The Assembly Incomplete Message — William MacDonald

Christ’s Deity and the Firstborn Over Creation

But also underline Whom the father has sanctified and send into the world. That's the difference that only true of the unique son of God. And now we must go on because the time is slipping and I do want to give two more verses.

That are used by the enemy of souls in an effort to disprove the deity of Christ and one of them is in Colossians chapter 1 and verse 15. Colossians chapter 1 and verse. I Think I'll begin in verse 14.

It's speaking about the Lord Jesus and it says in the room. We have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of every creature and they pounce on that and they say there it is.

The firstborn of every creature sure we admit that he was the first one. He's just a creature just a created being like all the rest of us. And you say well, how do you answer that look like that doesn't it?

Well, you can answer it from the chapter itself by showing that the Lord Jesus is the architect of creation. He was the active agent in creation and he's the object of creation. All things are made in him and by him and to him.

But there's another proof and the proof revolved around the word firstborn. What does the word firstborn mean. It has two distinct meanings in the Bible. Sometimes it means first as to time and Sometimes it means first as to rank.

Let me give you a verse where it means first as to time. Matthew chapter 1 verse 25 says that Mary Brought forth her firstborn child. That means he was the first child she had. But then for a verse showing that it means first in rank turn back to Psalm 89 27.

Psalm 89 27 and I like this it says. Speaking of David also, I will make him my firstborn. Higher than the kings of the earth. So this verse is self-explanatory. It has nothing to do with time at all.

David wasn't firstborn son. David was the lastborn son of Jesse, but God said I will make him my firstborn. What does it mean means higher than the kings of the earth? It has to do with rank not as to order in time.

And that's exactly what the expression in Colossians chapter 1 means. He's the firstborn over all creation. He holds that rank the architect the ancient and the object of all creation. I think we have the same thought in Romans chapter 8 and verse 29.

Romans chapter 8 and verse 29 it says. For whom he did foreknow. He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son that we might be the firstborn. Among many better has nothing to do with the order of birth in time.

But it certainly has to do with length a Lord Jesus holds that unique type firstborn Among many brethren and so in the margin of my Bible, I think of that place. I was put down 89 27 and Romans 829 for a ready record.

Revelation’s “Beginning of the Creation of God”

One final verse used by the adversary to disprove the deity of Christ. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 14 says. And under the angel of the church of the Laodiceans. Right these things that the amen the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God.

And they like that expression the beginning of the creation of God. As they say well part of the creation of God is the created being. That beginning has another meaning. He's the beginning of the creation of God in the sense that he originated it.

Not that he's a part of it. But that he's the one who began it who brought it into being. The word is used in two other places in The book of Revelation and in neither of those does it mean what they say it means.

Revelation chapter 21 and verses 6 and 7. And he said unto me it is done. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end. What does that mean? That mean what they say it means. No, this is speaking of God.

I Am Elf of the Lord Jesus the beginning in the end. I will give unto him. That is the first of the fountain of the water of life freedom. And then it says in Revelation chapter 22 and verse 13 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last.

He's the originator of all and He's the object of all it all fine. It's heading up in him and so in Revelation chapter 3 when it says the beginning of the creation of God. There's no suggestion at all that the Lord Jesus is a part of the creation of God.

Who actually did bring it into being. Now, this is most important. What we've been going over tonight is a Great importance for young people especially going out with the gospel of redeeming grace to the last world.

I want to tell you if the truth of Who he is? Really grips our souls. We will have a true Caesarea Philippi and no matter how dark the path lay ahead may be. We'll know we're on the winning side. We'll know that his cause can never fail if we go out and our souls are resting in the truth Of who he is and what he has done for us.

The pathway may lead to fire and high water, but it won't make a bit of difference. We'll know that beyond the fire and the high water. Lives in glory. That's exactly what happened at Caesarea Philippi.

Peter’s Confession of Christ

He said to them who the men say that you are and they said well, they say that you're one of a series. That's what they say. Just one of a series. And he said men will never die. Men would never die for me under those circumstances.

He said I want some people who live and die for me. Who do you say that I am. And it was a great revelation. I believe at that moment to the soul of Peter and the others me that I know who you are. You're Christ the son of the Living God and the Lord Jesus has said my teaching ministry now with you has reached its climax.

