Gospel

Advent Purpose & Prayer

Posted by

0

During Advent, we reflect on why Jesus came into this world. It is good to be refreshed in the story of our rescue, the story of Christ coming into our world to bring light amidst darkness, hope among despair, freedom amidst bondage, peace amidst fear, joy amidst sorrow, and love amidst hatred and war. Our King has come and has conquered evil and destroyed the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). For this reason he came. He came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).

What was the purpose of the first advent of Christ? 

To Save Us, Sinners 

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 ESV 

To Destroy Evil In Our Lives

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 ESV 

To Reveal God’s Love To Us

 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV 

To Give Us Life Eternal and Abundant 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV 

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV 

To Be The Atoning Sacrifice For Our Sin

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1John 4:10 ESV 

These are some key reasons why Jesus came but you may be able to find several more purpose statements about why Jesus came. I exhort you to search out these reasons in the Scripture and see how many you can find and reflect upon them this month. 

Prayer 

Father, we pray that your Kingdom will come on earth as in heaven. We ask that your righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) would increase in the hearts and lives among us and our families, communities, cities and beyond. We pray the truth of your word would spread rapidly in this Advent season and be heard, received and honored (2 Thessalonians 3:1). 

May the word of Christ dwell in us richly this Advent (Colossians 3:16). May the influence of the word of truth increase in our lives and sanctify us (John 17:17).

Jesus Came To Bring Change

Posted by

0

As we begin this year many are seeking to make changes for the better in their lives. Multitudes desire a change of life whether it’s physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, vocational or relational change. And the start of a new year brings fresh motivation for that change. As Christians we recognize that lasting change for the better in our lives comes from the perfect Unchanging One, Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus in action bringing change into the lives of those whom he came in contact with. The change we need and the world needs implies that something is wrong with us and with the world. The message Jesus proclaimed was repent, which means to change your mind. A change of mind leads to a change of actions, attitudes and living. Coupled with that call to repent was the call to believe the gospel and this is where one experiences the power for change. Paul wrote that the gospel is “power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes “(Romans 1:16). Change is required and empowered by Jesus. When people truly encounter Jesus and believe in Him, He changes their lives. This happens at the beginning of our Christian life and the entire life of a Christ follower is a process of ongoing change that theologians call sanctification.

In Mark Chapter 1 we see Jesus changing the life of his first disciples calling them to become fishers of people (Mark 1:17-18). Then we see Him changing the life a demon possessed and controlled man (Mark 1:21-28). Then Jesus changed the life of a leper by healing him, which made it possible for him to be apart of the community again. He became “clean” after being “unclean” for many years and treated as an outcast. The change Jesus brings into our lives restores us to relationship with God and to others. Jesus healed many who had various diseases and he drove out demons that were oppressing people (Mark 1:34). Jesus brings the change into our lives that we could not accomplish on our own strength, discipline, smarts and skill. With Jesus change is possible because what He prescribes He empowers. Jesus offers you and I the change that we really need. He brought change to this broken, dark and hopeless world. He will return to finish His redemptive work and make all things new (Revelation 21:1-5)!


Two means of change we see Jesus using in Mark chapter 1 is prayer and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom (Mark 1:35-38). May we in 2021 embrace that change that Jesus wants to bring into our lives through prayerfulness and saturation and proclamation of the gospel! May we preach the gospel to ourselves and to others. May we pray for ourselves and others and see the Kingdom of God come on earth as it is in Heaven!

Considering Death In Light Of Boston Bombing

Posted by

0

20130417-122358.jpgOne of the most heart aching and fear gripping realities for many people in this life is the fact that we will one day die. We are all apart of the ultimate statistic, namely that 10 out of 10 people die. For some death is a slow and painful process and for others it happens suddenly and peacefully. Nevertheless death is a problem that we all face and it isn’t healthy to avoid thinking about it and act as if it doesn’t exist. That is why the bible says that its “Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2 NLT). It is good for us to think about the reality that one day we will all die and stand before our Creator, to give account for how we have lived our lives (Hebrews 9:27, Acts 17:31…) We all have an appointment with God that we won’t miss.

