What Five Apostle's said...

In the Holy Bible five Apostles each give us their portraits of the Lord Jesus Christ who called them to live with him and learn from him as he carried out his Fathers wishes here on earth all those years ago.

Matthew gives us a portrait of Jesus as The Kingly Messiah.

Jesus is called "king" eight times: 2:2, 21:5; 25:34, 40; 27:11, 29, 37, 42.

Called "Son of David" nine times: 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9, 15; 22:42.

Recurring word, "fulfilled," indicates that the Messianic prophecies were fulfilled in him.

Mark gives us a portrait of Jesus as The Wonder Worker.

The miracle worker and tireless servant of God and man. Demonstrates his divinity and compassion by his mighty works of mercy and help, 6:2. "That he even does miracles!"

Luke gives us a portrait of Jesus as The Friends of Sinners and Outcasts.

Coming to seek and save the lost, 19:10.

See stories of.
The good Samaritan, 10:30-37.
The lost sheep, 15:4-7.
The prodigal son, 15:11-32.
The Pharisee and the tax collector, 18:10-14.
Zacchaeus, 19:2-10.
The penitent thief, 23:39-43.

John gives us twenty one different portraits of Jesus.

Each chapter of the gospel of John contains a portrayal of some special aspect of the character or work of Jesus.
Son of God, 1:1-14.
Son of Man, 2:1-10.
Divine Teacher, 3:2-21.
Soul-Winner, 4:7-29.
Great Physician, 5:1-9.
Bread of Life, 6:32-58.
Water of Life, 7:37.
Defender of the Weak, 8:3-11.
Light of the World, 9:1-39.
Good Shepherd, 10:1-16.
Prince of Life, 11:1-44.
King, 12:12-15.
Servant, 13:1-10.
Consoler, 14:1-3.
True Vine, 15:1-16.
Giver of the Holy Spirit, 16:1-15.
Great Intercessor, 17:1-26.
Model Sufferer, 18:1-11.
Uplifted Saviour, 19:16-19.
Conqueror of Death, 20:1-31.
Restorer of the Penitent, 21:1-17.

Jesus, the Lord of Judgement.
In Revelation, we read of the Lord Jesus appearing to John the apostle while in exile in Patmos and giving him a book of judgement, that is, as the method and government of God. It reveals the consummation of the world's history, and gives a panorama of God's final dealings with the earth. It opens with a distinct and three-fold blessing pronounced a blessing first, upon those who read, secondly, upon those who hear, thirdly, upon those who keep the things that are written therein. The church has no right to neglect her Master's last message.

Jesus, the Lord of All.
God is revealed as supreme in the government of the universe, the Spirit as the light and activity of that government, and Jesus as the faithful Witness, and as ruling the kings of the earth.

The outlook of Revelation is larger than the Church of Christ. It deals, not with the relation of God as father to the company of saved in the church, but to His larger relation as King and Governor of the whole earth.

There has been a great deal of cloudy thinking and teaching on these subjects. Many seem to imagine that the Church and the Kingdom of God is the same thing. The fact is that the Kingdom of God is infinitely larger than the Church, and includes that whole realm over which God is King, and in which that Kingship will finally be established.

Today the true Church recognises and submits to that Kingship. The time will come when all nations shall recognise and submit. The true Church is an instrument to that end. Yet she is a complete entity within herself, having her specific vocation in future ages.

Jesus, Warns about the Danger of Being Lukewarm.
Revelation 1:17-18 ``Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.''

Let His words to the Church of Laodicea be a warning to us, not to cheapen His grace and patience. May our response to His appearances, exhortations, warnings, teachings, commands and promises be right. For as Right People, right with Him and right with each other, we will be united by the true Holy Spirit with confidence in His power and Christ's reward to all whom overcome sin. Do not be lukewarm but let His words to the Church of Laodicea be a warning to us, not to cheapen His grace and patience.

May our response to His appearances, exhortations, warnings, teachings, commands and promises be right. For as Right People, right with Him and right with each other, we will be united by the true Holy Spirit with confidence in His power and Christ's reward to all whom overcome.

