and bear it at risk to his own life as Christ took our reproach upon Himself and saved us from our shame, our blame and judgment (see Psalm 69:9; Romans 15:3).

For This Cause:

Hezekiah: 2 Chronicles 32:20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven (See II Kings 19:14-16).

Pharoah:  Exodus 9:16  And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The Cause of Marriage—The Great Mystery (Christ and the Church): Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? (See Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7).  Ephesians 5:31-32  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Jesus, our Redeemer:  John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus, the Truth:  John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.

Christ, our Mediator:  Hebrews 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The Apostle Paul (Justification for His Actions):  Acts 28:20; Romans 15: 9; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 3:14; Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Timothy 1:16; Titus 1:5.

There is a cause.  There is a reason, a rational motive and justification for our actions.  Let God ignite your heart and set it ablaze with His zeal and go forth in His Name.

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen. 49:10).

Shiloh: The place of rest; peaceable, pacific

The Patriarch Jacob spoke prophetic words over his sons before his death and his gathering unto the fathers.  His words to his son, Judah, are particularly relevant to us as Jacob prophesied of the coming Messiah, Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the Gospel of Matthew Christ declares, “Come unto Me. . .” (Matthew 11:28).  Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives us an invitation to gather ourselves unto Him, to abide with Him, to stay with Him in a place of eternal rest.  We are invited to leave our present place under heavy labor carrying heavy burdens, to go to a new place of rest.  “Come unto Me” is an invitation to abandon self to obtain Christ.

Shiloh was a city of Ephraim, to the north of Bethel (House of God), on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem.  Shiloh was one of the earliest and most sacred of the Hebrew sanctuaries.  It was the temporary resting place of the Ark of the Covenant after the conquest of Canaan, when it was moved from Gilgal to Shiloh to the House of God there.  Shiloh is a type and shadow of the true place of rest in Christ during our journey in the land of promise, in the Kingdom of our God.

As we have alluded, Christ is the fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy.  His words in Matthew 11:28-30 speak to us as salve upon a wound.  “Come unto me” is an invitation to “all ye that labor and are heavy laden.”  Along with the invitation to come to Him, we are asked to take His yoke upon us, to learn of Him.  His “yoke is easy and [His] burden is light.” In the taking of Christ’s yoke we find rest for our souls (Matt. 11:29-30).

Jacob said “Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”  These words could also be translated “Unto him shall be the obedience of the nations.”  As we are gathered to Christ, we learn of Him, we learn obedience to His commandments.  The Apostle John says His commands are not grievous (1 John 5:3).  John further states that we overcome in Him by our faith (1 John 5:4).  So the place of gathering unto Christ (our Shiloh) is the place of obedient faith.  This is truly a place of resting from our own works, a true sanctuary.

The Scepter Belongs to Christ

The writer to the Hebrews says: “But unto the Son, he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:  a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom” (Heb. 1:8; Ps. 45;6).  Our text above could be translated “The scepter shall not depart from Judah...until He whose right it is comes.”  Shiloh is the true Prince of Peace, who’s right it is to reign in righteousness as the Son; and unto Him shall the obedience of all nations come, under His power, dominion and authority.  As it is written, “every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God” (Romans 14:11).  A scepter is a staff of authority.  It is carried by one who’s right it is to carry.  The Scepter of God is in the right hand of the Father, in Christ, the Son.  He rules and reigns in righteousness and peace forever.  Let us gather in obedience unto Him and find rest for our souls.

“Then cometh He to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Now Jacob’s well was there” (John 4:5-6a).

The Spirit of the Lord wants to share with us today a spiritual reality taken from a natural environment called Sychar (or Shechem originally).  Our text tells us Jesus went there to rest from His journey to Galilee and passed through Samaria on His way.  He rested at Jacob’s well near Sychar.

The location of Jacob’s well is significant for us for it is located in a very fertile valley between two mountains:  Mount Ebal to the North and Mount Gerizim to the South.  It is located on a water-summit with streams issuing from the numerous springs that flow to every slope of the valley, with spreading vegetation in all directions (see Smith’s Bible Dictionary [Shechem].

Christ specifically chose this location to give us a picture of the “living water” that He gives; as He said to the Samaritan woman: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, ‘Give Me to drink;’ thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water” (John 4:10).

Between Two Mountains

This place of which we speak where was Jacob’s well, lies between two mountains that are very close in proximity to each other:  Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.  These two mountains represent the pronouncements of blessings and curses (see Deut. 27:11; and Joshua 24:23-25).

The Oak of Moreh at Shechem

Blessings and cursing were also spoken to Abraham when he was called by God to go to the Land of Canaan (see Genesis 12:1-7).  Abraham’s first place of encampment was by the Oak at Moreh at Shechem.  Moreh means “teacher.”  So the first place we abide is in the place of teaching.  Shechem means “shoulder.”  The government of the Lord is upon His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6).  So in this place of refreshing and rest we are taught the government of the Lord.  We are taught obedience to His Word, His will and authority.

