Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Prayer that Defines and Directs the Christian Life – Part 14

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

–  The Person Exalted

a.  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David: Rev.  5:1-5

–  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David conquered Satan: Genesis 3:15, 1 John 3:8

–  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David conquered Sin: 1 Cor. 15:50-57

–  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David conquered the world: John 16:33, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4-5, Gal. 6:14

 b.  The Lamb Slain: Rev. 5:6, 8-10; 11-13, John 1:29, Romans 3:21-26

–  The Lamb slain dwelling within produces a tender heart: Gal. 2:20

–  The Lamb slain dwelling within produces a possessed heart: 2 Cor. 5:14-15, 1 Cor. 6:19-20

–  The Lamb slain dwelling within produces an affectionate heart:1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 73:25

–  The Lamb slain dwelling within produces a worshipful heart

Anthem and Declarations of Praise: Rev. 5:9-10, Rev. 5:11, Rev. 5:13-14

“Christ is All”

Colossians 3:2

Yes:  this is God’s purpose, which cannot be frustrated, that Christ shall be all.  He is all in our justification and sanctification, for we are justified and sanctified in His Name.  He is all in our preservation and glorification, for we are kept by His power, and enter heaven through His merits.  He should be all in our pursuits, pleasures, hopes, motives, and aims.  Many put their comforts in the place of Christ, and then God puts comfort out of their reach; others put their graces in the place of Christ, and then faith, hope, and love, are concealed by a cloud.  There must be nothing between God and us, but Jesus; we must look away from sin, from graces, and from works, and expect to be accepted, blessed, and honored only in the name and for the honor of Jesus.  Christ is our conquering weapon, by which we overcome our foes; our plea, by which we prevail with God; our righteousness, by which we are justified; and our peace, which supports and comforts us in life and in death.  Christ is all we want, or God can give.  He is our sun and shield; our present joy and endless portion.  He is our all on earth, He will be our all in heaven.