They had been with Jesus when He made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem
They celebrated the Passover with Him and He told them He was going to die
They saw the arrest and they saw Him crucified
Then something incredible, He arose from the grave!
Now, in today’s passage, He was about to leave them again
As I thought about this journey, it reminded me of something
LIFE!
We are all on a journey that has unpredictable twists and turns
Jesus is always steady
Jesus told His disciples all of this would happen before it occurred
So what about after the resurrection?
What did He share with the disciples and is it relevant to us today?
I want us to see three things Jesus talked to His disciples about and it is for us too:
Vs 6-7
The Father knows the time but our job is to live every day as if it is our last
If you were told your time was ending tomorrow, what regrets would you have?
Did you use your time to further the Kingdom of God?
Vs 4-5
Through the
Holy Spirit
If we trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and follow, we can live every day for God
People tend to shut out the prompting of the Spirit instead of listening
In fact, if we simply listen to the Holy Spirit, we receive that Power that we talked about
We need that power to follow through with the last thing Jesus told the disciples
Vs 8
We’ve been given the power through the Holy Spirit
So when the end time comes, have you done all you could?
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He charged His believers with the mission
Let’s be an Acts 1:8 church, taking the gospel everywhere
Today you need one thing to be able to do that.
A relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him today?
- Apr 11, 2021What Now?
What Now?Can you imagine the emotional roller coaster the Apostles were on?
They had been with Jesus when He made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem
They celebrated the Passover with Him and He told them He was going to die
They saw the arrest and they saw Him crucified
Then something incredible, He arose from the grave!
Now, in today’s passage, He was about to leave them again
As I thought about this journey, it reminded me of something
LIFE!
We are all on a journey that has unpredictable twists and turns
Jesus is always steady
Jesus told His disciples all of this would happen before it occurred
So what about after the resurrection?
What did He share with the disciples and is it relevant to us today?
I want us to see three things Jesus talked to His disciples about and it is for us too:
First, Jesus talked with His disciples about the end times.
Vs 6-7“It is not for you to know” Jesus said. So we need to be prepared for wheneverThe Father knows the time but our job is to live every day as if it is our last
If you were told your time was ending tomorrow, what regrets would you have?
Did you use your time to further the Kingdom of God?
Secondly, Jesus told the disciples about the Holy Spirit
Vs 4-5So how do you live every day as if it were your last?Through the
Holy SpiritIf we trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and follow, we can live every day for God
People tend to shut out the prompting of the Spirit instead of listening
In fact, if we simply listen to the Holy Spirit, we receive that Power that we talked about
We need that power to follow through with the last thing Jesus told the disciples
Lastly, Jesus gave the disciples and us our instructions until His return
Vs 8We are to go out into the world and build the Kingdom by reaching peopleWe’ve been given the power through the Holy Spirit
So when the end time comes, have you done all you could?
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He charged His believers with the mission
Let’s be an Acts 1:8 church, taking the gospel everywhere
Today you need one thing to be able to do that.
A relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him today?
- Apr 7, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 26
- Apr 4, 2021Power
Power
He is not here, He is Risen!
We have been focusing on the Resurrection for a while now
Why focus on the Resurrection?
The Resurrection is the reason we have hope! Because, without it, Jesus is still dead
The Power of the resurrection is the greatest power
As people, we know that, sometimes, we are powerless
BUT…
The power over the grave is also for those who believe and accept JesusIf we are believers in Christ, we become children of God and we, too, have the power!
Everyone can know God through His power
His power is clearly seen in all creation. Do you see it?The very power of God is the cross, and it is the power to save all who will come.This world has no power like the power of God
God so loved the world that He gave Jesus to save us!!
Jesus died on that cross to pay the debt for our sins
Through the power of God, Jesus walked out of that grave 3 days later
He now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf
He stands with arms open wide offering you the same power to overcome the grave
Are you ready to stop being powerless and receive His power?
You can receive the power of the Holy Spirit today!Today is the day to receive the power of GodLet’s all LIVE OUT the Power of almighty GOD!Do YOU have the power? You can receive it today!