The Eternal Place of Blessing

The water at Shechem was an aquifer that flowed forever.  It was Jacob who dug the well, and nourished himself and all the generations to follow; but even when the people of Israel were not in the land (during their sojourn in Egypt for over 400 years); yet that water was still there.  Christ, the giver of living water abides forever.  Were the Church to go into apostasy, false doctrine or lose its way (as it has often); yet, Christ will always be there for the people of God to return. Christ is the place of Blessing.  He is the eternal fountain of living water, Christ is the ever flowing aquifer, as He said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

And elsewhere Jesus said: “He that believeth on Me, as the Scriptures hath said, out of his belly (or innermost being) shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

“And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the Treasury.  And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  And He said, ‘Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God:  but she of her poverty hath cast in all the living that she had’” (Luke 21:1-4).

Def. Corban: (Greek) Strong’s #2878 Korban:—a gift devoted to God for sacred uses; a consecrated and sacrificial present or offering.  An oblation (sacred gift).

Def. Gift (Greek) Stong’s #1435 Doron—A special present; a sacrifice

Def. Gift (of God) (Greek) Stong’s #1431 Dorehah—from 1435; a gratuity

With all of us there is something that we value highly, that we hold dear or consider precious; something that we wish to hold onto.  There may be something in our lives that we would find difficult to release, or let go, or give away.

At a wedding a father gives his daughter to marry a young man.  Perhaps there is an heirloom that has been in the family from long past ancestry that is waiting to be passed down to the next generation.  There are precious things, priceless possessions that we love and cherish.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son” (John 3:16).  God gave the full measure of a Gift to save the world.  Jesus said to the woman at the well: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink. . .;” (John 4:10).

God the Father give the full measure of His Gift to the world, His only Begotten Son, out of His great love.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).  Salvation is a gift a “Doron” of God—a special, sacrificial present.

The Spirit of the Lord is speaking to our hearts today to declare something in our lives that we hold dear: Corban.  There is something in our lives that we are to consider a gift devoted to God for sacred uses.  We are to consecrate that gift and present it to God as a sacrificial offering; an oblation, a sacred gift. Corban is generally associated with a vow.  The gift is irrevocably dedicated or committed to God

The poor widow out of her great poverty gave all her living.  It wasn’t much in the eyes of man (two “mites”—the smallest denomination of Greek copper coins), but in the sight of Jesus she gave more than the rich men who gave only out of their abundance.  They gave their pocket change; she gave everything.

In three of the Gospels the story is told of a woman with an alabaster box of very precious ointment. She broke the box and poured the precious ointment over the head of Jesus.  Christ honored the gift of this woman and said that her story would forever be remembered as a memorial.  What is the Lord speaking to your heart today?  Respond to His calling and give the gift: the Corban, the Doron, the Dorehah that gives a full expression of your love for the Lord.

The Old Testament Prophets foretold the coming of the Kingdom of God; and in the fullness of time Christ appeared, bringing the message of the Kingdom.  God also sent His messenger, the prophet John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of the King.  John declared, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).  Jesus, likewise proclaimed this message (see Matthew 4:17).

The Kingdom of God as promised has come to us in power; but it has not come as man expected.  In the Gospel of Luke the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come.  Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  Neither shall they say, Lo Here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). 

When a special event occurs, such as an Inauguration of a new President, we observe it.  It is a date on the calendar.  There is a transfer of power and a transition into a new administration.  When a king or queen comes to power there is a Coronation with great pomp.  Jesus, however, says the Kingdom of God comes without observation. The Kingdom of God comes to us when we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts by faith.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, “the Kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).  The Kingdom of God is within us, in our hearts; and we live in the Kingdom of God by faith in God, in His Word, in His Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We live under His dominion and authority.  We pray as Jesus prayed, “Thy will be done” (see Matt. 26:42).

Before Jesus ascended to heaven He gathered His disciples together.  They asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”  Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me” (Acts 1:6-8a).

This is the invisible Kingdom of God.  Jesus spoke of this to Pontius Pilate as recorded in the Gospel of John.  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now my kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).

The Kingdom of God is within us and it is an eternal Kingdom that cannot be shaken or removed.  The writer to the Hebrews wrote: “Wherefore, we, having received a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus was asked regarding our obligations to human government authority, such as the payment of taxes.  Jesus answered them “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).  Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to pray to our Heavenly Father, to honor Him as God for “Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen” (Matt. 6:13b).

The mysteries of Christ are being revealed to the saints even in this last day Church.  That which was first revealed to the holy Apostles and contained in the Scriptures is being disclosed by the Holy Spirit.  One of these previously hidden truths is the revelation of submission.

Biblical Submission

Biblical submission may be defined as coming together in unity and oneness of agreement by one agreeably yielding control to another’s authority, or will.

Biblical submission may be illustrated best by the example of our Lord found in the Gospel of Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 in the Garden of Gethsemane where three times Christ fervently prayed with the words, “Thy will be done.”  In these prayers Christ exemplified the truest example of Biblical submission.  As painful a sacrifice as it was, as contrary to the flesh as it was; yet Christ agreeably yielded control of His destiny to the will of the Father. 

