Our Mission To love all people at all times and lead them into a new life in Christ.
Our Vision To be a church that will be multicultural and generational, having a lasting impact on the people to whom we minister.
To see the gospel extend beyond the walls of our church through various outreaches.
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Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
In the New Testament the primary Greek word for “peace” is “eirene” and it refers to rest and tranquility. Romans 5:1 tells us that is it through Jesus work of justification that we can have peace with God. This peace shall keep your hearts and minds secure through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
As Christians we are to allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts. Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].” The word “let” is an action word and means to allow or to forbid. It is something you do. This means we have the choice either to trust God’s promises letting his peace rule or to rely on ourselves and reject the peace He has given us.
Until Jesus comes and establishes lasting peace this world in which we live will continue to have wars and unrest. As long as we are living we are going to encounter tribulation and distress and suffering along the way. But as long as we trust the one who is peace and has given that peace to us we don’t have to allow our heart to be troubled or afraid. Jesus gave this promise to His disciples and to us also – “John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.”
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6
The apostle is telling us that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails us anything. It is “faith which worketh by love” that availeth; that is what has value. The word availeth, comes from the Greek word ischuo which means “avail or forcefulness.” This text is saying neither circumcision nor uncircumcision are of any avail, of any account, or any benefit, or any profit, or any usefulness, “…but faith which worketh by love,” is forceful, compelling, persuasive, powerful, convincing, satisfactory.
Faith which worketh by love. In Greek, “which worketh” (from energeo) means, “to be operative, be at work.” So, literally, Galatians 5:6 says, “faith, being operative by the Divine Love or Agape.”
Faith which worketh by love.” The Greek structure of this word “worketh” is that present tense, continued action. This shows us that the Holy Spirit is saying, “…faith keeps on always working by love. This working is present tense or continues always to be going on.
For (if we are) in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. Galatians 5:6 (Amplified Bible)
The Bible text that we will be looking at this morning is a familiar passage taken from 1 Samuel chapter 17. It is young David against the Philistine, Goliath. The name Goliath means giant but also means to uncover. Goliath represents the many things we face in life whether they are spiritual or physical. God wants us to recognize the giants in our lives and uncover them for what they are.
What is your giant? The thing that you cannot see around because it so big and consuming, you see little else but it. It could be debt, it could be illness. A giant could be
relational, someone in your family, your spouse and your marriage.
The giants that come along in life will try to win over. As we uncover them they will not be as big as the enemy wants you to believe. But like David we can say to the giant, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts…” 1 Samuel 17:45 David comes against Goliath in the name of the “Lord of Host or the Lord God Almighty!
God has given us His name – His name which reveals His character and His ways. When facing the Goliaths of life that is where we are to look – who God is and what God is. He is the “The Lord of Host – He is the “Lord God Almighty”. The many names that God has in reference to him is more powerful than any name of the giant’s that come against us in this life.
I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
One of the hardest things to accept is the truth that “we are”…. not that we shall be but “we are”. “We are now” not in the sweet bye and bye but now. It does not have to do with how much we pray, fast or even how much we attend church.
The reason people have a hard time accepting who God says they are is because they are trying to base the truth on feelings. Any of us can believe what we can see, feel or hear. Feelings will fail you faith will sustain you when you have it grounded in the Word of God. When it comes to spiritual things we don’t by feelings we walk by faith.
The beloved man of faith, Smith Wigglesworth, once said, “I cannot understand God by feelings, I cannot understand the Lord Jesus Christ by feelings. I can only understand God the Father and Jesus Christ by what the Word says about them. God is everything the Word says He is. We need to get acquainted with Him through the Word.”
“Those who wait for God to keep His promises will not be disappointed.” Romans 8:19
Waiting-the one word most of us don’t like or want to hear. Waiting is used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen. When we really stop to think about it waiting is part of life. After all it took you and I nine months of waiting to get here. That is right nine months for a baby to be fully developed to enter into this world healthy and whole. If a baby is born any earlier there is complications to deal with. As early as seven months a baby’s lungs are not fully developed. Just two more months of waiting for one of the most vital organs to be developed so a baby can breath normally on their own.
One of the important exhortations of the Bible is the call to “wait on the Lord.” Sometimes the wait is not very long and yet at other times it seems as we have been forgotten by God. One thing I have learned is that God’s timing is always perfect. Trusting in the the perfect timing of the Lord is one of the hardest things to do. Waiting requires patience. The half-joking prayer, “Lord I need patience, and I need it Right Now,” is probably not far removed from the truth as we all may feel at times.