If you really see that and you really believe it then no matter what the pathway ahead may hold I'm going up to Jerusalem. I'm going to be delivered up to the priests and the and they're going to have me crucified and slain.

I'm gonna rise again the third day. And I want to tell you he said there's some of you standing here will not take Death till they see the kingdom of God shortly after that. They he took them up into a high mountain and they saw Jesus transfigured in the glory of his coming kingdom.

And that's the secret their friends an appreciation of who he is. Then the pathway ahead may be ever so rugged but beyond the glory of Jesus in his coming kingdom. It's all worthwhile. May the Spirit of God write these truths in our hearts give us a deep appreciation of the loveliness and worthiness.

The absolute beauty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It'll transform our lives. It'll transfigure us and send us forth with a blazing passion to do his will. My heart that those books had never been called the minor prophets.

That's not what they're supposed to be minor prophets. But it's what too often they are in the lives of the Christians. I think that they're perhaps the most neglected part of the Bible. Don't you think so?

The Mystery of the Assembly Revealed

The minor prophets praise God Defined his blessed face. Wherever we look. Would you turn with me now to Ephesians chapter 3? And what we're going to speak about this afternoon is rather linked chronologically with what we've had Before us brother.

Carl has been describing most vividly the rejection of the Lord Jesus by the nation of Israel. But God wasn't frustrated by that one thing. God had a secret in his mind all the time the secret concerning the church to bring him Consequent upon the rejection of the king by Israel.

And that's what I'd like to speak to you about this afternoon the assembly. And before we ever read this portion of the word I'd like to ask you. For every one of us to answer in our heart what place Does the assembly have?

In my life important Is God's assembly? This is what I'd really like to think about with you this afternoon. Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 1. For this cause I call the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.

If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you word Proudest by revelation he made known unto me the mystery as I wrote it for in a few words. For by when he read he may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.

Whereof I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me who am less than the least of all saints is this great given that I should preach among the Gentiles the Unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery Which from the beginning of the world has been hidden God who created all things by Jesus Christ.

To the intent that now under the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord you see God had it in his heart and mind.

That when Israel did reject the Son of God God would do something new he would bring in a new society. And in many ways the most privileged society in all God's dealings with mankind. Then He would form the church made up of all beavers from Pentecost to the rapture.

Ultimately that his beloved son the Lord Jesus redeemed universe with this church as his bride. Sharing his glory forever and ever isn't his love something wonderful. They were really as marvelous when you start to think of it that God would ever take people from the dunghill as it were Sinners of the dust and different to eternal glory.

To share the glory of his son Over a redeemed universe no Cinderella story like that one Suggestion this afternoon that this mystery Which was unknown in the Old Testament Which was unknowable by the human mind apart from divine revelation.

Believing Gentiles would share equally with believing Jews. As we read in verse 6 Something that was never known that a Jew would have laughed at you in the Old Testament if you ever suggested this to him.

That believing Gentiles should be shallow air Members of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel the Christ of the Messiah Would be the hope of glory for Gentiles as well as Jews part of God's wonderful Program.

I'd like to suggest to you that this truth concerning the assembly the body of Christ is a tremendously Important truth that's being downgraded today. You'll seldom hear it spoken of in an evangelical Bible conference.

It's kind of a taboo subject. But it isn't taboo among us praise God and we rejoice with the truth. Let me go over with you some of these Some of the reasons why we believe this is such a tremendous truth.

The Assembly’s Prominent Place in the New Testament

First of all the space that's given to it in the New Testament. I Believe not only the inspiration of the Bible, but I believe that there's a balance in the Word of God, too. And when I think of the space That's given by God to the truth of the church in the New Testament.

It says to me McDonald Be sure the assembly has a prominent place in your life, too. You're not building with God. And you're marching to the beat of a different drummer. And you know, that's all too possible.

That's all too possible to do that. For me to make my own sparks and walk in the light of my own fire. And then God says he shall have this at my hand. He shall lie down in sorrow. I think of that an awful lot.

I think of the balance of Scripture and of the tremendous the important place that's the that is given to the church in the New Testament it says to me. Are you going along with the Lord in this? Is this the balance that it has in your life?

