Category: Salvation

Jesus Is Enough

8/10/2013

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

A pastor was once in downtown Cincinnati when a man came up and asked him for a drink. He specifically asked for a “pop” or soda; the minister used this opportunity to teach his students that the man thought he wanted soda to drink, but what his body was really craving was water. He really wanted water, but he didn't know it.

God's Grace Offered Forgiveness before we asked for it.

7/14/2013

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God ... Ephesians 2:8

God’s grace is amazing; He is known as the “God of all grace” [1 Peter 5:10] in the Holy Bible. When we think of God, do we think of how longsuffering and kind He is? We have disobeyed His holy laws (the very heart of God), we have thrown our fist up before Him, and we have tried to define our own righteousness rather than relying on His righteousness and His ways. Even as believers in Him, we often fail to be as gracious and kind as He is to us.

Matthew 6:33-34 - What are you seeking after? What are you looking for?

7/1/2013

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
- Matthew 6:33-34

Is food, drink, clothing, or the cares of this life the only thing you worry about? [Matthew 6:25] We learn in the sermon on the Mount that the secret to living an Abundant Life is: a) not a secret and b) not found in the temporary needs of life. The needs of life are only an end to help us trust Him more. Our Father in Heaven knows exactly what you need; we should trust that He will provide for what we need and not always what we want. Let’s live the life of victory by living life the way He intended it.

Faith Like a Chair

5/1/2013

"12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" Colossians 1:12-14

Why is there only one way of salvation through faith, and one way to receive the forgiveness of sins? How is it like sitting in a chair? Read on.

Our text today says that Christians have received the forgiveness of sin. Why doesn’t the Lord allow those who have done good works to get into heaven? Very often, we know people are still relying on their works if someone asks them why God should let them into heaven, and they say, “I’ve been good; I’ve never done bad things like Hitler or Stalin. I’ve never told big lies or stolen anything of importance, so God has to let me in. Right?”

Faith, Light, and Life!

4/30/2013

"3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints"
Colossians 1:3-4

Todays' scriptures point out that we can rejoice in our faith not because we believe in anything, but because we believe in Christ!

Everybody wants to have faith in something or someone who is bigger than themselves, even if it is the ideal person they wish to be. Atheists and agnostics are forced to have faith in themselves or in humanity as a whole. There is an innate desire inside all of us to believe in something.

Don’t Go Back to the Old Way

4/14/2013

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Hebrews 10:4

Hebrews is a wonderful book of the Bible that teaches Jewish Christians as well as Gentile believers today that we do not want to go back to the old way. Before Christ came to earth, the Jews had focused their attention on works, performing sacrifices, and conducting celebrations in hopes of going to heaven. While some Jews realized they could only live by faith, others were trusting in their works to obtain God. When Christ walked among the Jews, He eliminated the sacrifices and celebrations the Jews had so long after sought. He became the final sacrifice when He died for our sins and, in fact, “resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12:4) After all, the blood of bulls and goats (or any other man made way) can not take away sin.

Luke 23:46 - Are These Two Myths Causing You to Not Know God?

3/24/2013

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Luke 23:46

In Luke 23:46, Jesus said on the cross, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Are you also able to call God your Father?

Jesus gave up His life out of His own free will. No one can kill God; He died because He loves you and me. Now, He was going to give up His life and He trusted his loving Father so completely that He would give Himself into His hands. Here at the precipice of death, Christ trusted God. There are two big myths in regards to our Heavenly Father.

Luke 23:40-43: From Sinner to Saint!

2/28/2013

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:40-43

The thief on the cross was saved the same way as Paul or Peter. Paul murdered Christians; Peter denied Christ; both Paul and Peter needed to come to the realization of their own sinfulness, repent, and believe on Him. Just like the thief on the cross, God is willing to save any sinner that comes to Him!

2 Timothy 2:2 - Sharing Jesus by Grace

2/14/2013

"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2

Part of living as Christians is to teach and show to others what we have been taught by God, specifically the good news that Christ saves to the uttermost those that put their trust in Him. It may be discouraging because we have told everyone we know; then let's tell others we haven't met. It may be discouraging because we've run out of people to witness to; then let's tell the same people the same message, but in a different way. Or maybe we are discouraged because we simply don’t know what to say. Remember what we were told when we got saved, and let's keep repeating the same message! You have to admit, the gospel is always the same: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Jesus Is Enough

God's Grace Offered Forgiveness before we asked for it.

Matthew 6:33-34 - What are you seeking after? What are you looking for?

Faith Like a Chair

Faith, Light, and Life!

Don’t Go Back to the Old Way

Luke 23:46 - Are These Two Myths Causing You to Not Know God?

Luke 23:40-43: From Sinner to Saint!

2 Timothy 2:2 - Sharing Jesus by Grace

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