April 16 2017 Easter - The Foundation For Happiness

EASTER, THE FOUNDATION FOR HAPPINESS

Col. 1:14 – Christ bought our freedom with His blood.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, “I come to give you life to the full.”

Matt. 28:5 - He is not here, He has risen.

Psalm 146:5 – Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord.

Happiness is Possible:

1. Because Christ can free you from guilt.

Eph. 1:7 – By the death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

Col.2.14 – He has cancelled every record of the debt

we owed. Christ has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.

Rom 8:1 – There is no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ.

2. Because Christ can free you from worry.

I Peter 1:2 – God’s Spirit has been at work in you heart through Jesus Christ. May God grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear.

Ph. 4:13 – I am ready for anything through the strength of Christ who lives in me.

3. Because Christ can give you purpose.

Eph. 2:10 – We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as He meant for us to live it.

Acts 20:24 – Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

4. Because Christ can give you a home in heaven.

Col. 2:20 – Christ has set you free from following the world’s ideas of how to be saved by doing good and obeying various rules.

Rom 4:4 – You don’t earn the right to heaven, no, for being saved is a free gift. If a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn’t be free, but it is.

Rom. 6:23 – The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

A Prayer That Leads to Happiness: Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be, Your Son, and that He proved it by rising from death. Jesus Christ, thank You for dying for me on the cross. I want You to forgive my sins and I want to know You personally and experience the freedom You offer. As much as I know how, I ask You to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.

April 9 2017 A Gift For The Deeper Life

A GIFT FOR THE DEEPER LIFE

Mark 15:33-47

1. The gift speaks of a penalty paid.

Mark 15:31 - He saved others, they said, but He can’t save Himself.

II Cor. 5:15 - He died for all.

2. The gift speaks of a way to God is opened.

Verse 38 - The curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

3. The gift speaks of a new motivation.

Verse 39 - And when the Centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus hear His cry and saw how He died, He said, “surely this Man was the Son of God.”

Verse 43 - Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Verse 40 - Some women were watching from a distance. Among them was Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

4. The gift speaks of our need for intention

Verse 34 – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

February 14 2016 The Word Of Assurance

THE WORD OF ASSURANCE

“One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus hurled insults at Him, ‘So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself, and us, too while you’re at it!’ But the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this Man has not done anything wrong!’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’” Luke 23:39-43

Five Facts The Dying Man Knew

1. He knew he would face God after death.

Luke 23:40 – Don’t you fear God even when you are dying?

Hebrews 9:27 – Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.

2. He knew Jesus was more than a man.

Verse 41 – This Man has done nothing wrong.

Verse 42 – Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.

John 1:29 – Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

Paul – He became sin for us on the cross.

3. He knew Jesus would forgive him.

Verse 43 – Today you will be with Me in Paradise.

Isaiah 53:12 – He bore the sin of many.

4. He knew Jesus could change his life.

Verse 42 – Remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.

Acts 26:17 & 18 – I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of satan to God.

5. He knew Jesus could give him a home in heaven.

Verse 43 – You will be with Me in Paradise.

John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled, if you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions, and I go to prepare a place for you , and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am there you may be also.

Four Important Truths

1. It is immediate.

2. It is certain.

3. It is a relationship.

4. It is a place.

Romans 10:13 – Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

April 27 2014 How Can I Forgive Myself

How Can I Forgive Myself? 

“None of their past sins will be brought up again…” – Ezekiel 33:16a

Example of Peter:

“Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went away, crying bitterly.” – Matthew 26:75

1. COMING TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS.

“But the angel said, ‘Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter.’” – Mark 16:6-7a

Five Ways God Forgives:
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1. God forgives SPECIFICALLY.
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2. God forgives INSTANTLY.
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3. God forgives COMPLETELY.
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4. God forgives REPEATEDLY.
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5. God forgives  FREELY.

“He has forgiven all of your sins. He has utterly wiped out the evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross.” -Colossians 2:14

2. CHANGING MY PATTERN.

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13

Memory Verse: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.” – Philippians 2:13

3. REALIZING GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR MY PAST.

“[God] said, ‘My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Romans 8:1 “There is no condemnation for those who live in union with Jesus Christ.”

April 8 2012 Building Hope In The Home

Building Hope In The Home

I Peter 1:3 - In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

THREE STEPS TO HOPE

STEP ONE - Build hope through your commitment.

HOW

1. Focus on Christ.

a) Matthew 28:9 - Suddenly Jesus met them.

Resurrection Principle #1

No home is complete without Christ.

b) Acts 16:34 - The whole family was filled with joy

Because they had come to believe in God.

c) Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain.

2. Focus on each other.

a) Philippians 2:4 - Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.

b) Ecclesiastes 4:12 - One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer.

STEP TWO - Build hope through communication.

Matthew 28:10 - Jesus said to them, do not be afraid.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE

1. Talk to each other daily.

a) Ephesians 4:26 - Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

2. Show your appreciation.

a) Example - Mark 14:8 - (Jesus said) she has done a beautiful thing to me.

3. Learn to forgive each other.

a) Ephesians 4:32 - Forgive each other as God forgave you in Christ.

Resurrection Principle #2

Communication builds hope in the home.

STEP THREE - Build hope by being consistent.

a) Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is righteousness in all His ways.

b) Psalm 145:13 - The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

c) Malachi 4:6 - He will turn the hearts of the Father’s to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

Resurrection Principle # 3

Honesty promotes consistency.

STEP FOUR - Build hope through confidence in God.

Verse 6 - (The Angel said) He is not here, He is risen.

HOW TO BUILD

1. Remember Jesus is available.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

2. He is adequate.

Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is too hard for God.

Resurrection Principle #4

He is always available and adequate.

YOU CAN BUILD HOPE IN YOUR HOME