March 6 2016 The Word Of Humanity

THE WORD OF HUMANITY

John 19:28-30

Verse 28 – I thirst.

1. Truth: It was the cry of humanity.

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.

Hebrews 2:18 – Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

2. Truth: It was the cry of healing.

2 Corinthians 5:14 – Because we are convinced that One (Christ) died for all.

Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

3. Truth: It was the cry to act.

Matthew 25:37 – Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?  And He will tell them, I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you were doing it to Me.

Proverbs 25:21 – If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.  If they are thirsty give them water to drink.

4. Truth: It was the cry to drink.

John 7:38 – He who believes on Me out of him shall flow rivers of living water.

How to form the union with Christ

• Realize what you’re thirsty for.

Psalm 63:1 – O God, you are my God and I long for You.  My whole being desires You.  Like a dry worn out and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for You.

• Realize that Jesus understands your pain.

Isaiah 53:4-5 – He took our suffering on Himself and felt our pain for us.  He was wounded for the wrong we did and crushed for the evil we did.  The punishment which made us well was given to Him and we are healed because of His wounds.

• Stop looking for satisfaction everywhere else.

John 7:37-38 – On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to Me!”  “If you believe in Me, come and drink, for the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.

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.

February 7 2016 The Word Of Forgiveness

THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS

Luke 23:33-43

Verse 34 – Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIETY

-We try to bury the past.

Psalm 32 – When I refused to confess my sins, I was weak and miserable.

-We beat ourselves up.

Psalm 30 – Because I was foolish, I’m bent over and bowed down, I’m sad all day long.

-We try to blame others.

Proverbs19:3 – Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.

TRUTHS TO HELP US

1. Forgiveness begins with God.

Verse 34 – “Father.”

Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Forgiveness is possible because of Christ.

Verse 34 – “Forgive them.”

Hebrews 4:14 – Therefore since we have a great High Priest who has gone into heaven, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.

Isaiah 53:12 – He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

3. Forgiveness is needed by all.

Verse 34 – “They do not know what they are doing.”

2 Corinthians 5:19 – That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.

4. This prayer sets an example for us.

Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you love your enemies.

WHAT JESUS WANTS US TO DO

-Admit our guilt.

Proverbs 20:27 – The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience, we cannot hide from ourselves

1 John 1:8 – If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

-Accept responsibility.

Psalm 51:3 – I recognize my faults. I am conscious of my sin.

James 5:16 – Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

1 John 1:9 – If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable.  He forgives your sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

-God forgives instantly.

Isaiah 55:7 – God is merciful and quick to forgive.

-God forgives completely.

Colossians 2:13 – He forgave us all our sins.

-God forgives freely.

Ephesians 1:7 – For by the death of Christ, we are set free.

January 19 2014 Six Reasons To Believe The New Testament Is True

Six Reasons To Believe

Why You Can Believe the Bible part 3

THERE ARE FOUR BASIC QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ANSWER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE TO SAY THAT THE BIBLE IS TRUE.

1. Does truth exist?

The Bible can’t be true if truth doesn’t exist or if it’s just relative...

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not lest ye be judged. By the same standard you judge others you’ll be judged by that standard. So before you try to take the speck out of your brother’s eye take the log out of your own eye first. Then you’ll be better able to help your brother.”

cf John 7:24; 1 Corinthians 5:12; 1 John 4:1

2. Does God exist?

The Bible can’t be true if there is no God.

"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." -Robert Jastrow, God And The Astronomers

3. Are miracles possible?

The Bible can’t be true if miracles are not possible.

4. Is the New Testament true

The Top Six Reasons We Know the New Testament Writers told the Truth.

1. Early Testimony.

2. Eyewitness Testimony.

3. Embarrassing Testimony

4. Expected Testimony.

Homework: Read Isaiah 52:13 to the end of Isaiah 53.

5. Extra biblical Testimony.

6. Excruciating Testimony.

January 29 2012 How To Restore Your Shattered Confidence

How To Restore Your Shattered Confidence

Psalm 147:3

I. What shatters our confidence?

1. Rejection.
Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus was despised and rejected by men.
John 1:11 - His own people did not accept Him.
Proverbs 12:18 - Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword.

II. What restores our confidence?

Psalm 147:3 - God heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds.

HOW?

Romans 12:2 - Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of mind.
John 8:32 - When you know the truth the truth will set you free.

God’s view of you in Christ:

1. God says you are acceptable.
Ephesians 1:6 - (God) has made us accepted in The Beloved.
Romans 15:7 - Christ has accepted you.
Psalm 27:10- Even if my Mother and Father forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

2. God says you are valuable.
Luke 12:24 - God feeds the birds and you are far more valuable to Him than any birds.
Isaiah 43:4 - God says, you are precious to me.

3. God says you are lovable.
Isaiah 54:10 - The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end, so says the Lord who loves you.
Daniel 10:19 - God loves you, so don’t let anything worry you or frighten you.

4. God says you are forgivable.
Isaiah 54:10 - The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end, so says the Lord who loves you.
Daniel 10:19 - God loves you, so don’t let anything worry you or frighten you.

5. God says you are capable.
Philippians 4:13 - I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me, I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me, that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.
Isaiah 61:3 - God will give you beauty for ashes.