Then I see too that the the truth of the assembly Formed a very took a very prominent place in the lives of the Apostle and I see something else about it. Not only so but they spoke about it with a great deal of enthusiasm.

And I suggest to you today. We've lost that enthusiasm. They were really enthusiastic about the truth. They weren't bashful about it. They weren't ashamed of it. It was something that was something Paul went to jail for he tells us in caution for the truth of the mystery.

And it's very significant to me that in this passage we read Paul says that he has a twofold ministry. Did you notice that in verses 8 and 9? Paul said I have a twofold ministry first of all the gospel.

The gospel that I may preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Period no period don't put a period there. What else does he say? And to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery?

What's it? Ah the assembly. Paul Didn't stop with the gospel he went on to make all men see what what what is the administration of the mystery? But it was there were two parts to his ministry the gospel and the assembly.

The second that gave permanence to the results of the first. If he had just gone out and evangelized and hadn't led men into the truth of the assembly. That'd be precious little to show for it ten years later.

It's grounding people in the truth of the local fellowship seeing them going on for God. That's the thing that gives permanence to the work. Thirdly Paul tells us that the truth of the assembly forms the capstone of scriptural revelation.

All these things speak to my heart they have to as one who seeks to serve the Lord. I come to this truth and I turn to Colossians chapter 1 and verse 25. And I find that that the truth of the new testament assembly is the capstone of Scriptural revelation, what does it say verse 25 where all I am?

I'm breaking in the middle where all I am made a minister. According to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you. To fulfill the Word of God. I've got to go back. I want to go back. I still have to break in the middle but verse 24 who now rejoiced in my suffering for you and Fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake.

Which is the church where all I am made a minister? According to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you notice to fulfill the Word of God. Does that mean? Well, it certainly doesn't mean that this was the last book to be added to the New Testament to the inspired canon.

There were other books added later. But I believe that Paul is saying here that with the giving of the truth concerning the New Testament assembly. There was a sense in which the Word of God was complete other books were written later.

But this was the last major Basic doctrine to be added that formed the capstone that makes me stop and think. Fourthly I read in this passage that we had in revelation that the church is an object lesson.

The Church as an Object Lesson to Angels

The assembly on earth is an object lesson to angelic beings chapter 3 of Ephesians verse 10 to the intent that now Under the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God God saying to the to the angelic beings as we're here.

Here it is a Grimace a and they look down in a marvelous way. They read in the assembly the manifold wisdom of God. So, how do they do that? Well, I don't think any one of us today can answer that question and exhausted.

But it's a wonderful thing to see God bringing men and women of different backgrounds Cultures temperance and all the rest bringing them together in Christ breaking down the little wall of petition abolishing the enmity.

I I often think of that little assembly in Nazareth Israel, but I'm sure brother Kyle has visited. Wonderful thing to see to go there and see those Arab believers mostly Believers from Arab backgrounds and there's a little handful of Romanian Jews there.

Imagine Romanian Jews saved by the grace of God. Breaking bread with those Arab believers talk about Shalom. That's Shalom, isn't it? The middle wall of enmity is gone and they you know one of those brothers was getting quite old a few years ago and he came to Demeo hissing one of the elders of the assembly and he said brother to me Oh, I want you brothers to bury me when the Lord takes me home, you know I really touched the heart of those here Arab believers up there wonderful when the angelic beings look down and see see God taking so many people from such unlikely soil and Putting them through his school of beauty culture down here in the church one day to present them to himself without Spot or wrinkle or any such thing?

It's really enough to make angels gasp. If angels have the power the church is the only unit on earth To which God has promised perpetuity never think of that. The church the assembly is the only unit on earth to which the Lord has promised perpetuity.

He said upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Haiti shall not prevail against it. Now I can get a great idea concerning the work of the Lord and I can go off and build an empire set up a great Christian organization and devote the best years of my life to that organization.

But in to the extent that that organization takes the place of the local assembly in my life missed God's best for my life because God never promised perpetuity to any organization on earth, but he did to the local to the fellowship to the Assembly of God the assembly really important.

