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Birthing Jesus?

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1 Timothy 2:13-15 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Before you shut down your computer and think that Robert has lost his ever loving mind – hear me out. When Paul wrote this you have to connect it with the following: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal. 3:27-29)

If there is no male or female – through Jesus – there must be something more Paul is referring to. In Galatians 4:19 refers to the Galatians believers as being pregnant:my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! Just so you know scholars have been agonizing over the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15 for years yet the implications for Paul’s meaning can be cleared up with one scripture known as the protoevangelium. The what? “Protoevangelium!” What is it? It’s Latin for “the first gospel.” What’s the First Gospel?

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” NIV

Now, in the Old Testament women were never referred to as having a “seed.” What is God actually prophesying to satan? He is prophesying the virgin birth. From the woman will come a “Seed” that will “crush” or defeat satan. According to Paul in 1 Timothy 2:15 our salvation – men and women, youth and children – will come through Christ being birthed in and through us. How do you know if you are being saved? Is Christ being formed in you? Is He being birthed or manifested through your obedience to Him, His Spirit and Word? 2 Cor. 3:3 states, And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Borrowing from the words of Oswald Chambers, are you becoming “broken bread and poured out wine?” You and I become His “bread” by aligning ourselves in obedience to the “Bread” of His Word. As Paul reminds us: if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. Persevering faith, love, holiness and self-control – produces the Bread of Christ; and causes Christ to be birthed or manifested through us. 1 Cor. 10:17 states:For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. NKJV

Missing the Mark

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Jonah 3:8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.

In 1980 “It’s Hard to Be Humble” was a song written and recorded by Mac Davis that became an international hit. Here’s a sample of the lyrics: “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, When you’re perfect in every way, I can’t wait to look in the mirror, Cause I get better lookin’ each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man, Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, But I’m doing the best that I can. I used to have me a girlfriend, But I guess that she couldn’t compete, With all of them love-starved women, Who keep clamoring around at my feet. Well, I could probably could find me another, But I guess they’re all in awe of me (oh, man), Who cares? I’ll never get lonesome, ‘Cause I treasure my own company…”

Humility is like a slippery fish an angler sought to contain once he landed it in his boat. Oswald Chambers once remarked: “The way we continually talk about our own inability is an insult to the Creator. The deploring of our own incompetence is a slander against God for having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining in the sight of God the things that sound humble before men, and you will be amazed at how staggeringly impertinent they are.” 

On the one hand we observe Jonah exemplifying what humility is not. On the other, we observe the Ninevites defining what it was, is, and always will be. William Temple, in his book titled, “Christ in His Church” defined humility by stating: “Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself one way or the other at all.” Jonah had no idea Who and what he was symbolizing through his three day imprisonment in the belly of a great fish. Nor was he aware of Who was with him as he emerged resurrected from the abyss. Although Jonah was ignorant of the Resurrected One the people of Nineveh encountered Him in conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment to come. In that moment of encompassing awe the only thought they had of themselves was of a great need to go as absolutely low as they could – physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially. Their entire lifestyle had been altered. In effect they were thinking only of God centering all their time around Him. Isn’t this what prayer and fasting is? It’s not going on some kind of freakish diet of self-abasement. It’s a pursuit of His Presence that seeks whole-hearted surrender, and passion for the manifest Presence of God. It’s a centering of all time, and activities around the Godhead: Father, Son and Spirit. It’s listening, watching, and obeying.

Isn’t it strange that the only hint of Jonah’s confession of sin was in his yielded obedience to God’s assignment? He never confessed his sins and in the process failed to recognize his sins focusing on the sins of others – namely Nineveh’s. Similar to the angels in the parable of the wheat and tares we often become consumed with pulling up the tares of sin in others rather than focusing on the Sower of the good seed. He is humility. Rather than seeking to appear humble why don’t we seek the Emptied One Who didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped? Why not confess missing that MARK – Who is the MARK?

Manifestation and Multiplication

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Revelation 19:10 The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy. What is prophecy but the manifestation of spoken words becoming a reality. Jonah had heard the testimony of God’s miracles to the patriarchs, the Exodus, the conquest of the Promised Land, the Word of God, the exploits of the prophets – and yet the pagans had more faith than him. How can that be? How can you be a prophet and not manifest the Word you have seen come to pass over and over?

What we should be asking is, How is it that I know these things and more? I mean, we even have the Resurrected Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the exploits of the Apostles, the New Testament Church, the completed book of the Bible (in a language we can read and understand) and the saints who have gone before us. Yet, is the fullness of Jesus manifesting through us or are we simply manifesting more of us? Are you becoming a manifestation of Jesus’ Testimony? Are you manifesting Jesus’ testimony in others?

