1. God desires to make Himself and His Son known to you through the evidence He has provided.
2. God desires that you embrace His Son Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
3. God desires that you serve Him with a heart that is enamored with Him.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Solid Rock or the Sinking Sand
Matthew 7:24-27
Dads, no matter how of where you build your home, you will be pounded by the powerful and unexpected storms of this world.
Dads, building your home upon the foundation of Jesus and His Word gives you earthly stability.
Dads, building your home upon the foundation of Jesus and His Word gives you eternal security.
Dads, no matter how of where you build your home, you will be pounded by the powerful and unexpected storms of this world.
Dads, building your home upon the foundation of Jesus and His Word gives you earthly stability.
Dads, building your home upon the foundation of Jesus and His Word gives you eternal security.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
No Middle Ground
John 5:16-23
Jesus does not defend himself before the religious leaders but simply lays out four truths about himself. These truths remind us that their is no middle ground in our response to Jesus. We either bow to Him as Lord or reject Him entirely.
Jesus has God's prerogatives.
Jesus fulfills God's purposes.
Jesus has God's power.
Jesus is worthy of God's Praise
Jesus does not defend himself before the religious leaders but simply lays out four truths about himself. These truths remind us that their is no middle ground in our response to Jesus. We either bow to Him as Lord or reject Him entirely.
Jesus has God's prerogatives.
Jesus fulfills God's purposes.
Jesus has God's power.
Jesus is worthy of God's Praise
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
John 5:1-16
1. The Uniqueness of Jesus:
Jesus loves us, knows us, and has the power to heal us unlike anyone or anything else.
2. The Ugly Side of Religion:
When we put traditions of men above love for God and others, people become trapped in judgment instead of being freed by grace.
3. The Universal Need of Humanity:
Our greatest need is to be rescued from the penalty and power of sin by turning to Jesus in faith.
4. The Ungratefulness of our hearts:
After claiming to have experienced Jesus, are you preserving your personal reputation or exalting the Name of Jesus.
1. The Uniqueness of Jesus:
Jesus loves us, knows us, and has the power to heal us unlike anyone or anything else.
2. The Ugly Side of Religion:
When we put traditions of men above love for God and others, people become trapped in judgment instead of being freed by grace.
3. The Universal Need of Humanity:
Our greatest need is to be rescued from the penalty and power of sin by turning to Jesus in faith.
4. The Ungratefulness of our hearts:
After claiming to have experienced Jesus, are you preserving your personal reputation or exalting the Name of Jesus.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Lessons From A Desperate Father
When a Desperate Season Strikes
John 4:43-54
1. Seasons of Desperation can terrorize anyone at anytime.
Scripture says he was a Royal Official. In some way he served, Herod Antipas who was tetrarch of Galilee. Antipas was the son of Herod the Great who attempted to kill Jesus at his birth. Antipas had John the Baptist killed. Since this man served Antipas, he was probably a man of power, privilege, and means. Still, none of this meant anything we it came to preventing this season of desperation from coming upon him. None of this could save his son. He was completely hopeless.
We will all experience the pain of this fallen world. And often times this world hits us not as a gentle wave but as typhoon. We are desperate, gasping for the air we need to go on. Feeling utterly hopeless and despite the fact for most of our life we are in control, we now are helpless. None of are immune to such seasons of desperation. Maybe you are their now, a sick child, financial crisis, relationships are falling apart. That is where this man was. You are not alone. This season does not mean you are not alone. God loves you still. If you are there too, I hope you will learn what he wants to teach you today.
2. Seasons of Desperation can turn us to Jesus.
This man had nowhere to turn. He probably had access to the best doctors of the day. They couldn’t help. He had heard about Jesus and the rumor that Jesus was a prophet or possibly the Messiah. Having nowhere else to turn, the man takes the 20 mile journey uphill to Cana. When your desperate and your desperation involves your child, you will do anything. He had nowhere else to turn so he had to turn to Jesus. The text pictures this man, pleading over and over again with Jesus to heal his son before he dies. Not once but continually.
One of the ways that God can use desperate times is by turning back to himself. I have seen that one of two things happen when desperation strikes, people either turn from God in anger or turn to God for help. You got nowhere else to turn, turn to Jesus! Cry out to God.
3. Seasons of Desperation can teach us about genuine faith.
Jesus statement seems harsh but he makes a point not to this man but to every person present. Our faith in the fact that Jesus loves us and is the all powerful Son of God who is worthy of adoration must not be grounded in whether or not He works in the way we think he should. He loves us no matter how he chooses to work. Jesus looks at the crowd and confronts the fact that they are more attracted to his signs and wonders than they are to Him. Jesus ask a question, do you just want a miracle or do you want Me? God can do anything he chooses, but however he chooses to act, will you love Him still. Jesus is more interested in bring us salvation than He is wowing us with His signs.