Biblical submission is a deferring to, acceding to; i.e. to agree or express agreement with; to yield to, or to subject oneself to another.

Submission to the Authority of the Scriptures

In Ephesians 5:24 the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ.”  We must ask ourselves, are we subject to Christ?  Are we praying, “Thy will be done”?  Are we agreeably yielding to His authority and will in our daily lives?  If we can honestly say yes; then we will assuredly follow His commands.  We will live in accordance with His revealed will as contained in the Scriptures.  The Scriptures are a powerful expression of the will and mind of Christ.  The Scriptures were given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16).  The Scriptures will profit us “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” i.e. all that is in accordance with the right ways of the Lord.

Submission of Wives to Husbands

There is a reason why the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write to the Church at Ephesus, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22).  This command is not a yoke of bondage, it is not coming under the Law; it is a revelation of the relationship between Christ and the Church.  It is a vital part of the “in love” Oneness of Christ.  It is one side of the proverbial coin designed by God in Christ.  It is part of the wonderful, exclusive relationship between two who have become one.

Paul illustrated the Oneness of this exclusive relationship by writing:

²²Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  ²³For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the body.  ²⁴Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24).

To the Colossians Paul wrote: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord” (Col. 3:18).  The phrase, “as it is fit” means: conforms to, agrees with, or corresponds with.  Wives are to be in submission to their husbands as this conforms with, is in agreement with, or corresponds with the Church’s submission to Christ.

The Blessings of Submission

Submission has great advantages and blessings that are inherent to the relationship.  When we submit to the Lord we come under His divine protection, i.e. we are secure in Him.  We come under His love and care, His watchful eye, His mighty hand of mercy.  We come into His provision.  We partake of His Presence in unity of heart and spirit.  We come under His covering of Grace.  The Scripture declares, “Wherefore, He says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble;’ submit yourselves therefore to God” (James 4:6-7a; see also I Peter 5:5).

Submitting to the covering of Grace is the recognition of Headship.  Christ is the head of the Church and only His glory must be seen.  Symbolically, this covering of the head of women by tradition was the recognition of the headship of the man.  Even the angels in the presence of the throne of God covered their faces and feet in submission to the glory of the Father (see Isaiah 6:2).  Therefore, the Apostle Paul makes reference to this point in I Corinthians 11:10 “For this cause ought the woman to have authority on her head [or a covering, a sign that she is in submission to her husband] because of the angels.”

We need not return to the traditions of men, but we do need to avoid the corrupting influence of the world.  We do need to have spiritual understanding of spiritual things in the Lord.  The Apostle Paul’s discourse on this issue in I Corinthians 11 is a teaching on this important element of our life in Christ.  These are heart issues, and the Lord is a discerner of our hearts (see Heb. 4:12).  In whatever capacity we are currently in as a husband or wife, as a child, or single man or single woman, let us humbly come before the Lord as His Body and live in accordance with His will.

The writer to the Hebrews states: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

The Apostle Peter wrote:  “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake . . . for so is the will of God that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (I Peter 2:13a, 15).

In the mystery of the Gospel of Christ there has been revealed a unity, or oneness to which we have been brought by the Holy Spirit that is the highest love and union in One Body that Man has or will ever know.  That union of Spirit in One Body we herein have come to know as the “In Love” Oneness of Christ.  It is a relationship of union and oneness that must be explored and revealed by the Spirit of God to humble hearts open to the mysteries of Christ.

We begin by examining that which we commonly have come to know as being “in love.”   The “in love” relationship is a wonderful, exclusive relationship between two who have become one.  The two are together in thoughts, emotions and affections.  The two are together in mutual submission to a higher bond of love and care; sharing equally in all things to which they are a part.  Ultimately, in the marriage bond the two are united in the physical body that becomes a holy estate of a “one flesh” union.  No other can enter this oneness.  This “in love” oneness is a sanctified, holy, pure and undefiled union.  This “in love” oneness is of God.  Therefore, what God joins together, no man must put asunder.  Others may vie for one’s affection, but the “in love” relationship forsakes and denies them access.

The “in love” relationship is a cleaving in oneness.  This oneness must not be compromised.  It is a fountain of life that must not be defiled or corrupted.  This “in love” oneness was established from the beginning, in the Garden of Eden when God fashioned the Woman from the side of the Man and brought them together in union.  Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore, shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:23-24).

Jesus spoke of the “in love” relationship in the Gospel of John 15:10, “If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.”  Jesus then further clarifies His commandment in John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.”

The “My love” of Christ, and the “His love” of the Father, is the most beautiful illustration of the spiritual union of “in love” Oneness.  This Oneness of the Son in the Father and the Father in the Son is an unbroken union in the Spirit.  Christ expresses the glory of the Father, and the Father is glorified in the Son.  In John 17:26 Jesus declares: “And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

The most wonderful earthly illustration of the “in love” relationship is marriage between one man and one woman.  In this “in love” oneness there is a unity that must not be broken.  The woman is the glory of the man, and the man is glorified through the woman (See 1 Corinthians. 11:7, 12).