The word wait in the Bible carries the idea of confident expectation and hope. Those who wait for God to keep his promises will not be disappointed.
“But God” a phrase used 43 times in the Scriptures. When we read the “BUT GOD” in the Bible it reminds us of the merciful interventions of our God. Two words that indicate that something is about to change.
Everyone of us have encountered circumstances in our lives where we just feel like throwing in the towel and walking away- “But God”! You may be feeling that way today – “But God”!
How many times have you turned off the TV of your favorite sporting event because your team was not winning. Then you found out later there was a miraculous turnaround in the last few seconds. Things can change in a blink of an eye in your favor. Stayed tuned in to the whole game. If you decide to quit too soon and walk away you will never see the victory that God promised is yours.
Too many times we look through our eyes and can only see the bad news, our failures, or what people may be saying. At times it may seem as if we are losing. “But God” wants you to have his perspective. Put on Kingdom glasses and see through the Word that God is on your side.
We read in the Bible as different situations came up in people’s lives and what could have happen there is “But, God”. Every “But God” we read in the Bible reveals to us good news.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, “But God” is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”. Psalms 72:26
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4(NKJV)
The last of Scripture was given over two thousand years ago. Since then there have been changes in human knowledge and technology that cause “many” to believe that the Bible is out of date and not relative to today’s society. Even Bible “scholars” and seminary professors have embraced this idea. The Bible says that men have studied and studied but have not come to the knowledge of the truth. There is little purpose in calling yourself a Christian if you refuse to accept the Bible as the final voice of authority. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my word will not pass away.”
I am not addressing what is going wrong in the world; we all can see the results of a culture that denies the rule of God over them. I am addressing that which is being fostered by the “church” of 2017. The only thing wrong with the Word of God is the way man has twisted it to suit his own ideas. This has resulted in all the numerous denominations interpreting Scripture in their own attempt to “rightly divide” the Word of truth. If we accept the Bible as God’s word, it has full rule over us now and forever. We are not at liberty to believe what we want to believe; we must believe it all. This being the case, nothing of the Word has passed away regardless of what certain denominations say.
We cannot pass judgment on Scripture– we must yield to it. Don’t judge Scripture by what a man says, but judge the man by what the Scripture says. It is said, “Let God be true and every man a liar”. If anyone says, “I know the Bible says..’but’,” watch out. If the Bible calls something a sin, then it is still sin. If something was wrong according to Scripture, it is still wrong today. The truth has and will always agree with the Word of God. The problem is that many men have not gotten the truth taught by the Word and therefore teach error. We must do our best to rightly divide the word of truth. By the way, science and the Bible will agree if the truth is taught.
Don’t allow your present circumstance to overshadow the bigger picture. Life can cause us to be bitter or better. It can cause us to turn to God or turn away and continue to walk in our own path. But if we can just get into His presence even with our downcast hearts and yes bitter thoughts, God can change us from the inside out, for it is through him miracles are born.
We all have a story to tell. In 1 Samuel chapter 2 we have the story of a woman named Hannah who was barren. In the life of Hannah we see that God knows our story from the beginning to the end and that everything has a purpose and our trust in God is never misplaced.
Why was the story Hannah necessary to put in the Bible? God could have just started with Samuel in the tabernacle. Why not just simply let him be born and send an angel to his parents to dedicate their son to God. Because God is glorified in the story of the life of Hannah whose name means “grace”. Even in her weakness her trust in God is seen as she turned to Him. Her desires, her faithfulness in bringing Samuel to God as promised are all evidences of God working in Hannah’s life.
I don’t know anyone who has gotten to the place where they are not believing God for something. There are things that have not yet been given birth to and we at times may feel barren. In the process of time we can get discouraged and want to give up. Just get in His presence. God is working in your life even though you may not see it at the moment. Continue to believe and like Hannah you will have a story to tell of God’s faithfulness.
Romans 1:22 “Professing to be wise, they became fools.”
Based on what I see and hear every day, the world is a crazy place. Very few things appear as normal these days. The government, the economy, and the world community seem to be fueled by some underlying force that has caused chaos. I have the answer to why this is happening to our world.