- Mar 31, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 25
- Mar 28, 2021What Waits Ahead
What Waits Ahead
Welcome to Palm Sunday!This year we are looking at this story through Resurrection EyesJesus had set His mind on going to JerusalemThis was important for Him to go to Jerusalem to the TempleWhy did He need the donkey to complete the journeyWas He just tiredEverything Jesus did on that day was purposeful
Look closely at who was shouting and praising HimIt was the crowds of followers and those who had gone to hear His teachingWhile his followers and the crowds with Him shouted praisesAll the city said “who is this?See, while the crowds were following Jesus He was focusedHe was focused on what waited ahead of HimJesus was laser focused on the cross and the Salvation that He was about to bringHe would do it for all those praising HimHe would do it for all those who said Who is this?He would even do it for all those who would later shout “Crucify Him!”His focus wasn’t that one moment in time as Jesus arrived in JerusalemThat wasn’t His focusThe things that waited ahead, the cross, the grave, and the resurrectionThis is what Jesus was focused on during this amazing timeYou see, if any of those items were not completed we would be lost foreverJesus wasn’t soaking in the moment of praise by a crowdHe was thinking about how He loved you and why He had to do what He had to doToday the question is have you thought about Him?Have you given your life to Him? - Mar 24, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 24
- Mar 21, 2021Denied
Denied
People are funny
Sometimes, if we are associated with something, we may deny it
New Orleans Saints fans, at one point, wore bags over their heads during games
People sometimes try to change their appearance to keep from being recognized
Sometimes, people just flat deny something, even when they are found out
Peter was very loudly telling Jesus He would fight for Him in Mark chapter 8Peter even followed right into the courtyard of the high priest
Peter was a faithful follower and He was going to stay that way
Many believers today are loudly singing His praises on Sunday
But on Monday, they don’t even recognize that they are a beliver
Some just don’t talk about it, but others flat out deny being a believer
I want to be clear, I’m not talking about pretend believers
People that try to talk the talk, but they have never given their life to Jesus
I’m talking about bonafide believers that have a real relationship with Christ
Just like Peter, those believers, when pressed, often deny
How is it that we can sing “Just as I am” on Sunday and then be someone else?
The pressure of the world is great!
People do not like confrontation, and Jesus is confrontational
We often keep our mouths shut to simply avoid the confrontation
Sometimes, people go even further and deny a fact to avoid it
What about Peter? He denied Jesus
In John 21, Jesus appears to Peter, and three times Peter professes his love for Christ
In Mark 14, Peter wept after denying Christ, and in John 21, he professed his love
We know, that from that day on, Peter preached Christ until his death
My question for you today is simple:
Have you denied Christ?When we look at the Resurrection, we know Jesus claims believers before the Father
He also said He would deny those who deny Him
Don’t avoid confrontation by denying Christ
Instead, confess Him before men, that they too might give their life to Christ
Don’t be denied, instead be welcomed, good and faithful servant
Do you really know Christ today or are you a pretender?
- Mar 14, 2021A Sign Of Hope
A Sign Of Hope
Any time we are told something that is hard to believe, we want to know how
We want something that proves it is true; perhaps some kind of sign
Jesus, in the days leading up to his death, was teaching the people
The scribes and Pharisees, in trying to discredit Jesus, asked for a signNotice here that Jesus called them an evil and adulterous generation Jesus knew their real motive for asking for a sign was simply a ploy to trap Him He called them an adulterous generation The only sign He said would be given Three days and three nights There are all kinds of arguments and interpretations of 3 days and 3 nights We don’t have the time to unpack all these differing views The point is, the sign Jesus was really talking about Was not about the actual times as much as the death and resurrection The real sign is that Jesus was going to be resurrected and overcome the grave You see, today, people everywhere are just looking for some kind of hope Something that will get them through this time of despair and emptiness They want some sign that shows everything is going to be alright The sign they need is a sign of hope Jesus, through His death, burial, and resurrection, is that sign of HOPE! He has come that we may have life, and have it abundantly The sign you need to see today is that, because of the resurrection, You too can have eternal life through Christ Jesus! The sign of Hope is that Jesus paid the price for your sins and made a way to the FatherThat is the Hope that we have, that Jesus made the way for usToday, the sign that the world needs has been given in the Resurrection of Christ Today, do you trust in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection? Have you seen the sign of Hope? - Mar 10, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 23
- Mar 7, 2021God’s Purposes
God’s Purposes
Why do seemingly good people go through bad things?