In the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Ephesus he writes:  “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2).  Paul says, walk in the “in love” of Christ—the Oneness of sacrifice which unto God is a sweet smelling savor.  Paul then illustrates this Oneness in the husband/wife relationship found in Ephesians 5:22-32:

²²Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  ²³For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the body.  ²⁴Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.  ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; ²⁶That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word, ²⁷That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish, ²⁸So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loves his wife loves himself.  ²⁹For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord, the Church:  ³⁰For we are members of His Body, of His flesh, and of His bones. ³¹“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”  ³²This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.

Paul’s revelation of the “great mystery” of the “one flesh” oneness, or husband/wife oneness, and the illustration thereby of the Christ/Church oneness is revealed in his writings; that which we here call the “in love” oneness of Christ.

The “in love” Oneness contains two essential components:  submission and sacrifice.  Submission from the one and sacrifice from the other to bring the two into One.  This submission/sacrifice motif is the essence of the Son/Father relationship.

Jesus Christ, the Son, was in complete submission to His Head, the Father.  Out of His great love for His Wife, His Bride (the Church), Christ submitted Himself to the will of the Father, even submission unto death (see Philippians 2:8).  In this way of submission to her head, her husband, the wife can know (have intimate fellowship and communion with) Christ as the Scripture says.

Likewise, husbands can know (have intimate fellowship and communion with) the Father and the Son through the means of sacrifice.   The Father so loved the Church (the Woman); the one destined for the Son; the one who needed to be sanctified and cleansed through the washing of water by the Word; that He painfully sacrificed Himself for Her in the Son, when He offered up the life of the Son for Her in the Cross.

In the Cross the Father/Son Oneness was broken, sacrificed, for the purpose of Redemption, the shedding of Blood, for the removal of Sin.  In the Cross the Man (Christ Jesus) left His Father/Mother (the El Shaddai, the Almighty (see Genesis 17:1)), to cleave unto His Wife, His Bride, the Church.  In this leaving the Father, He took upon Himself the flesh of the Church and entered into death, even death on the Cross.  In this cleaving unto the Wife, His Bride (the Church) the “great mystery” of Genesis 2:24 is revealed by the Spirit to our hearts by faith.  We, the Church, have become “bone of His bones, and flesh of His flesh” in death (See Galatians 2:20).  Likewise, we shall be transformed into conformity with His glorious Body by that power whereby He is able to subject all things to Himself (see Philippians 3:21).  Just as the “in love” Oneness was unto death, so the “in love” Oneness is in the Resurrection of Life.

It is now as the Apostle Paul prayed, “that I may know (have intimate fellowship and communion with) Him in the fellowship of His sufferings and the power of His resurrection, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10).  In our “in love” Oneness with Christ we experience Him in death and life, crucifixion and resurrection, abstinence and fulfillment, poverty and prosperity, weakness and strength (see I Peter 2:11-12; II Corinthians 6:10; II Corinthians 12:10).  We have become truly One in all things.

In the newness of Life in the Spirit, the fellowship (koinonia), the “in love” Oneness of the Father/Son relationship; the Christ/Church relationship; the husband/wife relationship are restored and fulfilled.  In the Resurrection of Life the Son is re-united with the Father and the New Man (the New Adam) is restored to God.  The New Creation (male and female) in One Body, the Body of Christ is revealed in an “in love” Oneness that God predestined from the beginning in Christ (see Ephesians 1:4-11).

“Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!”  (Ephesians 3:21).

“. . .and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6b).

We will continue this series of lessons on Christ’s question to His disciples: “Whom say ye that I am?”  Today we turn to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah who foretold of the One to come with the familiar words: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given:” (Isaiah 9:6a).  The same “God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory [gave] unto [Isaiah and Peter] the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of [Christ]” (see Ephesians 1:17).  Isaiah prophesied of Christ, the Son, and Peter by revelation declared: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16).

Isaiah declares “and the government shall be upon His shoulder”. . .and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth and forever” (Isaiah 9:6a & 9:7a).  Jesus said “All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).  The Apostle Paul wrote that Christ has been raised “from the dead, and [has been] set at [the Father’s] own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church which is His Body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all” (Eph. 1:20-23)—See also Colossians 2:10.  Again we look at Hebrews where we read: “But unto the Son He says, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy Kingdom” (Heb. 1:8).

On the Day of Pentecost Peter spoke regarding Christ being raised to sit on David’s throne according to the promises of God.  In Acts 1:22-36 we read Peter’s powerful words that “pricked” the hearts of the people.  They became convinced that Jesus was both “Lord and Christ” (Acts 1:36—see Luke 2:11)) and that they had crucified Him.