The above Bible verse contains the summation of the whole problem. Society no longer rests its hope on God but is now relying on human knowledge and wisdom as the standard for life. There has been a radical shift in human thinking. Man is consistently replacing God’s truth with his own. A large segment of “scholars” are operating under the impression that God’s truth is outdated and should be updated to conform to today’s knowledge and facts; many of which contradict clearly written Scriptures.
Romans 12:2 warns us about being conformed to the world’s philosophy and admonishes us to have our minds renewed by the word of God. Even seminaries and Bible schools are calling question on the reliability of the Bible. For a true Christian there can be no question about the truth of God’s Word and we cannot “update” it to suit modern culture and political correctness. As it is written, “Let God be true and every man a liar.”
Many of man’s updated Biblical ideas show the effects of the above verse. Remember, heaven and earth shall pass away but the Word of God shall abide forever. If God says it, that settles it. It isn’t enough to know the contents of the Bible. We must know the truth behind the contents because it is the truth that will set you free.
The Bible talks about divine direction in the scriptures. God has a road map for each and every one of us and He knows exactly where to take us. He already has the blueprint for our whole life already laid out. All we have to do is just fit our life into the plan He has for us.
His Word declares in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says, the Lord, thoughts of peace and not not of evil to give you a future and a hope.”
To get to the bigger picture in our lives God direct us one step at a time. Yes Gods knows the bigger picture but we are led one step at a time. And as I often say, He always gives us enough light for the step we are on. All He ask of us to to trust Him one step at a time.
Psalms 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart; And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
The key to unlocking God’s direction is by acknowledging Him in all our ways. Trusting God in knowing he sees the bigger picture and we are just following in His steps.
I may not know all the plans you have for me but my life is in your hands and with the eye of faith I can clearly see you are good, yes God you are good all the time.
Today we are going to have a time of prayer as we join other Christians worldwide “Ringing of Bells and Declaration Day for Israel.
On January 15, 2017, Paris will host meetings for 70 nations regarding a two-state Israel. They are seeking to establish the State of Palestine and transform the area of Israel into two states. The result of this two-state Israel will cause Israel to lose the most Holy sites of Israel, including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, which will subsequently belong to Palestine. The “Palestinians” are not a nation, but are part of the Arab Nations who already have thousands of acres and miles of land.
If this vote is established in Paris, it will then be pushed into the main UN meeting on 17th. In the natural that is a given UNLESS God intervenes and interferes in these meetings. We are believing that when the 70 nations meet, they are going to HAMMER OUT the establishment of a two-state Israel.
The enemy hates the sound of bells. Bells are used to call people together, to declare good news, and to make announcement. If you don’t have a bell, it doesn’t matter – you can still declare:
- Declare His glory, freedom, and unity by the Spirit of God, under God, with humility, honor, and respect for each national leader and fellow citizen.
- Declare for good news to be over every land as we honor the Creator of our individual lands.
- Declare that Israel belongs to its own people and its borders will be set by God.
- This is our prayer and declaration together with one voice.
- We are agreeing with the UN peace bell for unity of nations and also to add our own DECLARATIONS as God’s people seeking to be in agreement with Him.
There is Biblical warning for nations who set themselves to pull down or destroy Israel.
WE STAND WITH ISRAEL! (The Elijah List-Kathie Walters)
“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9
Jesus found Himself facing a people that regarded themselves as holy because they were off-springs of Abraham, the friend of God. The leaders had two thousand years to put their own ideas of religion in place. Jesus never broke any God given laws. He was sinless, yet the religious leaders saw Him as a sinful lawbreaker because He paid no attention to their “traditions”.
How similar things are two thousand years after Jesus birth, death, and resurrection. Religious leaders have had this time to incorporate many traditions into the Gospel. This is visible in the fact that Christianity is splintered into dozens of groups fostering the ideas of a past leader. Thank God that many of the traditions of man do not concern the essentials of salvation. Add- on traditions are mainly aimed at adding to or subtraction from the truth of the Gospel. Saying that some elements of the Bible have passed away assumes that we know better than the original writers of Scriptures. How can we say something has passed away when Jesus said, “heaven and earth will pass away but My word will not pass away”?
The Gospel is simple. What must I do to be saved? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31 Jesus said, ”Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When Jesus said this He was talking to a mass of people who had struggled to keep the Law of Moses all their lives and failed. The Gospel of faith in Jesus Christ put an end to the law for righteousness. If you really believe in salvation by faith in Jesus you are free from keeping the Law to be righteous. Jesus’ death and resurrection made you righteous if you believe it. Since all our works are like filthy rags, how can you add conditions to salvation? We live by the Spirit let us walk by the Spirit.
