God's Final Word: His Son

                                                           GOD'S FINAL WORD: HIS SON 

            Writer Dikkon Eberhart shares his testimony of progression from theological drifter to Orthodox Jew to a born-again experience with Jesus Christ. In his own words, "I grew up in the Episcopal Church." But in my high teens and young twenties, I drifted. I created my religion at the seminary in Berkeley, California, during the 1970s. I called it Godianity.

            Certainly, I believed in the existence of God but didn't know much about that Son of God fellow, and the little I did know seemed impossibly weird. Then something happened. I married a Jew who was an atheist. My wife became pregnant nine months later, and our first daughter squirmed in her mother's arms. Seeing such a perfect and beautiful creature, my wife realized it must be the gift of God, not the product of some random swirl of atoms.

            My wife's atheism bit the dust. Her new God belief was Jewish. The trouble came five years later. Our daughter and I were swinging in a hammock under a tree on a windy day. Our eager, chatterly daughter fell silent and said, "Daddy, I know there's a God." I was enchanted. "How, sweetie?" She pointed at the tree and its leaves. "You can't see God. He's like the wind. You can't see the wind, but the wind makes the leaves move. You can't see God, but you know he's there because he makes people move, like the leaves."

            She continued, "Daddy, what do we believe?" Really, what she was asking was, "Mommy's Jewish. You're Christian. So what am I?" And despite holding three advanced degrees in religion, I couldn't answer. In that instant, I chucked my Godianity. We resolved we shall raise our children as Jews. During one of the services on the eve of Yom Kippur, God said, "If you should desire to come to me, my door is open to you."

            Three years later, I became a Jew myself. Some neighbors had invited us to visit a small Baptist Church across our rural road. We realized that these neighbors seemed concerned for our souls. By the way, who are you inviting? More than a year later, desperate for direction, I went to that church one Sunday morning. That day, the pastor was preaching from I Timothy. I was astonished to hear a Baptist preacher using Old Testament references with Hebrew nuance.

            I met with the pastor weekly, and my wife attended the women's Bible study. We began reading and studying the Bible, discovering wonderful truths. It took nine months, an appropriate duration for re-birth, before I committed myself to Jesus. My wife did the same three months later. Our two younger children followed soon thereafter. When God spoke to me in the synagogue all those years ago, inviting me through his open doorway, I assumed he was summoning me into Judaism. Little did I know he was calling me to Christ."[1]

             Like Dikkon Eberhart, many of our friends, family members, and colleagues live confused and unfulfilled lives. Some even reject the existence of God. God used the members of a small Baptist Church to change the lives of a theological drifter turned Jew and his family. God calls people to turn to His Son, Jesus Christ, God's Final Word. John 5:16-30. We will examine who Jesus is, why we must believe and listen to Him, and how we can hear God's voice.

 

I. Who Is Jesus?

            More than any other name, the name Jesus sparks the greatest global controversy. During Jesus' time, the skeptics and religious leaders could not stand him. The law teachers were speechless at his authoritative teaching. The kings sought a private audience with him.

The crowds were amazed by his miracles. The winds and storms ceased at his rebuke, and the dead rose by his command. The disciples obeyed his call and followed him. The whole city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered and asked, "Who is this? Let's discover who Jesus is."

 

II. Jesus is the Son Of God. 

            Growing up in a Lutheran Church since age eight without understanding, I recited the Apostle's Creed every Sunday. A part of it reads: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Now, I firmly believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

            The concept that Jesus is the Son of God originates from the belief that God exists as a Trinity, comprising one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Historically, this claim has not always been received favorably. In the passage we read, the Jewish leaders tried to kill him not because he was healing on the Sabbath but for his extraordinary claims of Him being the Son of God. By doing so, He equated Himself with God the Father. Consider these scriptures:

            The famous Christmas scripture in Isaiah 9:6 reads, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Psalm 2:7 reads, "I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." Vs.12, "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry." ESV. Here, "the Son" refers to Jesus. The angel Gabriel told Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God." Luke 1:35 (ESV). Even the demons acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God. Matt 8:28.

