New Life For The Nations

     John 16:5-7  “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

      In this scripture I believe Jesus was saying not only I am the way to the Father I am the way, truth and life on your journey in the earth now.  He knew we would need help on the way.

      While you are navigating through life always remember, I Am your way, I Am your truth, I Am your life.  When we began to understand the power of-I Am the way, the truth, the life statement that Jesus made we will be overcomers in this life.  

      You need a way- Jesus says,“I Am the way maker”.  You need truth-Jesus says,“I Am truth”.     You need life -Jesus says, Follow me I Am the light of life”.       

      He’s the “I AM”—the Jesus of the now—ready to be whatever we need Him to be!

For at one time you were not God’s people, but now you are. At one time you knew nothing of God’s mercy, because you hadn’t received it yet, but now you are drenched with it! 1Peter 2:10

     The fix is in…meaning that the fight has been fixed” or in the sense that someone has paid to determine the outcome of the competition in advance.  To make or become firm, stable, or secure.

     God has made our salvation secured through Jesus. Our past, present, and future sins are already forgiven. The fix is in.   We stand in the position of victory. Ephesians 1:7-11  Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness. He had decided to do this through Christ. He planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth. God also decided ahead of time to choose us through Christ according to his plan, which makes everything work the way he intends. He planned all of this so that we who had already focused our hope on Christ would praise him and give him glory.

     I recall to mind the song-I owed a debt I could not pay-He paid the debt he did not owe-I needed someone to wash my sins away-And now I sing a brand new song Amazing Grace All day long Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay-He paid the debt on calvary He saved my soul-He set me free-Am glad that Jesus washed all my sins away-And now I sing a brand new song Amazing Grace all day long-Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

   All because of JESUS!

Well praise the Lord in whom all blessings flow. May God continue to shower you and your family with kindness, goodness and favor in every area of your lives. 

We are living in uncertain times. Our world seems to be changing daily around us. But there is one thing that is sure – the WORD. That is what we return to over and over again in times like these. The Bible tells us in Psalms 119:89 O Lord, your word is established in heaven forever.

For some it is easy to just believe what man has to say about what is happening in the world today. But have you ever thought what is on the heart of the Father concerning the complexities of these uncertain times. I am sure it grieves His heart to see the follies of man as they scurry around trying to find answers to all the things that are happening. Instead of the why let us just find our solace in the Word. That is where the Truth can be found.

One thing the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart a long time ago, God is good and the enemy of your soul is out to do you no good. I remembered the Scripture in John 10:10 “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” God cannot be good and evil at the same time. God’s goodness is running to overtake you. Evil is birthed from the evil one. The enemy of our lives desires to overtake us with fear in the chaos that is happening in the world

Jesus has told us in John 16:33 …..in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

 Brothers and Sisters we live in a fallen world that has not been redeemed.  It is groaning to be released and the groans are getting louder and louder as we come ever closer to the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Romans 8:22 We know that all creation has been groaning with the pains of childbirth up to the present time. 

Soon and very soon we will be going Home.  Until then stay in faith and keep on keeping on. Jesus is Lord and we win.

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5

  We are in a time today with the Coronavirus running wild throughout the world, our nation, our state, and even in our local community when it is important that we make the right choices and do the right things. We are being told every scary thing happening around us and even some people with positive ideas are not too positive.  All of us want to feel safe and protected from danger.

  One thing that is trying to take over our thought processes is fear.  For the believer, there is much admonishment to “fear not” when conditions and situations are not to our liking.  The Bible tells us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

  In this present time it is important that we follow social rules and defensive policies set forth by leaders but at the same time not live in fear constantly.  We know it is the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Our present problems did not take God by surprise. He knows what His plans and purposes are for each of us, and by trusting Him, we can come through a winner in any situation.

  The verse at the top of the page is our guidance on what to do.  Do not do any more or any less than what Mary told the servants to do.  His way never fails us and He will watch over us as a good Father. Satan is a liar and the father of lies.  And, as we sing, remember, “fear is a liar.” Be blessed and trust God everyday for the things we need that day.  Tomorrow will take care of itself. See you soon.

“Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so whom He has delivered us from the hand of the adversary”.                        Psalm 107:2

Through  “redemption” we have been redeemed.  Redemption means atonement, ransom, or to purchase our freedom. God has redeemed us by the blood of His Son Jesus.  

“Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds”.  Titus 2:14

Within the plan of redemption we have been given victory in every area of our lives.  Victory is the result of pushing through, by faith, all that would keep us from walking in the truth.  

