Truly This Was The Son Of God

Have you ever had a revelation? Something that became crystal clear to you in a moment. Peter had one of those moments when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the son of man, am?” (Matthew 16:13) Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16) Likewise, a Roman Centurion standing guard at the cross witnessing the slow and agonizing death of Jesus had the same revelation. Upon seeing the events which took place immediately after Jesus breathed His last, (the veil of the temple being torn from top to bottom; the earth shaking and rocks splitting; tombs opening) he became filled with fear and stated, “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:50-54)

Yet Jesus was crucified because of the accusations by the very people who should have recognized Him as the Son of God more than anyone else; the Pharisees (Mark 3:6), Scribes and even the Chief Priests (Mark 11:18) of Jerusalem. They were the historians, the educated, the very voice of the scriptures to the people. Instead, they handed Jesus over to Pilate to be put to death. What was their case that warranted death by crucifixion? Pontius Pilate wondered the same thing. The Bible tells us that Pilate knew the chief priests handed Him over because of “envy“ (Mark 15:10) and that he found no fault in Him. (Luke 23:14)

Because Jesus forgave people of their sins and made statements like, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9) - they (chief priests) saw this as blasphemy for only God alone can forgive people for their sins. Therefore, these acts put Jesus on the same level as God. However, if you are the Son of God, where is the blasphemy? Even one of the two criminals crucified with Jesus recognized His ability to forgive him of his sins stating, “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

So, the question to us remains the same as it was to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) A good man? A teacher? A prophet? Or like Peter, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

The Truth
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus) and behold , a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 and 2 Peter 1:17)

Heavenly Treasure

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10)

The Christian will some day appear (made manifest) before the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” This is where our lives will be laid open before the tribunal of Christ, to examine our service for Him. Not only the amount of service, but the quality and even the very motives that prompted it, will be brought into review. Here our heavenly rewards will be directly proportionate to our faithfulness to Him.

As a believer, one should always remember that faith is linked with salvation, and works are linked to reward. We (believers) are saved by grace through faith, not of works; (Eph.2:8-9) but - once saved, we must put our faith into action through good works- “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” (James 2:26)

Therefore, let us all exam our heats to test the motives of our service whether they be to please man or please God. For if it is to please man, then the Bible says, “you have your reward on earth” - but if the motive is to please God, “then your reward is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

The Truth
“For the son of Man will come in the glory of His Father and with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)

The Testing Of Faith

Throughout the epistle of James, the brother of Jesus describes how, “the testing of our faith produces patience.” Testing can come to us in many ways; through trials (James 1:2), through temptations (James 1:12), through works (James 2:17-26), through stumbling (James 3:2-12), through pride (James 3:13-16), through lust (James 4:1-4) and through power and wealth (James 5:1-6). However James is quick to point out that, “patience must have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4) What this means is, we must complete the test.

Everyone of these types of tests are checks to see where we are in our growth as a Christian. They can be short and quick - field of vision at the beach, that second look - or long and seemingly everlasting - a struggle with drugs/alcohol/cigarettes/porn. We can endure these tests as they come along with patience and become stronger or, we can fall - experience separation - eventually become broken and repentant - cry out to God - and start over again. But, be assured - just like school - if you did not pass the test, you will have to take it again.

What is James exhortation for these test of the faith? To be patient and to persevere until the coming of our Lord (James 5:7-11), to pray for specific needs (James 5:13-18) and to restore our brothers to the faith. (James 5:19-20)

The Truth
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

To Everything There is a Season

How often have you said, The Lords' Prayer? Now, how often have you stopped to think about the words, "Thy will be done?" Those are some tough words to pray at times.

My wife lost her brother to lung cancer a few years back. We prayed for healing and cried out for a healing touch all through his illness but, Gods' will was not to heal him on earth and that's OK. Even though as Christains we are told to, "make our requests known to God," He is under no obligation take our direction. Who are we to direct or council God.

