JESUS! In Word and Song

WEEK 50

DWELL SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS

The Holy Spirit is our Guide, not only to show us the way, but to go with us by continued aids and influences. To be led into a truth is more than barely to know it; it is not only to have the notion of it in our heads, but the relish, and savour, and power of it in our hearts.¹

“[T]he Helper, the Holy Spirit will teach you all things.” (John 14:26 ESV).

‘The abiding Indweller, the Spirit, is perpetually admonishing, leading, drawing, and constraining the soul.”²

It is the Holy Spirit who guides us into the right path for us to walk and convicts us of our sin if we stray from that path. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of the truth of God’s Word and teaches us how to apply God’s Word to our daily lives. It is the Holy Spirit who works in us to conform us to the image of Christ Jesus, and who works through us to minister the presence and power of Christ to others.³

“We are lacking in great doctrinal hymns concerning the Holy Spirit and His work. [T]hese hymns that beseech Him to come into the Church and to come upon us, and to do this and that – are thoroughly unscriptural.”⁴

The below hymn “which as a plea for spiritual realism, responsiveness, repentance, righteousness, and reviving of spirit in and through Christ is as near perfect as we are ever likely to get.”⁵ The verses are almost verbatim from the hymn, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come.”

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

Dwell Spirit in our hearts, show us that loving Man

The Lord of Hosts, the Mighty God, the Eternal Prince of Peace.

Convince us of our sin, then lead to Jesus’s blood,

And to our won’dring view reveal the secret love of God

‘Tis thine to cleanse the heart, to sanctify the soul,

to pour fresh life in ev’ry part, and new-create the whole.

Revive our drooping faith, our doubts and fears remove.

Then shall we know, and praise, and love, the Father, Son, and Thee.⁶

“Humans become like what they adore. The Spirit works to foster adoration of Christ so that people will become like him. Thus, sanctification flows from adoration, and both are accomplished by the Spirit in the believer’s life.”⁷

ENDNOTES

(50) Go With the SPIRIT

1. Matthew Henry, “Complete Commentary on John 16,” 1706, Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible, 09 April 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mhm/john-16.html.

2. Octavius Winslow, Evening Thoughts (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2005) August 9^th.

3. Charles F. Stanley, Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2005) ix.

4. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2003) 2:6.

5. J.I. Packer, Keep in Step With the Spirit (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1984) 261-262.

6. Joseph Hart, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come,” 1759, Hymnary, 09 April 2021 https://hymnary.org/text/come_holy_spirit_come_let_thy_bright_bea.

7. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2521.

8. “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. . . .” (Psalm 127:1 ESV).

9. “ . . . all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. . . .” (Isaiah 64:6 ESV).

JESUS! In Word and Song

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WEEK 48

THIS JESUS—

WHAT HE DID FOR ME_2

JESUS pities my weaknesses: (Heb 4:15).

“Jesus is able to identify with his people because of his human experience and the sufferings he endured while being tempted.”¹

My sin was assigned to CHRIST and His righteousness to me: (2 Cor 5:21).

“God has imputed the believer’s sin to Christ and likewise imputes Christ’s righteousness to the believer.”²

In CHRIST I am blessed with every spiritual blessing: (Eph 1:3).

“God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in which life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel,”³ “in things suited to prepare us for heaven.”⁴

JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT: (Titus 3:5-7).

“I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you’ (John 15:5-7).”⁵

I have fellowship with the FATHER and the SON: (1 Cor 1:9).

Only upon the broad basis of His Law honored, His holiness secured, and His justice satisfied, can God, in the way of mercy, have communication with the sinner. Here we see the great glory of Jesus as the God-Man Mediator. His atoning work opens a channel through which God, without compromising a single perfection of His nature, can communicate the saving and sanctifying power of His grace to the soul.⁶

He saved me from GOD’s wrath: (1 Thes 1:10).