After 11 days of repenting I am becoming apprehensive that maybe I’m being too hard and we need some encouragement. Oswald Chambers coined a term in his most famous of all Christian devotional classics. What was the term? Amateur Providence. Oswald states: One of our severest lessons comes from the stubborn refusal to see that we must not interfere in other people’s lives. It takes a long time to realize the danger of being an amateur providence, that is, interfering with God’s order for others. You see a certain person suffering, and you say — “He shall not suffer, and I will see that he does not.” You put your hand straight in front of God’s permissive will to prevent it, and God says — “What is that to thee?” If there is stagnation spiritually, never allow it to go on, but get into God’s presence and find out the reason for it. Possibly you will find it is because you have been interfering in the life of another; proposing things you had no right to propose; advising when you had no right to advise. Ouch! The psalmist exhorts the worshippers of Israel: Kiss the Son lest He be angry with you. John in the Book of Revelation adds He has a double-edged sword extending from His mouth. You Kiss the Son and you are going to bleed. It’s going to hurt. Do you desire a closer walk with Jesus? He burns with fire, and is long-suffering. The closer you get the more you become acquainted with His suffering.

What would you need to change your mind about today? What in you is not in alignment with Him, His Word, and His Will? How is it even possible to align with Him? Do you still desire more of Jesus? Why or why not?

Come and See

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John 1:36-39 And he looked at Jesus as He walked along, and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God! 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Him. 38 But Jesus turned, and as He saw them following Him, He said to them, What are you looking for? [And what is it you wish?] And they answered Him, Rabbi—which translated is Teacher—where are You staying? 39 He said to them, Come and see. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they remained with Him that day. It was then about the tenth hour (about four o’clock in the afternoon).

Two questions, and one response: What are you looking for? Where are you staying? The answer: Come and see! Neither of the two disciples, Andrew and John, had any idea what they were going to “see”. Consider, John, who was taken up in the Spirit in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 1 he is in the Spirit and turns to hear the Voice of Many Waters standing behind him. In Revelation 4 John responds to the invitation to “Come Up Here!” If all of that were not enough John is escorted by the Spirit up a high mountain in Revelation 21. Come and See?!

In Revelation 3:20 the Laodicean Church is invited to open the door and see. But the Door only opens to those who hear His Voice, and the steady knocking of the Spirit. It’s interesting to note the rest of John’s account in John 1:39 So they went and saw where He was staying, and they remained with Him that day. It was then about the tenth hour (about four o’clock in the afternoon). Oswald Chambers references this passage stating: That is about all some of us ever do. We stay with Him a short time, only to wake up to our own realities of life. Our self-interest rises up and our abiding with Him is past.

In John 10 Jesus refers to Himself as the Gate (or Door) for His Sheep, and the Watchman (the Holy Spirit) opens up Who, the Door is for Jesus’ sheep. Sheep, Jesus’ sheep, go in and out of this DOOR. They find pasture in Him. Sadly, most who read these words will not take the time to even go to the DOOR with the expectation of it opening. But the Book of Revelation states that it is, and has been, a long standing invitation for anyone who will take the time and open the DOOR; who will take the time to make Him room. As I write this I recall the child-like wonder I experienced as I read the Chronicles of Narnia as a teenager, followed by a re-reading with our children. You may recall that the Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are the ones who stumble upon the enchanted wardrobe. Lucy, known for her bravery and kindness, was the first to walk through its door into the other worldly land of Narnia. It was her child-like heart that led her siblings to enter through the wardrobe, and to encounter Aslan. But her siblings took time to convince. Hebrews 2:11 refers to Jesus being our Brother. That’s is pretty awesome. (growing up I always wanted a brother) Yet there is one thing about our Brother that I believe He wants us to know: like Lucy, Jesus also has a child-like heart. He’s been trying to convince us that there’s another world waiting for those who will take the time to open His DOOR. A day with Jesus is not enough. He wants up to spend a lifetime with Him. The good news is His DOOR is open on this side of Eternity – for those who will allow the Spirit to activate their sanctified imaginations. Remember: What are you looking for? Where is He staying?

Rend the Heavens

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Frank Di Pietro, Rend the Heavens: “Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in Heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on the earth; and we the saint’s have to carry on intercession for all men.” – Oswald Chambers

“God has no greater controversy with His people than this, that with boundless promises to believing prayer, there are so few who actually give themselves to intercession.” – A.T. Pierson

“I used to think the prayer should have the first place and teaching the second. I now feel that it would be truer to give prayer the first, second, and third place, and teaching fourth.” – James O. Fraser

Deeper

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Ezekiel 47:6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

How deep are you spiritually? Our depth or lack thereof is simply the result of “spiritual reality.” Oswald Chamber states: “If you realize you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality – do not put blinders of reason on again.” Many in the church are not convinced of their spiritual poverty when it comes to the depths of the things of the Spirit. They simply wait around to be raptured into it – not realizing they have a part to play in the depths they are willing to go. They are no deeper because they’ve chosen to stay at the bank and watch others experience the depths. As the prophet Ezekiel was asked, “Son of man, have you seen this?” The prophet was shown the depths of the River – but he still had to choose the depths that he would go.

