The Firstborn of Every Creature
February 27, 2011
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15)
A widespread cult heresy based on this verse claims that Jesus Christ was not eternal, but merely the first being created--perhaps an angel--before becoming a man. Note, however, that the verse does not say He was the "first created of every creature," but the "first born of every creature," and there is a big difference. In fact, the very next verse says that "by him were all things created" (v. 16). He was never created, for He Himself is the Creator. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3).
He is "born" of God, not "made," the "only begotten Son" of God (John 3:16). "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). The eternal Father is omnipresent, and therefore invisible, inaudible, inaccessible to the physical senses. The eternally existing Son is the "image" of the invisible Father, the One who declares, reveals, embodies His essence. Although He is always "in the bosom of the Father," yet He is eternally also "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3). He is the eternal, living Word, which was "in the beginning with God" (John 1:2), and which "was God" (John 1:1).
Thus the phrase "firstborn of every creature" in our text can be translated literally as "begotten before all creation." The eternal inter-relationship of the Persons of the Godhead is beyond human comprehension in its fullness, and the terms, "Son" and "begotten" are the best human language can do to describe it. Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the only begotten, eternally generated, Son of the Father, forever shining forth as the image of the otherwise invisible God. HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday Sermonette
Fear of Witnessing
February 20, 2011
"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." (Acts 4:18)
Every Christian knows that he or she should witness for Christ, but most are very reluctant to speak in His name very often. The most obvious reason for this hesitancy is fear. Sometimes we may be actually forbidden, as were the apostles, to teach of Him, but their courageous answer was: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29), and so they prayed: "Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (Acts 4:29).
More common than fear of physical persecution or personal harm, however, is fear of ridicule, or loss of prestige or position. Such fear is out of character for real Christians, "for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). If we love the Lord and those for whom He died, we must learn to conquer our fear of men.
One of the saddest rebukes that could come to a Christian is the indictment lodged against those believers who, because of their high position, refused to take an open stand for Christ: "Among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43). How often do modern professional and business men--even theologians--compromise their stand for Christ and His inerrant Word because of fear of peer pressure in what should be their spheres of influence and testimony?
May God give us the courage of Paul. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," he wrote, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
February 20, 2011
"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." (Acts 4:18)
Every Christian knows that he or she should witness for Christ, but most are very reluctant to speak in His name very often. The most obvious reason for this hesitancy is fear. Sometimes we may be actually forbidden, as were the apostles, to teach of Him, but their courageous answer was: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29), and so they prayed: "Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (Acts 4:29).
More common than fear of physical persecution or personal harm, however, is fear of ridicule, or loss of prestige or position. Such fear is out of character for real Christians, "for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). If we love the Lord and those for whom He died, we must learn to conquer our fear of men.
One of the saddest rebukes that could come to a Christian is the indictment lodged against those believers who, because of their high position, refused to take an open stand for Christ: "Among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43). How often do modern professional and business men--even theologians--compromise their stand for Christ and His inerrant Word because of fear of peer pressure in what should be their spheres of influence and testimony?
May God give us the courage of Paul. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," he wrote, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
Thursday, February 17, 2011
My absence
My apologies for the absence for the past few weeks. Both my computers toasted and I just today received a new laptop. I will be back on this following Sunday, and will attempt to bring in some more items of interest as well. Thank you all for your patience. God bless you all.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday Sermonette
Treasure in Heaven
January 30, 2011
"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." (Luke 12:33)
The Lord Jesus frequently warned us against trying to accumulate wealth here on earth. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," He said. Rather, "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). In our text above, He even says to sell what we have and give it away. To the rich young ruler, He said: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven" (Matthew 19:21).
God's Word cannot contradict itself, however, so this teaching must also be balanced against a man's responsibility to "provide . . . for his own, and specially for those of his own house" (1 Timothy 5:8). Similarly, "the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children" (2 Corinthians 12:14).
