AuthorTerry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ. See his complete bio at trbaughman.com Archives
October 2024
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One Name4/24/2022 One Name
Every Victory! Terry R. Baughman “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NKJ). The name of Jesus comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew for “Yahweh Saves,” or as is often identified, “Jehovah-salvation.” The name of the Lord was often referred to in the Old Testament text, but the revelation of His name and the fullness of the plan of God to bring redemption had not yet been unveiled. The special name that God chose to bear in His incarnation was not revealed until the opening pages of the Gospels. The young virgin maiden, Mary, was chosen to bear the Son of God. Even before Mary gave birth, Joseph was instructed, “She will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 NKJ). Jesus Himself stated, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NKJ). Salvation was the essential purpose God came to provide. Paul wrote, “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5 NKJ). The Gospel was vested in the commission of Jesus and the power of His name. He revealed, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47 NKJ). The disciples received the understanding that great authority and power came through the name of Jesus. From the commission in Mark, Jesus stated, “In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17–18 NKJ). With the commission and the revelation of His purpose it was understood that all things were to be performed under His authority and in His name. Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost was clear, and the other disciples stood in agreement when he instructed those who believed in Jesus, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 NKJ). Soon after this powerful launch of the New Testament church, the miraculous healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in Jerusalem brought positive and negative attention to this emerging group. Some desired to discredit their message of the resurrection, while others were attracted to the powerful, incredible miracle and desired to learn more. A man who had never walked ran leaping into the Temple. When disciples were arrested and questioned as to the cause of such a miracle, Peter explained that it was Jesus, “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16 NKJ). This was the context of the story bearing witness to the power in the name of Jesus, which concluded with the text above, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is that One Name! Theme passage: “We thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One” (1 Corinthians 15:57 TPT).
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He Rose, He Reigns4/17/2022 He Rose, He Reigns
Every Victory! Terry R. Baughman “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17 NLT). The reign of death was long and pronounced. From the first sin in the Garden of Eden to the sacrifice of Calvary, death held the reign of terror. Reprieve from sin’s curse was afforded in the multitude of sacrifices instituted under the Law of Moses. Innocent animals were slaughtered to atone for the sins of humanity, seeking to stay the consequence of judgment and pushing sins ahead year after year on the Day of Atonement. Delaying the inevitable judgment was a temporary fix and a burdensome responsibility. Paul wrote, “Death reigned from Adam to Moses” (Romans 5:14 NKJ). All of humanity felt the impact of the curse. The Law was only a interim remedy from the weight of sin and its condemnation. Jesus came with a new message. It was the message of the Kingdom! Jesus said, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it” (Luke 16:16 NKJ). John the Baptist came on the scene declaring a new day, Messiah is coming and there is hope in His coming Kingdom. While many anticipated a Messiah to come bringing deliverance, most thought He would come with a military force, overthrowing the Romans and reestablishing the throne of David. The Zealots were ready to join forces against their oppressors. Others envisioned fire and judgment falling on their enemies. Jesus did not appear in the way anyone anticipated. He came in humility and in the form of a servant. He taught love and faith, forgiveness and restitution. Even His own disciples questioned how He would gain authority and what their role would be in the future kingdom. James and John picked sides. Peter was ready to use His sword. Judas planned for the increase in finances. Everyone had a different idea of how it would all come to pass. Slowly Jesus revealed that He had not come to overthrow the Romans. He chose a much different path. Matthew wrote, “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21 NKJ). That was not what anyone wanted to hear, but it was His plan from the beginning. He was to be, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NKJ). What appeared to be a tragic miscarriage of justice became the antidote for sin and the solution for the continual problem of sin. By the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ a permanent solution for the atonement of sin was given. Death was buried, the curse was answered, and total victory was purchased for all humanity. The resurrection of Jesus from the grave provided everyone; past, present and future, a hope beyond this life and the continuation of life for eternity. Paul wrote, “Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God” (Romans 6:9–10 NKJ). There’s a new king on the throne. Jesus reigns in a spiritual kingdom that far exceeds any political position or temporal power on this earth. He removed the crown from death and Jesus reigns as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” Jesus reigns and grace abounds! “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20–21 NKJ). Theme passage: “We thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One” (1 Corinthians 15:57 TPT).