“Christians go beyond avoiding God’s wrath and actually rejoice in the same God who would pour our wrath on them were it not for Christ.”⁷

CHRIST gives me eternal life: (Heb 9:12).

“[T]he Lord Jesus obtained eternal redemption for His people, and, by rising as the Representative, gave pledge that they too should rise after His example, through His merits and power.”⁸

The believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ: (2 Pet 1:4).

“From Christ as from a fountain sanctification flows into the souls of the saints.”⁹

As was the Master, so must the servant be. On His way to the cross, He looked round and said, ‘Follow me’ (Joh 12:26). On his way to the throne, after He had passed the cross, He said the same (Joh 21:22). To the cross and to the crown alike, then, we are to follow Him. It is one way to both.¹⁰

ENDNOTES

(48) JESUS Is the Mediator

1. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2367.

2. ESV Study Bible, 2231.

3. Adam Clarke, “Commentary on Ephesians 1:3,” 1832, Adam Clarke Commentary, 2 March 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ephesians/1-3.html#verse-acc.

4. Albert Barnes, “Commentary on Ephesians 1:3,” 1870, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible, 2 March 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ephesians/1-3.html#verse-bnb.

5. Arthur W. Pink, “The Exaltation of Christ,” Studies in the Scriptures XI (August 1932) : 2.

6. Octavius Winslow, “Christ and Sanctification,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 15.

7. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2166.

8. Arthur W. Pink, “The Exaltation of Christ,” Studies in the Scriptures XI (August 1932) : 1.

9. Dane C. Ortlund, Deeper (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021) 51.

10. Horativus Bonar, “Let Us Then Shine!,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 42.

11. “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant . . .” (Hebrews 9:15 ESV).

12. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 ESV).

13. “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant . . .” (Hebrews 9:15 ESV).

14. “For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’” (Hebrews 7:17 ESV).

15. “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22 ESV).

16. “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14 ESV).

17. “ . . . the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV).

18. “. . . the Lamb . . . is Lord of lords and King of kings . . .” (Revelations 17:14 ESV).

19. “ . . . Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 9:5 ESV).

20. “ . . . To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV).

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WEEK 47

THIS JESUS—

WHAT HE DID FOR ME_1

“Christ was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you, who through him are believers in God” (1 Pet 1:19-21 ESV).

“CHRIST indeed finds His people entirely destitute of holiness and of every desire after it, but He does not leave them in that state. He produces in them a sincere love to God and a real pleasure in His ways.”¹

JESUS delivered me out of this present evil age (Gal 1:4). He became to me wisdom from GOD (1 Cor 1:30).

A Christian finds that there is enough in Christ to make him holy, that, in simply taking his sins to Jesus, they are pardoned; in taking his strong infirmities, they are subdued; in taking his wants, they are supplied. In a word, he finds Christ to be his ‘wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.’²

He is my sanctification and redemption (1 Cor 1:30). Through Him I am filled with the fruit of righteousness (Phil 1:11). In CHRIST I have been made complete (Col 2:10).

JESUS has been appointed for me (Acts 3:20). He suffered for me (1 Pet 2:21). He forgives all my trespasses (Col 2:13) and cancels my certificate of death (Col 2:14).

JESUS suffered that He might bring me to GOD (1 Pet 3:18). I am reconciled through His fleshly body through death. He presents me before GOD blameless and above reproach (Col 1:22). Salvation is not found in anyone else; in no other name but JESUS can I be saved (Acts 4:12).

I have been raised with CHRIST (Col 3:1). GOD makes me alive together with Him (Col 2:13). I have died and my life is hidden with CHRIST in GOD (Col 3:3).