“You shall also decide and decree a thing and it shall be established for you and the light of (God’s favor) shall shine upon your ways.” Job 22:28 (Amplified Bible)
A decree is a proclamation made by someone with authority. When I think of someone making a decree I think of kings. A king has authority over his dominion. He makes a decree by declaring what is legal and illegal and everyone in his dominion has a choice to obey or not.
Revelation 1:6 says, “and {Jesus} has made us kings and priest unto God and his Father.” Jesus has made us kings and priest now. Not just when we get to heaven to rule and reign but right now in this life. Romans 5:17”….those who receive {God’s} overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness… reign as KINGS IN LIFE….
“Reign” means to rule over, exercise dominion, to decree. As sons and daughters of the King he has made us kings and priest in this life and has given us authority to rule in life. We don’t rule over people but those things that are contrary to the will of God. We reign over the flesh, sin, situations and circumstances. Over all the power of the enemy. God has given to us everything we need to do so.
Matthew 18:18 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven.” The word bind means to “declare unlawful.” The word loose means “to declare lawful.” How do bind and loose? Through our decrees as we declare what we know to be of truth. Jesus looses the authority of His word as it goes forth on earth for the fulfillment of its purpose. We set the word forth in the earth with our speaking the will of God which is his Word.
We have entered into a New Year. What mind set have you entered into this New Year with? We cannot go back and change the past but we have the gift of now and the gift of choice. You have been given authority from God to reign as kings in this life. Stop living below what God says you are and what he wants to bless you with. You decide a thing-you make a decision. This is the year for the glory of God to shine through you.
“You’ll pray to him and he’ll listen; he’ll help you do what you’ve promised. You’ll decide what you want and it will happen; your life will be bathed in light.” Job 22:28 (Message Bible)
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21
In Biblical times names carried a meaning and was clearly understood. In Matthew 1:21 we read, “And she will bring forth a son and you shall call His name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.” The name Jesus means “YHWH saves” or “the Lord saves.” a very appropriate name for that is exactly what Jesus came to do.
We read prophecies in the Old Testament that gave many names for the coming Savior. Isaiah 7:6 “And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Even though Jesus was not given those names at birth they would be characteristic of Him.”
Christmas is a time that reminds us of the greatest gift that was ever given to mankind. The gift that keeps on giving and giving. For God so love the word that He gave and when He did he gave the best he had.
For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, Making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
In school I remember being taught about the water cycle. I don’t remember them telling me it was God who created this awesome thing called the water cycle. Refreshing our memory on how the water cycle works: the rain falls down to the earth through precipitation; it waters and feeds the earth. Then through the heat of the sun it evaporates and rises again. As the air cools, condensation occurs and clouds are formed. This continues until the clouds eventually drop their load through precipitation again and the cycle continues. What is the impact of this cycle on the earth? This rain cycle created by God causes the earth to bud and flourish. Crops planted grow, the grass grows, the gardens planted grow, flowers burst forth in beautiful blooms.
The Word in Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us that just as there is a water cycle that goes forth to water the earth and will accomplish its purpose so does His Word that goes forth out of His mouth will accomplish His purpose. There is a natural water cycle and there is a cycle for the Word of God to bud and flourish. God has given us an example of how the water cycle operates in the natural for us to visualize how His Word (seed) operates in the spiritual realm. Just as the the earth is receptive and effective by the rain for the soil so is the Word (seed) of God when sowed in good soil.
God’s Word is the seed of His blessing’s. The seed is the word of God and the ground is our hearts. If we want His blessings to bud and flourish in our lives, we must do it His way. We honor God’s Word, keep that Word in our heart and then confess it’s truth with our mouths. We then will see the Word accomplishing its purpose. God’s Word brings life and will give life to those who choose to receive it.
In the parable of the sower Jesus said, “The seed is the Word of God.” (Luke 8:11)
A seed does nothing until it is planted. A sack of seed sitting on a shelf is just that a sack, of seed. The nature of that seed is there and in order for it to produce it has be taken off the shelf and planted in good soil.