Jesus, the night before His crucifixtion prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. (Matthew 26:39) The Bible also speaks of Jesus being in so much agony at this point, that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44) This request must have been difficult for the Father not to grant seeing both the current and future pain of His Son. However, God had a greater purpose, the salvation of man.

Therefore, do not be discouraged by what seems to be unanswered prayer. Understand our Father has a heavenly purpose that is far beyond our current understanding - and that some day, we will see it clearly.

The Truth
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

Have you ever noticed how most people have a hard time waiting their turn? This can be seen in different actions every day. For example - the sigh-er, the tapper, the look, the body language and of course the questioner, "Can't you go any faster." In the instant breakfast society we live in today, everyone wants an express lane. We want - what we want - when we want it. As Christians, we need to show patience in everything we do in our daily life's, including being patient with our Lord.

Have you ever been praying for someone or something, for what seems to you a long time? Well, join the club. We all have. God is not some "genie in a bottle" ready to grant us three wishes when we call on Him. Nor is He only to be called upon in time of need. What kind of relationship would you have with someone, if you only called them when you needed something? The bible tells us in James, "the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16) Let's look at these words a little closer.

Webster defines effective as fruitful or capable or producing a desired result. This means we must have a prayer life, that is marked by fruit. The word fervent can be translated intense, passionate, very hot - glowing. This means our prayer life should have emotion in it and not just some mundane, half hearted request. Finally, it is the prayer of the righteous that reaches God. We as Christians have righteousness imputed to us through our belief in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore we can, make our request known to God.

It is so important to establish a fervent prayer life with our heavenly father who, "desires to give us above all that we could ask or think."(Eph.3:20) Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. If you set aside the time to do just that, you will see the fruit of your petitions.

The Truth
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:17-18)

Renew Your Strenght

"Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and faint." Isaiah 40:31

The word "wait" in the King James Version here means "to hope," to look to God for all that we need. This involves trust and living your life in expectation of His promises while enduring your current set of circumstances.

The word "renew" means "to change," as in taking off old clothes and putting on new. We exchange our weakness for His power (2 Cor. 12:1-10) As we wait before Him, God gives us the power to walk through the day-to-day demands of life and life's unexpected tragedies.

The Truth
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou are with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

Self Control

People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.

How often, in talking with people, do we feel.... we are right; our idea, our position, our interpretation is correct, and we're ready to fight for it. Forget the fact that we may not be correct, or that there might be something we're completely ignorant of. The truth is, that sometimes we know better, and sometimes we don't. But the scripture teaches us, and I've learned from experience (most of the time), that arguing, forcefulness, and violence in my own voice are almost guaranteed to start a futile and ugly war of words. People are naturally defensive, and often, naturally offensive.

But we can be the ones to break the pattern…with a gentle answer. If our heart attitude is “Come, let us reason together, hear each other out, respect each other, speak softly, and trust the Lord for the outcome", and our tone of voice carries that spirit, we can actually help the other person to calm down and prevent a war. The fruit of the spirit is…..self control. What a blessing!

The Truth
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)

Continue In Prayer

Pastor Chuck Update: Yesterday Sunday, April 29, 2012 Pastor Chuck announced to the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa congregation that the doctors had decided that a surgery would be too risky. They will pursue other options to remove the remaining cancer in his lung. Please keep praying for him and the church in Costa Mesa.

Please continue praying for Pastor Chuck Smith, CC Costa Mesa, as he will be finishing his radiation treatments. In two weeks an MRI of his right lung is scheduled. If the cancer is still there, the doctors plan surgery to remove the lobe where the cancer is located. According to doctors, Pastor Chuck is not a good candidate for surgery due to his age and the stroke he had in December of 2009. Of course, we know that the Great Physician is in charge—so we continue to pray for a miraculous report that defies all expectations. Pastor Chuck continues his normal schedule of work; teaching and radio ministry in spite of the fatigue that is normal at this point of radiation treatments.

The Truth
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16