GODHEAD

GOD
I. His Being
II. His nature
III. His character
IV. His will
V. His subsistence
VI. His Fatherhood

SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS

JESUS: Salvation John 10:9
HOLY SPIRIT: Spirit Acts 9:17
THE FATHER: Submission Colossians 4:12

Contrary to much (incorrect) teaching, our walk with Jesus just starts with salvation. We are then to move on to experience the power of the release of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To reach maturity we also must submit our will to that of the Father, the ultimate challenge for us all!

JESUS: The Sacrifice Hebrews 9:13-14, 10:9-10
HOLY SPIRIT: The Seal Acts1:4-5,2:1-4,Eph.1:13-14
THE FATHER: The Promise Hebrews 8:10

Incredibly, way back in the time of Jeremiah, the Father promised that He would become 'internal' (grace) rather than 'external'. (as under the Law) This was the promise of the New Covenant (Testament) we live under today.

The cost or sacrifice of the transaction was the life of Jesus, the Father's only son, crucified for you and for me.

The signature, or seal, of the Covenant was the deposit of the Holy Spirit, living inside us today.

How faith building! All foretold 600 years before it happened. And still experienced in our lives today!

JESUS: Body 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
HOLY SPIRIT: Spirit 1 Corinthians 7:34
THE FATHER: Soul Matthew 10:28,16:26

We are made in the image of God, of 3 parts, two invisible, one (often too much!) visible.

JESUS: Mind Romans 12:2
HOLY SPIRIT: Emotions (Heart) Romans 10:9-10
THE FATHER: Will 1 Corinthians 7:37

Our soul, or personality, the uniqueness that makes each of us different to the other, is also made up of 3 parts. We think with our mind, feel with our emotions, and act through our will.

We believe in Jesus, primarily with our mind, we release the Holy Spirit, primarily in our emotional area and obey the Father, through our will. All three areas need to be subjected to our God.

JESUS: Hope 1 Thessalonians 5:8
HOLY SPIRIT: Faith Romans 1:17
THE FATHER: Love 1 Corinthians 16:14

We are to live our lives victorious in the hope of the salvation of Jesus, full of faith, built up by the Holy Spirit within, loving the Father and others above our own needs and desires.

JESUS: Sparrow Psalm 84:3-4
HOLY SPIRIT: Dove John 1:32-34
THE FATHER: Eagle Revelation 12:14

We can twitter round near the ground, simply accepting the salvation of Jesus, as does the sparrow. Or we can fly like the dove (pigeon) through the power of the Holy Spirit. Or again, we can soar to the mountaintops, through obedience to the Father. The choice is ours.

Interestingly, in the bird world, there are many more sparrows than doves, and even fewer eagles. First in the natural, then the spiritual.

JESUS: Myrrh Mark 15:23
HOLY SPIRIT: (Frank)incense Exodus 30:34
THE FATHER: Gold Exodus 25:10-22

It now comes as no surprise that 3 gifts were given to the baby Jesus.

The gold recognised His kingship, the frankincense His divinity and the myrrh, His sacrifice.

For us, the gold represents love, the frankincense faith, and the myrrh, trials and testings. All at the core of our walk with Jesus.

JESUS: One Talent Matthew 25:18
HOLY SPIRIT: Two Talents Matthew 25:16
THE FATHER: Five Talents Matthew 25:17

We're all given different talents and abilities. We are required to use them for God to the full extent of our capabilities. It is not a competition, one with another, but rather, a matter of utilising fully, that which we have been given.

JESUS: Kept 1 Mina Luke 19:20-24
HOLY SPIRIT: Earned 5 Minas Luke 19:18-19
THE FATHER: Earned 10 Minas Luke 19:16-17

A parallel story, reflecting also that our heavenly rewards will be determined by our actions now.

JESUS: Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4
HOLY SPIRIT: Service 1 Corinthians 12:5
THE FATHER: Working 1 Corinthians 12:6

Following along from the 2 parables, our giftings are to be used for service and works.

JESUS: The Way
HOLY SPIRIT: The Truth
THE FATHER: The Life

Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Jesus embodies all truth.
Jesus gives us His life.

JESUS: 3x1 = 3
HOLY SPIRIT: 3x3 = 9
THE FATHER: 3x3x3 = 27

No scriptural backing! But from observation, the 'multiplier effect' applies to our spiritual walk. Those who simply rely upon Jesus have some effect. Those who have experienced the baptism or release of the Holy Spirit are generally keener for God and often produce considerably more fruit. But it is those who have also become 'one with the Father's will' who finally fulfil their heavenly potential with the talents they have been personally given. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required.

This list, while not complete, is comprehensive enough to switch the light on, even in my simple mind. Surely all these similarities cannot be just chance? I think that God is trying to say something here – in fact I am sure of it - because He has confirmed it to me. How about you?

Yes, the pattern is there for all to see. The Christian walk is a journey towards maturity, not just an event. It saddens me to meet people whose only highlight in their walk with Jesus has been their salvation. This applies also to those who stop at the baptism, or release, of the Holy Spirit. For there is so much more to be had! Today, God is calling us as individuals and a ‘church’, to a new level of faith, commitment and maturity in Him.

When I speak to groups of pastors and leaders, this teaching on the progressive nature of the development of 'the Church' opens new realms of understanding of the church system or order, and of the dynamics that sadly, so often divide the Church today.

Unfortunately, Christians have a reputation in the world of being more concerned about criticising each other, than evangelising non believers!

I trust next week's study will give you a better understanding of where you, and others, are at in terms of God's plan for His Church. And to help each of us develop a greater level of tolerance and co-operation with other Christians and Churches.

And finally, to point the way to the future. For the Church has not yet 'arrived' at its final destination. To become 'the bride dressed in pure white linen', fully ready for the return of Jesus.

As mentioned earlier, it is such a faith strengthener to me to see the patterns of God repeated throughout His Word. To understand that He is consistent, both in His form and in His approach to me.

I trust it helps you too.

AN INDIAN CHURCH

This church appealed to me for it's uniqueness, if not as a speaking venue, from behind the bars! One advantage though, is having some protection if the congregation doesn't like what you are preaching! Very colourful too. A different experience.