            Once, when Jesus asked Peter, 'Who do you say I am?' Peter boldly claimed, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Matthew 16: 15-17. We have much more powerful testimony from God, who affirmed Jesus' Sonship twice. In Matt 3:17, we read, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." The second time in Matt 17:5, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Yet many have difficulty believing that Jesus is God's Son, let alone listening to Him. The main reason for this unbelief and disobedience is that the Devil is deceiving many people and doesn't want them to come to know the truth.

 

III. What is the significance of believing and listening to Jesus, the Son Of God?

            The primary reason one must believe in Jesus is for the salvation of one's soul. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the World, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." In John 5:24, Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life." We believe in Jesus because there is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under Heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NLT)

             No matter who you are, one day, all of us will die and rise again, listening to the voice of Jesus. Those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28-29. What is the significance of listening to the Son?

             We listen to God's Son, Jesus, because He is God Himself. John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Vs.14. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, referring to Jesus. We listen to the Son because He is God's final Word. Hebrews 1:1-2, "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now, in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son." If believing in and listening to Jesus is essential, how can we learn to hear His voice?

 

 

IV. What is the Key to Hearing God's voice?

            Most people want to hear God's voice when they are facing a decision. If only God would speak to them and tell them which choice to make or which direction to embark upon. The truth is that God uses various ways to talk to us, but the question we must ask ourselves is, are we listening to Him? A heart willing to listen and obey is the key to hearing God's voice.

            There are several scriptural examples where God stresses the importance of obeying His Word more than simply listening. Consider the following scriptures that call for obedience:

"This is what I told them: "Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!" Jeremiah 7:23 NLT

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. Psalms 128:1 NIV

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then, you will be prosperous and successful. Jos 1:8 NIV

            During one of His teachings, Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28. By obeying God's Word, we become Joyful Christians: Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. Ps 119:2 NLT. "Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands? Ps 112:1 NLT

            Our obedience to God's Word signifies our love for Jesus. The more we obey his revealed Word, the more new revelation we will receive. "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14:21. These scriptures remind us that a truly blessed life comes from obeying the very One who gave His Word to us in the first place.

          When we want to hear God's voice in matters of life, we don't turn to the news media, social media, or online sources; instead, we turn to the Bible as our primary source of information. God's will for our lives is already fully revealed in its pages, and it is a simple matter of our obedience to it. The more we read and obey God's Word, the more we are shaped by it and become more like Jesus the Son, who has the Words of Eternal Life.  

 

 

 

 

           

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[1] Source: Dikkon Eberhart, “Crossing the Road to Christ,” CT Magazine (December 2019), pp. 71-72

 

Trait # 7 A Vital Christian Joyfully Shares The Good News

                                                  TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait # 7 Joyfully Shares the Good News

 

            The USA lived through one of the worst pandemics, COVID-19, in 2020. People were stricken with fear and uncertainty, and our personal, church, and social life as we knew it changed. As of April 26, 2023, the number of confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the US had reached over 104 million, with over 1.1 million deaths."[1]

            There was no hope; it seemed all was lost. Then came the COVID-19 vaccine! Regardless of your political opinion, basketball arenas, baseball stadiums, shopping malls, and parking lots have become the happiest places in the US, and the happiest people in medicine are plunging the vaccine into stranger's arms. "It's a joy to all of us," says "Nana" Poku, a nurse in Northern Virginia. "I don't think I've ever had an experience in my career that has felt so promising and so fulfilling," says Christina O'Connell at the University of New Mexico."

