From Gary.... Your Choice Is...

My first reaction to this picture- cute, very cute!!!  Next thought was- been there, done that!!!  Computer operating systems and their necessary programs can sometimes drive you crazy with how they want you to do things.  How many times have I been in a hurry to "get off the computer" only to have Windows announce to me that I NEED TO UPDATE- NOW!!!!  But, what if God told you to do something that you didn't want to do- Would you do it???  Good question... here is one man's choice...

2nd Kings, Chapter 5

  1 Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.  2 The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.  3 She said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.” 

  4  Someone went in, and told his lord, saying, “The maiden who is from the land of Israel said this.” 

  5  The king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” 

He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.  6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.” 

  7  When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes, and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But please consider and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.” 

  8  It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 

  9  So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.  10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.” 

  11  But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.’  12 Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them, and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 

  13  His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” 

  14  Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 

Naaman was a somebody, but he had a problem- leprosy.  God's prophet (Elijah) told him to do something and he didn't like it and became angry.  Sound familiar?  How many people like to cling to long held beliefs that have no basis in God's word?  They might hold to a family tradition or the teaching of some religious leader or even a close friend; if it something other than the word of God; then it will do them absolutely no good whatsoever!!!  

Jesus has said: 

John, Chapter 12

  44  Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me.   45  He who sees me sees him who sent me.   46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.   47 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  48  He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.   49  For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.   50  I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.” 

I know that what I have said may cause some of you to be upset, because if you are anything like me; once you have your mind made up about something- its hard to change.  But sometimes a change is in order.  Consider the faithful Jew of the first century.  One who had sincerely tried to follow God in all his commandments- and then to be told this...

Acts, Chapter 2

22  “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves know,  23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;  24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.  25 For David says concerning him, 

‘I saw the Lord always before my face,

For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.

  26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced.

Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;

  27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades,

neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.

  28 You made known to me the ways of life.

You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

  29  “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,  31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.  32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.  34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand,

  35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

  36  “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 

  37  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

  38  Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”  40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 

  41  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 

The Jews felt desperation at the realization of their guilt and asked what to do.  They were told to become as new converts to God- and be baptized.  They had a choice- do what God wanted or hold to their "Cookies".  I am glad for them, that they (like Naaman) made the right choice.  Only thing that remains is a little self analysis... Have I obeyed God and been baptized for the remission of my sins??? Your choice is...????

From Jim McGuiggan... Cross or Resurrection: Which is It?

Cross or Resurrection: Which is It?

At the cross Christ was the once-for-all sin-bearer but in the resurrection he is the glorious Lord. The cross was a single event (inextricably connected with a unique life and person, of course) in past history but the resurrection brings in an unceasing glorious reign as Lord.

Should we then consign the cross to the past, leave it there and proclaim the present and continuing glory and majesty of Christ as Lord?

The answer looks like yes because it is in fact true that the cross was an event is past history; unrepeatable. The Christ will not have to undergo that experience again. He died unto sin once for all (Romans 6:9-10). Since it is so definitively in the past, shouldn't we leave it there and now proclaim him only as Lord?

That must not be our response; it's a misunderstanding both of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the way in which God carries out his reconciling work in the world.

For starters, Paul who knew very well that Jesus Christ is Lord said he had made up his mind when he got to Corinth that the only thing he'd preach was Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor 2:1-2; of course Paul never saw the cross as completely detached from the resurrection, which is part of the whole "Christ-event").

To proclaim Christ's Lordship without the cross would be to leave out the atoning work of Christ in bearing the judgment of human sin. If we were to do that, there could be no reconciliation for people in sin because without receiving (Romans 5:11, present, active verb) the reconciliation no person is reconciled. So the atoning work (the cross) must always be a part of the proclamation of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, the offence of the cross still confronts us even at this late date because we have difficulty in coming to terms with a Lordship that is lordship by virtue of self-giving rather than simply "calling the shots".

We need to be asking what kind of majesty it is that God has vindicated before the eyes of the universe. What led God to make Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Philippians 2:5-10 gives a part of the answer--in Jesus he found one who surrendered reigning power in order to exercise saving power by the giving of himself. This is what God sees as the supreme use of power and in Jesus the person and character of God himself is perfectly imaged (2 Corinthians 4:4,6).

The glory of Christ is not simply his position of power; the glory of Christ is the character that grounds his position of power and authority. This glory and authority is continuously exhibited in "the body of Christ" . Note the terminology, it is being exhibited in Christ's body (not the church's body).

