God is Everywhere

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” November 27, 2018

Good morning everyone,
There are things about Christ Jesus throughout the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Many
believe that to read anything about Jesus you are limited to the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
However, this could not be farther from the truth. Jesus helped two disciples on the road leading to Emmaus see
the wealth of things about Himself throughout the Hebrew Scriptures that we know of as the Old Testament in
the Church. “Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have
spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at
Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself”
(Luke 24:25-27, NKJV).

The words of Jesus can even be found in the book of Acts. Jesus speaking to His disciples before His
ascension into heaven in Acts 1:4-8. Jesus confronts Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:3-6. A
quote from Jesus can even be found in Acts 20:35 that is not found anywhere in the Gospel accounts expressing
that it is better to give than to receive. That is a quote that is appropriate as the Christmas celebration is fast
approaching. People expect to hear about and see Jesus clearly in the New Testament, but the Old Testament is
often disregarded by many Christians as being obsolete. There are some congregations that only read and study
the New Testament. This is a travesty because there is so much that speaks about Christ that can be learned
from the Old Testament writings.

The first promise about a Messiah is found immediately after the rebellion of Adam and Eve in
Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He
shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel” (NKJV). Christ’s suffering is described in detail in
Psalm 22:14-18. The purpose and reason for Jesus’ suffering is explained in Isaiah 53:3-10. Isaiah 42:1-9
reveals the character and personality of Christ to help understand why Jesus did certain things in His
ministry that He did.

The minor prophets also reveal things about Jesus that He would later say to others confirming Him
as God in the flesh. Matthew records Jesus as saying, “…whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,
for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NKJV). God proclaims through the Prophet Obadiah,
“…As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head” (Obadiah 15).
Jesus never contradicted anything in the Old Testament. Christ also affirmed and clarified all that had
become misinterpreted by the people throughout the centuries (Matthew 5:17-48).

These references are merely a sample of what can be learned about Jesus in the Old Testament. It
is crucial that all sixty-six books of the Bible are studied and applied in the life of Christ’s disciples for He is
spoken of in all of them. Dismissing any book of the Bible is to forfeit a better understanding of Christ:
who He is, what He has done, and the things He is bringing about in the world now and in the future.
Reading through the Bible is great, but studying the Bible in depth individually and with others is
even better. As 2019 approaches, make plans to be someone who is a theologian (a person who studies God).
Start this by (1) reading 4 chapters of the Bible each day, (2) write a 1-2 sentence summary of each
chapter, (3) record questions you will be seeking to find answers to, and (4) join in this endeavor with two
or three people who you will share with weekly in person, through e-mail, text, or phone conversations. In
doing this you will have gone through the entire Bible in one year and have a general understanding of how it
all fits together in God’s redemptive plan.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, speak to my heart through Your Word so that I can know You better and reflect Your glory.
Jesus, instruct me to be more like You by reading and applying all that I find in Your Word to imitate You.
Spirit, transform my way of thinking so that I will sound, act, and look more like Jesus with each passing day.
Pastor Tom

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