Meet Anna: Broadcasting the Blessings of the Babe from Bethlehem

Luke 2:36-38

[36] And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
[37] And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
[38] And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Introduction:

Incarnation Day messages from the last 4 years

23 DEC 2007 – Luke 2:8-20 - The First Noel (Shepherds)
28 DEC 2008 – Luke 2:21-35 - Who Knew? (Simeon)

Other recent Incarnation Day messages:

24 DEC 2006 – 1 Timothy 3:16 – The Great Mystery of Ungodliness
20 DEC 2009 – Hebrews 2:9 – What is Man?
27 DEC 2009 – Isaiah 61:1-2 – Between Two Worlds

Let us pick up today in Luke 2 where we left off in 2008!

 
I. Let Me Introduce You To Anna – Wouldn’t You Like To Meet Anna? (2:36a)

And there was one Anna

Same as the Heb. Hannah (“grace”, “He was gracious”) –
cp. 1 Sam. 1:2, 5, 9, 15, 19, 22, 25

How many persons go unnamed in the Gospel accounts of Christ’s birth?

The Shepherds
The Wise Men (apocryphal names only)

No Little People, by Francis Schaeffer (n.p.: L’Abri Fellowship, 1974)

A Commentary on the Holy Bible, by Matthew Poole (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, n.d.; reprint from 1685 original ed.), 3:198

“in this most corrupt time there was a Simeon and an Anna, and also others, who had a true notion and expectation of the Messiah; and these the Holy Ghost taketh more notice of than of all the Jewish doctors, all the scribes and Pharisees, whose names are enrolled, while what these persons said and did shall remain for a memorial of them wherever the gospel shall be preached to the end of the world.” (pp. 91-92)

 
II. Let’s Get To Know Anna – Don’t you think Anna is a very interesting person? (2:36b-37)

a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; [37] And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

We are told 8 important facts about this woman Anna:

1. a prophetess
2. the daughter of Phanuel
3. of the tribe of Aser
4. she was of a great age
5. and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity
6. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years
7. which departed not from the temple
8. but served God with fastings and prayers night and day

These 8 important facts may be summarized as having to do with 4 subjects: her spirituality, genealogy, age, and service

1. Her spirituality (1)

(1) a prophetess

Ex. 15:20 - And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Judges 4:4 - And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

2 Chron. 34:22 - And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.

Joel 2:28-32 – [28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: [29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. [30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. [32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Acts 21:9 - And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Rev. 2:20 - Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

2. Her genealogy (2-3)

(2) the daughter of Phanuel
(3) of the tribe of Aser

Phanuel = Heb. Penuel, Peniel

Asher = 2nd son of Jacob and Zilpah, one of the lost and scattered ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom

Genesis 30:12-13 – [12] And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son. [13] And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Joshua 19:24 - And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

3. Her age (4-6)

(4) she was of a great age
(5) and had lived with an husband seven years from her
virginity
(6) And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years

Some calculate her age at 103-106 (John Gill: possibly 111-113), understanding the 84 years to be how long she had been a widow.

4. Her service (7-8)

(7) which departed not from the temple
(8) but served God with fastings and prayers night and day

 
III. Let’s Listen To Anna – She Has Something Very Important To Tell You! (2:38)

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord,
and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 40:2 - Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (cp. 1-11)

Isaiah 41:14 - Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:14 - Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

Isaiah 44:24 - Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

Isaiah 52:9 - Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. (cp. 8-10)

Cp. also Ps. 130:5-8; Joel 2:28-32

Luke 1:68-79 – [68] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, [69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; [70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: [71] That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; [72] To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; [73] The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, [74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, [75] In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. [76] And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; [77] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, [78] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, [79] To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 2:25 - And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Luke 23:50-54 – [50] And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: [51] (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. [52] This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. [53] And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. [54] And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

Parallel Passages:

Matthew 27:54-60 – [54] Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. [55] And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: [56] Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. [57] When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: [58] He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. [59] And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Mark 15:42-46 – [42] And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, [43] Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. [44] And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. [45] And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. [46] And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

John 19:38-42 – [38] And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. [39] And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. [40] Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. [41] Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. [42] There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Luke 24:21 - But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Acts 26:7 - Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Romans 8:23 - And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

2 Tim. 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.


Conclusion:

Aren’t you glad that you met Anna, learned of her, and listened to her?

There are Two Kinds of People in the World

Introduction:

“There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't.”
Quote from Bob ‘Bobby’ Wiley, played by Bill Murray, in the movie “What About Bob?” (Touchstone Pictures, 1991).