            For health-care workers, the opportunity to administer the vaccine has become its own reward. Giving hope to others has given them hope, too. Corie Robinson, a nurse in D.C., was selected to give the ceremonial first vaccinations on camera at a December 17 news conference. The positivity has lifted her spirits. She said of her patients, "You can see their smiles through their masks." One older man sang while he got his shot. Robinson said, "I say quite often, this is probably the most important thing I'll ever do in my career. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming because you're like, 'Wow, I'm the keeper."[2]      We Christians experience an even greater joy seeing the faces of those who receive Christ as Savior! It is a time of rejoicing when someone passes from death to life, and it can be the most important thing we will ever do. Bringing hope is our goal. In our series on Vital Christian Living, we will look at Trait # 7: A Vital Christian Joyfully Shares the Good News." John 3:1-21

            As followers of Christ, we came to understand that we are not saved so that we escape hell and live with God in heaven forever but also to bring as many people as possible to Christ. A vital Christian finds ways to share the Good News in word and deed with those outside the faith. We will examine some questions: What does it mean that the Gospel is Good News? Why are Christians called to share the Good News? And how do we share the Good News?

 

I. What does it mean that the Gospel is Good News?

            Jesus, after he had risen from the dead, commissioned his disciples to "Go into all the World and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15. Matthew 28:19-20 reads, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

            These two scriptures define the job description of every servant or follower of Christ. We are called to be the Great Commission disciples. Our joyful vocation as vital Christians is to partner with the Holy Spirit in the disciple-making process of all nations or people groups. To become effective disciple-makers, we need to know what it means that the gospel is Good News.

            The word gospel means "good news" and occurs 93 times in the Bible, exclusively in the New Testament. In Greek, it is the word euaggelion, from which we get our English words evangelist, evangel, and evangelical. The gospel, broadly speaking, is the whole of Scripture; more narrowly, it is the good news concerning Christ and the way of salvation.

            The key to understanding the gospel is to know why it's good news. To do that, we must start with the bad news. We all have sinned and missed God's standard of living. (Romans 3:23).            None of our efforts would ever be able to raise us to God's glorious standard. Our sins have separated us and earned us eternal death. That is the bad news. But the Good News is, God graciously gifted us eternal life with Him in heaven through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23.

 

II. Why are Christians Called to Share the Good News to all people?

            We live in a self-absorbed world where we become the center of our own universe. Some Christians think, "Jesus is here to give them happiness." Though God loves and cares for us, His plan is much bigger than ours. It is to bring the Good News of the Gospel to all people. If that is God's highest priority, don't you think that should affect our priorities as his followers?

            The scriptures give us several reasons why christians are called to share the Good News with everyone. In Abraham, we have inherited both blessings and the responsibility of being a blessing to all nations. Gen 12:1-3. King David prayed that one day, "All the nations God has made will come and worship before Him, for he alone is God. Psalm 86:9-10.

            God's plan has always been to save all the people of the World. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." What was the context of this verse? A Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to clarify his doubts. During the conversation, Jesus spoke the truth three times, saying that they will not enter God's kingdom unless someone is enlightened from above.

            Then, he reminded him of Israel's history. Nu 21: 4-8. While journeying through the wilderness, the Israelites murmured and complained about food. To punish them, God sent a plague of deadly serpents. The people repented and cried for mercy.

            God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole, and whoever saw it was healed. Barclay's commentary on John says, "It was not the serpent that gave life. So long as Moses lifted up the serpent, they believed in him, who commanded Moses to act. It was God who healed them." Jesus explained to Nicodemus that in the same way, the serpent was lifted for the people to see, return to God, and be healed, so it was with Jesus. He must be lifted on the cross. Whoever believes will be saved. That is the Good News we are called to share with others.

 

III. A Vital Christian Joyfully Shares The Good News.

            One day, the disciples privately approached Jesus to know when Jesus would establish His Kingdom on earth. Jesus pronounced this definitive statement in Matthew 24:14, "This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." That is the heart of God for all nations (all ethnic groups).