Have you ever found yourself asking that question?
We want to keep people from going through hard times
The apostles were no different from us
Jesus was telling His apostles about the hard times he was about to go throughNow He tried to prepare them by helping them see who He was Regardless, they did not want Him to go through this hard time For some reason, we believe that our lives should be smooth sailing John 16:33 says “you will have trouble in this world” Every thing we call trouble in this world is preparing us for the next day Trouble also prepares us to help others going through the same thing You see, God has His purposes for all that we encounter in this world We must change how we approach life with our own ideas in mind God created us for His purpose and He knows exactly what that purpose is People often wonder, "Why am I here?" Then shrug that thought off and try to make life for them anyway In the passage we read today, the apostles try to stop Jesus from doing God’s will It was because they didn’t know God’s will Jesus told Peter, you are not setting your mind on God’s interest but man’s Notice, that was right after He said get behind me satan Satan wants to convince you that everything is about you Jesus, in what He said, reminded Peter and the other apostles it is not about them It is God’s purpose that we need to live for every day We have to get close to God to know what His purpose is for us. God’s purposes may cause us to go through trouble In fact, we have been told that sometimes it will cause us trouble Think about what God’s purpose cost Jesus He went through torture and pain and death on a cross for God’s purpose What if Peter convinced Him not to go through with that? The second half of John 16:33 says “take heart I have overcome the world” God’s purposes may be painful sometimes, but Jesus has overcome the world This means that, as His followers, we have overcome with Him Do you have Resurrection eyes or are you staring at the world? When we trust God’s purposes, we see the salvation in the cross and the resurrection Do you trust Jesus today? - Mar 3, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 22
- Feb 28, 2021In His Steps
In His Steps
Ever wonder how do I live life as a Christian
I know that my life is supposed to be different but how?
If you ask 50 people what a Christian life looks like you would get 50 different answers
One reason people struggle so much is we listen to the world instead of Jesus
Leaving you an example to follow in His steps
So how do we live our life as Believers?
We follow His example!
This is good news but also very hardSo part of the example is do not sinThat means I have to be perfect and I am not able to do that!
How is it possible to follow in His steps when His steps were perfect?
There is probably no one who has ever 100% lived up to their parents expectations
But Godly parents will say they are very proud of their children
Shoot for the stars and maybe you can at least hit the moon right.
Strive to try to follow in His steps every day and even if you fall short try again
He kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges rightly
In other words while we are striving to live rightly trust God to help us
Yes, Jesus was perfect and lived a perfect life and yes we are to follow His example
Vs 21
Since Christ also suffered for YOUWe are weak
but He is strong!Jesus loves you and suffered for you and left an example for you
He also made a way for you!
Romans 6:23We are to work hard to follow in His steps even knowing we will fall shortWork hard every day and know that He has covered our shortcomings
He paid the price for our sins already so keep striving
The first step in living like a Believer is to actually become one
Are you a Believer today?
- Feb 24, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 21
- Feb 21, 2021A Working Relationship
A Working Relationship
Relationship: The way in which two or more objects or people are connected
As people we have many types of relationships
We are connected in many ways
All of our relationships take work, and none of them work without work
There is one relationship that is more important than the rest
- Feb 17, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 20
- Feb 14, 2021Put On Love
Put On Love
So, today, being Valentine’s Day, means the world is talking about loveAs Believers, we should be thinking about love every day
The first verse of this chapter reminds us of a reality of where our thoughts should beSeek things above if you have been raised with Christ
Our minds should be focused on things above to make a difference here
Vs 5 lists many things we should be dead to because they all lead to idolatryIdolatry means we are consumed with something besides God
This keeps us from our true love
Revelation talks about the wrath of God being poured outRemember believer, you once were a son of disobedience
As believers, there are more things that we must put asideWhile we are doing this, we are being renewed
We also call this sanctification and it is a process that continues until Glory
This renewal is for every believer, no matter any worldly differences
In this fallen world, all these things are hard to put aside, but we can through ChristThis is how we put those things asideDO you recognize any of the things in these verses?