It is true that there are two kinds of people in this world. There are those who believe in miracles, and there are those who deny the existence of miracles. There are those who believe in the supernatural, and those who deny it. There are those who have faith in a supernatural God who is able to work miracles, and who have experienced his miracle working power within themselves. And there are those who do not have such faith, and no nothing of God’s power.

I would turn your attention to the Bible at this time.

In fact, the Scriptures speak of there being two kinds of people in the world!
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Mt. 12:30)
“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”
(Mt. 25:32-33)
“...children of light...children of darkness” (Eph. 5:6-11)
“...children of God...children of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:10)

The Bible is a Book of Miracles from beginning to end. There are those who believe this, and those who do not.

The Miracle of Creation

It begins with the great miracle of creation. Oh, yes, this was a miracle despite was is commonly taught and proclaimed as fact in falsely so-called scientific circles, in textbooks, and is schools. We find the words, “And God said...” ten times in the first chapter of Genesis. Often this is followed by the words “...and it was so.”

Genesis 1:3 - And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
[9] And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

God spoke. And it was so. His Word has the power to create, to create out of nothing, to call into existence. When we speak of creation we speak of it as a miracle sourced in His creative Word.

The Bible ends with another great miracle, that of the destruction of this world, and its replacement, its renewal into the New Heavens and the New Earth. Revelation 21:1-8. God will speak once again, and it will be so. There were no unbelievers present for the first great miracle. There will be no place for them in the last. The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who believe this, and those who do not.

The Miracle of Christ

The Bible is centered on a series of great miracles that focus on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Just as creation itself His time on this earth began and ended with great miracles. His birth as the Son of Man is a miracle - the great miracle of the Incarnation. His victory of sin and death in the great miracle of the Resurrection brought about the end of His time as Son of Man on this earth in the Ascension. The world is divided into two groups: those who believe in Him and those who do not.

The Miracles of Christ

Throughout His life He showed Who He was and demonstrated His power as God by working many miracles. These miracles performed by the Lord Jesus Christ spanned a variety of realms and subjects. The first of these was his turning of water into wine at a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. However, if you are into grading miracles you might agree that few would characterize this miracle as His greatest. The fascination of many with this miracle seems to have more to do with the wine, than with the point of the miracle itself – that of testifying to Christ’s power over creation.

You will remember that at creation God spoke and it was so. It is always so, but it seems to be especially so at certain times in the Bible with regard to miracles.

The resuscitation of Lazarus

Read John 11:1-21

These were folks who believed in miracles. They were well aware of Christ’s miracle working power. They had seen Him show Who He was. They had experienced the supernatural, and fully expected Him to do more. They were actually very disappointed that He had not come to their home in time to perform a miracle of healing on their brother and friend before He died of His sickness.

My “trail name” or nickname on the Appalachian Trail is “Overkill”. This is due to the fact that I carry lots of extra stuff, adding up to what my daughters feel is too much weight. There are, however, those who would assert that, “Overkill is underrated.” This is actually a line from the new movie “A-Team” produced by Twentieth Century Fox. COL “Hannibal” Smith said this in that movie. I like that. What does that have to do with anything? It has to do with Jesus Christ Himself! I would like to use that line with regards to Christ Himself. Christ is underrated! Christ is underrated. He is even underrated by those who say they believe in Him, and who know that He can and does perform powerful miracles.

Read John 11:22-45

Conclusion:

There are two, and only two, kinds of people in the world today. There are those who believe that the Bible is a book of miracles from beginning to end, and those who don’t. There are those who believe in miracles, in God’s supernatural, miracle-working power, and those who don’t. There are those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and those who don’t. Which of these two groups do you fall into, and don’t say neither, because there is no gray area, no middle ground here. There is no “neither”! It is one or the other. Are you here today as one who cannot confess a faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who does not believe He did miracles, who denies the miracle of creation itself? Are you someone who hears the Bible, who knows what it says, but who cannot subscribe to a belief in the Bible as a “Book of Miracles”? Are you one of the two kinds of people who denies the existence of a supernatural God, or who denies His miracle working power? If so, perhaps you need to ask yourself, “Why?” What keeps you from taking God at His Word, and believing in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and confessing Him as your Savior?