            Ivan Veldhuizen, the Vice President of International Ministries in Converge, writes, "Every nation will have an opportunity to hear, know, and follow Jesus before the end comes. This reveals God's passionate pursuit of all people groups in the World, so much so that He will suspend the culmination of all things until the gospel has penetrated every corner of the earth."[3]

            Preaching the gospel to all people groups everywhere will not happen by chance until every child of God takes this mandate seriously and Joyfully shares the Good News through word and deed. Did you know every single soul matters to God? Nothing brings more Joy to God in heaven and the angelic beings than one soul being saved. Luke 15:7

            For that reason, we do local outreaches, support missionaries, and pray for all Muslims to hear the gospel, including the six million Wolof Muslims in Senegal. The Angel told the Shepherds, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for everyone." Luke 2:10. In this World, the Devil has robbed people of their Joy through sin, sickness, and death.

            Jesus Christ came to restore Joy and give us abundant life through His death on the cross. In John 15:10-11, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my Joy may be in you and that your Joy may be complete." Remember that sharing the gospel is the Good News of Great Joy. Therefore, we must share it with others not grudgingly but willingly and Joyfully.

 

           

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101932/coronavirus-covid19-cases-and-deaths-number-us-americans/ Accessed 3-20-2025

[2] Maura Judkis, “The joy of vax: The people giving the shots are seeing hope, and it’s contagious,”

[3] Ivan Veldhuizen, Far Off Saints, Page 26

Trait # 6 A Vital Christian Exhibits Christ Like Servanthood

                                                   TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait # 6 Exhibits Christ-Like Servanthood  Matthew 20:17-28

 

            "Mama Nellie" Yarborough founded the Mt. Calvary Holy Church on Otisfield Street in Dorchester, MA, in 1962. She single-handedly created a tight-knit congregation that looked to her for moral, spiritual, and daily strength. Mama Nellie won't reveal her exact age, but at 70-something, her strength and energy have not waned despite inner city life's hardships," wrote Christina Wallace. This petite Southerner believed that one person can make a difference."

            She became a Bishop in her denomination, a school principal, and a community activist. To her colleagues and friends throughout greater Boston, she is known as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, which she has been since she was fifteen."

            Mama Nellie has repeatedly proven her servanthood. Though she was a Bishop of her denomination, it only took a phone call for her to rush to the side of an ailing parishioner. She led a neighborhood watch group on Saturday nights, scolding prostitutes and trying to drive them out of the area. On Thursday nights and Saturday mornings, she served hot meals to dozens of homeless people from the basement of her church, organized health workshops for women, etc.[1]

            Mama Nellie exhibited Christlike servanthood toward all who crossed her path daily. From a very young age, she understood that the call of a disciple is to follow in the footsteps of their master. Her infectious heart of love and obedient life of servanthood touched many lives.   

             In our series, the Vital Christian Living, we have worked through the five traits of a Vital Christian. They are: 1. A Vital Christian experiences God's Empowering Presence. 2. Engages in God-Exalting worship. 3. Practices the Spiritual Disciplines. 4. Learns and Grows in the community. 5. Commits to Loving and Caring Relationships. Today, we will look at Trait # 6,  A Vital Christian Exhibits Christlike Servanthood. Matthew 20:17-28

I. Biblical Understanding of Servanthood.

            In a power-hungry and egocentric world, servants or serving are considered weak and demeaning. But that's not how God views it, and He showed the power of serving by sending Jesus Christ, His only begotten son, who became a humble servant of the people He created. The dictionary definition of servant is "a person ardently devoted to another or a cause.

            We often think of servants as people hired to do domestic duties or people as government servants hired to perform government duties. As Christians, we are God's servants. We are called to be devoted to God and to carry out His mission obediently. In the Bible, the words "servant," "service," and "serve," in various forms, occur well over 1,100 times in the NIV.