We are also encouraged to "give to him that needeth" (Ephesians 4:28) and to sow "bountifully" as "a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Such instructions imply that by faithful labor in the vocations God has given us, we shall have the wherewithal to do such things. Ananias and Sapphira were punished, not for retaining part of their possessions for their own needs, but rather, because they lied about it (Acts 5:1-10). Our giving should be done "with simplicity"--that is, with "singleness" of heart (Romans 12:8).
All we have is of the Lord and should be used in ways that honor Him, in accord with His Word and His providential leading. We should provide judiciously for the needs of those dependent on us, but our own personal needs and wants should be kept minimal, so that more can be used in His service and to meet the needs of others. HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
January 30, 2011
"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." (Luke 12:33)
The Lord Jesus frequently warned us against trying to accumulate wealth here on earth. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," He said. Rather, "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). In our text above, He even says to sell what we have and give it away. To the rich young ruler, He said: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven" (Matthew 19:21).
God's Word cannot contradict itself, however, so this teaching must also be balanced against a man's responsibility to "provide . . . for his own, and specially for those of his own house" (1 Timothy 5:8). Similarly, "the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children" (2 Corinthians 12:14).
We are also encouraged to "give to him that needeth" (Ephesians 4:28) and to sow "bountifully" as "a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Such instructions imply that by faithful labor in the vocations God has given us, we shall have the wherewithal to do such things. Ananias and Sapphira were punished, not for retaining part of their possessions for their own needs, but rather, because they lied about it (Acts 5:1-10). Our giving should be done "with simplicity"--that is, with "singleness" of heart (Romans 12:8).
All we have is of the Lord and should be used in ways that honor Him, in accord with His Word and His providential leading. We should provide judiciously for the needs of those dependent on us, but our own personal needs and wants should be kept minimal, so that more can be used in His service and to meet the needs of others. HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday Sermonette
Thy Light and Thy Truth
January 23, 2011
"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." (Psalm 43:3)
This old troubled world desperately needs light to find the way out of its darkness and truth to rightly plan its future. But they must be God's light and God's truth, not the seductive lights and humanistic philosophies of man's fabrications.
God has, indeed, already sent out His light and His truth, but "men loved darkness rather than light" (John 3:19) and, although they profess to be "ever learning," they yet are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" and, in fact, "turn away their ears from the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4).
That was true in the psalmist's day, and perhaps even more so in our day, although we surely have far more light and access to truth today than the psalmist ever had. We now have, for example, God's complete written Word (Genesis through Revelation). Another psalmist had promised: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105), and also had promised, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light" (Proverbs 6:23).
God's truth surely is what we need--in fact, all we need--for our faith as we look to our future. This also is revealedin the light of His Word, both His inspired written Word and His incarnate living Word. The Lord Jesus not only claimed "I am . . . the truth" (John 14:6), He also prayed for us, saying: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). And for all who believe His revealed truth; "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
January 23, 2011
"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." (Psalm 43:3)
This old troubled world desperately needs light to find the way out of its darkness and truth to rightly plan its future. But they must be God's light and God's truth, not the seductive lights and humanistic philosophies of man's fabrications.
God has, indeed, already sent out His light and His truth, but "men loved darkness rather than light" (John 3:19) and, although they profess to be "ever learning," they yet are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" and, in fact, "turn away their ears from the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4).
That was true in the psalmist's day, and perhaps even more so in our day, although we surely have far more light and access to truth today than the psalmist ever had. We now have, for example, God's complete written Word (Genesis through Revelation). Another psalmist had promised: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105), and also had promised, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light" (Proverbs 6:23).
