CHRIST OUR PROPHET
Deuteronomy 18: 14-22
In times past, the LORD suffered all nations to walk in their own ways (Acts 14: 16.) But showing us how he would provide his children with teachers to preach his word, when the time came that God would deliver the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, the first thing God did was to send his prophet Moses into Egypt to speak the words of God. Before the LORD delivered them into the land of Canaan, he put his words in Moses mouth and Moses warned them that there were many in that land who taught things which were an abomination to God. In those nations we see how utterly necessary it is for God to teach us his word by the mouth of his messengers and how it pleased God to do so through the foolishness of preaching. Christ is the Prophet God promised.
Before Christ Came in Human Flesh
The glory that belongs to God the Father in teaching all of his chosen children effectually in their hearts was given to the Son of God. Before Christ ever came in human flesh, every true prophet spoke by the Spirit of Christ and every prophet spoke about Christ (1 Peter 1: 10-12; Romans 1: 1-3). The gospel which Christ teaches effectually in the heart through the Holy Spirit is that salvation is by Christ alone.
When Christ Came in Human Flesh
In time, Christ the Prophet, the Son of God came in human flesh (Hebrews 1: 1, 2; John 1: 14; Matthew 17: 5). Moses was a type of Christ in some ways. Moses was sent of God to deliver the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3: 10). Christ accomplished the redemption of his children by which we are made free indeed (John 8: 36). Moses was given a name to declare to the people so they would know God had sent him--I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3: 13-14). Christ said to the woman at the well, "I that speak unto thee AM" (John 4: 25-26). God gave Moses power to perform miracles so the people would know he was a prophet. Of Christ it is written, "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world (John 6:14).
But the similarity given in this text is in their mediatory office. Moses was the mediator who delivered the law of God (Deuteronomy 18: 16-17). The law was a killing letter, the ministration of condemnation and death. It struck terror so that without a mediator the people could not hear the voice of the LORD directly, lest they die. So they asked Moses to be the go-between between them and God. Moses was a mediator of a legal covenant which no sinner could ever keep.
Christ is the Mediator of a better covenant established upon better promises (John 1: 17; Hebrews 8: 5-12.) The better covenant is God's testament to give his free inheritance to his sons and daughters. Christ is the testator of that testament written in his blood. He is the Prophet who calls and teaches in the heart what he has accomplished (Hebrews 9:15.) When Christ the Prophet speaks into the heart through this gospel, he declares the work is finished. Christ has established the law and justified his people, the chastisement of their peace was upon him and with his stripes all his children are healed. This is the gospel Christ our Prophet teaches effectually in the hearts of each of his redeemed.
Now That Christ is Risen
Christ the Prophet yet sends forth his messengers and teaches this word in the heart (2 Corinthians 5:20). Just as all power belongs to Christ the King who reigns supremely to deliver and protect and order his kingdom in righteousness, just as all power belongs to Christ the High Priest whose one offering has perfected forever them that are sanctified, who brings us to God, who purges our conscious from dead works to serve the living God, so all power belongs to Christ the Prophet to teach effectually in the heart through his word (Matthew 28: 18; Colossians 2: 29; Ephesians 4: 15-16). The Prophet, Priest and King declares to his insufficient, earthen messengers that all power is his, then says, "Go ye therefore" (Matthew 28: 19, 20.) And Christ our Prophet, Priest and King says the cause of certain triumph is that he is with us always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28: 19; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Corinthians 4:7).
A Word of Warning (Deuteronomy 18:19-20)
Christ the Prophet said that the work of God is to believe on Christ (John 6: 28-29; 3: 36). The believer is not come to that fiery mountain that could be touched, but to Christ (Hebrews 2: 1-3; 12: 18-25). "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven."
What We Say To Our Children
We have all heard the phrase.... "Actions speak louder than words." That is another way of saying with James, "Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." It is our works, our actions that prove whether or not we believe what we say. Truly, actions speak louder than words! We say to our children that the worship of God is more important than anything else! We teach them that Christ is present during public worship, and emphasize how important public worship is. But what do our actions say when we allow ourselves and our families to miss public worship? We say by our actions that we really do not believe what we say we do. We tell our children that it is really not that important to us. What is so tragic about this is, in all likelihood, it will not be that important to them either. Children usually take the actions of their parents a step farther! Todd Nibert
FINAL WORD
The closer to the vine the stronger the branch! (John 15: 4-5)
SERMONS
After clicking on the following sermon links you will go to sermon notes where you will find an option at the top of the page to access the audio.
Christ our Prophet
How is Victory Won?
This is the Mystery
Then They Knew
ARTICLES
A Word to the Sick
A Word to the Elders
The Spirit of Prayer
Confess Your Faults
Elias the Example
ARTICLES FROM OTHERS
How To Be a Witness?
Pastor Scott Richardson's Last Public Comments
When It Pleased God
Nothing But a Sham
The Day the Son Stood Still