The Miracle of Regeneration, of the New Birth

2 Cor. 4:3-7 – [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1

Q.1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A.1: That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death,[1] am not my own,[2] but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ,[3] who with His precious blood [4] has fully satisfied for all my sins,[5] and redeemed me from all the power of the devil;[6] and so preserves me [7] that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head;[8] indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation.[9] Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,[10] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.[11]

Is this your only comfort in life and in death?

Footnotes:

1. Rom. 14:7 8
2. I Cor. 6:19
3. I Cor. 3:23
4. I Peter 1:18 19
5. I John 1:7; 2:2
6. I John 3:8
7. John 6:39
8. Matt. 10:29 30; Luke 21:18
9. Rom. 8:28
10. II Cor. 1:21 22; Eph. 1:13 14; Rom. 8:16
11. Rom. 8:1

[This sermon was preached by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery during a funeral service on January 6, 2011, and at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA on January 9, 2011.]

Thomas Boston quote in Jerry Bridges' "Pursuit of Holiness"

Jerry Bridges quoted Thomas Boston in his book The Pursuit of Holiness in chapter 11 on pg. 110 in the 2006 printing. In the footnote at that place he indicated:

"This quote from Thomas Boston is taken from an old magazine article in the author's files. Unfortunately, neither the title of the magazine nor the date of publication was listed on the clipping." (Op. cit., footnote 3, pg. 157)

The original source for this quote in the works of Thomas Boston is:

An Illustration of the doctrines of the Christian Religion: with respect to with respect to both Faith and Practice, upon the plan of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, comprehending A Complete Body of Divinity, 3 vols., (Edinburgh: John Reid, 1773), III:94-95.

This work is available as a free download (public domain) from Google books at:

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4339761129170972483&postID=4580064656047090404">"http://books.google.com/books?id=cpMCAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Thomas+Boston&ei=fSDnS9ewHZ-szQSi77GDCg&cd=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

Here is the way the quote appears in the original:

"They that would keep themselves pure must have their bodies in subjection, and that may require in some cases a holy violence, I Cor. ix. 27."

Just to keep the record straight!

P.S. I did contact Jerry Bridges about this via email on May 9, 2010. His response on May 10, 2010 follows:

"Thanks so much for this information. I doubt that NavPress will be
interested in changing the footnote at this late date, but I will bring this to their attention."

Answers to Questions

The Catechism of the Couplets of Christ [1]

Questions:

“How can He be both the Alpha and the Omega?”

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is,

and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

(Rev. 1:8)

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest,

write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus,

and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis,

and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

(Rev. 1:11)

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

(Rev. 21:6)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

(Rev. 22:13)

“How can He be both the Beginning and the End?”

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is,

and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

(Rev. 1:8)

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

(Rev. 21:6)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

(Rev. 22:13)

“How can He be both the First and the Last?”

Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?

I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.

(Is. 41:4)

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts;

I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

(Is. 44:6)

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first,

I also am the last.

(Is. 48:12)

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest,

write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus,

and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis,

and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

(Rev. 1:11)

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

(Rev. 1:17)

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

(Rev. 2:8)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

(Rev. 22:13)

“How can He be both God and Man?”

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

(Jn. 1:14)

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out,

and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

(Mk. 15:39)

“How can He be both Sovereign and Servant?”

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

(Is. 42:1)

[18] Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. [19] He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. [20] A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

(Mt. 12:18-20)

[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

(Phil. 2:5-7)

“How can He be both the Lion and the Lamb?”

[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. [6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. [8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. [11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; [12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. [13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. [14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

(Rev. 5:5-14)

“How can He be both the Author and the Finisher?”

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Heb. 12:2)

“How can He be both Mercy and Truth?”

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

(Ps. 85:10)

“How can He be both Righteousness and Peace?”

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

(Ps. 85:10)

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,

and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

(1 Cor. 1:30)

“How can He be both Grace and Truth?”

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

(Jn. 1:17)

“How can he be both the High Priest and the Sacrifice?”

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

(Heb. 7:27)

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,

sat down on the right hand of God;

(Heb. 10:12)

“How can He be both the Covenant and the Mediator of the Covenant?”

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand,

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

(Is. 42:6)

Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee,

and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee,

and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth,

to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

(Is. 49:8)

Answer:

The answer to all of the above is:

“Because of who He is! Solo Christo! He alone can be both because of who He is!”

the mystery of Christ (Eph. 3:3-4; Col. 4:3)

the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19)

the mystery of the faith (1 Tim. 3:9)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)

Non nobis, non nobis, Domine,

sed nomini tuo da gloriam!