The cross while it was an event in past time exhibited a changeless perspective on God's own form of glory as he works to reconcile sinful humanity. This means that the character of the one on the throne is the same as the character of the one on the cross. In truth, it's precisely because of his character and obedience exhibited on the cross that Christ was made Lord. The Lord of Lords is a specific and unique historical figure, Jesus; but in Jesus God acknowledged his own view of power.

It wasn't Christ's power over demons, diseases and the forces of nature that made him the logical/natural King of Kings. It was holy love of the Father and his Father's wayward children that led him to make himself vulnerable in the extreme--that is what made Christ the right one to receive a name above every name, the name Lord.

There's a third reason why the cross must never be dropped from the Christian message. While it's true that the cross of Christ is an event rooted in past history we aren't to think the suffering of Christ has ended. It's true that the cross outside Jerusalem completed the atoning work, but the message of that atoning work must be brought to each generation so that reconciliation is possible in each generation.

The cross isn't only an atoning historical event, it is the means by which we come to know God. In his body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:27) the killing of Jesus is continually paraded (see 2 Cor 4:10, where Paul uses "nekrosin" rather than the usual "thanatos"--note C.K. Barrett on the text and F.F. Bruce's translation). Note 4:10-12.

So that the suffering which Christ endured on the cross, suffering which completed the atonement, goes on in his body the church to bring before the world the reconciling work of Jesus Christ which took place on the cross in time past.

From a somewhat different angle, but still making the point that the death of Jesus is to be seen as both a past and a continuing experience, is Paul's Romans 6:3-4 which says we are baptized into Christ's death (6:3) and then again, into death (that is a state of having been dead-6:4), from which we are raised.

It isn't into their own death they are baptized; it's into "his" death. This doesn't say that Jesus dies again every time one is baptized into union with him (6:3) for Paul goes on to insist that Christ died once for all (6:10). But it does require us to believe that the death of Christ continues to be accessible to those who want to be part of him and his experience. If the death of our Lord were seen in the New Testament strictly and solely as a single event, completed in past time, then it wouldn't be possible for later believers to access that death as Paul here insists they can and do.

They don't access the story of the death of Christ! They access the death of Christ.

All I'm wanting from the text is the truth that the cross is more than an historical event, it is an event which sets in motion and continues to sustain the truths and possibilities and a relationship for subsequent generations. These truths and that relationship are not maintained simply by the memory of that death. They are all made possible and accessible by the ongoing fact of it.

Paul affirms that the believer is baptized into Christ's death but adds, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death." This state of death (a death to sin, etc) is only possible with Christ and it is in fact Christ's death. In saying all this Paul is saying things about the nature of the death into which they entered through baptism and the dynamic fact of that death for everyone who is baptized into Christ. (Therefore, they can't live any longer in sin, living in union with the "old man".)

Back in Corinthians, Paul is telling us that the once-for-all death of Christ (which is still accessible even as he writes) is carried about, paraded, in the experience of the church which is Christ's body. It is seen most clearly in people like Paul who are the members of the body chosen by God to be put to grief (compare 

1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Paul sees this apostolic suffering as "for his body"--Colossians 1:24, as well as for the world at large.

[What we won't do is to make the mistake of equating Christ with the "body of Christ" is such a way as to make them identical. While it's true the only way we experience Christ today is through the Spirit of Christ and in the body of Christ which is indwelled by his Spirit, it isn't true that the body of Christ and Christ are the same. One is a metaphor (however rich and far-reaching it might be) and the other is the person of our Lord Jesus Christ who exists independent of his body the church.]

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Jesus Heals A Deaf-Mute Boy

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                 Jesus Heals A Deaf-Mute Boy (9:14-29)

INTRODUCTION

1. Coming down from the mount of transfiguration with His three
   disciples...
   a. Jesus finds His other disciples embroiled in controversy - Mk 9:14
   b. Surrounded by a multitude, disputing with scribes - ibid.

2. The controversy apparently involved a failed attempt to heal a
   deaf-mute boy...
   a. Who from childhood had been prone to seizures
   b. Whose father desperately wanted him healed
   c. Whom the disciples of Jesus had not been able to heal

[The account of this miracle is one of most detailed in the gospels.
From it we can learn valuable lessons, but must also be careful not to
misapply what is said.  Let's start by examining...]

