The Cross
***
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 8:34-37)
***
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
***
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)
***
Heaven
***
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
(Revelation 5:11-12)
***
The Temple
***
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
***
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
***
… you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:5)
***
The Disciples
***
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” (John 8:31)
***
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. (John 15:8)
***
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”. (John 14:12-13)
***
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” (Acts 4:33)
***
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” …. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. (Mark 16:15-18; 20)
***
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
The Women
“The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of women who proclaimed it” (Psalms 68:11)
***
Lydia
Lydia sighed under her breath and waited patiently as the unpleasant merchant glanced around her large store condescendingly. In the male-dominated Roman empire, her prominence in the trade, reputation for honesty and excellence, and exclusive dealings in the highest quality fabrics was still an affront to some of the elite male traders. Rumor had it that she was either a storefront distributer for a wealthy unnamed merchant or had a secret lover who provided for the luxurious, high quality business that she owned and operated. The fact that a mere woman was so successful in purple felt like an aspersion to the supercilious among them. Purple fabric was associated with affluence, royalty, and authority, none of which should be attainable or ascribed to an unmarried woman.
She tried to curb her growing irritation by reminding herself of Paul’s visit later that night. She had become a follower of Jesus through His preaching and considered it a great privilege to host him and his friends each time they came to town. Many in the city were discovering life in Christ and becoming His devoted followers. Lydia’s popularity, affluence and influence combined with Paul’s unusual ability to communicate the scriptures authoritatively and persuasively were effective tools the Holy Spirit was using to facilitate the rapid spread of the gospel in that region and beyond. She was thrilled to be a contributor to the dissemination of the gospel and honored that the Lord would count her faithful to utilize her resources in such a small but significant way.
Phoebe
Phoebe patted around in her satchel to ensure that the well-encased parchment was still intact. She was honored beyond measure that Paul had entrusted her with this most important missive to the Roman church. Originally from and serving in the church at Cenchrea, she was visiting Rome primarily for business but had prioritized her meeting with the local church. She knew they were eagerly anticipating Paul’s comprehensive instructions and didn’t want to keep them waiting any longer than necessary. They had called for a special meeting/service just to honor her presence, and she wanted to be respectful of that. She had never met the brethren here before but was eager to do so – Paul had told her many wonderful things about them and she could scarcely wait to finally match faces with names and enjoy their sweet fellowship.
She wasn’t sure what Paul had told them about her (he always gave a brief introduction of each messenger through which he sent letters to the churches) but hoped they found her acceptable and worthy of their time. She had no idea that she was just about to make history as the bearer, deliverer and reader (to the Roman congregation) of one of the most pivotal books of the Bible, this letter to the Romans being deeply foundational and central to the Christian faith and doctrine. She had not conceived the fact that she was a trailblazer in women’s ministry, paving the way for female ministerial work and serving as a glowing inspiration to others who wanted to heed the Master’s call to Kingdom service, even if it meant going against the oppressive societal constraints of their time to do so.
Priscilla
Aquila smiled fondly at his beloved wife, business, and ministry partner Priscilla. He had never met a woman of such dedication, strength of character and resilience. Even after twenty years of marriage, she still managed to amaze him on a daily basis.
Theirs was not an easy life, for in addition to the physically tasking leather works in which they traded and on which their business was built, they were Paul’s co-workers (both in the business of tent-making and in the business of people-making/Kingdom-building, i.e., the Gospel) and had ventured out with him on the hazardous trip to Ephesus on his third missionary journey. He boarded frequently and collaborated closely with them; indeed they considered him their own brother and had shared in the aftermath of many of the persecutions and abuse he had endured. Priscilla and Aquila had also endured their own share of hardships and suffering, yet Priscilla never balked or backed away from any of such; indeed she was as fearless and ferocious as a lion in the face of adversity, but was as fun-loving and amiable as a lamb in their day-to-day living.
Her multiple talents and abilities never ceased to amaze him. In addition to her keen business acumen, excellent work ethic and industrious and innovative streak, she was an extremely gifted teacher of the Word, preacher, evangelist, church leader, and counselor. The men greatly admired and respected her and the women looked up to her as their revered role model. Everyone appreciated the fact that she was a gift to the body – he more than anyone else, being the greatest beneficiary of her graces and one whose destiny had been greatly helped and propelled into prominence and greatness through her many attributes and passion for God’s purposes.
The Priests
***
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (Hebrews 7:25)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
***
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus; … (Hebrews 3:1)
***
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:5, 9)
***
… for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
***
The Guard
Titus felt let out a broken sob as he fell to his knees before the Apostle. The weight of guilt and sin that had always plagued him had multiplied immensely after that day at the tomb, but now it overwhelmed and threatened to choke him. His chest heaved and his breath came out in short gasps. The mental anguish he felt was so riveting it was almost physical. He was certain he was about to breath his last.
The Apostle looked at him with compassion, eyes ablaze with a fervor that belied his small, wiry frame. It was as though he could see all the torment in Titus’s soul and the ravages it had caused over the years. He bent down to touch Titus’s convulsing shoulder gently. “Let it go son, let that burden go. That was exactly what He died to free you from; you don’t have to bear it any more. Ask Him to take it in exchange for the forgiveness and glorious life He offers. He will do it the minute you sincerely ask Him to.”
With a shuddering breath, Titus let out a rattling gasp and did just that. In hesitating gulps, he whispered his broken confession to His waiting Savior. A peace he had not known existed settled upon Him instantly. The burden that had weighed heavily upon him moments ago suddenly lifted; in its place was a joy and serenity he could not explain. It was as though his wicked past had been erased with one swipe of the Master’s love. The knowledge of his participation in His unjust crucifixion and the lies he had been forced to tell to cover the fact that His body had mysteriously disappeared three days after His death seemed to dissipate with each passing moment and paled against the immensity of His perceptible love and presence. Titus felt like he had just been given a new lease on life; a new life had just begun. He had been born again.
The Grave
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
Hades (Sheol)
.….. and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matthew 16:18)
***
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? (Hosea 13:14)
***
Christ also suffered once for sins. The one who did what is right suffered for those who don’t do right. He suffered to bring you to God. His body was put to death. But the Holy Spirit brought him back to life. After that, Christ went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. (1 Peter 3:18-19)
***
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them ….. (Colossians 2:13-15)
***
….. “When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)(Ephesians 4:8-10)
The Resurrection
***
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
***
“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
***
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” (Romans 6:8-11)
***
If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
***
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else — not only in this world but also in the world to come….. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesian 1:19-21; 2:4-5)
***
For Your Conquering & Listening Pleasure
Revelation Song (Phillips, Craig & Dean)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=f_eRfL_NME8&feature=share
The Anthem (Todd Dulaney)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ZDqSROjqU&feature=share
Worthy (Elevation Worship)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak5WTb-mgeA&feature=share
Worthy of My Song (Maverick City/Chandler Moore/Phil Wickam)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=NeL9mKnd38g&feature=share
I Speak Jesus (Charity Gayle)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=PcmqSfr1ENY&feature=share
Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone (Chris Tomlin)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-4NFvI5U9w&feature=share
Mercy Came Running (Phillips, Craig & Dean)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=lIk1_j_5J7M&feature=share
Holy Forever (Jenn Johnson/Bethel Music)