When “the eyes of [our] understanding are enlightened” (Eph. 1:18), we will be able to answer Christ’s question with first repentance; then joy and victory as we turn to Him for salvation.  “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  You are Lord and King.  You are the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  The government of my life is upon your shoulder and of the increase of your government of my life there shall be no end.  As John the Baptist declared “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30); so each of us must declare the same.

When we by revelation see who Jesus really is, we will declare, You are Wonderful.  You are full of wonder, splendor, glory, majesty.  You are my Counselor, the One who gives wisdom and understanding and wise counsel.  You are the Mighty God, the Son of the Highest.  You were sent from the Father in His image to reveal Him, to disclose Him until we can say with assurance, now that we have seen You, we have seen the Father (see John 14:9). 

Have your eyes been opened to behold Him?  Are you convinced He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?  If so, you will never be the same.  Let Him now be glorified in you.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

In this series we are addressing the question Jesus asked His disciples:  “Whom say ye that I am?”  To Peter it was revealed “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16).  A revelation of Jesus was also given to John the Baptist, a prophet of God.  As Jesus was approaching John, the Spirit of the Lord revealed to John the truth concerning Jesus.  This happened the next day also (see verse 36).  Happening twice signifies a confirmation of the revelation.  John saw “the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him” (verse 32).  The Father had spoken to John and told Him concerning this matter: “Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost” (verse 33).  This parallels the revelation of Jesus to Peter:  “Thou art the Christ”!  Thou art the Anointed One.  Jesus was anointed to be the Lamb, evidence by the Spirit remaining on Him. The Son of God is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.

John had said, “Behold, the Lamb!”  This is a very special revelation of Christ, for the significance of the term “Lamb” cannot be understated.  The term “Lamb” carries with it the entirety of our salvation.   The significance of The Lamb is Redemption, Justification, Forgiveness, Cleansing, and Pardon from sin.  In the Lamb we find Reconciliation with God, Peace with God, Restoration, Unity and Oneness with the Father.

In his first epistle to the church at Corinth the Apostle Paul spoke concerning Christ as the Lamb:  “Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened, for even Christ, our Passover [Lamb] is sacrificed [slain] for us:” (1 Cor. 5:7).  Therefore, the Lamb to which John the Baptist makes reference is the Paschal (Passover) Lamb.  The blood of the Passover Lamb was sprinkled on the doorpost of each house of the Hebrews in Egypt to save them from death of the firstborn in Egypt (see Exodus 12:1-13).  In the blood of the Lamb we pass from death to life (1 John 3:14).  Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 21:27). 

The story of the Passover tells us that the Passover Lamb was eaten by each family.  This reveals to us our communion with the Lamb.  We partake of Him.  This is the spiritual meaning of John 6:53-54: “Verity, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eats my flesh, and drinks My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

It is interesting that the root of the Greek word for Lamb (Arnion) in the Book of Revelation is Airo, meaning “to lift, to take away, to raise, to expiate sin.”  The revelation of Christ given to John the Baptist is, therefore, even more meaningful:  “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.”

The Apostle Peter writes:  “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  As you see Jesus revealed, Behold, the Lamb! 

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:15-16).

This begins a new series on the most important question from Christ to His disciples: “Whom say ye that I am?”  Our answer to this fundamental question should determine our relationship with Christ.  By revelation from the Father Peter replied: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  This answer was not only the foundation upon which Christ is building His Church, but served as an anchor for Peter in all his trials and triumphs in life.  In John’s Gospel Peter replied to another question from the Lord, “Will ye also go away?” to which Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68).

Each of us must respond to the Lord’s essential questions.  “Who do you say that I am?” and “Will you also go away?”  Who is Jesus to you?  Will you follow Him? Ignore Him? Leave Him after having begun your walk with Him as a disciple?

In this series we will look at proclamations given about Jesus that identified Him to those who made the claims.  John the Baptist proclaimed:  “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  Nicodemus, a Pharisee stated: “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God. . .” (John 3:2).  Even the Father declared of Jesus “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17); and “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee” (see Heb. 1:4-6).

What does it mean to say, Thou art the Christ!?  Christ is the Greek word Christos (Strong’s #5547) meaning Anointed One.  If one is anointed, they are anointed to be a consecrated person to fulfill a role or position, such as a priest or king.  Christ Jesus is the anointed One to be the firstborn Son.  Christ Jesus is the Anointed One to Whom all power and authority has been given in heaven and earth (see Matt. 28:18).  Peter’s proclamation by revelation of the Father was a confluence of these two into One:  “Thou art the Christ, the Son”!

Christ the Son is the Anointed One Who is the fullness of all things.  Christ the Anointed One is the fullness of the godhead in bodily form (see Col. 2:9).  Indeed, it pleased the Father that in Christ the Son should all fullness dwell (see Col. 1:19).  Christ is the fullness of the anointed priesthood in the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6).  Christ is the fullness of kingship as the anointed King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-16).

Hebrews tells us: “But unto the Son He says, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy Kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness (joy) above Thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:8-9).  It is the Son Who has been Anointed by the Father with the oil of joy representing the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, our proclamation of Jesus must ever be the same:  “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  This is the foundation upon which Christ shall build the Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Glory to the Lord. 