The Church as Christ’s Body and Fullness

Well, I turn over to Ephesians chapter 1 and I come down. All you such long sentences, where shall I ever break in? I'll break in in verse 20. Ephesians Chapter 1 verse 20 says which he wrought in Christ.

This is a mighty power. The antecedent is that the mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and Set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all Principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age But also in the age to come and it's put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head Over all things to the church.

Listen, which is his body. The fullness of him that filleth all in all. You know, that's one of the most startling spectacular statements that you'll find in the Word of God. You know, that's it says the church.

Is the fullness of him that filleth all in all you say yes, that's what it says. But what does it mean the invigorate human language to explain what it means? It's so great. Let me ask you. What does the Lord Jesus need to make him complete?

Nothing. He's self-existent. He's self-contained. You gotta live throughout all eternity and perfect bliss without you and me. But in marvelous grace he set forth here the truth that somehow or other He doesn't consider himself complete without his body the church.

And he speaks of the church here as the fullness of him that filleth all in all. If I could just use a simple illustrate here's a piece of paper I'm gonna just share that piece of paper in half and this is the church.

The church is the fullness of him that filleth all in all. We could use the words to compliment because that's what it means. Really means if that isn't marvelous grace that you and I say by his matchless grace and United in him in the body should be thought of as the fullness I tell you I wouldn't believe these things if I didn't find them in the Bible.

They're just too great for the human mind is the assembly important. Well, I mean that the assembly is the body of Christ the body of Christ. Just think of that. What can speak a greater Nearness and oneness than that expression the body by barring.

I couldn't be here expressing myself to you today. And just think that the Lord looks upon the assembly as his body the vehicle by which expresses himself To the world today and not only the body of Christ, but the bride of Christ as well.

And if the body speaks of nearness and intimacy Certainly the expression the bride speaks of the deepest affection the deepest Christ also loved the church and Gave himself For it. I'll tell you no bride was ever more unworthy and no bride was ever purchased at such a cost.

I try to go over these things in my brain to realize what the assembly what the what the assembly means to the heart Of God and what it means to the Lord Jesus Christ and that brings me to say this and I really believe it with all my heart.

That the weakest assembly of God's people here on earth Means more to him than the greatest empire in the world. You believe that I Believe that you say, oh brother our assemblies of four weeks struggling.

Thank you. I believe that too I Believe I believe it means more to the heart of God than the greatest empire in the world today. Saying that scripture for that. Well, I go back to Isaiah chapter 40. And I read there that the nations to him are a drop in a bucket.

The fine dust of the balance that's not much. He doesn't tremble before the nation for the world a Drop of the Bible. Now just dip my bucket into the well that comes up and there's a drop on the side of it.

So what. Don't lose any sleep over it. The drop on the side of the buck. No, no. Or the fine dust of the balance. It's not going to affect the weight. Doesn't carry any weight. The fine dust of the balance to speak of.

I tell you God never says of the assembly. The drop in the bucket. Hmm for the fine dust of the balance. Thank you. It really humbles my heart when I turn to 1st Corinthians 12 and find the word Christ.

The word Christ used not only of the head in heaven. But of the head in heaven what we the members on earth the only place in the Bible I think where this is true, but turn to 1st Corinthians chapter 12 any of you have Darby's translation.

Which is probably not too likely now, but I think there's a slight change here verse 12 says for as the body is one. And has many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body. So also is the Christ.

The Christ. The word Christ in that verse isn't just referring to the Lord Jesus the risen exalted head in heaven. It's speaking of the head. What the members? Is that wonderful grace? Wonderful grace of Jesus.

That he would ever identify us so closely with himself as to use language. Like this to remember that if you ever get discouraged about the local fellowship. You're ready to throw in the sponge. Remember the weakest representation of the body of Christ on earth today means more to him than the greatest Empire.

The Importance of Elders and Local Fellowship

And I'd like to suggest something else to you this afternoon. That the elder any particular elder in that assembly you're thinking about. More important to God than the prime minister of Canada or the president of the United States.

I read my New Testament right the work of eldership is very very important. I Don't find very much instruction in the New Testament how to how to be a good king queen Prime minister or president do you I find a lot of instruction about the work of elders?

