Newsletter December 2015

The coming of the King

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:26-33)

The announcement of Jesus’ birth was the initiation of a new era.  The Son of God would come to earth to establish a new kingdom.  This kingdom would not be like any other kingdom; it would be a heavenly kingdom on earth – His spiritual reign over a natural world. 

     Since the Fall of Adam, the human race had been spiritually dead.  Man had lost the dominion he had held over Creation until the Fall.  The entire human race had become subject to the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 2:2-3).  Jesus, however, was conceived by God’s Spirit and born of a virgin; thus He was truly man yet, at the same time, truly God.  All God’s fullness dwelt in Him bodily (Colossians 2:9).  He came from heaven to earth to reclaim dominion over creation from the devil.  He demonstrated His authority by healing the sick, by casting out demons, and by commanding even the wind and the waves to cease. 

     Yet Jesus’ ministry did not end there.  The ultimate purpose of His coming was to redeem humanity to God.  He stepped out of eternity into time to lay down His sinless life for a lost world.  He took our guilt upon Himself so that we could be free from the power of sin and Satan.  He died so we could have life – spiritual life.  Through His death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection, He triumphed on our behalf over the principalities and powers that had for so long ruled on earth. 

     All who will put their faith in Him to receive forgiveness and new birth through His sacrifice on Calvary are reconciled to God and adopted into His family.  As a result, they become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).  Christ comes to dwell in them by His Spirit (Colossians 1:27) and the spiritual dominion that was lost when Adam sinned is restored to them.  They have become God’s agents to extend His kingdom in this world – through their prayers, through their actions, and through their testimony.  

     Have you been born again by God’s Spirit?  Do you know Jesus as your Saviour?  Do you live in the power of His Presence?  Then, as a child of God and a servant of the King, do you share the wonderful truth of His kingdom with those around you?  Do you pray for His kingdom to come in their lives?  Do your actions reflect the glory of the King?

     Pastor Konrad

 Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King.

   Happy Christmas!