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Death is Buried4/10/2022 Death is Buried
Every Victory! Terry R. Baughman “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4 NKJ). For many the pale of death brings fear and finality to our existence. There is little hope beyond what we can see in this life for most people. Death is universal and comes to all. No one escapes its clutches or evades its grasp. We won't get out of here alive. One out of one die! The greatest thing Jesus promised was everlasting life! John saw Him for who He was, “and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NKJ). He identified Him as the life, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4 NKJ). Jesus Himself revealed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NKJ). So it is not an empty promise when it was stated, “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJ). Jesus demonstrated His power over death on several occasions. He restored life to the young boy of the widow from Nain. He raised Jarius’ daughter with a simple request, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41 NKJ). Then, at the tomb of His friend He boldly commanded, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43 NKJ). Death had to leave whenever He spoke. However, nothing demonstrated His power over death more than His own resurrection. The sacrificial death of Jesus was part of His plan to bring salvation to the world. He outlined His purpose, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 NKJ). The crucifixion was not an unexpected outcome or a tragic mistake, rather it was all a part of the plan of redemption. Jesus said, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7 NKJ). Just as much as death was inevitable for Jesus, so also was His ultimate resurrection. When Jesus was buried in the borrowed tomb, death went there with Him, but only one came out. Jesus arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave. Death was buried and stays buried. While we are still under the curse of death as human beings, we are also under the provision and promise of everlasting life through Jesus Christ. We do not need to fear death. It is no longer final. Death is just a passage way to everlasting life. It is just a door, a temporary space, a changing room to prepare for eternity. We shall arise. We shall live! Death has no more dominion, no power, no authority. Paul wrote, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:8–9 NKJ). Our great hope lies beyond the grave. In the resurrection chapter Paul said, “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54–55 NLT). Death is buried in the grave and just like Christ rose from the tomb, we are promised the same resurrection power. Death is done; he is buried and gone. We shall live again … forever! Theme passage: “We thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One” (1 Corinthians 15:57 TPT).
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Defeat is Defeated4/3/2022 Defeat is Defeated
Every Victory! Terry R. Baughman “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 NLT). From a young age we are taught that victory is everything and losing is not an option. Competition is ingrained in almost every sporting event. Some may argue that they are only competing with the clock, but the winner is determined by who beat the clock the most, so there is still a competition with other individuals in the sport. There is merit to sportsmanship and playing just for the shear enjoyment of the game, but at the end of the day everyone wants to know the score and, “who won?” Tournaments are determined by winners and losers. Championships are structured to eliminate the inferior teams or players and produce the best of the competition. The Olympics are held to showcase the best in each game, to reward the winners and eliminate the losers. Only one wears the gold, the silver, and the bronze, while everyone else looks on and vows to compete again in the next Olympics, or to give up the opportunity to try again. Paul used the analogy of a race to the spiritual quest in which we are engaged. He said, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV). In a way we are all in a competition. However, this competition is not to beat anyone or condemn another to be a loser, it is to win the prize of eternal life. This prize is available for all who runs, anyone who pursues the goal, for all who come to Him are promised the prize of everlasting life! Again, Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV). Our ultimate victory is the defeat of defeat! What Jesus provided through His death, burial, and resurrection is victory for every believer. His victory assures us of continual success. There is no adversity we cannot overcome, no discouragement that we cannot subdue, no death that can keep us in the grave. His victory promises that defeat will be defeated. Paul wrote of the ultimate culmination of Christ’s victory, “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26 NIV). The conclusion of the matter has already been declared. The last act will be the destruction of death itself. Death is our final enemy and will be as powerless as it was to prevent the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the garden tomb. A tomb outside of Jerusalem stands empty to this day as a testament of Christ’s victory over death. Every believer who has died in the faith awaits that resurrection morning when the trumpet sounds. “The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 NKJ). Theme passage: “We thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One” (1 Corinthians 15:57 TPT). |