February 28 2016 The Word Of Substitution

THE WORD OF SUBSTITUTION

Matthew 27:39-49

Verse 46 – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

What does it Teach Us?

1. That God is Holy.

Revelation 4:5 – Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is and is to come.

Habakkuk 1:13 – Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, you cannot tolerate wrong.

2. The setting is loneliness.

Hebrews 2:18 – Because He himself suffered being made like His brothers in every way, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Proverbs 18:24 – But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

3. The cross speaks about lostness.

Verse 46 – Why has Thou forsaken Me?

• Sin alienates.

Isaiah 59:2 – Your evil has separated you from your God and your sins have caused Him to turn away from you, so He does not hear you.

• Sin causes distress.

Psalm 38:4 – My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

• Sin condemns.

Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – He made Him, to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

4. The cross speaks about lessons for living.

Verse 46 – My God, My God.

Job 13:15 – Though He slay Me, yet I will trust in God.

Mark 16:7 – Go tell His disciples and Peter.

How Should We Respond

1. Turn from sin to Christ.

Romans 3:22 – We are mead right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

2. Live in a state of gratitude.

Romans 5:11 – Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us, making us friends with God.

3. Remember what Christ has done when tempted.

1 Peter 1:18-19 – God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors, He paid for you the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

4. Tell others the good news.

November 30 2014 The Christmas Tradition Of Purification

THE TRADITION OF PURIFICATION

““Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. law of the Lord says, ‘If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.’’ they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord – ‘either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.‘” – Luke 2:21-24

“Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.”  – Psalm 24:3-4

Memory Verse: “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5:8

FOUR STEPS TO A PURE HEART THIS CHRISTMAS

1. EXAMINE MY HEART FOR IMPURITIES

““Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin?’” – Proverbs 20:9

“A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.” – Matthew 12:35

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.” – Proverbs 16:2

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” – Psalm 139:23-24
 
2. PROTECT MY MIND FROM IMPURE THOUGHTS

“Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness.” – Luke 11:34

“I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.” – Psalm 101:3

3. FILL MY LIFE WITH GOD’S PRESENCE

“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and clean. the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”  – Matthew 12:43-45

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.” – Psalm 119:9

4. RECEIVE COMPLETE FORGIVENESS FROM JESUS

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” – Psalm 51:7

“We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.” – Romans 3:22

“Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a right spirit within me.”” – Psalm 51:10

December 1 2013 When God Interrupts Your Life

WHEN GOD INTERRUPTS YOUR LIFE

Proverbs 19:21 – You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

He’s trying to get your attention.
Ps. 81:13 – God says, “I wish my people would listen to Me.”

Prov. 16:25 – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

He has a different plan.
Jer. 29:11 – I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord, I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

I Cor. 2:9 – No one has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love Him.

He wants you to trust Him.
Rom 8:28 – We know that all that happens to us is working for our good IF we love God and are fitting into His plans.

Jer. 29:13 – God says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

How to Establish a Spiritual Base for My Life

Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life. 
I Cor. 15:2-4

Accept God’s free forgiveness for my sins. Rom 3:22

Switch to God’s plan for my life. Mark 1:15; 
Rom. 12:2

Express my desire for Christ to be the director of my life. Rom. 10:9

If you are willing to take these four steps, then pray this simple prayer:

Dear God, I believe You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins so I can be forgiven. I’m sorry for my sins and I want to live the rest of my life the way You want me to. Please put Your Spirit in my life to direct me. Amen

March 27 2011 The Word Of Love

THE WORD OF LOVE

Matthew 27: 39-49

Verse 46 – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

1. The setting is one of loneliness.

(Hebrews 2:18 - Because He Himself suffered being made like His brothers in every way, He is able to help those who are being tempted.)

(Proverbs 18:24 – But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.)

2. The cross speaks about lostness.

(Verse 46 – Why has Thou forsaken Me?)

(II Cor. 5:21 – He made Him, to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.)

3. The cross speaks about lessons for living.

(Verse 46 – My God, My God.)

(Job 13:15 – Though He slay Me, yet I will trust in God.)

(Mark 16:7 – Go tell His disciples and Peter.)

How Should We Respond

1. Turn from sin and trust Christ.

(Romans 3:22 – We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.)

2. Live in a state of gratitude.

(Romans 5:11 – Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us, making us friends with God.)

3. When tempted, remember what Christ has done.

(I Peter 1:18-19 – God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors, He paid for you the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.)

4. Tell others the good news.