30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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Luke 24 36-49 COMMISSIONED TO BE HIS WITNESSES 03 17Apr2022 Luke 24 36-37 Understanding and experiencing the Shalom of God
📖 Luke 24:36-49
03 – 17Apr2022 – Understanding and experiencing the Shalom of God - Luke 24:36-49 - COMMISSIONED TO BE HIS WITNESSES - Bible reading: _ Isaiah 32:15-19_
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You give us Your Shalom. Forgive us, Lord, that though we have received the Shalom, we go back and take upon ourselves our troubles and anxieties. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.”
Luke 24:36-37 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." (37) But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
We have been considering some of the dimensions of the Shalom of God. Let us now see a larger perspective of the Shalom of God.
Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (20) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross
We have said that the Shalom of God, in the Old Testament, is the same as the reconciliation with God, in the New Testament. God is reconciling all things to Himself, through Jesus. Things on earth or things in heaven are reconciled with God, through Christ, by His blood, which Jesus shed on the cross.
Creation is in anguish. Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Creation is groaning and labouring with birth pangs because man, who was made responsible for all of God’s creation, in God’s image, relinquished his position to the clutches of the devil.
The whole of creation is suffering because man is in the control of the devil. The devil is able to execute his evil agenda, over all of God’s creation, through man, since the executive power over creation, still remains with mankind.
The devil’s control over creation is so complete and devastating that he was able to make this audacious statement to Jesus, who is the God of all creation.
Luke 4:5-6 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (6) And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Incidentally, the Lord did not refute this claim of the devil, since man was still in the control of the evil one, at this point. The Lord dealt with this matter on the cross and wrested man from the grip of the devil.
Freeing man from the grip of the devil implies that we are now free, to take our rightful place, of God’s vice-regents to rule over all of God’s creation.
We, as those who have experienced freedom in Christ, are now responsible to go into all domains. The devil is freely exercising his authority in every sphere of life, since the legal and royal representatives of God, over all of creation, are unaware of their role and responsibility.
Friends, let us bring an end to this foolishness and take our rightful place and tell the devil, to his face, to vacate. We then must bring in the kingdom rule of God, which is the Shalom of God, into our world, in all realms.
Ephesians 1:9-10 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, (10) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
This is the overarching purpose of God that in the fullness of the times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ. This is the reconciliation of God or the Shalom of God.
This Shalom of God is in His kingdom. The ethos of the government of God is the Shalom of God.
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
When Jesus came into the world, He came announcing the kingdom of God.
Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
The Good news of the kingdom of God has come and this good news was the experience of the Shalom of God.
Isaiah 32:15-19 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. (16) Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. (17) The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. (18) My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, (19) Though hail comes down on the forest, And the city is brought low in humiliation.
God is assuring us, Shalom, in the midst of the chaos all around us. We, as the church, ought to be those who fully exercise the Shalom of God.
Thought to ponder
Let us not be deceived by the devil anymore but let us execute the Shalom of God.