Our adversary is anything that would come to hinder us in living an abundant life that has been promised for the Sons and Daughters of God. We already have is Word on the situation –  He has delivered us from the hand of the adversary on 

So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.           1 John 5:5

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:9-10

     In Christian teaching today a great amount of teaching leaves us with a doctrine that tells us that God will bless us if we do enough “things” for Him.  But, what did we do that made God love us enough to send His Son to die for us that we could be saved? We become sin conscious and then focus on what we do and don’t do as the basis for God’s love for us; when we should focus on what He has done for us.

     Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.  Every time Peter said yes. We will look at the situation in the sermon this morning for what the meaning is.  Love is an English word that carries a lot of different meanings as it is used in our vocabulary today.. Truthfully, we have cheapened the meaning of the word in our over use of it.  Let us open our eyes and perceive how we can restore the higher meaning of the word love.

     The Greek language used to write the New Testament has four or more words for love thus distinguishing the exact meaning when love is being used in a sentence.  We need to be able to use the word love in its proper setting. Remember, the greatest of these is love.

Pursued by Love – Saved by Grace – Followed by Mercy   

      Pursued by Love-God is on a relentless pursuit of you?  For those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior yet, for those who have strayed from the path of following God, even for those who have trusted Him as Savior.  He is forever drawing us to fellowship with Him. Because of His very nature – which is love – He seeks to have a relationship with us. He created us for His glory. See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are. 1 John 3:1

      Saved by Grace-We could not be saved if it was not for the pursuit of God. If you have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation, you have been saved by grace!  Salvation is not earned by our own effort or merit.  It is a free gift by God’s grace (undeserved favour) in response to our faith God pursued you out of love that you might accept Him as Savior.  For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ. Ephesians 2:8

      Followed by Mercy-Mercy in the Bible is God’s withholding of a just punishment. Mercy reminds me of the goodness of God in my life every day.  Because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.  But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us.  We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God’s kindness that saved you.)  Epheisans 2:4-5  God is rich in mercy because of his great love he has for us.    

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Col. 3:17

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23-24

     A few years ago there was a popular song that said, “Don’t worry, be happy,” and it was very much played on radio stations around the world.  I say to you today it is the time to be happy and don’t worry. Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow for that will take care of itself.

     As a child of God and joint heir with Jesus our faith tells us to trust God and remember that tomorrow belongs to Him.  We need to understand that we are not waiting for our inheritance to begin when we go to heaven. We are living in our inheritance now because the author of the will and testament has already died making the will in effect.  Jesus is alive to administer the will and has put the inheritance in our hands as of today.

     We need to live like we believe and understand what the Word of God means when it says, “who is able to do exceedingly beyond what we could ask or think.”  It means He has everything under control day by day.  

     The world is in a mess caused by the people that live in it.  Human nature is not a very nice thing if it is out of control and measured by the wrong standards.  I hope your standard for behavior is what would Jesus do.? Read the above Scriptures and judge yourself by them.  How are you doing? 

Now there was a prominent religious leader among the Jews named Nicodemus, “He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. John 3:3

When Jesus was answering Nicodemus’ question I believe that he was referring to access to eternal salvation but also experiencing Kingdom living now.  Nicodemus said, “We know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus answered, “If you want to experience these things you are seeing  you must be born again.

When a person becomes saved spiritual vision is birthed within them. As born again children of God we have been given spiritual sight through the means of Holy Spirit.  The spirit has eyes if you would just see. Should our prayer be in the song we sing, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You I want to see You To see You high and lifted up Shinin’ in the light of Your glory Pour out Your power and love As we sing holy, holy, holy”.

Paul prayed for the Church at Ephesus that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened – Ephesians 1:18-19 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe”. 

May our eyes be of single vision to see who we are and what we have been given because of Jesus our Savior!

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” Romans 8:25.

      NOT YET!  Two three letter words that carry a powerful punch.  Not yet describing that something is expected to happen but has not at this moment.  Would using the words, “not yet” in a sentence make much of a difference. I think so.  What if someone were to ask me if a particular person is saved? Would by answer be “He is not saved.”  Or “He is not saved yet.” My answer would definitely be “He is not saved yet.” What would my answer be based on?  1 Timothy 1:4  God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  Faith works through hope.  To say “He is not saved” is a statement of current fact. To say “He is not saved yet” brings God into the picture. You are speaking of things you have not yet seen but know to be the truth.

      I heard someone say, “Hope is that settled confidence that looks to the future, knowing that God will someday keep all his promises.  Patience is the ability to endure present hardship because you have hope in the future”.

     What is it that you are waiting for from the Lord? What are you hoping for that you do not yet have?  While you are waiting, don’t let go of those two little words “not yet.”