I. THE NARRATIVE

   A. THE FAILURE OF THE DISCIPLES...
      1. Jesus finds His disciples embroiled in controversy - Mk 9:14-16
      2. It appears related to their inability to heal a man's deaf-mute
         son - Mk 9:17-18,25
      3. Jesus chides His disciples for their lack of faith - Mk 9:19
      4. As the boy is brought to Jesus, he has a spirit-induced seizure
         - Mk 9:20
      5. The father describes how this has happened often since
         childhood - Mk 9:21-22
      6. The father begs for compassion if Jesus can help - Mk 9:22
      -- A chaotic scene, the disciples' frustration and father's
         emotions much in evidence

   B. THE SUCCESS OF THE SAVIOR...
      1. Jesus responds to the plea of the father - Mk 9:23-24
         a. If the father can believe, all things are possible
         b. The father professes faith, begs for more faith
      2. As the crowd draws closer, Jesus heals the deaf-mute boy - Mk 9:25-27
         a. The demon cast out with a great convulsion, leaving the boy
            dead-like
         b. Jesus takes the boy by the hand, lifting him up, and the boy
            rises
      3. Jesus privately informs the disciples as to the reason for
         their failure - Mk 9:28-29
         a. Jesus explains the need for prayer in a case like this
         b. Many manuscripts add the need for fasting as well
      -- The incident ends with a quiet teaching opportunity for His
         disciples

[The record of this miracle provides insight as to the role of faith,
prayer, and even fasting.  But we must be careful in how we understand
what Jesus is teaching.  With this in mind, we consider...]

II. THE APPLICATION

   A. CAVEATS...
      1. Avoid misapplication
         a. It can be tempting to take Jesus' words in isolation
         b. Especially "all things are possible to him who believes"
         c. Which some have taken literally, without exception
         d. Giving many people false hope, destroying faith in the
            process
      2. Consider context
         a. All things are possible, but must be within God's will - 1Jn 5:14
            1) E.g., Jesus in the garden - Mk 14:35-36
            2) E.g., Paul with his thorn in the flesh - 2Co 12:7-9
            3) As one brother put it:  "All things are possible, but
               they must be on the menu"
         b. Some things are not possible, when asked improperly
            1) For selfish and sinful reasons - Jm 4:3
            2) While not keeping God's commandments - 1Jn 3:22
      -- Jesus' words presume God's permission and our obedience

   B. PRINCIPLES...
      1. The importance of faith
         a. Faith cannot be underestimated - He 11:6; Mt 8:13; 9:22,29
         b. Such faith grows through the Word of God - Ro 10:17
         c. It certainly does not hurt to pray:  "Lord, I believe; help
            my unbelief!" - Mk 9:24
         d. But responses to faith are always subservient to God's will
            (cf. Paul's thorn)
      2. The power of prayer
         a. Our faith, while important, is not always sufficient
         b. God must be involved, for only with Him are all things
            possible - Lk 1:37
         c. Thus at time faith must be joined with prayer - e.g., Jm 5:14
         d. But also, responses to prayer are subservient to God's will
            - 1Jn 5:14
      3. The role of fasting
         a. Fasting was often joined with prayer to incur God's favor
            - Ezr 8:21-23
         b. Fasting served to humble oneself before God - Psa 35:13;
            69:10
         c. Such humility is more likely to incur God's favor - 

            Isa 57:15; 66:1-2
         d. Thus people often served God with fasting and prayer - 

            Lk 2:36-37; Ac 13:2-3
      -- Faith, prayer, and fasting working together can accomplish more
         if it be God's will

CONCLUSION

1. Many have misconstrued the words of Jesus...
   a. "If you believe, you will receive" (gospel of health and wealth)
   b. "If you can conceive it, you can achieve it" (power of positive
      thinking)

2. But they fail to take Jesus' words in the overall context of the
   Bible...
   a. What we seek must be in keeping with the Lord's will
   b. What we seek must not be for selfish purposes

3. On the other hand, many do not fully appreciate...
   a. The importance of faith in God
   b. The power of prayer to God
   c. The role of fasting in service to God

With the aid of the Word of God, we can better know what is in keeping
with His will.  Then we can better make use of our faith, prayer, and
fasting as we seek to do His will...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... A lesson from a whirligig

It was very late in the afternoon, almost evening when Lizzie and I finally arrived on the street where I live.  Even though I was tired, I still felt in a "fun mood", so I experimented in taking a still picture of a moving object and then my first video with this camera.  The results speak for themselves.  I have a lot to learn about taking pictures and videos!!!  However, when I looked at the picture with new eyes, I realized that it was "not so bad" after all, because it showed something of what life is really like.  To understand what I mean, first view the picture and then the video, THEN read the passage below...