God's truth surely is what we need--in fact, all we need--for our faith as we look to our future. This also is revealedin the light of His Word, both His inspired written Word and His incarnate living Word. The Lord Jesus not only claimed "I am . . . the truth" (John 14:6), He also prayed for us, saying: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). And for all who believe His revealed truth; "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday Sermonette
Father of Believers
January 16, 2011
"And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
The key New Testament doctrine of imputed righteousness, received through saving faith in the Word of God, is foreshadowed beautifully in the life of Abraham. Because of his strong faith, demonstrated again and again in difficult acts of obedience, Abraham has been called "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11). Our text verse is quoted four times in the New Testament (Romans 4:3, 22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23) and is made the basis of the great gospel theme of salvation and righteousness. This is obtained, not by one's good works, but by imputation, and is received through faith in the gracious promises of God through Jesus Christ. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure . . . to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all" (Romans 4:16). Just as "Jerusalem which is above . . . is the mother of us all" (Galatians 4:26), so faithful Abraham is "the father of us all." Spiritual Jerusalem speaks of salvation by grace, rather than by law, and Abraham testifies of righteousness through faith, rather than by works. And yet, 12 of the 40 verses of Hebrews 11, the great "faith chapter," deal with the outward evidences of Abraham's inner faith.
There is still another reference to Abraham's spiritual seed: "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham" (Galatians 3:7). As Abraham's spiritual children, therefore, we also ought to believe God's Word at whatever cost, demonstrating the reality of our faith to the world--as did father Abraham--by obeying God. HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
January 16, 2011
"And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
The key New Testament doctrine of imputed righteousness, received through saving faith in the Word of God, is foreshadowed beautifully in the life of Abraham. Because of his strong faith, demonstrated again and again in difficult acts of obedience, Abraham has been called "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11). Our text verse is quoted four times in the New Testament (Romans 4:3, 22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23) and is made the basis of the great gospel theme of salvation and righteousness. This is obtained, not by one's good works, but by imputation, and is received through faith in the gracious promises of God through Jesus Christ. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure . . . to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all" (Romans 4:16). Just as "Jerusalem which is above . . . is the mother of us all" (Galatians 4:26), so faithful Abraham is "the father of us all." Spiritual Jerusalem speaks of salvation by grace, rather than by law, and Abraham testifies of righteousness through faith, rather than by works. And yet, 12 of the 40 verses of Hebrews 11, the great "faith chapter," deal with the outward evidences of Abraham's inner faith.
There is still another reference to Abraham's spiritual seed: "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham" (Galatians 3:7). As Abraham's spiritual children, therefore, we also ought to believe God's Word at whatever cost, demonstrating the reality of our faith to the world--as did father Abraham--by obeying God. HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday Sermonette
Creation in Praise of God
January 9, 2011
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)
Every now and again, the biblical writers were so lifted up in spirit as they contemplated the glory of God and His great works of creation and redemption that they could sense the very creation itself singing out in happy praises. "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1) is one of the most familiar of these divinely inspired figures of speech, but there are many others. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: . . . Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. . . . Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth" (Psalm 98:4, 7-9).
Often these praises are in contemplation of God's final return to complete and fulfill all His primeval purposes in creation, as in the above passage. This better time is also in view in our text, which looks forward to a time when "instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 55:13). God has triumphed over evil!
And this all points ahead to the eventual removal of the great curse which now dominates creation because of man's sin (Genesis 3:14-19). For the present, "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). One day, however, the groaning creation "shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption" (Romans 8:21). Therefore, "let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; . . . Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice" (Psalm 96:11-12). HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
January 9, 2011
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)
Every now and again, the biblical writers were so lifted up in spirit as they contemplated the glory of God and His great works of creation and redemption that they could sense the very creation itself singing out in happy praises. "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1) is one of the most familiar of these divinely inspired figures of speech, but there are many others. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: . . . Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. . . . Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth" (Psalm 98:4, 7-9).
Often these praises are in contemplation of God's final return to complete and fulfill all His primeval purposes in creation, as in the above passage. This better time is also in view in our text, which looks forward to a time when "instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 55:13). God has triumphed over evil!
And this all points ahead to the eventual removal of the great curse which now dominates creation because of man's sin (Genesis 3:14-19). For the present, "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). One day, however, the groaning creation "shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption" (Romans 8:21). Therefore, "let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; . . . Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice" (Psalm 96:11-12). HMM
h/t: HENRY M MORRIS, INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
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