Happy New Year to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith in Jesus Christ.
In Part 1 of this series (See Dec. 27, 2020 sermon), we learned that the “Message of the Manger” is that: We must humble ourselves unto God, lower ourselves to the level of every person and render service unto them, so that we may bring them to God, to receive Heaven’s peace. From the Lord’s manger to His cross, Jesus modeled these actions for all believers in Him. The Apostle Peter summed up Jesus’ ministry, saying that God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and power, and Jesus went forth doing good, healing all persons that were oppressed by the devil, as God was with Him. (Acts 10:38). Moreover, our Master Server Jesus Christ, laid down His life on the cross to take away the sins of the world, and on the third day, God raised Him from the dead. He didn’t stop there, but by His grace, while we were all in sin, God quickened, raised, and made us all sit together in heavenly places in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-7)
In Part 2 of the Message of the Manger, we closely examine this finished work of Christ—the seating of us together in heavenly places. For if Jesus had not come to earth and been laid in the manger, it would not have been possible for us all now to be seated in heavenly places in Him. God made us sit together in Jesus, so that we all might, “LIVE THE LIFE OF THE “RICH AND FAMOUS.” Now I know this sounds very odd to say, so let me help your understanding. What I mean, is that we have been seated in heavenly places so that we might have “EVERLASTING LIFE.” (John 3: 16) Jesus left His Father God in Heaven to come to earth to give all men eternal life. Everlasting life is not defined as life after death, or if you are a Christian, living in heaven after you die. However, living in heaven after you die is one of the benefits of having everlasting life.
In John 17:3, Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. We were all made to sit in Jesus, so that all people might “know” (come into intimate fellowship) with God and Jesus. The day that you heard the gospel of Christ preached and confessed Jesus as Lord—God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost took up residence in your born-again spirit. (I John 4:15) On that day, the will of God that had already been done in heaven, was accomplished in you on earth! God and Jesus now live on the inside of you, so that you can know Him in a deep and personal way. God is love and He wants to reveal to us the depths and fullness of Himself. (Ephesians 3: 14-19). He wants us to dwell in the secret place of the most high—in a spiritual bubble if you will—where the dangers, hardships, and persecutions of the world make no difference to us. Instead, we live with Heaven’s Peace on the inside of us—just as the multitude of angels announced to the shepherds on the day of the Lord’s birth! (Luke 2: 14)
Having everlasting life makes a Christian rich and famous. As you seek a closer relationship with God, He abundantly rewards those who diligently chase after Him! (Hebrews. 11:6) When you chase after God, material things will chase after you! In Ephesians 2:7, we see the intent of God to graciously give to everyone seated in heavenly places riches (wealth, money, and possessions) throughout all eternity through Jesus Christ. In fact, many scriptures bear witness to this truth:
*Ephesians 1:3-7, God has blessed all those who are in Christ with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places. The blessing of the Lord empowers us to become rich. (Prov. 10:22). In heaven, we are famous because God has made us holy, blameless, and accepted in the beloved.
* II Peter 1: 3-4, God has given to us all things that relate to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. The more you know God, the more material things are placed under your control and you grow in righteousness and integrity.
* Revelation 1:5-6, Jesus loved us so much that He washed us in His own blood from our sins and made us all kings and priest unto God—entrusting us with power and authority to reign on earth as Jesus is in heaven. (I John 4:17)
God made us all rich and famous for a desired-end. In I Timothy 6:17-19, the Apostle Paul commanded that the rich and famous (believers) be not high-minded nor put their trust in riches—but in God only. As Christians we must be willing to come down from our heavenly place in Christ, and serve all people in need from the abundance of good things He has given us. We must be willing and ready to share both our spiritual and material wealth with all people. God wants all people and families of the earth to be blessed, as He promised Abraham would happen through His seed (Jesus Christ). (Genesis 12:1-3) When we communicate to others good things, we in turn lay hold on eternal life—meaning we grow deeper in our relationship with God. So, in essence, Paul was relaying to Timothy, the “Message of the Manger.”
Earlier I mentioned that God has given to us all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. One of the blessings we possess is called, “Peace.” At John 14: 27, Jesus gave to His disciples His Peace—it’s a spiritual blessing that causes prosperity to flow into the life of another person. Peace causes the person and those matters concerning them, to be set at one again, or to be made whole spiritually, physically, financially and socially. And with the Lord’s peace, the Christian’s heart and mind can be controlled when trouble shows up. As the Rich and Famous, Christians are to always be ready and willing to share our peace with others.
Our peace is transferrable to others who are willing to believe in Jesus Christ. (Luke 10: 2-9 & Numbers 6: 22-27) When the believer goes out to reap the lost and preaches the gospel of Christ, the believer should first say, “Peace be unto You.” If the person is receptive to the message of the gospel, Heaven’s Peace (prosperity) will rest on that person and household. Thereafter, the believer can do the good works of healing the sick and delivering the oppressed from demonic influence within the household. Moreover, the Christians peace can be multiplied among fellow believers as they grow in the knowledge of Jesus. (II Peter. 1:2, Ephesians. 1:2, and Galatians 1: 3)
As we enter 2021, let us become doers of the word, and not hearers only. There are so many in the world who need to be lifted up and brought to God to receive the peace of heaven. Just open your hearts and mouths and sow the word “Peace” into the lives of those who are sick, homeless, jobless, hungry, and imprisoned. And, then go about reaching into the material resources that God has given you and distribute to those in need. Our ministry focus this year will be on loving one another into complete restoration so that we may carryout to its fullest extent the message of the Messiah’s manger.