God may choose to pour out the blessing of an obvious miracle in your life. I pray he does. I pray for healing that doctors can bring. I pray for reconciliation that counselors can’t bring. I pray for release from addictions that 12 step programs can’t bring. And I pray that when it happens that it is obvious that it was God who did it. But, more importantly, even if God chooses to work in the midst of your desperate situation differently, I pray that you would have genuine faith in HIm. That you would want Him more than you would want His miracle.
4. Seasons of Desperation can lead us to trust in the promises of God.
Again, the man says come. Jesus says go. Come heal my son dies. Jesus says go your son lives. How amazing that promise of Jesus must have been. And here is the best part. The man believed him. He took Jesus at His word.
Do you? Find God’s promise and believe it no matter how desperate life becomes around you, believe the promise of God! Romans 8:28 Jeremiah 29:11
5. Seasons of Desperation will cease but our faith in Jesus must not.
The man returns home and the hope that Jesus’ promise brought him becomes reality. He son was healed the moment Jesus gave the promise. Then he believed. The belief of verse 50 is different than the belief verse 53. The belief of 50 was belief in Jesus ability to heal. The belief is verse 53 was saving faith, a belief that Jesus is the Son of God and a commitment of his life to Jesus. He led his family to this type of faith. He made sure that it was Jesus, God’s Son, the Savior of the world who healed his Son but more than that, saved His family from something much worse than an illness that leads to physical death, sin which leads to physical death. He kept the faith even after the desperate time past and he led others to faith as well.
On Sunday, September 16th, 2001, the pews in American churches were packed. A week later a few less. A few weeks later, attendance was back to normal. In human nature we call out to God when we are desperate and have nowhere else to turn. God doesn’t mind that, in fact he will use anything to turn us to him. The question is will our belief be a saving faith, a faith that remains even when the desperation passes?
John 4:43-54
1. Seasons of Desperation can terrorize anyone at anytime.
Scripture says he was a Royal Official. In some way he served, Herod Antipas who was tetrarch of Galilee. Antipas was the son of Herod the Great who attempted to kill Jesus at his birth. Antipas had John the Baptist killed. Since this man served Antipas, he was probably a man of power, privilege, and means. Still, none of this meant anything we it came to preventing this season of desperation from coming upon him. None of this could save his son. He was completely hopeless.
We will all experience the pain of this fallen world. And often times this world hits us not as a gentle wave but as typhoon. We are desperate, gasping for the air we need to go on. Feeling utterly hopeless and despite the fact for most of our life we are in control, we now are helpless. None of are immune to such seasons of desperation. Maybe you are their now, a sick child, financial crisis, relationships are falling apart. That is where this man was. You are not alone. This season does not mean you are not alone. God loves you still. If you are there too, I hope you will learn what he wants to teach you today.
2. Seasons of Desperation can turn us to Jesus.
This man had nowhere to turn. He probably had access to the best doctors of the day. They couldn’t help. He had heard about Jesus and the rumor that Jesus was a prophet or possibly the Messiah. Having nowhere else to turn, the man takes the 20 mile journey uphill to Cana. When your desperate and your desperation involves your child, you will do anything. He had nowhere else to turn so he had to turn to Jesus. The text pictures this man, pleading over and over again with Jesus to heal his son before he dies. Not once but continually.
One of the ways that God can use desperate times is by turning back to himself. I have seen that one of two things happen when desperation strikes, people either turn from God in anger or turn to God for help. You got nowhere else to turn, turn to Jesus! Cry out to God.
3. Seasons of Desperation can teach us about genuine faith.
Jesus statement seems harsh but he makes a point not to this man but to every person present. Our faith in the fact that Jesus loves us and is the all powerful Son of God who is worthy of adoration must not be grounded in whether or not He works in the way we think he should. He loves us no matter how he chooses to work. Jesus looks at the crowd and confronts the fact that they are more attracted to his signs and wonders than they are to Him. Jesus ask a question, do you just want a miracle or do you want Me? God can do anything he chooses, but however he chooses to act, will you love Him still. Jesus is more interested in bring us salvation than He is wowing us with His signs.
God may choose to pour out the blessing of an obvious miracle in your life. I pray he does. I pray for healing that doctors can bring. I pray for reconciliation that counselors can’t bring. I pray for release from addictions that 12 step programs can’t bring. And I pray that when it happens that it is obvious that it was God who did it. But, more importantly, even if God chooses to work in the midst of your desperate situation differently, I pray that you would have genuine faith in HIm. That you would want Him more than you would want His miracle.