Soli Deo gloria!

John T. "Jack" Jeffery

Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA

14-21 APR 2010

The Catechism of the Couplets of Christ

by John T. Jeffery

Copyright 2010 by John T. Jeffery.

All rights reserved.

The use of excerpts or reproduction of this material is prohibited

without written permission from the author.

Contact the author at:

722 South Main Ave.

Scranton, PA 18504

Home phone:  (570) 342-5787

Email:  johntjeff@verizon.net

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[1] This began as a response to the following question posted to the Sound of Grace email list at soundofgrace@welovegod.org, Wednesday, April 14, 2010 12:01 PM, Subject: RE: Eternal Covenant,

“...how can Christ both be THE covenant and be the mediator of the NC, and how can the NC be IN His blood (sign of the NC) and be the NC, and how can He be the testator of the NC AND be the NC?”

8th Annual Wayside Weekend Bible Conference

Wayside Gospel Chapel is hosting its 8th Annual Weekend Bible Conference Saturday, April 24, 2010 and Sunday, April 25, 2010. Two sessions are scheduled for Saturday evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Fellowship Dinner between sessions. The closing session of the Conference will be the Sunday morning worship service beginning at 11:00 a.m.

David B. Morris will once again be expounding the Scriptures at Wayside. David is no stranger to Wayside Gospel Chapel as this is his seventh visit as our featured Bible Conference preacher.

Pastor John T. "Jack" Jeffery (left) with Pastor David Morris (right)

David studied Classics and Linguistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, following his conversion in 1973. After nearly twenty years of pastoral ministry, he entered an itinerant ministry of evangelism and conference speaking. He and Terri, his wife of 28 years, have six children. David has ministered in the past at the John Bunyan Conference (New Ringgold, PA and Lewisburg, PA), and the International Baptist Conference (Toronto, Canada). Some of his sermons are available on SermonAudio.com at David Morris.

Pastor David Morris (left) with Pastor John T. "Jack" Jeffery (right)

Don't miss this opportunity to gather at Wayside as we are ministered to by this gifted preacher and teacher of God's Word! Please contact Pastor Jeffery if you plan on attending Saturday evening to assist with planning the dinner at waysidegospelchapel@yahoo.com.

John Bunyan Conference

John Bunyan Conference
April 26-28, 2010
Reformed Baptist Church, Lewisburg, PA

The general theme of the conference will be “The Relationship of the Old and the New.” We decided to tackle some difficult subjects this year. There will be time for discussion, and the topics are certain to stimulate lively discussion. In years past we have been able to earnestly discuss some areas where Calvinists and New Covenant Theologians disagree. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us. Registration information is available in the current issue of the "Sound of Grace" (Issue 164, February 2010, pg. 19), by phone at (301) 473-8781, or by email to johnbunyanconf@comcast.net.

John Reisinger will speak on “Continuity and Discontinuity” or the relationship of the old and new. What continues and what is done away in Christ? This is a knotty problem of long standing. He will also speak on the “Active and Passive Obedience of Christ.”

Jack Jeffery will speak on “Seeing the New Testament through New Covenant eyes: Two Test Texts – The Point of the Parentheses in Romans 2:13-15 and 1 Corinthians 9:21.” Both of these texts are greatly misunderstood.

Blake White will have two messages on “The Law of Christ.” This phrase is thrown around without being carefully defined. This is an exceedingly important subject for new covenant people.

Fred Zaspel did his doctrinal thesis on B.B. Warfield and will share the results with two messages on this great giant of the past.

Steve Wellum will cover "Infant Baptism" and the non-biblical presuppositions upon which it rests.

Scripture says, “Iron Sharpens Iron” (Prov. 27:17). This year’s topics assure that there will be some big grindstones at work on some long knives.

Please send any questions to: johnbunyanconf@comcast.net.

Fall Family Festival

Wayside Gospel Chapel will be hosting a “Fall Family Festival” at the church on Sunday, November 8th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. The public is invited to this event, and admission is free. There will be turkey bowling, jell-o bobbing, pumpkin carving, a huge leaf pile, a bonfire, and other games and food. Due to the nature of the games those who plan on attending are encouraged to wear old clothes!

Wayside Gospel Chapel is located at the intersection of Roemerville Road and Route 390 four miles south of Promised Land State Park in Greentown (Pike County), Pennsylvania.

For further information contact Pastor Jeffery at (570) 342-5787.