Eternal life is the life of Jesus in us. He who has the son, has the life. And Jesus himself has promised, ‘I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you.’ He imparts his life to us through the Holy Spirit as an act of his sovereign grace when he miraculously regenerates us, cleanses us from all sin, gives us a new heart and a new spirit and causes us to be born again.³

He is in me (Col 1:27); it is no longer I who live but CHRIST lives in me (Gal 2:20). CHRIST is my life (Col 3:4). He will sustain me to the end, guiltless (1 Cor 1:8). And I will be revealed with Him in glory (Col 3:4).

ENDNOTES

(47) This JESUS, Has Made Me Alive

Abraham Booth, “The Motive of Sanctification,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 30.
Octavius Winslow, “Christ and Sanctification,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 17.

3. Denny Johnson, “Going On to Maturity,” NHC sermon notes, 11 July 2021: 7.

4. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him,”(Colossians 2:13 ESV).

5. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3 ESV).

6. Colossians 3:3.

7. “ . . . that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,” (Acts 3:20 ESV).

8. “ . . . wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV).

9. “And you . . .God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,” (Colossians 2:13 ESV).

10. “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14 ESV).

11. “ . . Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father . . .” (Romans 6:4 ESV).

12. “. . . Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2 ESV).

13. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’” (Acts 4:12 ESV).

14. “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” (Colossians 1:22 ESV).

15. “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,” (1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV).

16. “and you have been filled in him . . .” (Colossians 2:10 ESV).

17. “ . . . the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5 ESV).

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WEEK 42

THIS JESUS—

What He Did_2

“It’s easy to forget that nothing we do will make us more acceptable to God. Jesus came to set us free to serve Him in the freshness and spontaneity of the Spirit, and to receive the ABUNDANT blessing God has for us.”¹

JESUS gave redemption through His blood:(Eph 1:7).

“By it, [the cross of CHRIST] the body of sin is wounded, and wounded fatally. From it, pardon, peace, and holiness flow. And through it, the soul daily rises to God in a holy surrender of itself to His service.”²

He became a curse for His spiritual children:(Gal 3:13).

“Christ Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:5-6 ESV).

JESUS broke down the dividing wall of hostility:(Eph 2:13).

“Jews and Greeks [have] been transcended by a new entity in Christ: ‘the church of God’.”³

He is the high priest:(Heb 7:26).

CHRIST “has become a priest by the power of an indestructible life”(Heb 7:16 ESV). “[T]he high priest acts on behalf of men in relation to God. That is he acts as a mediator.”⁴“Jesus’ resurrection from the dead indicates his eternal priesthood. Death could not conquer Jesus; therefore, his priesthood lasts forever.”⁵

JESUS became the Perfecter of Faith:(Heb 12:2).

“Through his atoning work, Christ’s perfection leads to the perfection of his people.”⁶

JESUS abolished death and brought life:(2 Tim 1:10).

“We come to Him for life, or rather, first of all, He comes to us with life.”⁷

He is the wisdom and knowledge of GOD:(1 Cor 1:24).

“Christ is the image of God. God has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:4,6).

He filled believers with His SPIRIT:(2 Tim 1:14).

“[T]he Spirit does His work not exerting a mere influence, but coming into us and abiding with us; so that being filled with His company, as well as pervaded by His power, we are thoroughly ‘transformed.’”⁸

JESUS became the first-born of the dead:(Rev 1:5).

“Jesus Christ [is] risen from the dead” (2 Tim 2:8 ESV). “He alone came back from death never to die again, being the first of many to triumph over death.”⁹

ENDNOTES

(42) JESUS Is Founder of Faith

1. Roy and Revel Hession, We Would See Jesus (Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications, 1958, 2010) back cover.

2. Octavius Winslow, “Christ and Sanctification,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 15, brackets mine.

3. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2265.

4. Jared Dymond, “Hebrews 5:1-10,” New Hope Church sermon notes, 06 March 2022: 3.

5. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2371.

6. ESV Study Bible, 2383.

7. Horatius Bonar, “Let Us Then Shine,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 42.

8. Bonar, 43.

9. James Burton Coffman, “Commentary on Revelation 1:5,” 1983-1999, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, 1 March 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/revelation/1-5.html#verse-bcc.

