April 16 2017 Easter Means It's A New Day Of Mercy

EASTER MEANS IT’S A NEW DAY OF MERCY

Scandalous: The Miracle of Mercy – Part 1

Matthew 28:1-10 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Luke 1:78 (GW)“A NEW DAY will dawn on US because our God is LOVING AND MERCIFUL.”

MERCY: undeserved forgiveness & unearned kindness

WHEN DO I NEED GOD’S MERCY?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCEPT IT?

1. ASHAMED: I need God’s mercy when I’ve messed up.

A HUMILIATED WOMAN: JOHN 8:2-11

“One day Jesus was teaching a crowd outside the Temple, and some Pharisees brought a woman who was CAUGHT in adultery. They put her on display in front of the crowd, then said to Jesus. ‘This woman has been CAUGHT in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. So what do YOU say?’ They were trying to TRAP Jesus into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and started writing in the dirt with his finger. They kept badgering Jesus, demanding an answer. Finally, Jesus stood up and said, ‘Here’s my answer: If any one of you has never sinned, then you may throw the first stone.’ Then he stooped down again and continued writing in the dirt! When the accusers heard this, they began to slip away, one by one, beginning with the oldest, until it was just Jesus and the woman. At that point, Jesus stood back up and quietly said to her, ‘Where are your accusers? Is there no one left to condemn you?’ ‘No one, Lord,’ she said. Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you! Now go on, and leave your sinful ways.’ ”

• GOD’S MERCY forgives me and frees me.

Isaiah 61:1 “I was sent to announce freedom to all held captive and forgiveness to all who’ve been imprisoned.”

John 12:47 (LB)(Jesus) “I have come to save the world and not to judge it.”

Psalm 86:5 (LB)“O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 (CEV)“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin. So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will receive mercy and find the grace to help us in our time of need.”

2. AFRAID: I need God’s mercy when facing death.

A DYING MAN: LUKE 23:39-43

“One of the criminals being executed on a cross beside Jesus ridiculed him saying, ‘If you’re supposed to be the Messiah, why don’t you save yourself . . . and us too!’ But the second criminal rebuked him, ‘Man, don’t you even fear God when you’re dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong!’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I guarantee you that today you will be with me in paradise.’ ”

• GOD’S MERCY will save me for eternity.

John 11:25(Jesus) "I am the resurrection and the life! Whoever believes in me, even though he dies, will live again!”

Acts 2:21 (LB)“Anyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be saved.”

Isaiah 30:18 (CEV)“The Lord God is waiting to show you how kind he is and to have mercy on you. The Lord always does what’s right and he blesses those who trust him!”

April 5 2015 Discovering God's Power

Discovering God’s Power

“Then the angel spoke to the women. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said, ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. now, go quickly and tell his  disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you.’” – Matthew 28:5-7

“Although Jesus died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God. We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God’s power.” – 2 Corinthians 13:4

• I CAN  understand God’s Plan

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  And this gave him great pleasure.” – Ephesians 1:5

“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still under condemnation for your sins.” – 1 Corinthians 15:13-17

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father.” – Ephesians 3:14

• I CAN  experience God’s presence.

“You who were once so far away from God.  You were his  enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and  actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body.  As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” – Colossians 1:21-22

Memory Verse: “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those how believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” - Ephesians 3:18-19

July 13 2014 When I Feel Stressed About My Future

When I Feel Stressed About My Future

1. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN MY PAST.

“Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness – from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.” – Psalm 42:5 - 6

2. EVALUATE THE SPECIFIC SOURCE OF MY STRESS.

eu-stress: GOOD STRESS

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.” – Mark 6:31

dis-stress: BAD STRESS

(Jesus) "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 5:31 - 34

3. STICK TO WHAT I KNOW IS RIGHT

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”– 1 Peter 3:12

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

4. TRUST GOD COMPLETELY WITH MY FUTURE.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’”” – Jeremiah 29:11

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“Then the angel spoke to the women. ‘Don't be afraid!’ he said. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.’” –Matthew 28:5-6

April 20 2014 Power For Confident Living

Power For Confident Living 

Matthew 28:6 – He is not here, He has risen.

Power For Confidence Effects Three Things

1. The Past can be put to rest.

John 8:36 –So if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 3:36 - Whoever accepts and trusts God’s Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever, but the person who avoids and distrust God’s Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life.

2. He gives power for the present.

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

Ephesians 1:20 – How incredibly great is His power to help those who believe in Him, the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

3. There is a promise for the future.

Matthew 28:6 – He is not here, He has risen.

John 11:26 – Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.

Psalm 34:8 – Open your eyes and see how good God is. Blessed are you who ran to Him.

Lamentations 5:21 – Bring us back to you God, we’re ready to come back.