Mark, Chapter 14

 27  Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’   28  However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” 

  29  But Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.” 

  30  Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 

  31  But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing. 

  32  They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.”   33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.  34 He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.” 

  35  He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.” 

  37  He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?   38  Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

  39  Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.  40 Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn’t know what to answer him.  41 He came the third time, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.   42  Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.” 

  43  Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.  44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”  45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.  46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.  47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 

  48  Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?   49  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” 

  50  They all left him, and fled. 

The apostles had spent three years with Jesus; supposedly learning from him during that time.  They were slow learners.  Jesus told them what would happen long before it did and as usual, they didn't get it.  Peter would not listen (also as usual) and it wasn't until much later that he realized the truth - after the rooster crowed.  Now, you probably are thinking that this just does not relate, but it does.  You see, sometimes life just goes by too fast for us to get a clear picture of what is going on (like the photo).  Often, it isn't until we "play things over in our mind" (like the video) that we see things clearly.  OK, so you are probably saying "so what" right about now.  Well, if we think about the Scriptures on a daily basis over a long period of time, they become so much a part of us that everything in our life is filtered by them.  And that is the point- Scripture puts things in focus- gives us direction and guidance when we need it most!!!  I had no idea Who knew that I could learn something from a whirligig???

From Jim McGuiggan... Christ or the Church? The One Or the Many?

Christ or the Church? The One Or the Many?

In a society where individualism is seen as the real meaning of "freedom" and where individualism is seen to be the ideal toward which humanity should be moving—in a society like that, it's difficult not to read every verse of scripture as if it were written with the individual in mind.

And since so many texts use the second person singular this is used to bolster the notion that the primary unit in scripture is the individual. After all, it does use "singular" language.

Then there's the truth that relationship with God in Christ must be "personal". You can't relate to Christ in the place of someone else; you have to make your own move toward him, you have to have a personal commitment to him. Since this is obviously true, personal salvation is construed as individual salvation.

Of course, this insistence on individuality results in a radical fragmentation of society. We begin to think we are free-standing individual units and we only tolerate situations where we must act corporately. We certainly don't encourage corporateness and much less do we think it's an unavoidable reality.

There are many illustrations in society where individuals join clubs or societies and are willing to play by the rules of that society or club. But it's a matter of perfect individual freedom. They don't have to be part of the club. If they don't like it they can leave and even start their own movement. The individual remains the primary unit in Western society.

The Bible everywhere acknowledges the existence of the individual, but it never sees the individual as the primary unit. And just to sharpen the point: the Bible also thinks of the individual as part of the larger community and never free-standing.

As Paul will present that truth he will use the root metaphor of "the body". He teaches us that no one mistakes a foot for an ear or a hand for an eye—these are specific, individual "members" (parts), distinct one from another. Distinct from one another but not independent of one another. A body is not one member (part), he says, but many.

It isn't only true that there has to be a body to have many parts, it's also true that there have to be many parts if there is to be a body (1 Corinthians 12:19).

A thumb or foot has no independent existence—there must be a body. Nor can a foot be called a body—there must be many parts. (We can only call a severed foot "a foot" because we retain "body" language when we speak of it.)

This complete inter-dependence is a crucial element in Paul's theology.

Division was a central problem at Corinth.

However the division arises, it's incompatible with the truth that there's only one, indivisible Christ (1 Corinthians 1:13). If these people are "of Christ" or "in Christ" then their dividing was (if it were possible) tearing Christ into pieces. Since God's business in Christ is the reconciling of the world, this behavior would be in flat opposition to the purpose and work of the almighty God.

The roots of the division

There was more than one root, but they were all sinful. Elitism was rampant.

We see this when it came to eating meats sacrificed to idols. The division, in fact, only showed itself in the meat issue. The reason for the division was the tension between the "strong" knowers and the "weak" ignorant. The strong felt superior, were insisting on the freedom their knowing brought them, but were threatening the weak (as well as despising them). See 1 Corinthians 8-10.

The elite who felt superior because they "knew" some truths, didn't really know the God who had come in Jesus Christ to them when they were ignorant and remain ignorant (see 10:14 and the discussion that follows).

At the Lord's Supper there was division (1 Corinthians 11:18-19). It had theological ramifications, of course, but the tension was between the "haves" and the "have nots" (11:22). The prosperous were obviously blessed by God (how else could they have what they had?) and the poor, well, God hadn't seen fit to give them such blessings. The "haves" were not only humiliating the poor, they were despising them (11:22). More elitism. See 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

In the Supper we're reminded that Christ entrusted himself to the disciples (11:23-26) and those who are privileged to eat with him participate in the body of Christ (10:16-17) and are parts of that body (of Christ—12:27). In despising the parts of Christ's body, they were despising Christ (11:27, and compare, "Inasmuch as you did unto these my brothers, you did it unto me.")