10. “ . . . Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith . . .” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV).

11. :Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand . . .” (Romans 5:2 ESV).

12. “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14 ESV).

13. “ . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,” (Ephesians 2:15 ESV).

14. “ . . . Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith . . .” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV).

15. “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14 ESV).

16. “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,” (Ephesians 1:22 ESV).

17. “ . . . the church submits to Christ . . .” (Ephesians 5:24 ESV).

18. “ . . . the Lamb . . . is Lord of lords and King of kings . . .” (Revelations 17:14 ESV).

19. “ . . . Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 9:5 ESV).

20. “ . . . To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV).

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WEEK 36

THIS JESUS—

Who He Is_1

“He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Tim 3:16 ESV).

JESUS is the ruler of GOD’s creation (Col 1:15)—He’s the Son of GOD (2 Cor 1:19). He’s the image of the invisible GOD (Col 1:15), the exact imprint (Heb 1:3). He is GOD’s mystery (Col 2:2)—the Cornerstone (Eph 2:20). He is “a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation”(Isa 28:16 ESV).

CHRIST is all and in all (Col 3:11)—fills all in all (Eph 1:23). Through Him are all things (1 Cor 8:6); He is heir of all things (Heb 1:2). He is head over all rule and authority (Col 2:9-10), and judges the living and the dead (2 Tim 4:1). Therefore He is called, “the Author of Life” (Acts 3:15). “Jesus is the Lord, the Maker and Upholder of all things in the universe.”¹

All the fullness of Deity dwells in Him and through Him (Col 1:19-20). “[W]hat he naturally and necessarily enjoys [is] by a participation of the same undivided nature and essence with the Father and Spirit.”²

JESUS was anointed by GOD with the HOLY SPIRIT and power (Acts 10:38). He is both LORD and CHRIST (Acts 2:36)—Mediator between GOD and man (1 Tim 2:5).

The CHRIST is JESUS (Acts 5:42). On earth He was meek and gentle (2 Cor 10:1)—and suffered greatly (Acts 3:18)—to eventually be delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of GOD (Acts 2:23).

“Christ has the rights or privileges of the ‘first-born.’ [T]his does not mean that Jesus was the first being created for both the Father and the Son have always been.”³

It was impossible for Him to be held by death’s power (Acts 2:24). He was raised from the dead by the glory of the FATHER (Rom 6:4). Therefore He is the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:18) never to die again. Death no longer has dominion over Him (Rom 6:9). And He delivers those who fear death (Heb 2:5).

He has been exalted to the right hand of GOD (Acts 2:33); and is now Head of the body—the church (Col 1:18). His throne is forever and ever (Heb 1:8).

“While yet upon earth our dear Lord commenced that work of intercession for the sanctification of the church, which He ascended on high more fully to carry on. This was the burden of His prayer, ‘Sanctify them through thy truth’ (John 17:17).”⁴

ENDNOTES

(36) This JESUS, the Cornerstone

1. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2294.

2. John Gill, “Commentary on Colossians 1:19,” 1999, The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible, 22 February 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/colossians/1-19.html#verse-geb.

3. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994) 243.

4. Octavius Winslow, “Christ and Sanctification,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 16.

5. “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,” (Ephesians 2:20 ESV).

6. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV).

7. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things . . .” (Colossians 1:19-20 ESV).

8. “ . . . Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father . . .” (Romans 6:4 ESV).

9. “ . . . Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering. . .” (Ephesians 5:2 ESV).

10. “God spoke . . . to us by his Son . . . the heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2 ESV).

11. “ . . . Christ . . . the head of all rule and authority” (Colossians 2:8,10 ESV).

12. “ . . . the Son of God, Jesus Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 1:19 ESV).

13. “For by him all things were created . . .” (Colossians 1:16 ESV).

14. “But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits . . .” (1 Corinthians 15:23 ESV).