Jesus, Both Lord and Victor.
Though the teaching in Revelation has not been perfectly understood, especially by this writer, its great principles are evident. It shows the final overthrow of evil and the setting up of the eternal kingdom of God. It moreover teaches us that that overthrow and that setting up will be realised through the Lord Jesus, the anointed King. Whom the Holy Bible and experience proves, beyond all reasonable doubt, is alive and in control.

Jesus, a Perfect Lord.
In His letters to the seven Churches, we see four distinct matters: Christ's titles, commendation, complaint, counsel. These were not always given in this exact order, for in some cases either commendation or complaint is omitted.

Jesus, A Powerful Light.
A most important principle to be perpetually borne in mind by those who would fulfil the highest function within the body of Christ is that the world waits for light. The body's only capacity for shedding light is that it should live in the day, which the face of Christ creates for it. No group and no individual member of the body, can fling across the darkness one ray or gleam of light save as that group or that person lives in the sunshine created by the shining of His face.

That light was eclipsed in the darkness of Calvary's Cross, but from behind the dense cloud, it broke again to shine upon all those who receive life by the way of that Cross, and through them to flash upon the night of the world.

Jesus, An Honest Lord.
Let us hear today all He has to say. What He says to us shall be the truth, and we will know it. If He has praise for us, that shall be our main reward. If He speaks words of complaint, heeding them, let us find our way to true and deep repentance. Let us listen principally for His words of counsel, and hearing them without reserve let us yield to Him our quick obedience. If He gives us His word; His promise, this we know, that what He wills is best, so to His chastisements we render ourselves that we may find His great reward.

Who is the Lord?
Paul tells us that to him the title "Lord" was extremely important. In the New Testament the title is used 581 times. Paul uses it 253 times. It is used 5911 times by the Old Testament writers. When Paul referred to the facts of the Gospel history he speaks in Acts 20:35 of what the "Lord" Jesus said and in 1 Cor 11:23 did and in 1 Thes 2:15; 5:9, 10 suffered. In 1 Thes 2:19 it is our "Lord" Jesus who is coming, etc. In prayer also the title is given 1 Thes 3:11; Eph 1:3. The sinner is invited to believe on the "Lord" Jesus Acts 16:31; 20:21. In addition, the converted are to look to the "Lord" Jesus for deliverance Rom 7:24, 25. Moreover, in the few exceptional cases in which the personal Name stands alone a reason is always discernible in the immediate context.

The title "Lord", as given to the Saviour, in its full significance rests upon the resurrection Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9; 14:9, and is realised only in the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:3.

Jesus, a Living Lord.
The word resurrection occurs 40 times. The Holy Bible in both the Old and the New Testament is full of examples where the Lord Jesus had a relationship with some of God's created people. Not once did any Spiritual Leader speak of the Lord Jesus as if he was a religious theory, a superstitious God of legend, up there somewhere to be cried out to or praised. Indeed, the Lord himself commanded that anyone wanting salvation had to have this living relationship. Acts 1:3a; Mark 16:9; Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:15; Luke 24:36; 1 Corinthians 15:5; John 20:19; John 20:26; John 21:1; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Matthew 28:17; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Luke 24:50; Acts 9:5-6; Acts 26:14-18; Acts 18:9-10; Acts 22:17-21; Acts 23:11; Acts 26:19-23.

Jesus, a Lord of Action.
The apostle Paul knew that Jesus was alive, for when he was hard pressed the Lord Jesus would personally intervene in his life Acts 23:11. If Jesus is not alive and able to show himself to us, then this verse is a lie.

Like us who are already saved, Paul was a sinner saved by grace Acts 9:3-6; 26:13-18. He was heading towards Damascus in pursuit of ardent Disciples of Christ, with the intent of doing them great harm. At this time, despite his great theological scriptural knowledge, he did not know the Lord Jesus Christ was alive. Suddenly Jesus appeared to him, and asked him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?''

