Lesson Plan

John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The fullness of Jesus Christ was that God inhabited the robe of flesh that Jesus wore. Paul wrote: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:8-9) In speaking of Jesus, John also speaks of the fulness of the Spirit of God in Jesus: "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Holy Spirit by measure unto him." (John 3:34) In the context John is speaking of "He that cometh from above" (John 3:31)

Paul not only affirms the full Deity of Christ but also states that we as believers partake of this fulness. Ephesians 3:19 states: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

In Jesus' prayer in the Garden before His crucifixion He prayed that we might be partakers of this wonderful filling. " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:" (John 17:20-22)

Such a wonderful totally unselfish prayer marks the perfect goodness and love of our Savior toward His redeemed. Beyond the prayer though is the reality that the Father answered His prayer and all of the redeemed by the blood of the Lamb are one in Christ.

Verse 17 of John 1 recognizes the dispensational difference of those under the Mosaic Law and those under the free grace of God after the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. By dispensation is meant how God has "dispensed" His grace. Under the Law men were required to keep certain Holy days and feasts as part of their worship toward God. They were required under penalty to keep the Sabbath. They were required under the law to sacrifice for their sins. All of these things are in stark contrast to the "dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2) which we find in the Epistles of Paul. Under the Dispensation of Law we find Moses praying "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin --; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written."(Exodus 32:32) We also find the answer God gave to this prayer: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." (Exodus 32:33)
Under this dispensation of the "Grace of God" (Eph. 5:32) we find an entirely different promise altogether. Ephesians 1:12-14 "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
What a wonderful difference the Cross of Calvary made. Where once men were required to trust in a works based salvation we now must believe from the heart. We must believe in and on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. When Jesus was asked about works that God would have them to do his answer was simple and to the point: "-----This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. " (John 6:29)

Hillbilly

 

Poetry Corner



Three Crosses

Three crosses on the mount
In the center- The Lamb of God,
Shedding His blood
Our covering fount.

Three crosses
Three views
Who would know
The Good News?

One thief spoke and mocked-
The other spoke and believed.
The blessings of Christ
The believer received.

One knew the Son
And held a measure
Of the gift of faith-
Our greatest treasure.

Three crosses stood
Where our sin debt was paid
Salvation – Under One name
Everlasting covenant made.


Look at the three crosses.
Who are you unto Jesus?

Written by Julie Pisacane

Luke 23
:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.