15. “And he is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18 ESV).

16. “ . . . God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus . . .” (Acts 2:36 ESV).

17. “ . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38 ESV).

18. “And he . . .gave him as head over all things to the church,” (Ephesians 1:22 ESV).

19. “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25 ESV).

20. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16 ESV).

21. “and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses” (Acts 3:15 ESV).

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WEEK 15

THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS

“The Heidelberg Catechism says that Christ sustained the anger of God against the sin of His people ‘during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end’ (Q&A 37).”¹

“One who is the Creator of the universe lived His life on the same plane ours is lived, passed through the same trials we experience, and suffered not only as we do, but far more acutely.”²

A large boulder on the seashore takes the full force of each wave, while small rocks and pebbles move back and forth with the waves. JESUS took the full brunt of resistance against Him (for He never sinned), while we move back and forth with sin making it not as severe as the suffering of JESUS.

He was made perfect ‘through suffering’ (Heb 2:10). Therefore we should see all the hardship and suffering that comes to us in life as something that God brings to us to do us good, strengthening our trust in him and our obedience, and ultimately increasing our ability to glorify him.³

The suffering of JESUS consisted of two reasons: (1) He suffered because He was the Son of GOD and spoke Truth and lived it out (Matt 4:17) and (2) He suffered because He was the Son of Man and tempted to sin but did not (Heb 2:18).

Scripture speaks of two kinds of suffering Christians experience: (1) We will suffer as JESUS suffered by unholy men because we speak Truth and live it out (Acts 4:1-3) and (2) we will suffer because we are mere men; we’re tempted to sin, and succumb to it (1 John 1:8).

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12 ESV).

The indwelling of Christ in the believer is a kind of second incarnation of the Son of God. When Christ enters the heart of a poor sinner, He once more clothes Himself with our nature. The life Christ lived in the days of His time on earth was a life of sorrow, of conflict, of temptation, of desertion, of want and of suffering in every form. Does He now live a different life in the believer? No; He is still tempted and deserted, in sorrow and in want, in humiliation and in suffering—in His people. Did you think that these fiery darts were leveled at you? Did you suppose that you were deserted, you suffered, you were despised, you were trodden under foot? No, it was Christ dwelling in you. All the cruelty of Satan, all the power of sin and all the contempt of the world are leveled, not against you, but against the Lord dwelling in you.⁴

ENDNOTES

(15) JESUS, You Suffered

1. “The Sufferings of Christ,” Ligonier Ministries, 17 June 2021 https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/the-suffering-of-christ/.

2. A.W. Pink, “Commentary on Hebrews 2,” A.W. Pink’s Commentary on John and Hebrews, 9 February 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/awp/hebrews-2.html.

3. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994) 812.

4. Octavius Winslow, Evening Thoughts (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2005) November 7^th.

5. John Newton, Letters of John Newton (Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 1960, reprinted 1990) 82.

6. “ . . . ‘Sing aloud with gladness . . . and raise shouts . . . proclaim, give praise, and say, . . .” (Jeremiah 31:7).

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WEEK 13

THE COMPASSION OF JESUS

There is no end to grief. Sin destroys. Israel’s history is recorded in the Old Testament—her history of suffering from sin, but the discourses always end in this likeness: “[A] throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness one who is swift to do righteousness”(Isa 16:5 ESV). Now the righteous One has come—in compassion.

“[T]he coming of the kingdom of God was being seen in works of mercy. It was in the compassion of Christ that this great transforming impact was being felt throughout the world”¹

Synonyms for “compassion” are: care, concern, tenderheartedness, mercy, and empathy. “Empathy is the ability to experience the feelings of another person. It goes beyond sympathy, which is caring and understanding for the suffering of others.”² Compassion equals empathy.

In the synagogue at Nazareth JESUS read from the Old Testament the declaration of His compassion (Luke 4:16-19): “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound”(Isa 61:1 ESV).