“And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3)

Def: Pure (Greek) Strong’s #53 Hagnos = Clean, innocent, modest, perfect: Trans: chaste, pure

As we have been learning from this series of lessons, to abide in Christ is to abide in Him who is by nature pure.  Christ in His being is the perfection of holiness, entirely righteous and whole, or complete.  Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9) and the One in Whom we find our Life.

We have been looking at the various aspects of being pure, including freedom from contamination, or mixture; completeness; being saturated (completely sanctified in Him); and freedom from discord; sinless and virtuous.

Today we will look at freedom from discord; or conversely being in complete accord with the Father, in Christ Jesus, just as Christ is in complete accord with the Father.

Being in one accord was an important element in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  In Acts 2:4 it is recorded:  “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”  Significantly, throughout the book of Acts this unity was repeatedly noted, as in:  Acts 1:14 “They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. . .;”  Acts 2:46 “And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart;” Acts 4:24 “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord. . .;” Acts 5:12 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch);” Acts 15:25 “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.”

Being in one accord is being in agreement, or harmony.  There is no discord or divisiveness.  They were in a state of being pure in singleness of heart and purpose.  They participated with the mind of Christ.  In Acts 15 we see that those who were not in sync with the Gospel were denied their false ways from infiltrating the Church.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus with the words: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the body of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).  He then continues in verse 4 with the thought of Oneness by emphasizing: “There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6).  His vision for the church continues in verse 13: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’

This is the hope of our calling in Christ: to be conformed to His image and likeness.  Christ, by the Spirit will bring many sons to glory as we live in one accord with Him. 

“And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3)

Def: Pure (Greek) Strong’s #53 Hagnos = Clean, innocent, modest, perfect: Trans: chaste, pure

Def: Purifies (Greek) Strong’s #48 Hagnizo = To make clean, sanctify

Def: Purity (Greek) Strong’s #47 Hagneia = The quality of cleanliness, chastity, purity

This is now our third lesson in this series.  As we previously mentioned there are various dimensions to the state of being pure that we wish to examine.  The first dimension of being pure is freedom from contamination or mixture.  We will now address the dimension of being complete. 

To be pure even as Christ is pure is to be in a state of wholeness, completion, perfection and fullness.  It is to consummate, or finish, and obtain Christ Whom we seek.  The Apostle Paul described it in Philippians 3:8b-9a “that I may win Christ, and be found in Him.”  He then states that he has not yet arrived, or obtained, or was already perfect, but this one thing was in his heart: to reach forth “unto those things which are before;” to “press toward the mark for the prize” Phil 3:13-14).  Then in verse 15 he states “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:” Let us who are spiritually mature think in this way.  Our wholeness, completion, perfection and fullness are in Christ; therefore, let us abide in Him, follow after Him, seek to know Him, as Paul states in Phil. 3:10 “That I may know Him.”

To the Colossians Paul wrote:  “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:10).  Our fullness or wholeness can only be found in Christ.  Paul exhorted the Colossians “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him:  Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Col. 2:6-7).

To the Ephesians Paul wrote: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:17-19).

We have a hope in us to come to fullness, to obtain the glory of God; therefore, by faith we have it, for faith is “the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).  The just shall live by faith (Gal. 3:11).

By faith we are pure in our body; in our soul; and in our spirit.  Our bodies have been washed, our souls are morally blameless and our spirit has been sanctified.  Therefore, we can serve Christ with our body; we can yield our members as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13).  We can know our mind, will, emotions; and the affections of our heart have been set apart unto God. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Cor.7:1). Make the holiness we have received in Christ complete as we live in holy reverence to Christ our Lord. His Grace is sufficient for all these things we hope for in Him; even to be pure as He is pure.

“And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3)

Def: Pure (Greek) Strong’s #53 Hagnos = Clean, innocent, modest, perfect: Trans: chaste, pure

Def: Purifies (Greek) Strong’s #48 Hagnizo = To make clean, sanctify

Def: Purity (Greek) Strong’s #47 Hagneia = The quality of cleanliness, chastity, purity

Pure (Hagnos) is a noun that signifies the state of being pure.  Purifies (Hagnizo) is a verb that signifies to make clean.  Purity (Hagneia) is the quality of cleanliness.  Christ is pure, that is His state of Being.  Christ, in His Being is the highest quality of purity.  Christ is divine and by nature (the divine nature) is pure to the highest quality of purity.  By the Grace of God when we are in Christ we dwell in His state of Being; we dwell in Him who is by nature pure.  We dwell in Him who is the highest quality of purity.  Thereby, we are made clean, purified and cleansed of all our former sin and everything carnal, corrupt or defiled by sin that was in our sinful nature ( the old man, the Adamic nature).  As we stated in our first lesson Christ makes us pure in Himself.  He is the Sanctifier; we are the sanctified.  He is holy and He makes us holy.  He is righteous; He makes us righteous as we abide in Him who is Pure, Sanctified, Holy and Righteous.  This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.”  Christ in His Being is made to us all that He is in His Nature.  This is what the Apostle Peter meant when he wrote: “2 Peter 1:4b “that. . .you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

We also previously mentioned there are various dimensions of purity, the quality of being pure, that we wish to examine.  The first dimension of being pure is freedom from contamination or mixture.  We will address this dimension in the context of our wholeness: Body, Soul and Spirit.  As we walk in Christ, our body will be physically cleansed of contamination and mixture and manifest the purity or pureness of Christ.