This statement form the Lord clearly reinforces the truth that he was living with those whom Paul was seeking to persecute. Moreover, you cannot persecute a dead man!

From being an enemy of the Lord Jesus, Paul became his servant. The Lord Jesus sent him to, and promised to rescue him from both Jews and Gentiles. To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness from sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith only in Jesus; a living Jesus.

Several times Paul was to see a living Lord Jesus Acts 18:10; 22:18; 23:11.

When studying Acts 23 it is vitally important to note that the Lord Jesus did not appear to the sectarian Jews or the Romans. I wonder why that was. Acts 23:12 will give you a clue.

Jesus, a Lord of Divine Power.
Paul was given great spiritual powers in order to do awesome works and miracles. Paul, who knew the Lord Jesus was alive, went around doing good and playing his part in spreading Christ's Gospel from Jerusalem to as far as Rome.

Miracles were part of the Jewish and Christian way of life, 1 Chronicles 16:12; Nehemiah 9:17; Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Psalm 77:11; Psalm 77:14; Psalm 78:12; Psalm 105:5; Psalm 106:7; Psalm 106:22; Matthew 7:22; Matthew 11:20; Matthew 11:21; Matthew 11:23; Matthew 13:58; Matthew 24:24; Mark 6:2; Mark 6:5; Mark 13:22; Luke 10:13; Luke 19:37; John 7:3; John 10:25; John 10:32; John 10:38; John 14:11; John 15:24; Acts 2:22; Acts 8:13; Acts 19:11; Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 12:29; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Hebrews 2:4. It was never the actual miracles performed that Jesus' opponents complained of, it was where, when, or why he did them.

Hated Like His Lord.
As with his Lord and Saviour, Paul's ministry was assailed with persecutions of all kinds, physical, mental, emotional and social Acts 9:29; 13:50; 14:5, 19; 16:22; 18:12; 21:36; 22:22; 23:10; 1 Cor 4:12; 2 Cor 4:9; 11:24; 2 Tim 2:9; 3:11.

Satan is the master of all evil and the prince of the power of the air. You will see in 1 Thes 1:1 that he was far more concerned about the movements of three humble men, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, than about the doings of Nero or Tiberius. They were three ardent disciples who could be used by the Lord Jesus Christ to shine His light into the sinful darkness of the Gentile world. These despised heralds of mercy were Satan's most dreaded foes for they preached that Name that makes hell tremble. They declared the righteousness against which satanic hate always vents itself with its utmost power. With malicious glance the archenemy watched their daily path, and with cunning hand attempted to hinder them at all points.

BUT, God allowed them to overcome Satan and ALL who follow him.

Isaiah

Isaiah's Messianic Prophecies. This prophet looked across the centuries and saw the coming Messiah. Of all the great Hebrew prophets, Isaiah has given us the most complete picture of the history, mission, titles, and characteristics of Jesus.

History of Jesus.
Birth, 7:14.
Family, 11:1.
Anointing, 11:2.

Mission of Jesus.
Illuminator, 9:2.
Judge, 11:3.
Reprover, 11:4.
Lawgiver, 42:7.
Liberator, 42:7.
Burden-Bearer, 53:5.
Suffering Saviour, 53:5.
Sin-bearer, 53:6.
Intercessor, 53:12.

Titles of Jesus.
Immanuel, 7:14.
Mighty God, 9:6.
Everlasting Father, 9:6.
Prince of Peace, 9:6.
Righteous King, 32:1.
Divine Servant, 42:1.
Arm of the Lord, 53:1.
Anointed Preacher, 61:1.
Mighty Saviour, 63:1.

Characteristics of Jesus.
Radiance, 9:2; 42:6.
Wisdom, 11:2.
Spiritual Discernment, 11:3.
Justice, 11:4.
Righteousness, 11:5.
Silence, 42:2; 53:7.
Gentleness, 42:3.
Perseverance, 42:4.
Vicarious Suffering, 52:14; 53:10.
Compassion, 53:4.
Meekness, 53:7.
Sinlessness, 53:9.
Saving Power, 53:11.
Greatness, 53:12.