Ezekiel 47:1-5 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

The prophet had a choice. He had been shown the depths of the River – but after that he would have to make a choice regarding the depths he would go. Many have been shown the depths but are still clinging to the shore. No pastor, teacher, not even Jesus can make you wade out into the depths – you have got to take that uncertain, uncomfortable first step. Spiritual depth still requires a physical response. The question is, How long is too long to wait by the shore?

Launch Out Into the Deep

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Luke 5:4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

Yesterday’s message challenged us to launch out into the deep of the unknown but how many will let loose of the dock and leave the harbor of comfort, and security? This morning I thought it was appropriate that the devotional by Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost For His Highest” would have the following: Be determined to know more than others. If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself— begin to have spiritual discernment. When you know that you should do something and you do it, immediately you know more. …It is a dangerous thing to refuse to continue learning and knowing more.

My experience has revealed that most refuse to let go of the shelter of the dock to launch out into the deep things of the Spirit. Some will fool themselves into believing that they have already arrived, while others will continue waiting for the next high tide. Excuses will be made for their disobedience. Rationalizations will propose that when the conditions are right, and favorable – they will launch out. Don’t you believe it. You and I are not the kind of person to ever leave the safety and comfort of the dock, while the devil is quite happy to watch you waste away tied to your pride and fear. Don’t be mistaken, this invitation is Divine and the time is now. Will you launch out into the deep at the Master’s command, or will you continue sleeping safely in the harbor?

Being Saved and Seeing Jesus Are Not the Same

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Is it enough to “be saved?” Is there something deeper we are all called to? Do you only see what Jesus has done for you; what He can do for you? How big is your God? Is He big enough; bigger than your circumstances?

John 15:1 “I AM the True Vine…”

Vine in the Greek is “amphoteroi” which means “both the one and the other; both of the two.” How mind blowing is that? Mark 16:12 “After that He appeared in another form to two of them…” Oswald Chambers says the following: Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same….You should always recognize the difference between what you see Jesus to be and what He has done for you. If you see only what He has done for you, your God is not big enough…. Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark 16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.”

Seeing Jesus drives you to promote Him to be first, foremost and pre-eniment. Your life becomes intertwined with His because He is your life. But there’s more. “Both of the two.” We are both of the Father and the Son. We are both of the Spirit and the Word. He is the True Vine and we are simply extensions of Him – we are His branches.

The root words of the Greek word “Vine” reveal more: “amph” = “around.” As we are around Jesus we are changed and transformed. What’s entirely mind blowing is that He grows as He is around us – we are His Body. Paul states: [Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. Colossians 1:24

“Alon” = refers to a “ground plot or threshing floor.” We meet Jesus on the threshing floor as he cleanses us from the soil of Adam (Adamah = Hebrew for “dirt”). Within the “soil” of our hearts the Seed of His Spirit and Word are planted and He becomes the Rock of our planting. The Spirit and the Word working in unison to break us free from the packed, road ways of this world system, the blackbirds of the prince of the power of the air, and the thorns, weeds, and briars of the cares of this life. What is totally amazing is that God’s Temple in Jerusalem was built on a threshing floor: Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David his father, in the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2 Chronicles 3:1

According to the Apostle Paul you are the temple of the Lord: 1 Cor. 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. 

And what’s entirely amazing is that the Apostle Paul referred his reader to another aspect of the foundations of God’s Temple: 1 Chronicles 21:18-24 Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and set up an altar to the Lord in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. So David went up at Gad’s word, which he spoke in the name of the Lord. Now Ornan was threshing wheat, and he turned back and saw the angel; and his four sons hid themselves. And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw him, and went out from the threshing floor and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the Lord. You shall charge me the full price for it, that the plague may be averted from the people. Ornan said to David, Take it; and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. I give you the oxen also for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for wood and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all. And King David said to Ornan, No, but I will pay the full price. I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings which cost me nothing.

Jesus paid the “full price” to secure our salvation and the right to build His Temple in our heart.

Lastly there is the root word “Helisso” = “to coil; to wrap together.” Our dirt mixed with chaff and straw is crushed by the weight of His love, and the glory of seeing Him. We go beyond being saved to being wrapped in Him as He wraps His life around ours and we wrap our lives around Him. Through this intertwining and intermingling He pulls us up from the threshing floor – from the chaff, the straw, and the hard, packed soil. We are lifted from the soil into the Son, and watered by His Spirit. WE grow into the Vine as we see Him. Moving from simply being saved to knowing His resurrection and transformation.