4. Seasons of Desperation can lead us to trust in the promises of God.
Again, the man says come. Jesus says go. Come heal my son dies. Jesus says go your son lives. How amazing that promise of Jesus must have been. And here is the best part. The man believed him. He took Jesus at His word.
Do you? Find God’s promise and believe it no matter how desperate life becomes around you, believe the promise of God! Romans 8:28 Jeremiah 29:11
5. Seasons of Desperation will cease but our faith in Jesus must not.
The man returns home and the hope that Jesus’ promise brought him becomes reality. He son was healed the moment Jesus gave the promise. Then he believed. The belief of verse 50 is different than the belief verse 53. The belief of 50 was belief in Jesus ability to heal. The belief is verse 53 was saving faith, a belief that Jesus is the Son of God and a commitment of his life to Jesus. He led his family to this type of faith. He made sure that it was Jesus, God’s Son, the Savior of the world who healed his Son but more than that, saved His family from something much worse than an illness that leads to physical death, sin which leads to physical death. He kept the faith even after the desperate time past and he led others to faith as well.
On Sunday, September 16th, 2001, the pews in American churches were packed. A week later a few less. A few weeks later, attendance was back to normal. In human nature we call out to God when we are desperate and have nowhere else to turn. God doesn’t mind that, in fact he will use anything to turn us to him. The question is will our belief be a saving faith, a faith that remains even when the desperation passes?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Salvation's Essentials
John 3:14-21
1. The Love of God is essential to salvation.
2. The Cross of Christ is essential to salvation.
3. The Illumination of the Spirit is essential to salvation.
4. Personal Faith is essential to salvation.
5. Transformation of life is evidence of salvation.
1. The Love of God is essential to salvation.
2. The Cross of Christ is essential to salvation.
3. The Illumination of the Spirit is essential to salvation.
4. Personal Faith is essential to salvation.
5. Transformation of life is evidence of salvation.
A Woman in Need of the Love of Jesus
John 4
Jesus loves you enough to cross all barriers to reach you.
Jesus loves you enough to confront your sin.
Jesus loves you enough to offer you eternal life.
Jesus loves you enough to cross all barriers to reach you.
Jesus loves you enough to confront your sin.
Jesus loves you enough to offer you eternal life.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Will You Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
John 3:1-8
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. This had practical significance for Nicodemus and has symbolic significance for us. For Nic, it meant that his conversation with Jesus could be secretive. Apparently, he did not want anyone to know that he was interested in Jesus. It could compromise his position as a leader in the Sanhedrin. For us, it is a symbol of the spiritual darkness in Nic’s heart and mind. A darkness that is part of all without Jesus.
Immediately, Jesus knows the heart of Nic, and addresses what needs to happen in one’s life to see the Kingdom of God. To be part of His kingdom now, to see and know Him, to enter Heaven.
1. You cannot enter heaven because of your religious and moral achievements.
Nic was a Pharisee, a religious group zealous for the Old Testament law, He rose to become a leader of the Jews – part of the Sanhedrin which exercised authority over civil, criminal, and religious matters under Roman Supervision.
In no way did Nic’s zeal for the law or position as a religious leader gain him entrance to heaven. You will not get to heaven because you have taught SS, VBS, or come to church weekly. You will not earn your way to heaven by moral excellence.
2. You cannot enter heaven because of your religious and moral acknowledgements.
Notice that there were certain things that Nic acknowledged about Jesus. There were certain things that Nic believed about Jesus. 1. He believed Jesus was a good teacher. 2. He believed Jesus could perform miracles. 3. He believed Jesus was from God. He believed that God was with Jesus in a unique way. Still, he was lost, living in darkness, destined for hell – eternity separated from God. There are certain things we must believe about Jesus in order to be saved. Nic’s beliefs were insufficient for salvation.
Nicodemus was a man typical of the day. See the link between ch 2-3. There was something that attracted many to Jesus yet they were still unwilling to come to him in genuine faith. Nic was probably attracted to Jesus by the fact that Jesus was bold enough to do something that he was too scared to do. Still, He had not trusted in Jesus with saving faith. He was typical of first century Israel. He is typical of 21st century America. He is typical of 21st century Lipan. We live in a town of “good” people. Many who acknowledge certain things about Jesus. Many who are attracted in some way to Jesus. His teaching. His moral excellence. The fact that once a year we have a big celebration of his brith. Still, they are lost, living in darkness, destined for hell. Do you realize this passage teaches us that there are many who will acknowledge with their mind that Jesus was a good teacher, performed miracles, was from God, and God was with him yet will spend eternity separated from God. Are you a modern day Nicodemus?
