GOODNEWSLETTER
December 5, 2012 Number 442
WHAT JESUS DID FOR US
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God to them who are the called according to the will of God," Romans 8:28.
The book of John is so revealing of the work of Jesus; that's the reason all things work out for us. In Chapter 20:30, 32 John tells us that, "...many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which were were not written in his book: But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." And, that's eternal life, my Brother.
Our Lord did so much that John couldn't write down all of it; but, limited his writing (only 21 chapters), about man's Salvation. Then, tells us why. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written," John 21:25.
We know that we are saved because Jesus laid down His life for us (Jn. 10:15-18). Yet, before entering the world, the Son existed with the Father, along with the Holy Spirit. Yes! We truly see the Trinity in Scripture: GOD, THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. But, Jesus became man; an act that lifted mankind to eternity where the Father forgave us of our sins based upon the work of His Son. Now, that is LOVE. What did Jesus do?
I'm glad you asked.
First, we see God propping His arm on the window of eternity and see the end of all things. There was no hope for man unless Jesus became man's Head, leading them to eternal life. Being in his lost condition, man could do nothing to rectify the situation. It is then that the Father turned to the Son and said, 'Will you allow Yourself to become a man? That's the only way to save the man from total and eternal destruction.' The Son of God replied, "Not as I will, but as Thy will," Matthew 26:39 b. God's plan continued because of the Love that Jesus had for fallen mankind.
It wasn't long before Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, praying for what was necessary to save mankind.; that is, Jesus had to die. The flesh could, and cannot, pay the price for a broken law; unless one is without sin. Final payment wasn't in the blood of goats and calves, ever; but, payment required the eternal blood of Jesus. He alone was without sin. The Father's will was all that was important to Jesus. Because of His love for the Father, first and then, for all of mankind, we are blessed by the Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Here's a majority of things accomplished by Jesus.
1. Jesus left heaven to take on the flesh of man. (See: Rom. 1:3; 9:5; Col. 1:22)
2. Jesus called His church during His personal ministry (See, Eph. 5:30-32). Jesus did offer the Jews the kingdom; But, they rejected, thinking they kept the Law and were O. K. by it.
3. Jesus promised the church that the Holy Spirit would come to their aid, leading them into all the truth. (Jn. 14:26)
4. On Pentecost, the Jewish Holy Day of Pentecost – 50 days after Passover – the Jews asked, "...what must we do?" Peter responded, "Repent and be baptized...and, you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38 b. (See, Acts 1:5-8).
5. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He went into the heart of the "lower parts of the earth" (Eph. 4 :9) and "led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men," Ephesians 4:8. In this teaching, we see Lazarus, and all the saved who died before Jesus did, taken from Paradise to the throne of God. Up there, they await the resurrection. When we die, our spirits go directly to heaven.
[ED'S NOTE: Baptism doesn't save us from hell; only faith in the work of Jesus on the cross saves us. However, BAPTISM is required in order to serve Jesus in His body, the church.
This teaching has been what Missionary Baptists have also stood for over 2000 years. Re-read what Peter said about baptism and make up your mind, clearly.] Upon His return, Jesus will bring the Kingdom of God to earth. Then, God's will is implemented on the earth. In fact, Revelation 20:6 records, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be kings of God and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Here, we need to read what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:21-27.