Chapter # 3 Paragraph # 3 Study # 2
April 9, 2006
Lincolnton, N.C.
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<240> Thesis:  The Strong One is going to repair His creation by reinstituting the fundamental principle of the unity of love and faith. Introduction:  Throughout the history of post-Genesis-Three man, one fundamental vision of final reality has been lionized in the minds of men and enthroned in the hearts of men. It is a vision of every man being strong enough and free enough to live his life according to the dictates of his own loves and beliefs. In absolute and direct contradiction to this fundamental vision of final reality is the Truth about God as a Trinity Who is strong enough and bound enough to live according to the dictates of the loves and beliefs of Others Who are strong enough and bound enough to live under the dictates of the Loves and Beliefs of Omniscient Wisdom. It was into this contradiction of fundamental visions that John stepped when he came on the scene with his message of "reconciliation" through "redemption" by means of a Redeemer Whose death to His own interests would provide a "fix" for a creation gone astray in its headlong pursuit of its own interests. But, Luke tells us that John's "message" was very much "about" a Coming One Who would be characterized by "Power". This is a very dangerous message, given the propensity of man to view power as the way to enforce his own loves and beliefs. In fact, next weekend is scheduled by the "Church" to be a celebration of the most powerful demonstration of power that man has ever seen. And, it will be celebrated by a vast host of people who have never stopped long enough to ask themselves "Why does power have such an attraction to me?". So, this morning we are going to stop long enough to take some time and ask this question. Why did John present Jesus as the Powerful One?