Divisive tensions showed in congregational settings and functions (12:1-31). Chapter 14 shows that arguments about the "best" and most important gifts are going on. Some are wanting to dominate the proceedings at gatherings. Here in chapter 12 some think so much of their gift that they feel they can do without the rest of the gifts. Some are jealous that they don't have this gift rather than the one they have. Some think they might as well not be part of Christ is they don't have what they want. In all this, individualism was rampant. There was little or no conception of unity and oneness.

The cure for this (if there was to be a cure) was for them to see and feel their inter-dependence which was due to their identification with Jesus Christ.

For Paul, being baptized into the one body (12:13) is the same as being baptized into Christ (1:13).

He insists that they (their bodies) are parts of Jesus Christ (6:15, 17).

He expressly calls them "the body of Christ (12:27)

He takes the human body as an analogy (12:12) for Christ, not the church. That is, he says, as a (human) body has many parts but is one that's how it is with Christ. We might have expected him to say that's how it is with the church. Had he said that, it would have been true, of course. But that's not what he said.

He doesn't want them to know they're parts of a body of people (however true that is), he wants them to know that they are parts of Christ himself. It is this identification with Christ—that they are his body—that should/could destroy the basis for tension and division.

In persecuting the Christians Paul discovered he was actually persecuting Christ himself (Acts 9:4-5).

It's their identification with Christ, as his body, which is the truth that underlies this whole section. Paul insists that there can be no body of Christ unless there are many parts of it (12:19). If we had only an eye, not only would we not have hands, feet and the like; not only would we not have a complete body, we'd have no body at all.

Without the many there is no One!

But Paul insists that the One there is, the One that is made up of many parts, is Christ! Not the church (which is true)—but Christ. "...so also is Christ." (12:12). Christ himself is "the many".

There is no Christ (as Paul presents him here) without the many. So to parade our own gifts, to despise the gifts and place of others, to dominate and strut and by it spread the notion that the individual is supreme—to do that is to deny the Christ who is many. It is to work for the destruction of the Christ. It is to become anti-Christ.

So in all his appeals for unity, Paul never says they ought to be united because they are one community called together by Christ (though that's true), he always claims they are Christ in community. He always claims they are Christ's present self-manifestation. He always claims, "You are parts of Christ."

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... They Beheld His Majesty

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                    They Beheld His Majesty (9:1-9)

INTRODUCTION

1. In His discussion on discipleship, Jesus makes a remarkable claim...
   a. He will one day come in the glory of His father with the holy
      angels - Mk 8:38
   b. A reference to His coming in on the Day of Judgment - cf. 

      Mt 16:27; 25:31-32

2. To support His claim, Jesus makes another remarkable statement:
   "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will
   not taste death till..."
   a. "they see the kingdom of God present with power." - Mk 9:1
   b. "they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." - Mt 16:28
   c. "they see the kingdom of God." - Lk 9:27

3. To what does Jesus refer?  Several interpretations have been given...
   a. Jesus' transfiguration on the mount
   b. Jesus' resurrection and ascension
   c. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and beginning of the
      church
   d. The destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 A.D.
   e. The second coming of Christ

4. Note that the gospel writers connect these sayings with an event
   about to occur...
   a. Matthew and Mark record "and after six days..." - Mk 17:1; Mk 9:2
   b. Luke writes "about eight days" ("the Jewish equivalent of 'about a
      week later'") - Lk 9:28
   c. Luke adds "after these sayings", clearly tying the event to what
      had just been said

[That event was the transfiguration of Christ on the mountain, which
served as a striking preview and guarantee of His future coming in glory
(cf. 2Pe 1:16-18).  What happened on the mount?  Simply put, "They
Beheld His Majesty".  Note first of all..]

