by John Carpenter | Oct 23, 2022 | Devotional
“Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep – through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, (21) make you perfect in every good work to do His will – working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ – to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [He.13:20-21]
We now continue to consider this wonderful text of scripture concerning our Lord Jesus Christ as being the “Great Shepherd of the Sheep”. This final descriptive of the Christ of God is also highly significant when it is put in conjunction with the opening statement of the epistle. From where Christ is also exalted as being God’s perfect representative and spokesman — declaring the things of God – to us who are His chosen sinner/children whom He has singled out of all of fallen-in-sin humanity to be made perfect by His great grace! These two statements are like bookends unto the whole context of the message of the epistle of Hebrews. It’s all about the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In the center of the epistle we find the astounding announcement of He.7:12-13 – which concerns all of us, His sinner/children in this law-cursed world – having been made perfect in order to be divinely approved and accepted into God’s all glorious and heavenly presence for all eternity. That great descriptive statement is: “For the priesthood being changed – there is – made of necessity – a change also of (the) law. For He of whom these tidings are spoken – pertaineth to another tribe of which no man gave attendance at the altar.” Hence, the Lord Jesus – the Christ of God – is also forever titled – not only – the Great Shepherd of the sheep – but also as being our Great High Priest! [see: He.4:14] This makes all the difference where all of God’s eternally loved and chosen are concerned! This descriptive declaration is that which connects God’s eternal purpose (for us) with His eternal performance making what He has done (on our behalf) to be entirely perfect!
Jesus, our eternal Savior and Surety, is – in every way – God almighty. Yes, Jesus is all-knowing, all-present, all-glorious and all Holy God. Col.2:9-10 plainly says: “For in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead – Bodily…”! And, the next revealing statement of this text is just too wonderful for fallen human words – “…and Ye are complete in Him which is the Head of all principality and power.”
The preaching of the Word of the Cross declares dogmatically that this has all been done – finished – by our Great God, Jesus the Christ. It was all done when He – voluntarily – shed His own Blood and purged us from all of our sins (which the epistle of Hebrews declares dogmatically at it’s very beginning). Having eternally accomplishing the purging of all our sins – He rightfully occupied the sovereign, over-ruling throne of His Great Grace – from where He sovereignly rules over all His sinner/children throughout the generations of fallen humanity. [see: He.1:3;8-9]
This preaching of the Word of the Cross – according to 1Co.1:18 is: “to them who (lit.) are perishing – foolishness – but unto us (lit.) which are being saved – it is the power of God.” And, this is why our Savior is titled: “(that) Great Shepherd of the sheep (lit.) in – the Blood of the everlasting Covenant…” His sheep being all those whom He knows and all those whom they have – by His grace – come to know Him (Jn.10:14)! “Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider [or, more lit., “fully behold”] the Apostle and High Priest – of our profession [or, more lit., “confession”] Christ Jesus” [He. 3:1]. Praise His All Glorious Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 23, 2022 | Camp News
The beautiful Autumn time of year is once again blessing our surroundings here at Camp Del-Haven. It is, indeed, nice to be greeted with some familiar realities – in this ever changing and constantly challenging world. God’s incessantly praying people are – (by Him) made to be able to stand strong and firm in the face of whatever this world may throw at them. Let us continue to seek our Lord for anything and everything that we need. He is our Rock! He is our Strength! He is our Surety! He is our Provider!
With that in mind please continue to pray for our Staff and campers that must face and contend with the wiles of the Enemy. The high inflation of our present economy definitely makes things more difficult to deal with, but nothing ever takes our Great God by surprise. That is why we follow Him – and Him alone! Our God shall supply all our needs – “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” [Phil.4:19]
Our prayers have been made – and answered — in reference to Sheri who had to undergo some surgery for a cyst that adversely affected her ankle. We praise the Lord that she seems to be recovering and healing quite well. Please pray for her complete and perfect recovery.
Thank you for your faithful and prayerful support of this ministry. We have received many kind comments expressing how happy to see that we were able to have regular camp sessions this year. We give all the glory to our wonderful Savior – for everything!
by John Carpenter | Sep 23, 2022 | Devotional
“Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep – through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, (21) make you perfect in every good work to do His will – working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ – to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [He.13:20-21]
The epistle of Hebrews is – by itself – a strong declaration of the sovereignty of Christ, our Savior. These two verses at the end of Hebrews once again, without reservation herald out the Truth that if our eternal salvation be not all Christ – then it is all wrong! “The God of all peace” dogmatically says that our Lord Jesus is – “that Great Shepherd of the sheep (lit.) in the blood of the Everlasting Covenant”! There is only one – “Great Shepherd”. This speaks volumes unto us!
The incarnated eternal Son of God – the Lord Jesus Christ – is as He.1:3 describes — the “express image” of the very person of Almighty and Sovereign God. And, it is Him who speaks unto us the soul-quickening and life trans-forming Word of God. Praise His Name! When He – “that Great Shepherd of the sheep (lit.) in the blood of the Everlasting Covenant” – “by Himself purged our sins”, [i.e. by Himself – He purified us from all of our sins; see 2Co.5:21] He, then “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High”! It is from this, Most High vantage point – that He sovereignly reigns over all those whom the Father has given Him [see: Jn.6:37]. It is these who are the “sheep” of His pasture. The “sheep” that He leads. The “sheep” that He loves and cares for. The “sheep” that He knows personally – and who know Him. The “sheep” for whom He died!”