Pureness of the body, or freedom of the body from contamination or mixture is addressed throughout the Scriptures:  Jesus addressed the key to cleanliness of the body in Matthew 6:22-23 (see also Luke 11:34) which is our eyes.  Jesus said, “The light of the body is the eye:  if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. . .”

The Apostle Paul wrote much regarding the body:  To the Romans:  Romans 6:12 “Let not sin reign in your mortal body;” Romans 8:13 “Mortify the deeds of the body and you shall live.”  To the Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 6:13 “The body is not for fornication, but for the Lord;” 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit;” 1 Corinthians 6:20 “Therefore, glorify God in your body;” II Corinthians 4:10 “That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” To the Philippians: Philippians 1:20 “Christ shall be magnified in my body.” 

May the purity, the freedom from contamination and mixture, and the pureness of Christ be revealed in us as we live in Him.  May we be purified even as He is pure.

“And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3)

Def: Pure (Greek) Strong’s #53 Hagnos = Clean, innocent, modest, perfect: Trans: chaste, pure

Today we start a new series that builds upon our last study on glory.  Our text above relates to this hope for the Apostle John writes: “we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2b).  That which we will see and become is Christ in His glory.  This is our destiny. Therefore, having this hope in us purifies us, even as He is pure. Christ is pure and He makes us pure in Himself.  He is the Sanctifier; we are the sanctified.  He is holy and He makes us holy.  He is righteous; He makes us righteous as we abide in Him who is Pure, Sanctified, Holy and Righteous.

There are various dimensions of purity that we will examine.  Among these are the following:  (1) Freedom from contamination or mixture; (2) Completeness; (3) Saturated; (4) Free from discord; (5) Sinless; (6) Virtuous.

We will address these dimensions in the context of our wholeness:  Body, Soul and Spirit.  As we walk in the purity of Christ, our body will be physically clean; our soul will be morally blameless and our spirit will become consecrated or sanctified.

In our text the Apostle uses two words closely related to purity:  Pure (Hagnos) and Purifies (Strong’s #48 Hagnizo).  Purifies (Hagnizo) means to make clean or sanctify.  John says as we have the hope of glory in us we are made clean, or sanctified even as Christ is clean, pure or sanctified (Hagnos).

The Apostle Peter writes a similar passage with these words: “Seeing you have purified (Hagnizo) your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).  Our souls have been purified through our obedience, or believing the truth through the Holy Spirit that has led us to love one another fervently with all purity.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (Gk: Strong’s #47 Hagneia); the quality of cleanliness or chastity). We are to be examples, or witnesses of having Christ in us as we become expressions of His purity; in the quality of His cleanness and chastity.  Christ was pure in body, soul and spirit.  He was free in His body from the bondage of corruption.  He was free in His soul from all immorality.  He was free in His spirit from all spiritual wickedness as He was full consecrated and sanctified to the will of the Father.  This is our destiny in Him.

Paul wrote to the Philippians:  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure (Hagnos), whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8).

May the words of Paul be true for us: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 5:23).  Amen.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).

Def: (Greek) Endued; Put on; Clothed: Strong’s #1746 Enduo; To invest with clothing; adorn; to furnish with power and authority. Fr #1722 En (in) and #1416 Duo (to sink into).

To Invest: Sense #3: to clothe, adorn; to furnish with power and authority.

This lesson will cover the third sense of God’s investment of Himself in the Church: to clothe, adorn or furnish with power and authority.

God, through Christ, established His presence, power and authority in the earth during Christ’s earthly ministry.  Numerous Scriptures declare this establishment and the miracles of Christ attest to this fact.  Demonic powers, sicknesses, diseases, and even nature itself were all subject to the presence, power and authority of Christ.

Establishing presence is a fundamental requirement in any setting for establishing dominion, or rule.  Without presence, there is no legitimate governing authority.  Before the whole work of redemption and salvation could occur, God had to establish His presence and authority here on earth.  Not only did this have to occur on earth, it had to occur in Man.  When God sent Christ to earth, He launched an invasion on the Kingdom of Darkness.  There had to be a regime change in the spiritual world.  In order for us to be liberated from the power of Satan, sin and death, God had to dethrone Satan, the Devil, the Prince of Darkness, and establish new government under the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ. God had to cast down the Kingdom of Darkness and establish the Kingdom of Light.  There was only one way this could be accomplished.  The Presence of God had to be on the earth in order for the authority of God to be established in the earth.