Nic had a mental assent of Jesus with an outer image of religion but he lacked a heart commitment to Jesus that brings an inner transformation.
3. You can enter heaven by being born again.
You must be born again. You will never see God and enter His heaven unless you are born again. Nic was confused. So many of us may be today. Not born again physically but being born again spiritually. Being washed of your sins and given a new heart, it is the Spirit of God taking up residence in your life! See Ezekiel 36:25:-27
Being born again is the miraculous and mysterious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He makes us alive spiritually, washes of our sins, gives a new heart, and takes up residence in our life. The Spirit of God in bringing about the new birth is compared to the wind in that we cannot completely predict what He will do or how He will do it but we can see the effects of His work in our lives. There are things about God’s Spirit that we cannot completely understand but we can experience.
Have you experienced the work of the Holy Spirit of God whereby you have been cleansed from sin and made alive spiritually by faith in Jesus as God’s Son who died for your sin and rose again?
If you are born once, you will die twice. If you are born twice, you will die once.
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. This had practical significance for Nicodemus and has symbolic significance for us. For Nic, it meant that his conversation with Jesus could be secretive. Apparently, he did not want anyone to know that he was interested in Jesus. It could compromise his position as a leader in the Sanhedrin. For us, it is a symbol of the spiritual darkness in Nic’s heart and mind. A darkness that is part of all without Jesus.
Immediately, Jesus knows the heart of Nic, and addresses what needs to happen in one’s life to see the Kingdom of God. To be part of His kingdom now, to see and know Him, to enter Heaven.
1. You cannot enter heaven because of your religious and moral achievements.
Nic was a Pharisee, a religious group zealous for the Old Testament law, He rose to become a leader of the Jews – part of the Sanhedrin which exercised authority over civil, criminal, and religious matters under Roman Supervision.
In no way did Nic’s zeal for the law or position as a religious leader gain him entrance to heaven. You will not get to heaven because you have taught SS, VBS, or come to church weekly. You will not earn your way to heaven by moral excellence.
2. You cannot enter heaven because of your religious and moral acknowledgements.
Notice that there were certain things that Nic acknowledged about Jesus. There were certain things that Nic believed about Jesus. 1. He believed Jesus was a good teacher. 2. He believed Jesus could perform miracles. 3. He believed Jesus was from God. He believed that God was with Jesus in a unique way. Still, he was lost, living in darkness, destined for hell – eternity separated from God. There are certain things we must believe about Jesus in order to be saved. Nic’s beliefs were insufficient for salvation.
Nicodemus was a man typical of the day. See the link between ch 2-3. There was something that attracted many to Jesus yet they were still unwilling to come to him in genuine faith. Nic was probably attracted to Jesus by the fact that Jesus was bold enough to do something that he was too scared to do. Still, He had not trusted in Jesus with saving faith. He was typical of first century Israel. He is typical of 21st century America. He is typical of 21st century Lipan. We live in a town of “good” people. Many who acknowledge certain things about Jesus. Many who are attracted in some way to Jesus. His teaching. His moral excellence. The fact that once a year we have a big celebration of his brith. Still, they are lost, living in darkness, destined for hell. Do you realize this passage teaches us that there are many who will acknowledge with their mind that Jesus was a good teacher, performed miracles, was from God, and God was with him yet will spend eternity separated from God. Are you a modern day Nicodemus?
Nic had a mental assent of Jesus with an outer image of religion but he lacked a heart commitment to Jesus that brings an inner transformation.
3. You can enter heaven by being born again.
You must be born again. You will never see God and enter His heaven unless you are born again. Nic was confused. So many of us may be today. Not born again physically but being born again spiritually. Being washed of your sins and given a new heart, it is the Spirit of God taking up residence in your life! See Ezekiel 36:25:-27
Being born again is the miraculous and mysterious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He makes us alive spiritually, washes of our sins, gives a new heart, and takes up residence in our life. The Spirit of God in bringing about the new birth is compared to the wind in that we cannot completely predict what He will do or how He will do it but we can see the effects of His work in our lives. There are things about God’s Spirit that we cannot completely understand but we can experience.
Have you experienced the work of the Holy Spirit of God whereby you have been cleansed from sin and made alive spiritually by faith in Jesus as God’s Son who died for your sin and rose again?
If you are born once, you will die twice. If you are born twice, you will die once.
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