The House of God. Rev. John Peter Bodner
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idols”—like whom all who trust in them become—to the living and true God Triune I must live and die in time, appear and give account in eternity (1 Cor 8:6; Ps 115:4–8; Ps 97:7; Isa 40:18–25; Rom 14:7–8.12). Hence as there is one God, it is meet and right that there be but one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. God He is, for His Name is “Jehovah saves”—Jesus; His Name is called Emmanuel, “God with us.” Man He is, the man Christ Jesus. He can redeem for He our near Kinsman; we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that He might by death destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Ruth 2:20, 4:3; Eph 5:30; Heb.2:14–15). He is “mighty to save” as “God our Saviour,” Jesus—“for it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness dwell”—“in Him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” “God was in Christ” (Isa 63:1; Col.1:19–20,2:9; 2 Cor 5:19). What more could I need or want? Here is a Daysman to lay hold of God and man, heaven and earth, and bring us nigh—one mediator between God and man (Job 9:33; Eph 2:13–18).
This one mediator, the man Christ Jesus . . . gave himself a ransom for all. And what more could He give? “He loved me and gave Himself for me” “The Son of man came . . . to give his life a ransom for many.” “He gave Himself for our sins.” “He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people.” ”Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it.” He said, “I lay down my life for the sheep;” “My flesh . . . I give for the life of the world;” “I gave my back to the smiters” “And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost” (Gal 2:20; Mark 10:45; Gal 1:4; Tit. 2:14; Eph 5:25; John 10:15,6:51; Mark 15:37). What has He not given in that gift? “To them gave He power” “My peace I give unto you” “A Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance . . . and remission of sins” “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 1:12, 14:27, Acts 5:30–31; John 10:28). Unspeakable gift! (2 Cor 9:15).
22. In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day
1 “In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,”
Let us trace the steps once trod
By the aged, beloved disciple
Exiled for the Word of God,
Till the Lamb enthroned we worship,
Who hath bought us with His Blood!
2 See an open Door in Heaven:
Hear the Voice with trumpet sound
Beckon us to share the vision
Of the Throne, with all around,
Gathered in sublime submission
To our Savior, glory crowned.
3 Now attend unnumbered voices,
Surging like the boundless sea,
Of the saints in whom His choice is,
Loved, and washed, from sin set free:
How each ransomed heart rejoices
In His final victory!
4 “Thou art worthy!” hear them singing,
Praise outpouring like a flood,
“From all nations sinners bringing,
“Thou redeemed’st us by Thy Blood!
“Honour, riches, glory, blessing
“Is Thy due, O Lamb of God!”
5 “O come quickly—come, Lord Jesus!”
Every Sabbath let us pray!
May we thus in worship hasten
On until the Judgment Day.
When shall come new earth and heavens,
Which shall never pass away!
6 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
One, true, living God alone—
Grant us, on that Day assembling,
Grace to gather round Thy throne:
Make Thy Church Thy foursquare Temple,
Built on Christ the Cornerstone!
8.7.8.7.4.7.
Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 33; New Testament: Matthew 22 Psalm: 22
1 Timothy 2:5–6
5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
One Mediator—who could possibly share the rights, the Name, the glory of Christ Jesus as that one mediator between God and man? None. “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him, and His righteousness, it sustained Him” “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” He said it Himself: “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (Isa 59:16; Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
One Mediator . . . who gave Himself a ransom for all. All the diversity and depravity of the innumerable host of God’s elect are fully compensated by the one mediator . . . who gave himself. For all my sin, in all my need, for all my days “Christ is all in all,” “a ransom for all.”
A ransom . . . to be testified in due time: In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law (Gal 4:4). The times of ignorance God winked at, but now commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Now the revelation of the mystery in the preaching of Jesus Christ is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (Rom 16:25–26). And so Paul does not count his life dear to himself, but to finish his course with joy and the ministry he received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude, all the apostles and all the prophets bear witness that whosoever believes on Christ Jesus shall receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43; 1 John 1:1–4, 4:14–15). From them we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Now then is the accepted time; today is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2).
O Father of mercies, so fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may testify in due time to my one mediator . . . Christ Jesus, that saving ransom for all. Exalt Thy Son, our Prince and Savior, to give repentance and remission of sins and constrain me to speak of what I have known, to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19–20; 5:29). In this due time and day of salvation, open the doors of utterance and grant me boldness to speak plainly as I ought (Eph 6:19–20; Col. 4:3–4). Open Thou my lips, O Lord, and my tongue shall shew forth Thy praise; my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness, that I may teach sinners Thy ways, and they be converted unto Thee! (Ps 51:12–15). Let me testify the Gospel of Thy grace!
23. Come, Comforter and Holy Ghost
1 Come, Comforter and Holy Ghost,
O fill me in this hour,
To preach my Savior to the lost
With wisdom, love and power!
A pastor after God’s own heart,
Make me, as Scripture saith,
With doctrine sound to build the saints
In their most holy faith.
2 O Holy Spirit of God, reveal
The things of Christ to me:
The mysteries of Thy Word unseal—
Let me His glory see!
Blest Unction of the Holy One,
Anoint