When Christ came from heaven to earth, He brought the Kingdom of God with Him.  Through His presence on earth, the Kingdom of God, or the rule and reign of God in the heavenly realm came to the earth realm.  Christ was a one Person Kingdom unto Himself.  The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:9 "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."  The forerunner and herald of Christ, John the Baptist, advertised what was coming.  He declared, "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). Jesus confirmed the Kingdom of Heaven had come to earth when He stated in Luke 11:19-20, "If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out?  They shall be your judges.  But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the Kingdom of God is come to you."

Christ's bodily presence alone empowered His disciples to go and do miracles in His Name.  Luke 10:1-24 tells us their story.  In verse 19 Jesus says, "Behold, I have given unto you authority (exousia) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (dunamis) of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  Clearly Christ's presence established His authority in the earth and by His presence He conferred His authority to His disciples over the power of the enemy (the Evil One, Satan, the Devil).

“. . .have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him: (Col. 3:9b-10).

Def: (Greek) Endued; Put on; Clothed: Strong’s #1746 Enduo; To invest with clothing; adorn; to furnish with power and authority. Fr #1722 En (in) and #1416 Duo (to sink into).

To Invest: Sense #2: To endow, endue, gift, empower with qualities and abilities

In this lesson we will continue our review of the five senses of the word, invest.  In this lesson we will look at sense #2, to endow, endue, gift, empower with qualities and abilities.  In our text the Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Colosse exhorts us to put off the old man with his corrupt, carnal and evil deeds; and put on the new man, the new creation in Christ Jesus.

A Change of Clothes:

Colossians chapter 3 provides for us a wonderful contrast between the old garments we wore when we lived after the old man, the fleshly man, the corrupt, carnal man; after the fallen, sinful nature; and the new garments we wear as we live after the new man in Christ.  Remember the words “put on” is the Greek word, enduo, as defined above.

First, Paul introduces his thoughts with the exhortation and reminder that the new man has been raised with Christ, and the old man is dead.  Therefore, our affections, our hearts and minds must be on things above and not things of the earth.  In the setting of our hearts on heavenly things, there is a putting off of earthly things. In a manner of speaking we have a change of clothing from being clothed in Adam to being clothed in Christ.

Things that we abandon, or put off from our Adamic nature include: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness which is idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth and all lying.

Things that we embrace, or put on include: bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another in love.

As we discard the old and embrace the new we receive the benefits of the investment of God in us; these include:  the peace of God rules in our hearts; the word of Christ dwells in us richly in all wisdom.  We teach and admonish each other daily with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs being filled with the grace of God as we live unto Him.  Paul writes: “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Col. 3:17).

Christ is All in All

God the Father has given us Himself as His investment in us in Christ Jesus.  Christ is the all in all, the everything in everyone, the fullness of God in the many members of the Body. In Him there is no other identity; no ethnicity, no religious identification, no status.  Rather, we belong to Christ and He becomes our life as He clothes us in Himself.  Amen.

“And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49)

Def: (Greek) Endued; Put on; Clothed: Strong’s #1746 Enduo; To invest with clothing; adorn; to furnish with power and authority.  From #1722 En (in) and #1416 Duo (to sink into).

To Invest: Sense #1: To Put, Commit or Place

In our first lesson we reviewed the five senses of the word, invest.  In this lesson we will look at sense #1, to put, commit or place.  In our text above Jesus gave His disciples the instructions to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit that would endue, clothe or furnish the disciples with the “power from on high.”

Luke, in addition to his Gospel, also wrote the Book of Acts in which he again gives us Christ’s instructions with the words, “wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of Me.. .But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me. . .(Acts 1:4b, 8a).

In both of these passages Luke writes of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father.  In the pouring out of the Spirit, God endued, i.e. put, committed and placed His investment of Himself in the saints.  God furnished, adorned or clothed the disciples with power and authority by which the church was to function and fulfill the plan and purposes of God in the earth.

On the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4 the Holy Spirit was poured out in fulfillment of the prophetic words of the Prophet Joel (see Joel 2:28-32).  God put or placed His Spirit, in the form of cloven tongues of fire, upon the Disciples, as they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke of “the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11).  As they were clothed with the Spirit of Christ they became witnesses unto Him.

As we wear the clothing of Christ we display His glory, His power, His nature, His holiness, His likeness and His image.  People will see Jesus in the saints as He is revealed through them.

The Apostles moved in the power of Christ.  Luke again writes: “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33).  The Apostle Paul wrote in II Cor. 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us.”  As we are clothed with the treasure of Christ, we are clothed with His mighty power and it becomes evident that the power displayed is of God and not of us (flesh), the weak earthen vessel.  Paul continues, we are “always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (v. 10).

We have been invested with the Spirit of Christ. Let His glory be revealed in your life today.  God has given of Himself, not something, but Someone, the Lord from Heaven—a true treasure.  Be endued with power from on high, the Son of the Highest—Jesus.