All the gospels record events where the Lord’s compassion is demonstrated: “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand” (Mark 1:41 ESV). “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her”(Luke 7:13 ESV). “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them”(Matt 9:36 ESV). “Jesus wept”(John 11:35 ESV).

‘He was moved with compassion.’ [F]or he took upon himself our infirmities, and was made like unto ourselves. Matchless pity, indeed, was this! He took our sicknesses and carried our sorrows: he proved himself a true brother, with quick, human sensibilities. A tear brought a tear into his eye; a cry made him pause to ask what help he could render.³

It is not the sad seeking for joy, but rather Joy seeking the sad; not emptiness seeking fullness, but rather Fullness seeking emptiness. And it is not merely that He supplies our need, but He becomes Himself the fulfillment of our need. He is ever ‘I am that which My people need.’⁴

Our Lord attached Himself to the woes of our nature; [i]t was necessary that our Lord, in order to sympathize fully with His people, should not only identify Himself with their nature, but also in some degree with their peculiar circumstances. He never instructs them to walk in a path that His own feet have not trod first and left their impressions.⁵

ENDNOTES

(13) Shout for Joy

1. Alistair Begg, “Compassionate Shepherd,” 30 July 2008, Truth for Life, The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Alistair Begg, 3 February 2021 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/compassionate-shepherd/.

2. “Empathy vs. Sympathy,” Diffen, 3 February 2021 https://www.diffen.com/difference/Empathy_vs_Sympathy.

3. Charles Spurgeon, “The Compassion of Jesus, A Sermon (3438),” 24 December 1914, The Spurgeon Archive, 3 February 2021 https://archive.spurgeon.org/sermons/3438.php.

4. Roy and Revel Hession, We Would See Jesus (Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications, 1958, 2010) 41.

5. Octavius Winslow, Evening Thoughts (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2005) July 31^st.

6. “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted” (Isaiah 49:13 ESV).

7. Frank Ellsworth Graeff, and Joseph Lincoln Hall, “Does Jesus Care,” 1901, Hymnary, 3 February 2021 https://hymnary.org/text/does_jesus_care_when_my_heart_is_pained.

JESUS! In Word and Song

Posted by bonniefaurote

WEEK 11

JESUS GREW IN WISDOM

“And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom” (Isa 11:2 ESV).“And Jesus increased in wisdom”(Luke 2:52 ESV). “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him”(Luke 2:40 ESV).

“The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught” (Isa 50:4 ESV).

“Christ was filled with the Spirit from the womb and received his gifts and graces from [God] without measure.”¹

“From birth to baptism the Spirit directed His mental and moral development, and strengthened and kept Him through all the years of preparation and toil. He was in the Carpenter as truly as in the Messiah, and the work at the bench was as perfect as the sacrifice on the Cross” (S. Chadwick).²

As CHRIST was able to perform the will of His FATHER by relying on the HOLY SPIRIT, so I, too, can perform the will of my FATHER. All I have to do is ask.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13 ESV)!

“As Jesus was entirely dependent on the Father for all His words and all His works, so the believer can do nothing of himself. He must cease entirely from his own doing, and wait for the working of God in him”³

Octavius Winslow, in his comments below speaks of the HOLY SPIRIT and how He works in man. It is by the same process and progression He worked in JESUS, as the Son of Man.

It is a work of time. The soul is placed in the school of deep experience and is led step by step, stage by stage. The knowledge of self and of Christ increases, deeper views of indwelling sin are discovered, the heart’s treachery is more acutely felt, the devices of Satan are better known, the mystery of God’s gracious and providential dealings are more clearly unfolded and better understood.⁴

ENDNOTES

(11) STOP. ASK. For the SPIRIT

1. John Gill, “Commentary of Isaiah 11:2,” 1999, The New John Gill Exposition of the Whole Bible, 29 January 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentaires/eng/geb/isaiah-11.html.

