Message for January 8, 2023 from Pastor Jerry

From what source do you get information to live your life?

“But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” Heb. 10:3-4

     Under The Old Covenant the sacrifices given were only a reminder of sin.  It kept the people living in a sin conscious life looking forward to a time when sins would be taken away.  Jesus came and died on the cross to shed the blood that would not just cover sin, but do away with it forever.  In addition to the one offering of Christ bringing assurance of salvation, the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us through Jeremiah that God will work in us to produce new desires to do His will. Furthermore, whereas the Old Covenant could only bring a reminder of sins the New Covenant brings real forgiveness.

     We find our confidence to enter into God’s presence founded on the blood of Jesus and His high priestly ministry.  Our hope in God’s presence must be based on an assurance of the justifying power of the blood of Christ and the sanctifying cleansing of the Word of God.

     The confession of our hope of the future consummation of our salvation will never waver as long as it is  grounded on the faithfulness of the One who promised. We must not rest our hope on our own good works.  Satan can cause anyone to doubt if they have a righteous life and therefore make us doubt our salvation but he cannot undo what God did for us in Jesus Christ.  We need to believe in Jesus’ blood and walk by the Holy Spirit.  In that we can be secure in our hope for the future.