Year: 2015

What Does the Bible Mean By “In Christ?”

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” Ephesians 1:3 ESV

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The concept “in Christ” is mentioned in scripture approximately 300 times. Yet many readers of the Bible pass over that phrase with a limited view of its meaning. Therefore, we shall provide a quick overview that will open our eyes to the riches we have in our relationship with Jesus Christ. In summary, the apostle Paul used that phrase to highlight four distinct views of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In certain instances, Paul would simply use the word interchangeably with our position as a member of His physical body: the Church (Romans 12:5). Because of Jesus Christ, we are spiritually incorporated within the same membership one with another. Jesus is the center that keeps us together. He leads and directs us as He chooses.

Again at times Paul would use the phrase to emphasis our identity (2 Corinthians 5:17). That we are associated with Jesus Christ. We are his brothers and sisters. We are included within Jesus’ life. As we mature in the faith, we become more and more like him. Our identity is no longer found is our performance, our race, or sexual status, but found only in him. When the Father looks at us, He views us through the lenses of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes he would embellish on our shared participation with Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5). That we have been buried and resurrected with him. That like he suffered, we also may accept suffering. Not as a savior from sin, but as believers learning obedience through the trials and tests of life. Like many of the early apostles that died a martyrs death, we likewise may share in the experience. Our participation with Christ comes in walking and serving him through similar encounters with others in our daily life. Jesus said that through him we may even do mightier works than He.

At other times Paul would focus on our union with Christ (Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:26). Just as the Father and Son are one, we are also one with Jesus and the Father. In fact, we are one with the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit. As the Father-Son shared life’s experiences together and with us, we likewise now share our life’s experiences with Jesus.

Jesus is the Author and Sustainer of our salvation. He has given us the opportunity to be identified with him, incorporated with him, participate with him, and walk in union with him. This is the short, simply definition of what it means to be “in Christ.”

So how about starting the New Year living life knowing what all this truly means each day?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Christmas: God Invades the Human Sphere

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms ,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” I John 1:1-2 ESV.

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What type of person would…
…empty themselves from the universe’s highest privileges to share life with the lowliest derelicts?
…remove themselves from a sure future into a situation where the risk of failure hangs heavy on one’s shoulders?
…walk away from eternal bliss into human depravity?

How about someone who cares?

He surrendered his rights, privileges, and eternal home by walking through heaven’s looking glass into our human dimension.

As a Man-God he experienced birth, hunger, and filled diapers as a baby. He learned to walk, run, and jump as a youth. He was educated in the Jewish culture, shared family chores with his siblings, and grew in stature/wisdom with God and his neighbors.

He studied the Scriptures. Even debated with the religious academia scholars as a 12 year old.

As the family eldest, he most likely ran the family carpentry business after his step-dad died.

He attended Jewish weddings, funerals, and Sabbath services in the synagogue.

Near the end of his life, he also learned first-hand about pain and suffering. He witnessed the cruelty of people harming people for personal gain. He personally saw the injustice around him. Every human experience you and I share, he experienced.

jesus 20His name is Jesus.

Christmas is not about a baby. It is not about exchanging gifts. It is not even a birthday party. Christmas is our reminder that Jesus Christ invaded our world, restored His claim on Earth, and included us to share in His domain now and forevermore.

Please don’t get caught up in the commercial trappings of Christmas. Instead let Jesus be the center and reason for the season.

And with that…Merry Christmas!!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

Christmas: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,
“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 ESV.

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God’s purpose is most often recognized and accomplished through people. Take the Biblical narrative of the Magi in search of the new king at his birth.

These Eastern religious leaders knew from their own prophesies that when certain events took place, a child would be born whom the world will one day receive as their king.

This event took place when Jesus was born to a newly married, young Jewish couple, Joseph & Mary.

When the Magi finally completed their journey in search of the newborn, they arrived approximately zero to two years after the birth of Jesus. They found the family residing in a house and not the manger where Jesus was born.

As a gift to the newborn king, they presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts accomplished a twofold purpose.

One, it gave recognition that the child was special. Gold was the royal gift given to kings; frankincense recognized the priestly divinity of a person; and myrrh pictured the future embalmed savior of the world. All these expensive gifts foretold the child’s destiny.

Secondly, God knew that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus would need to flee Jerusalem because of King Herod’s perverted decree to kill all the young under two years of age. So He made the arrangement giving Joseph the necessary resources to pay for their travel. The family now could easily finance their trip to Egypt and await King Herod’s demise. In fact, exchanging the frankincense and myrrh for cash probably help establish their new home and business in Nazareth upon their return.

God has a way to workout events before we realize there is a need. He blesses us through the events and circumstances we face each day so that His purpose will ultimately be accomplished. Most often these blessing come via people. And the people God works through may not even be of the same faith, nationality, or race. We witness that with the Magi.

Remember, Christmas is not about the gifts. It is simply man’s limited attempt to recognize the world’s greatest Giver. The Triune God. And wise people still seek Him today!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!