2. A. W. Pink, The Holy Spirit (Pensacola, FL: Mt. Zion Publications), http://www.mountzion.org, 32.

3. Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ (Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, 1979) 118.

4. Octavius Winslow, Evening Thoughts (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2005) 188.

5. Robert Hawker, “Commentary of Isaiah 11:2,” 1828, Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary, 30 January 2021, https://www.studylight.org/commentary/isaiah/11-2.html#verse-pmc.

6. Albert Barnes, “Commentary on Isaiah 11:2,” 1870, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible, 30 January 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/isaiah/11-2.html#verse-bnb.

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GOD COMFORTS THE DISCONSOLATE

“God comforts the disconsolate—he has an infinite counterbalance of consolation, joy, and hope. Does He wound? It is to heal. Does He cause deep sorrow? It is to turn that sorrow into a deeper joy. Does He empty? It is to fill. Does He cast down? It is to lift up again. Such is the love that moves Him, such is the wisdom that guides him, and such too is the purpose secured in the Lord’s disciplinary conduct with His people” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, April 17^th).

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. It is true that we often cannot see the connection between the adversity and God’s purpose. It should be enough for us however, to know that He sees the connection and the end result He intends” Jerry Bridges (ref#192, p233).

“[T]he principle of true devotion is that God alone is the Guide and Ruler of all prosperity and adversity, and that he is never in undue haste, but that he distributes all good and evil with the most equal justice Ps 79:13” John Calvin (ref#313, p44).

“Jesus is the great physician. [A]ll his commands are meant to make us well and happy. If they have some painful side effects, that is not because the doctor is unkind or unwise. It is because the disease is so bad that severe medicines may be required. Every command from Jesus is meant for our good” John Piper (ref#220, p241).

“[S]aints thrive most internally, when they are most externally afflicted. Afflictions lift up the soul to more rich, clear, and full enjoyments of God. ‘Behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her’ (Hos 2:14), or rather, as the Hebrew has it, ‘I will earnestly or vehemently speak to her heart.’ God makes afflictions to be but inlets to the soul’s more sweet and full enjoyment of His blessed self” Thomas Brooks (ref#225, Dec 17^th).

“I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder” (2 Tim 4:1-2 MSG). “[A]ccept the hard times along with the good” (2 Tim 4:3-5 MSG). “[H]e’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming” (2 Tim 4:6-8 MSG).

“Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. [E]verything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die” (Phil 1:18-21 MSG).

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BAD YIELDS GOOD

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28 The range of this privilege is boundless. ‘All things’ under the righteous government of God must necessarily work out for good. ‘Thou art good, and doest good’ (Ps 119:68)” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, Dec 28^th).

“We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instaed of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and Your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don’t want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God’s deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part” (2 Cor 1:8-11 MSG).

“During my self-defense not even one person appeared in court, taking his stand at my side [b]ut the Lord took His stand at my side to render all the assistance I needed and clothed me with strength, in order that through me the public proclamation might be heralded abroad in full measure. And I was drawn to His side out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will draw me to himself away from every pernicious work actively opposed to that which is good, and will keep me safe and sound for His kingdom, the heavenly one, to whom be the glory forever and forever” (2 Tim 4:16-18 Wuest).

“[W]ho can compute the good, the real, the permanent good that results from the trying dispensations of God and from the corrections of a Father’s love? The things that appear to war against the believer, unfolding their divine mission, turn out rather for the promotion of his best welfare and his highest interest” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, Dec 29^th).

Chosen in the furnace of affliction

To his church, his joy, and treasure,

Every trial works for good;

They are dealt in weight and measure,

Yet how little understood!

J. Kent (ref#224, song#758).

“[R]eceive the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thes 1:6 ESV).

Bonnie's Prayer Affair

Keeping myself in CHRIST

Octavius Winslow

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song

JESUS! In Word and Song