God works in the hearts of His people through the Word that we put in our hearts. If we desire the Word to be productive in our lives, we must decide to plant the Word in our hearts and minds. God’s power is released through His Word. The reason the enemy attacks the Word is because the Word or the seed is full of power. God did not give us His word for it to be inactive in our lives. We have been given the Word of God which is the very life and power of God. When we put the Word in our heart, it gives God something to work with. As we partner with God and give Him permission to work in our lives, He will produce everything that is in the Bible on the inside of us. It is God’s will for us to understand and know that His Word (the seed) can accomplish great and mighty things in our lives.
The Word of God (the Bible) laying on a table has within it power to bring life. But until it is picked up, opened up, and looked unto it will be just another Book laying on the table. But once the Bible (the word, the seed) is picked up, opened and planted in our hearts on good soil than we will began to see great and mighty things happening in our lives for the glory of God.
His Word (seed) has been given to us to produce the Kingdom of God in us and through us. The Power of the Seed—
Therefore we do not lose heart. Thought outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When you lose heart, you become discouraged. When you become discouraged, you lose your joy. To lose your joy is to lose your strength and the Word tells us the, “joy of the Lord is our strength.”
The greatest enemy of our souls can be discouragement. Just like God’s great servants in the Bible we also can become discouraged in our journey of life. James 5:17 tells us that Elijah was a man just like us.
1 Kings tells us the story of how Elijah became discouraged after things didn’t turn out the way he expected. God had just helped him win victory over the priests of Baal, and now Elijah expected that the idol-worshipping king and queen of israel would repent. Instead the queen swore that she would kill Elijah. Now this great man of God was running for his life. God did lead Elijah back to Mount Horeb where he met God face to face and then he obeyed God’s direction to go back and continue what God had called him to do.
It is easy to become discouraged when we are disappointed or tired. At such times we may feel like we cannot go on. No matter why we are discouraged, we can overcome with the help of the Lord.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 Corinthians 5:17
When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior you are a new creation. We now live according to the new not the old. The old is dead and should be buried. Burying the dead things of the past is vital to moving on to new and greater things. If we continually treat or give attention to those dead things like they are still alive they will continue to influence our thoughts. Your thoughts will begin to be your actions.
Once we are born again we are not to look back. Stop feeling guilty on what was. The blood of Jesus has covered you and that blood cries out, “not guilty.” His blood makes you worthy to look forward to a brighter future. Get this settled in your heart “you are worthy.” As long as you feel unworthy you will never believe that God wants His best for you.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Our sins past, present and future have been washed away. We become righteous not by our doing but by the grace and the wonderful plan that God has already set up.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
The Bible is full of examples of what it means to trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Noah building a great big boat in the middle of dry land when there was not a cloud in the sky, despite all the ridicule of all those around him, just because God said so.
Abraham packing up everything and leaving his home land when he was eighty years old, because God told him to.
Peter got of the boat and walk on a stormy sea just because Jesus ask him to. (remember he only began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus.)
Whatever life may bring your way – Whatever God ask you to do. Be assured you can trust Him to see you through.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, But we will remember and trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalms 20:7
My chains are gone I’ve been set free, my God my Savior has rescued me and like a flood His Mercy reigns, unending Love, Amazing Grace. These are Words from a song sung by Chris Tomlin – “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”
The Word tells us in Romans 8:3 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” The law of Moses could not save us. Because of our sinful nature God put into effect a different plan to save mankind. He sent His own Son in a human body just like ours only ours was sinful. God then destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
My Savior has ransomed me. A ransom is something that is paid to provide for the release of someone who is held captive. Jesus paid our ransom to free us from sin, death, and hell. That ransom was His own life, the shedding of his own blood, a sacrifice. Due to his sacrificial death, each person now has the opportunity to accept that gift of atonement and be forgiven by God. For without his death, God’s law would still need to be satisfied by our own death.
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us for if the blood of bulls and goats n and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifies to the purifying the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself with spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:12-15 This Scripture tells us that Jesus once and for all took blood into that Most Holy Place. Not the blood of animals but His very own blood. This secured our salvation forever. If the blood of animals could cleanse people’s bodies from ritual defilement just think how more the blood Jesus cleanses our hearts so that we can worship the true and living God! Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He now mediates the New Covenant between God and people. All now can receive the eternal inheritance God has promise them.
“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poiured out on the altar of the Cross, we are free people-free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And nut just barely free, either, Abundantly free! He thought of everything provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in christ, along-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in them, everything in in deepest heaven everything on planet earth.” Ephesians 1:7-10
Our chains are gone, we have been set free. His mercy, His love, His Amazing Grace!
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