The terrible acts of violence that we recently saw take place in Boston are an unpleasant reminder of the reality of death and present evil of this world. When we see such wickedness and evil intent to destroy lives we are grieved and angered by the injustice that has taken place. And so is God. God will punish those who do such things along with those who practice various other kinds of sins (Romans 1:18-32, Revelation 21:8…) The punishment of God is called Hell and is described as the “second death” and the “lake that burns with fire and brimstone” (Matt. 10:28, Rev. 21:8). This evil has not gone unnoticed by God. God sees everything and nothing gets by Him. And He will take action.

God has taken action to help mankind with their problem of sin and death. In the beginning when God made everything, it was good, there was no death and suffering but mankind disobeyed God and brought death and suffering into this world (Genesis 1-3). God did give Adam & Eve a command and a warning of what would happen if they disobeyed. The consequences of sin was and is death (Genesis 2:17). Adam and Eve aren’t the only ones who sinned and disobeyed God, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That means you and I are both deserving of death. The Scripture says “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 ESV). The bad news is that you and I deserve to die and go to Hell because of our sins but the good news (gospel) is that Christ took the death penalty for you and I that we might have the free gift of God, namely “eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord”. God the Father took action by sending Jesus to rescue us from the penalty of our sin (Matt. 1:21, John 3:16). Jesus came and lived a sinless life and died in our place bearing our sins on the cross, was buried for three days, and rose from the grave on third day, defeating death. Christ conquered the grave. Jesus has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10 ESV).

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live'” (John 11:25 ESV). If you trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior then you need not fear death. Christ will release you from living life in bondage to the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14) because He defeated death. As it is written “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 ESV).

20130417-122409.jpgOne day Jesus will return and “make all things new”. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4-5).

May God comfort those affected by the the Boston bombing with this gospel truth that Christ has died in our place, conquering the grave and defeating death once and for all. May each person be comforted by the hope of Christ’s return to make all things new and ultimately remove death, sorrow, crying and pain.

The Glorious Gospel

Posted by

0

What makes the gospel so glorious?20130222-234958.jpg

There are many reasons that the gospel of Jesus Christ is glorious. One of the reasons is that Christ brings FREEDOM to those who are in bondage to sin. The Apostle Paul wrote “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 ESV) Christ gives His people freedom from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23, 5:1), which would mean condemnation, death, & judgment for the sinner. He gives freedom from the power of sin so that His people are no longer dominated & slaves to sin (Romans 6). Many people including myself have experienced freedom from drug & alcohol addiction through believing in Christ. I have seen some seemingly hopeless addicts & alcoholics delivered by the power of the gospel. Christians have been freed from the penalty & power of sin and brought into a glorious liberty to serve the living God. The penalty of sin which is death has been taken care for the believer in Christ (Romans 6:23). He now possesses the free gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. The power of sin has been broken in Christ. We are free from law of sin and death. Freedom comes from knowing the truth and namely the One who embodies truth Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32, 14:6).The Spirit gives us life and freedom! Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17)! The Holy Spirit leads us into the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by helping us know the truth and believe the truth we are set free, and no longer slaves to sin (John 8:31-32). He who the Son sets free is free indeed. One day Christ will deliver His people from the very presence of sin. One day “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 ESV) …But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27 ESV)

Another thing that makes the gospel glorious is the FELLOWSHIP with God that believers experience. We are now brought into relationship with the Father and the Son, which Jesus called eternal life (John 17:3). Either you know him or you don’t. You either have the Spirit of God in you or you don’t. This fellowship with God that we experience is through the presence of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. We have become the Spirit of God’s dwelling place, the very temple of God.