            Many persons in the Old Testament are called "servants," among them some well-known ones: Abraham, Jacob, Moses (40 times), Joshua, Samuel, and David (more than 50 times). Some heathen kings, like Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 25:9) and Cyrus (Is  45:1-25). Some prophets like Isaiah and Daniel. The Jewish elders saw themselves as servants of the God of heaven and earth ( Ez 5:11), and some women like Ruth, a foreigner(Ruth 3:9), and Hannah. Mary, Jesus' mother, saw herself as a humble servant of God (Lk 1:48). The Book of Isaiah contains the "servant Songs" ( Is 42:1-4, 53:12). In the Book of Acts, Jesus was referred to as God's servant four times (Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27, 30).

 

            When Jesus walked this earth, his devotion was to the cause of his heavenly Father, and his example was one of a faithful servant. He fulfilled his call with faithful consistency, showing his disciples the fullness of his love through many acts of servanthood. The prophet Isaiah prophesied Jesus as God's chosen servant in Isaiah 42:1-4.

In the N.T, Jesus quotes the same prophecy verbatim after healing a large crowd that came to him and said this was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah. Matt 12:18-21. You can check these passages at home.

            There is nothing to be ashamed of in calling ourselves God's servants. God calls all of us to be His servants in his vineyard whether we are in a full-time ministry, a 9 to 5 job, a stay-at-home parent, currently unemployed, retired, or not working at all. We all are recruited to serve God, which is the greatest privilege. Let's humbly display the badge of honor as God's Servants.

II. A Vital Christian Exhibits Christlike Servanthood

            A vital Christian practices God-honoring servanthood in every life and ministry relational context. Jesus exhibited such servanthood to everyone who crossed his path throughout his earthly ministry. Here are some acts of his service: He fed the hungry crowds, healed the sick, restored the dignity of women, reached out to social outcasts, and raised people from the dead.

            After predicting how he would be delivered to the chief priests and crucified for the third time, he established a road map to greatness through servanthood. Two of his disciples wanted to sit on the left and right sides of Jesus when He established His Kingdom.

            To them, he said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage." Matthew 20:25-28 (The Message)

            One of the most dramatic expressions of Jesus's service to his disciples came during the Last Supper before his departure to the cross. Let's picture the posture of this Servant, King Jesus. He knew the Father had put everything under his power, so he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with a towel. John 13:1-5

            Exhibiting Christ-like servanthood begins at home. A word for Men: How are you serving your wives and children? As couples, we look for ways to lighten each other's load. Here are some ways at Hope Church for you to excel in Christlike servanthood. You can serve on the worship team, the media, as trustees and deacons in the hospitality ministry and missions. We can also take this Christlike servanthood outside the church into our communities and the world.

III. Evangelism Through Christlike Servanthood.

            Jesus exhibited his servanthood with a foot-washing ceremony before going to the cross and culminated His love for humanity with his crucifixion on the cross. We could draw some principles from Christ's death on the cross to guide our evangelistic efforts. We will learn how we should do ministry in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi. Phil 2:5-10 (NIV)

            "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth." Let's observe some principles of Evangelism here.

            Paul exhorts us to have "the same mindset or attitude that Jesus had. What is this attitude? Christ made himself nothing. The Greek word kenosis used here connotes, "Jesus emptied himself." He emptied himself or voluntarily laid down his glory as God's Son and willingly entered into the human experience, being made in human likeness.

             In Evangelism and the Way of the Cross, author Andrew F. Bush notes, "In this act of joining us in our humanness, he affirmed the value of all humanity. Particularly, as we think of refugees and others in need, by laying aside his claims of power, Jesus identified with the weak and marginalized. In the crucifixion, he affirmed their value."[2] In Servanthood Evangelism, we see value in every person, whether native-born, immigrant, or refugee. If Christ loved them enough to die for them on the cross, what can we give up to share that love with others?

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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[1] Stephen A. Machia, Becoming A Healthy Disciple, Pages 127-128

[2] Eugene Cho & Samira Izadi Page, “No Longer Strangers,” Page 24.