Text: Hebrews 12:2, John 13:15
There are many examples for the faithful of the christian faith to learn from, shinning 'lights' whose devout lifestyles to God are worthy of emulation. Men and women who performed exploits by faith, pleased God by obedience, experienced God by grace and did the impossible because they were called of God.
In Hebrews 11:2 the scriptures talks about such exploits, these shinning 'lights' are called elders, and they obtained a good testimony by faith. They are called 'elders' because they were before us, they are senior or elder to our generation and senior to each of us.
Their achievements by faith is a source of inspiration and motivation to all christians.
In Hebrews 12:1 these elders or examples to us are called 'cloud of witnesses'.
They are not dead but alive because our God is a God of the living not the dead.
Mark 12:27, Luke 20:38
These cloud of witnesses or elders are also called the 'spirit of just men made perfect' Hebrews 12:23
So saints who die having a relationship with Jesus, upon their earthly death, enter into spiritual perfection in Christ Jesus, this is what the Spirit of just men made perfect, the cloud of witnesses or elders have attained.
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, a parable Jesus shared, Abraham who is dead by human understanding is described as alive, glorious, and occupying a fatherly position in God's paradise. Luke 16:19-31
Abraham's status in the afterlife is what it means to 'enter into glory' or enter into spiritual perfection through Jesus Christ.
These elders or the cloud of witnesses include Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Abel, King David, the twelve disciples of Jesus, Apostle Paul e.t.c
As great as these men are by God's calling and grace given to them, none of them is greater than the Lord Jesus Christ, neither is anyone of them the perfect example to follow.
Every christian life and every christian ministry should be patterned ONLY after the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is our perfect model and the only one we are instructed to follow, He is the only one we should really aim to please!
Elijah was a great prophet, the only prophet in history who has called fire down from heaven, but it's not written anywhere in the Bible that Elijah is our standard to subscribe to.
Abraham was a great man, chosen by God, but we are not told to pattern our life after Abraham but only look to him.Isaiah 51:1,2
We can look to Abraham and other members of the cloud of witnesses to gain inspiration from their walk with God, to be motivated by their exploits, to imitate their godly lifestyles and study their strengths and weaknesses.
By 'looking' at these men in scripture, many lessons can be learnt that will benefit our own spiritual walk.
By studying their mistakes, we can learn to avoid the issues that tarnished their reputation and avoid their pitfalls.
Jesus Christ is the brightest light that ever walked this earth!
He is the one it is all about, He is the focus of eternity and creation.
He is the reason 'the elders' or 'cloud of witnesses' could do what what they did or perform any exploits.
He existed before any of them. John 1:1-3
He existed before Abraham. John 8:58
He is greater than Solomon. Luke 11:31
He made King David who he is. Revelation 22:16
He is our ultimate model and focus. Ephesians 2:20
Although Jesus was a prophet, He was more than a prophet
Although Jesus was a man, He was more than a man
Although Jesus is the light of the world, He is that Light that shines brighter than the Sun. This is the Light which blinded Saul who became Paul. This Light has a presence, this Light is living!
Jesus is the lamb of God and also the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
He was human and yet divine.
JESUS IS THE MYSTERY OF THE AGES! Colossians 1:26
(A message delivered at THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST ASSEMBLY by Olutosin Ogunkolade, a Teacher-Pastor)
There are many examples for the faithful of the christian faith to learn from, shinning 'lights' whose devout lifestyles to God are worthy of emulation. Men and women who performed exploits by faith, pleased God by obedience, experienced God by grace and did the impossible because they were called of God.
In Hebrews 11:2 the scriptures talks about such exploits, these shinning 'lights' are called elders, and they obtained a good testimony by faith. They are called 'elders' because they were before us, they are senior or elder to our generation and senior to each of us.
Their achievements by faith is a source of inspiration and motivation to all christians.
In Hebrews 12:1 these elders or examples to us are called 'cloud of witnesses'.
They are not dead but alive because our God is a God of the living not the dead.
Mark 12:27, Luke 20:38
These cloud of witnesses or elders are also called the 'spirit of just men made perfect' Hebrews 12:23
So saints who die having a relationship with Jesus, upon their earthly death, enter into spiritual perfection in Christ Jesus, this is what the Spirit of just men made perfect, the cloud of witnesses or elders have attained.
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, a parable Jesus shared, Abraham who is dead by human understanding is described as alive, glorious, and occupying a fatherly position in God's paradise. Luke 16:19-31
Abraham's status in the afterlife is what it means to 'enter into glory' or enter into spiritual perfection through Jesus Christ.
These elders or the cloud of witnesses include Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Abel, King David, the twelve disciples of Jesus, Apostle Paul e.t.c
As great as these men are by God's calling and grace given to them, none of them is greater than the Lord Jesus Christ, neither is anyone of them the perfect example to follow.
Every christian life and every christian ministry should be patterned ONLY after the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is our perfect model and the only one we are instructed to follow, He is the only one we should really aim to please!
Elijah was a great prophet, the only prophet in history who has called fire down from heaven, but it's not written anywhere in the Bible that Elijah is our standard to subscribe to.
Abraham was a great man, chosen by God, but we are not told to pattern our life after Abraham but only look to him.Isaiah 51:1,2
We can look to Abraham and other members of the cloud of witnesses to gain inspiration from their walk with God, to be motivated by their exploits, to imitate their godly lifestyles and study their strengths and weaknesses.
By 'looking' at these men in scripture, many lessons can be learnt that will benefit our own spiritual walk.
By studying their mistakes, we can learn to avoid the issues that tarnished their reputation and avoid their pitfalls.
Jesus Christ is the brightest light that ever walked this earth!
He is the one it is all about, He is the focus of eternity and creation.
He is the reason 'the elders' or 'cloud of witnesses' could do what what they did or perform any exploits.
He existed before any of them. John 1:1-3
He existed before Abraham. John 8:58
He is greater than Solomon. Luke 11:31
He made King David who he is. Revelation 22:16
He is our ultimate model and focus. Ephesians 2:20
Although Jesus was a prophet, He was more than a prophet
Although Jesus was a man, He was more than a man
Although Jesus is the light of the world, He is that Light that shines brighter than the Sun. This is the Light which blinded Saul who became Paul. This Light has a presence, this Light is living!
Jesus is the lamb of God and also the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
He was human and yet divine.
JESUS IS THE MYSTERY OF THE AGES! Colossians 1:26
(A message delivered at THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST ASSEMBLY by Olutosin Ogunkolade, a Teacher-Pastor)
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