WHERE IS JESUS?

by Pastor Troy D. Bohn “...I am with you always, even to the end to the age.” Matthew 28:20On the surface the question of “Where is Jesus?” may seem pretty simple to answer. Obviously He is everywhere -  seeing that He is omni-present or present everywhere. While this may very well be true in the sense of His omni-attributes, the question as to “Where is Jesus at?” has more to do with: Where is the manifest presence of Jesus welcome at today?  Most professing Christians would more than likely say that Jesus is always welcome everywhere in their lives; in their families; in their jobs; andespecially in their churches! This is  certainly the typical response that one would expect to hear from believers in  Jesus Christ--but—(there is that word again!) “A tree is known by the fruit that it  bears” (Mt 7) and not merely what comes out as the “pat”  answer. A number of years ago,  while I was riding my bicycle along the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, I just took  the time to listen to the voice of what God was speaking to my spirit that  day. I was  blessed, amazed and disturbed all at the same time as to what He was showing me.  The scripture that He directed me to was: Rev 1:10-20  (10) “I was  in the  Spirit on the Lord's Day, and  I heard behind  me a loud voice, as  of a trumpet,” When we are “in the Spirit” or  “walking in the Spirit”, there is  something inherent to our condition: We are then able to “hear His voice.”  John 10:27 says His sheep “hear his voice...and follow Me.” In verse (11) He says, “I  am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and then gives instruction to send this letter to the seven  churches in Asia Minor.  It continues in verse (12)  “Then I turned  to see the voice that spoke with me. And having  turned I saw seven golden lamp stands,” There is more to hearing God than just acknowledging that He is speaking. James 1:22 gives the instruction to “don’t just listen to the Word, but also  do what the Word says; otherwise you are deceived” (pp) Regardless of what you may “think” about a particular thing or how you may have been erroneously predisposed to an idea, subject matter, directive or individual— a good rule of thumb is: If what God is speaking is different than what you are doing– abandon your way and go God’s way instead! Walking in the Spirit and hearing from God should always serve to turn us towards Him and away from everything else. Now pay special attention to the next verse of scripture– this is where the Holy Spirit  really wanted me to stop and take notice to what He was trying to show me. (13) “and  in the midst of the seven lamp stands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet  and girded about the chest with a golden band.” This picture or “revelation” that John was getting from God took  place at the beginning of what we commonly call “The Church Age.” This was when the Church was just getting started. It was  fresh. It was vibrant. It was holy. It wasexpectant. It was powerful. (And) Look where Jesus was! In the midst or middle of the Church! It then gives a description of Him by saying he was  clothed with a garment reminiscent of the High Priests of Ancient Israel. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us that we have a High Priest who went through the  same things that we go through yet remained  sinless—and as a result we can  now “come boldly unto the throne of grace” to  obtain help and mercy in our times of need.When Jesus is in the midst of the Church or in other words, in the middle of everything in our lives— we can rest in the assurance that we have ready access into His presence. It continues by giving a description of how John saw Jesus: (14) "His head and  hair were white like wool,  as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;  (15) His feet were like fine brass, as  if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;  (16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out  of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." This description is certainly a far cry from the “lowly carpenter”  that some prefer Him to be or even the Jesus perpetually hung upon the cross  like other religions like to see Him. No, this is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lordsmanifesting Himself in all of His glory, power and dominion! Now look at John the Revelators response to seeing Jesus. Now  remember, this is the same John who walked, sat and learned from Jesus for those 3 1/2 years.  He knew Jesus as well as anyone did. (17) And when I  saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. I do not care how “religious” you think that you are. I don’t care  how long you have warmed a pew in your church or how popular you have become in  your Christian circle-- When ANYONE comes in contact with the TRUE JESUS they too will fall  like dead men! 1 Corinthians 1:29 says that “no flesh should glory in His presence.” John was overcome by the pure awesomeness of who Jesus was. It was  impossible for Him to overlook the magnificent glorious presence of the Most  High! He literally became afraid. THAT is what the manifest holiness of God  produces. Jesus had to comfort His friend: “But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  (18) "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.  And I have the keys of hell and death.” Afterwards he gave instruction to John as to what to do with the information or experience that he had just had: (19) "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this." He was told to describe or to write down the way that it was then and to write the way things would be after this! The way it was is described as a church with Jesus all powerful and  glorious in its midst! In the next chapter we see how things suddenly change. It says that over the course of the next 2000 years, things begin to look differently. Instead of the Church being a place of power, unity, and holiness it becomes as place of: No love (Rev. 2:4) False Doctrine (Rev. 2:14) Unscriptural Leadership (Rev. 2:15) Jezebel Spirit (Rev. 2:20) Compromise (Rev. 3:2) Indifferent (Rev. 3:16) Money Driven (Rev. 3:17) Then finally, He makes the case for my question to you in Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand  at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come  in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” From the “midst” of the Church, to the “outside” knocking to get  in! Where is Jesus at in your life and in your Church? You will know them by their fruit.  Repent and open the door.

JESUS SAVES