Jesus Now

1. Jesus Christ: Our Great High Priest and Advocate

"Remember: There's a throne of grace waiting for you. Consequently, don't run away from Jesus when you sin. Run to Him."

Our acceptance in Christ. Jesus, as our great high priest, has obtained eternal redemption for us through His blood. Unlike the Old Testament high priests who had to offer sacrifices repeatedly, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place once and for all with His own blood. This act not only forgives all our sins—past, present, and future—but also cleanses our consciences from guilt and shame.

Christ's ongoing ministry. As our advocate, Jesus continually intercedes for us at the right hand of God. He defends us against the accusations of the enemy and provides us with constant access to the throne of grace. This means we can approach God boldly, regardless of our failures or shortcomings.

Jesus is our:

• High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)
• Advocate (1 John 2:1-2)
• Intercessor (Romans 8:34)

2. The Chief Shepherd: Caring for His Flock

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Provision and protection. As our chief shepherd, Jesus provides for all our needs and protects us from harm. He leads us to green pastures and quiet waters, restoring our souls and guiding us in paths of righteousness. Even in the darkest valleys, we need not fear because He is with us.

Comfort and care. The shepherd's rod and staff represent both correction and comfort. Jesus uses these tools to discipline us when necessary and to draw us closer to Himself. He prepares a table before us, even in the presence of our enemies, demonstrating His power to bless us amid adversity.

The shepherd's roles:

• Provides (Psalm 23:1-3)
• Protects (Psalm 23:4)
• Comforts (Psalm 23:5-6)
• Corrects (Hebrews 12:5-11)

3. The Heavenly Bridegroom: God's Ultimate Passion

"Jesus is looking for lovers, not maids. He's looking for intimate companions, not forced slaves."

God's eternal purpose. From before creation, God ordained that He would give His Son an eternal companion—the church—to meet His beating heart. This relationship between Christ and His bride is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire for intimacy with His creation.

Our response to His love. As the bride of Christ, we are called to commune with, love, enthrone, and intimately know our heavenly bridegroom. This relationship goes beyond mere service or obedience; it involves a deep, passionate love that responds to Christ's overwhelming love for us.

Aspects of the bride-bridegroom relationship:

• Intimacy (Song of Solomon)
• Unity (Ephesians 5:31-32)
• Devotion (Revelation 19:7-8)
• Mutual love (Ephesians 5:25-27)

4. Author and Finisher of Our Faith: Spiritual Growth and Transformation

"Spiritual growth is a matter of becoming what you already are."

The process of transformation. Jesus, as the author and finisher of our faith, is actively involved in our spiritual growth. This process involves three main stages: infancy, childhood, and adulthood. Each stage corresponds to our physical development and requires different types of spiritual nourishment and challenges.

God's commitment to our growth. Paul's confidence that "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6) assures us that God is committed to our spiritual development. Even when we feel discouraged or stagnant, Jesus continues to work in us, conforming us to His image.

Stages of spiritual growth:

• Infancy: Milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2)
• Childhood: Solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14)
• Adulthood: Maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:13-15)

5. Builder of Ekklesia: Christ's Present-Day Ministry in the Church

"God's way of raising up the ascension gifts is by restoring organic body life."

Organic church life. Jesus builds His ekklesia (church) not through human systems or traditions, but through the organic development of spiritual gifts within the body of believers. This process is natural and occurs when believers gather around Christ alone, rather than doctrines or rituals.

The ascension gifts. The gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) are not offices to be filled but functions that emerge naturally within a healthy church body. These gifts serve to nurture and encourage the believing community toward spiritual maturity in Christ, unity, and every-member functioning.

Characteristics of organic church life:

• Christ-centered gatherings
• Every-member participation
• Natural development of gifts
• Mutual edification
• Absence of hierarchical structures

6. Head of the Church: Expressing His Character Through His Body

"The purpose of the open-participatory gathering is to edify the entire church and to display, express, and reveal the Lord through the members of the body to principalities and powers in heavenly places."

Christ's headship in practice. As the head of the church, Jesus seeks to express His character and nature through His body. This occurs when believers gather regularly to display God's life through the ministry of every member. The open-participatory meeting, where each believer functions and ministers, is a key expression of this reality.

Continuing Christ's ministry. The church, as Christ's body on earth, is called to continue His ministry of proclaiming and embodying the kingdom of God. This includes loving outcasts, befriending the oppressed, healing the sick, and demonstrating the reality of God's future kingdom in the present.

Aspects of Christ's headship:

• Directing the church (Acts examples)
• Nourishing His body (Ephesians 5:29)
• Source of the church's life (Colossians 3:4)
• Expressing His character (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

7. Lord of the World: The Cosmic Conflict and Christ's Victory

"The central question of the universe is about who will have the worship. It's about who will have the authority. It's over who will sit on the throne and be in charge."

The cosmic conflict. Behind all that happens in the world, there is a spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. This conflict centers on the question of worship and authority. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has already secured victory over the Enemy, but the full manifestation of this victory awaits the participation of His people.

Our role in Christ's victory. As believers, we are called to work with God in putting into effect the finished work of Christ. This involves exercising the authority given to us by Christ and participating in the advancement of His kingdom until His return.

Key aspects of the cosmic conflict:

• Two kingdoms at war (Matthew 12:24-28)
• Satan's defeat at the cross (Colossians 2:15)
• The church's role in manifesting Christ's victory (Ephesians 3:10)
• The ultimate victory at Christ's return (Revelation 11:15)

Last updated: November 7, 2024