Reflections on the Full Ministry of Christ (pt.1)

Many believers have a historical Christ and a future Jesus. But what is Christ doing today? In a series of posts over the coming months I want to examine this topic and consider its proper, practical application to our Christian living. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus is not a carpenter hammering away to prepare physical mansions for us in heaven. If you've read the gospels you would agree that this notion is a silly non sequitur. We want the revelation that comes from the Word of God, not myths that come from wild imaginations. 

I intend to progressively investigate this topic in three sections:  incarnation, inclusion, and intensification.  With this focus I believe we will gain a panoramic view of Christ’s full ministry. 

Two principles can guide us as we explore this subject. The first is that we desire to "know Christ” (Phil. 3:10). We want a “knowing” of Christ that is neither common nor general, but specific and particular.

And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah; and they will be My people, and I will be their God; for they will return to Me with their whole heart. (Jeremiah 24:7)

The second principle is that as we see and know Christ we want also to "gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8). This means that we experience and enjoy Christ in each stage of his ministry. We are here to “learn Christ”  in a way that will revolutionize our Christian life!

From the outset, we have to acknowledge that all Scripture is God-breathed 
(2 Tim 3:16). Accordingly, we would never assume that God’s speaking in the New Testament is limited only to “red letters.” Rather, we want to examine the entire speaking of God.

The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Word.The Bible is the  inevitable outcome of God’s continuous speech. (A.W. TOZER, The Pursuit of God)