God in the Flesh

Jesus in the World Today

1 Timothy 3:16 | And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

A Lot of Great Truth!

After reading this, we have been trying to wrap our minds around Emmanuel, God with us, and the mystery of godliness- God manifest in the flesh. It is not just a Christmas thing, but is really a part of all of our teaching/preaching. The sense here is about living out the life of Christ in the church of the Living God, Because he lives in you.

*Sadly, the last days will be all about the opposite, fables, folly, a form of godliness, and fruitlessness. II Timothy 3 & 4.

All of this junk is found in the church and specifically, in the men and women of leadership who have a form of godliness. We remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood. It is principalities and powers, rulers of darkness of this world. These will appear to be good, but their behavior will get worse and worse in God’s eyes. No matter how wonderful people say things are going to get, the Bible says otherwise.

*What is a believer to do? We are to be ready. We are to be aware of the mystery of Godliness, the stuff that Christ's presence in us makes the difference. It really does make a difference! We are to be a people of Justification in the spirit. We stand before God in our justification, just as if we have never sinned. Cleansed before God is the mode of Christ’s ownership

Jesus became flesh as the babe in the manger so that he could be our all in all, the whole package, so that we could take ownership of Him and he with us. This is even all happening while Jesus is up there in glory. He was received there with rejoicing and the knowledge that God’s perfect plan for a redeemer has been complete. The plan was executed and Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. He is seated because the work of salvation is done.

* It is definitely a part of the plan of God unfolding, "Christ in you, the Hope of Glory...Specifically, it says, " To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentile; which is, Christ in you the Hope of Glory."

--Whom we preach warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man(and woman, and child) perfect in Jesus Christ."

and all the while, Paul says, Christ is working in me mightily.

I heard it said (this is by no means verbatim. It is how I remember) that preaching is an intermediary way of God showing himself alive to a lost and dying world, the supernatural igniting the natural messenger for transformation…and that He was a man so that man could tell the story truthfully, clearly and distinctly.

King James Version (Chapter 10)

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The birth of Jesus opens up a world of ministry for us because He has left us with His remarkable word.

Let's look at a verse that does not seem to be Christmasy, but in light of Emmanuel- God with us, and the mystery of Godliness, God manifest in the flesh, Galatians 2:20 says' I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

When you get Christ, you get the whole package: Death burial and resurrection.

I Timothy 3:16-

Try this one on now also, Romans 1:4 - " And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead...

1:5- By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name..1:6-among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ."

So when man sidesteps his need of Emmanuel, he not only casts aside his eternity, his justification for the courts of heaven. He also says no for the grace to live in this life, relegating himself to an existence void of Godliness, holiness, truth, fruitfulness, and substance in this life and that which is to come. As the Bible says, He being dead yet speaketh. Dead men tell tales of how they lived. When Christ does not live within, there is great sadness. When Emmanuel steps into the scene, the mystery lives within you and you become equipped for your eternal journey. Welcome to the family of God if no one has told you yet. Recognizing the fact that the babe in the manger is your Savior means you have a big jump on life and ministry in this life and that which is to come.