Yes, they are the fruit of the Spirit, which all believers have been given
It is through this fruit that we can overcome the evil of this world
There is one thing that is greater than any other; that is LOVE
Put on Love, this means we have to do it every dayWe put on love just like putting on clothes; we clothe ourselves in it
When we clothe ourselves with love, it covers all those other things
It is a perfect bond of unity!
Being United in Love is exactly where believers need to be today
This unified love is exactly what the world needs to see
When we put on God’s love, we are able to do what vs 15-16 tell usLet the peace of Christ rule in your heartsLet the word of Christ richly dwell within you
The greatest of these is Love, God’s Love!Do you know God’s love today?
- Feb 10, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 19
- Feb 7, 2021Overturned Tables
Overturned Tables"12 And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He *said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”"
Sometimes we like this passage because it shows a human reaction from Jesus
We realize he did get angry too
But have you ever stopped to think about what made him angry?
Why were there money changers in the temple in the first place?
Don’t forget about those selling doves as well, why were they there?
Way back in Exodus 30:11-16 God required a half shekel from His people
The temple tax was derived from this requirement for the upkeep of the temple
People outside of Jerusalem came to worship and had different money
It needed to be changed into the correct currency
So why is that a problem for Jesus?
The money changers were extorting money as they made the exchange.
Also, the dove sellers were a problem because of how they cheated the people
They inspected peoples sacrifice and often told them it was imperfect
Then the only option the people had was to buy another sacrifice
So again why is Jesus so angry?
"13 And He *said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”In the name of doing something right, the people were robbing the temple goers
Why am I sharing this message today?
The modern church is no different.
There are all sorts of false religious entities that use the name of Jesus to rob people
There are churches today that promote a feel good attitude instead of truth
This robs the people of the true messages God has for them
God’s house is supposed to be a house of prayer not an entertainment venue
Too many believers have been robbed of the real worship they need
That’s why even Christians are seeking ungodly things to fill their heart
When they attend worship, it is everything but worship
When we, as God’s children, are not willing to share the hard truth
Because it may be offensive to someone, we are robbing them of what they need
We advertise one thing, but then cheat people when we don’t share truth
Stop robbing people and start spending real worship with God.
This false religion has also made it hard for people to realize their need for salvation
The blunt question today is, are you a sinner?
Have you ever asked God to forgive your sin and gave your life to Him?
This is the only real reconciliation you can have. If you haven’t done that,
Every religious thing you do is not real, no matter what you have been told.
Are you ready to give up the fake and accept the real Truth today?
Completely giving yourself to Jesus is the only real way for Salvation
- Feb 3, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 18
- Jan 31, 2021Land Of The Free
Land Of The Free
I often remind people that we live in the greatest country
We live in a country that gives freedom to it’s people
Unfortunately, some people confuse this freedom….
With real freedom
"31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free."Real freedom is freedom from sinThe Israelites thought they were free because of heritage;Americans think we are free because we are Americans;
Sin doesn’t care about heritage or government
Sin enslaves every sinner.
Once sin is committed, the penalty is locked on
"23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."Jesus said the truth will set you free. John 14:6 NASB"6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me."Jesus is the Truth, but sin is a liar!
Sin says you don’t need Jesus
We live in a world today that loves sin and even glamorizes it
Sin looks beautiful and is popular
Sin says, "Hey, Why not?!? It is a free country"The free gift of God is eternal lifeHow does that work?The Son makes you free by paying for your sins on the crossJesus has paid your debt allowing you to be free
But you still have to accept it
Are you ready to be free, free indeed?