I. THEY BEHELD THE MAJESTY OF HIS PERSON

   A. EVIDENCED BY HIS TRANSFIGURATION...
      1. He was transfigured - Mk 9:2
         a. Grk., metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo'-o}
         b. Meaning to change, transfigure, transform
      2. This change affected His face and clothing
         a. His face shone like the sun - Mt 17:2 (Luke says the
            appearance of His face was altered - Lk 9:29)
         b. His clothes became as white as the light - Mt 17:2
            1) Shining, exceedingly white, like snow, more than any
               launderer can whiten them - Mk 9:3
            2) White and glistening - Lk 9:29
      3. Peter later wrote that what he saw was His "majesty" (2Pe 1:16); 

         the effulgence of His glory possibly representing His
         deity as the Son of God - cf. He 1:1-3

   B. EVIDENCED BY THE PRESENCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH...
      1. They were talking with Jesus - Mk 9:4
         a. They also appeared in glory - Lk 9:31a
         b. Discussing with Jesus about His coming death in Jerusalem
            - Lk 9:31b
         c. Peter, James, and John had been sleeping, but awoke to see
            Jesus in His glory, and talking with Moses and Elijah - Lk 9:32
         d. Moses and Elijah then began to depart - Lk 9:33
      2. That Moses and Elijah would appear with Jesus was not lost on
         Peter - Mk 9:5-6
         a. Moses and Elijah were the epitome of the Law and the
            Prophets
         b. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, one each for Jesus,
            Moses and Elijah
      3. Jesus had evidently been elevated to the same level as Moses
         and Elijah in Peter's mind!

[But Peter was soon to learn that Jesus was greater than Moses and
Elijah, especially in regards to His authority.  Therefore as we
continue we note that...]

II. THEY BEHELD THE MAJESTY OF HIS COMING KINGDOM

   A. EVIDENCED BY THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN...
      1. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed
         them - Mk 9:7
      2. Peter, James, and John, fearfully entered the cloud - Lk 9:34
      3. A voice came out of the cloud:  "This is My beloved Son. Hear
         Him!" - Mk 9:7
         a. This terrified the disciples - Mt 17:6
         b. Jesus then sought to comfort them - Mt 17:7
      4. The command, "Hear Him!" implies...
         a. That God would now speak through His Son, not the Law
            (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) - cf. He 1:1-2
         b. That the rule and reign of God would be exercised through
            His Son, as He would be given all authority in heaven and
            earth - cf. Mt 28:18
      5. Of course, this rule and reign (i.e., Christ's kingdom) would
         begin after Christ suffered (i.e., His death) and entered into
         glory (i.e., His ascension) - cf. Lk 24:26
         a. Which explains why He told them to tell no one the vision
            until after His resurrection - Mk 9:9
         b. What they witnessed was a foretaste, a foreshadowing of His
            coming glory and rule in His kingdom!

   B. EVIDENCED BY THE ABSENCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH...
      1. After hearing the voice, and lifting up their eyes, only Jesus
         was present - Mk  9:8
      2. Perhaps symbolizing what the voice clearly declared:  that
         Jesus was the one they were to hear, not Moses and Elijah who
         likely represented the Law and the Prophets

CONCLUSION

1. Truly "They Beheld His Majesty"...
   a. They beheld the majesty of His person
      1) Transfigured before them
      2) Exalted even above Moses and Elijah
   b. They beheld the majesty of His coming kingdom
      1) Acknowledged from heaven as God's beloved Son
      2) The One whom all should heed, for all authority would be given
         to Him

2. What is the significance of this event...?
   a. I take it to be the fulfillment Jesus' promise in 

      Mk 9:1; Mt 16:28; Lk 9:27
      1) That some would see the kingdom of God "present" with power
      2) That some would see the Son of Man "coming" in His kingdom
      3) That some would see the kingdom of God (i.e., His rule or
         reign)
   b. As such, what they saw was a foretaste of His kingdom or rule...
      1) Just a foretaste, which is why they were to keep silent for a
         time - Mk 9:9
      2) To be fully exercised after His death and resurrection - cf. 

         Ep 1:20-23; 1Pe 3:22
      3) Which includes that day in which He will judge the world! - cf.
         Ac 17:30-31

3. All the events at the mount contributed to giving Jesus honor and
   glory from the Father - 2Pe 1:17
   a. The glorious transfiguration of Christ
   b. The presence (and subsequent absence) of Moses and Elijah
   c. The voice from heaven, acknowledging Christ as God's Son

4. What does God desire of us today...?
   a. Not tabernacles or temples erected in the memory of His Son
   b. But for us to simply obey what God said at the mount:  "Hear Him!"

If we desire to add to the honor and glory that Jesus so richly
deserves, and to one day behold His majesty in heaven, then be careful
to heed what He himself said regarding His authority:

   "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go
   therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
   in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
   teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
   and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
                                                     - Mt 28:18-20

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011