The “Great Shepherd” of He.13 is the “Good Shepherd” of Jn.10. Jn.10:11 proves this to be true. From there Jesus says: “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” By the eternally accomplished atonement of Christ – “the Great Shepherd” – eternally secured “Peace” between God and all His sinner/sheep – by having purified them from all their sins in His shed blood! That’s why our text says that, “Now the God of Peace – that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus…(lit.) in the power of the blood of the Eternal Covenant”. This is the Covenant between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – the Everlasting Covenant that concerns the Everlasting Salvation of each and every one of our Lord’s sinner/sheep. And, what’s more — our Lord Jesus is also the Lamb of God – the One Great Sacrifice! He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” [Re.13:8]
Then Jesus goes on to say in Jn.10:14: “I am the Good Shepherd – and know my sheep and am known of mine.” And, eventually our Lord plainly clarifies for the unbelieving Jews by saying to them vs.26-30: “But ye believe not – because – ye are not of my sheep – as I said unto you. (27) My sheep hear my voice and I Know them and they follow me (28) and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish – neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father which gave them me is greater than all – and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (30) I and my Father are One.” How absolutely wonderful is that!? Praise the Savior!
Remember, the Shepherd doesn’t drive His flock – He leads it. This points to the fact that wherever we end up – our Shepherd was there first. Our “Great Shepherd” is also our “Great High Priest”.He.4:14 substantiates this truth: “Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest – that is passed into the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast our profession.”
We will look more deeply into these things next time.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Aug 21, 2022 | Miscellaneous
Well, dear ones, our 2022 camp season – while being a victorious blessing in its beginning and throughout five separate sessions – we regret to report that our last scheduled camp session had to be cancelled due to COVID. It is my earnest prayer that our sovereign, all governing Lord would completely erase this narrative entirely from our providential circumstances! May He be pleased to bring this to pass.
It was an older (9 to 12 yr. old) boys camp that fell victim to this scenario…and we are attempting to schedule a weekend retreat early this fall for those who could not come to camp this first week in August. Please pray with us that – if the Lord wills – this, too, will come to pass. But, praise His Name, there is nothing that can negate the reality of what our God has accomplished by His grace in this restoration of our regular camp sessions! Praise the Savior! And, thank you faithful, prayerful supporters for being used of the Lord in making this a reality! We love you all!
We implore you all to continue to pray for the ministry of Camp Del-Haven. The enemy is ever on the prowl and ready to disrupt, distract, deceive and destroy. Nevertheless, our Savior has already overcome and defeated him and his whole evil world of wickedness! This is what we true children of God must not forget. The Christ of God – is our all in all. He is our Strength – our Shield – our Fortress – our Rock – our Deliverer – and the Horn of our Eternal Salvation! When we call upon the Lord – we shall be saved from all our enemies. [see: Ps.18:1-3] It’s as pure and simple as that! “When I cry unto thee – then shall mine enemies turn back – this I know for God is for me.” [Ps.56:9] And, “If God be for us – who can be against us?” [Ro.8:31] He is worthy of all our trust. We continually thank and praise the Lord for all your prayers and support.
by John Carpenter | Aug 21, 2022 | Devotional
“It is the Spirit that quickeneth – the flesh profiteth nothing – the words that I speak unto you – are Spirit and are life!” [Jn.6:63]
“…God hath chosen…things which are not – to bring to nought things that are – that no flesh should glory in His presence. (30) But of Him – are ye in Christ Jesus – who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption: (31) that according as it is written – He that glorieth – let him glory in the Lord.” [1Cor.1:29b-31]
“I will cry unto God Most High – unto God – that performeth all things for me. (3) He shall send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up! Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and His Truth.” [Ps.57:2-3]
Not only does the pure truth of the gospel of the glory only of the Lord Jesus Christ include God’s Wisdom, Christ’s Righteousness and the Holy Spirit’s Sanctification – but it also includes all of our Eternal Redemption. And, this can only be done through the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ! Beloved, if it’s not all Christ (in whose body dwells all the fullness of the Godhead) it’s all wrong!
We can’t be redeemed by ourselves. The Word of God makes it clear – we need a “Kinsman Redeemer”. And, that person can only be our Lord Jesus!
It has been most accurately taught and brought into the Light of the Truth concerning the historical expression of Triune God’s Everlasting Love and Mercy for all His chosen sinner/children. Throughout the time of the Old Covenant — it was perfectly and prophetically demonstrated that there was an absolute necessity for a “Kinsman Redeemer” to be our only Savior from our sin. This truth and mandate was firmly laid down — in and throughout — the formally installed Mosaic sacrificial system. I quote: “The theological foundation for the expression of God’s chesed under the Old Covenant was the satisfaction of God’s perfect righteousness – through the elaborate system of animal sacrifices that taught Israel – that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins”. Because that system of animal sacrifices could never take away sins (cf. Heb 10:4, “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins”), the inadequate OT system of animal sacrifices previewed the coming of the Lamb of God whose once for all sacrifice would take away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). This pictured future sacrifice of the Lamb of God became the foundation for the expression of God’s chesed in the OT.” “Chesed” is the Hebrew word for God’s eternally Love, Mercy and Grace! Read and heed what God’s Word declares:
He.9:11-15: “But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come – by a greater and more perfect tabernacle – not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building (or, creation) (12) neither by the blood of goats and calves – but – by His own blood – He entered in once into the Holy Place – having obtained Eternal Redemption (for us). (13)For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean – Sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: (14) how much more shall the blood of Christ – who through the Eternal Spirit – offered Himself without spot to God – purge your conscience from dead works – to serve the living God? (15) And for this cause – He is the (eternal) Mediator – of the New Testament (or, Covenant) that by means of death for the Redemption of the transgressions (lit.) under the First (or, the Old) Testament (or, Covenant) – they (lit.) who have been called might receive the promise of Eternal Inheritance.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is not just the Provider of these things, but He is the Performer of them.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