What does it tell me it tells me that it's tremendously important to God and Really, it's time. We recaptured that in our own thinking. Honestly, you know very well just as I know that a career in the business world.

Or the educational world of the political world has far more glamour to it in the minds of most Christians today. And the work of an elder in the local assembly. But I'd like to tell you something doesn't have it to God.

Doesn't have more glamour to God and it's just about time that we started thinking God thought that to him. We've been so brainwashed By the world and by its way of thinking that we've just come to to think that oh well an elder you know you can Take him or leave him alone.

But I'll tell you those rewards promised to the elder in the New Testament that aren't promised to two others. I'd like to suggest to you that the local fellowship the assembly Is the unit on earth that God has chosen to propagate the faith?

Returning to the Simplicity of the New Testament Assembly

I was taking me years to come to this and I have fought this truth in my own life as I stand before you Today that the local fellowship the assembly of God on earth is the unit he has chosen to propagate the faith.

D .h. Lang says in his book the churches of God. In our service for God we found mission and organization the Apostles founded nothing but local testimony something to think about in this and this is what we have in the world today.

We have a proliferation, and I'm not here to knock Christian organizations because I thank God for them, and I know he's using proliferation of Organizational Christianity an Empire building of various sorts, I want to tell you we want to get back to the local church.

We want to get back to a local assembly and build on God's foundations. Nothing that will take the faith as we live in a tremendous day. We live in a day when people oppressed by Ritualism and formalism and all the rest are groping.

Literally groping after the truth of the simple New Testament pattern and the books are coming off the practice. You probably very well know books on church renewal practically want a week. You know and it's most interesting to read these books and see these men and God is giving them light.

On this subject and what are they groping after they're groping after Simplicity they want to get back to that to just shake off. You know all the Traditions all the crops that have come down through the century and just get back to the simplicity of the New Testament Assembly, and I know this is true because I'm in touch with someone they want to get back to the priesthood of all believers.

They want a De-emphasis on church buildings. We went to Stockton, California the other day and met with a group of young people. And we said would you be interested to see a New Testament assembly planted?

They said frankly we don't want to have anything to do with buildings. Buildings are so much a part of the church to them that they couldn't think of anything else. They said we're sick to death. Are these terrific fun drives to me?

We said what would you like? Would you like a household church? Well, they said that sounds scriptural. See people have never heard anything about Such a thing before they said yeah, that sounds scriptural.

We'd be interested in something like that. They said we don't want to spend a lot of money on church buildings. We'd rather see it go to the mission field movement towards a household church today. And it's really interesting to see how how this has been developing.

First of all it developed in architecture. They said look we don't want that we want a circular church, and then they started building circular church. What were they groping in. They were groping back to the simplicity of the New Testament pattern.

They want that informal services. I want Services where there's a liberty to share the very thing that some of us have held down to the ears. I think it's a day of great opportunity and great challenge for those who have been indoctrinated in the Truth of the New Testament assembly and who've lost the vision, but I think that's the truth today.

Changing Methods Without Changing the Gospel

I suggest just a few things to you as we close. Things that we ought to wake up to nowadays. And one of them is this that we must as Christians be willing to change our method. But not our message really speaking.

I feel we've been one generation behind. As far as people about it or disillusioned with expensive buildings that give a totally wrong view of Christ to the world. And we go into the building business.

They want to go back. I say we want to be willing to change methods, but not the message. You perhaps read the story of the big cereal companies that their sales were declining. They weren't doing so well, and so they put these men in a fake cake, and they said look here's the product we're selling tell us how to improve the product and.

So the men went to work, and they analyzed the product and they analyzed everything connected with it, and they said they said We can't improve the product. They said we suggest you improve the package and they did in the sales began to boom.

Well, that's just exactly where we are today. We can't improve the message. We can't improve the method and we can get in step with the Lord. We can go back to what the New Testament teaches and build on that foundation.

I Believe that we should Get away from this terrible Tenancy to spend money in bricks and mortar. You really I pay a tribute to Jehovah's Witnesses. But in that sense Jehovah's Witnesses are right. They've got they've got the wrong message, but they but they've got the right method.

They don't spend money. They don't spend money on expensive buildings. No, no, no, but they have a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York to stell sing out tons of their literature.