Here are some of the graces of being in fellowship with God:

  1. Instruction-8:14 (He leads us, guides us and instructs us)
  2. Intimacy -8:15 (We come to God and call Him Father. We are not orphans)
  3. Identity -8:16 (We are God’s children and we belong to God’s family. This is our identity.)
  4. Inheritance -8:17 (We have been given everything we need & more; Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3)
  5. Intercession-8:26 (He intercedes for us and helps us in our weaknesses)

The last reason that I will give for the gospel being glorious is the FUTURE that God the Father has graciously planned & secured for His children (Romans 8:18-37). The Father has glory & good in store for His children. We will see the glory of God (Romans 8:18), we will have glorified bodies (Romans 8:23), and we will be glorified with the Lord (Romans 8:30). God will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28), He is for us & always will be (Romans 8:31), He will freely give us all things (Romans 8:32) and nothing will separate us form His love (Romans 8:37-39)

http://citychurchintl.org/connect-with-cci/english-sermons/

Good News of Great Joy

Posted by

0

20130222-132850.jpg

…”Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11 ESV)

What is the good news?
I bring you good news of great joy! This news will eclipse despair and bring a living hope. This good news will cause great joy to spring forth from those who believe it. What is the good news? Jesus Messiah has come, our Savior has been born. This Savior would not be like a politician who promises much but delivers little. He would sacrificially give His life away to rescue us and fulfill all that he has promised. He came to save us from our sins, death & destruction.
This was not just any baby that was born in Bethlehem. This was the Son of God. God became man, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Father gave the world the greatest gift, namely His son (John 3:16). This would change everything!!! Jesus is the good news of great joy! His person & character, His perfect sinless life, His sacrificial death, His victory over death, His return to earth and His restoration of all things.

What difference this good news make?
Peace with God is the result of receiving and believing the good news. No longer does one have to be tormented by the guilt of a defiled conscience and fear the horrors of punishment. “God and sinners are reconciled” through this good news, Charles Wesley wrote in his great hymn Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Fear not the angel said. Why, because he had good news. The good news is the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) which calms our fears. Through coming to Jesus and believing the gospel we find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). Those living rebellious lives can get many hours of sleep and still be weary and tired in their souls because only Christ give rest for the soul. Christ is the Prince of Peace and if he isn’t reigning in your heart then you will not experience His peace. St. Augustine wrote “You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You”. Oh how true this has been in my own life. It wasn’t until I bowed my knee to Christ that a massive weight of guilt, hurt, fear, anger, confusion and emptiness left me. And oh how glorious that hour was for me.
Not only did the peace of God fill my soul the moment I was born again but the joy of God overflowed with an abundance of tears. The good news is that of “great joy”! The bible speaks of the “joy of salvation” and that is what the gospel brings. There is joy knowing that all your sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. You are no longer an enemy of God but His friend and child.
Righteousness in the life of a believer is the effect of the gospel. God reveals His righteousness through

the gospel and imputes His righteousness as a gift through faith in Christ. The gospel is mankind’s only way to get right with God. Once a person gets right with God they begin to live a life of righteousness. Right relationship with God leads to right relationships with others. Many desire peace and joy but lack a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God. The gospel makes a man righteous before God and the result is peace and joy. Paul wrote in Romans that “the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Roman 14:17). Notice the order: righteousness, peace and then joy. Isaiah wrote that “the effect of righteousness will be peace” (Isaiah 32:17).
May you experience every grace that comes from believing the gospel. May the Kingdom of God come and the will of God be done in your life.

The Gospel’s Influence On Our Work

Posted by

1

20130222-140748.jpg

The very first mention of work in the bible is of God’s work in creating the heavens and the earth, from which rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:2-3).
God works and He made man in His own image and gave man work to do. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:2). The Lord did not leave mankind idle without direction or purpose. God blessed mankind gave them a responsibility to be fruitful & multiply, fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it and freely eat it’s fruit (Genesis 2:15-16).
Man by God’s design is made to work and God gets glory from His intended purpose being fulfilled in man. As image bearers of Almighty God whose work is faithful and good (Psalm 33:4, Genesis 1:31) we reflect His glory as good and faithful servants or workers. The biggest problem with mankind is that we have all sinned and fallen short of reflecting and rendering God the glory that He is due (Romans 3:23). In our sinfulness we have failed to work diligently, faithfully, justly, generously, wisely, righteously, honestly and good, as God created us to. The glorious truth of the gospel of Christ is that Jesus came and did the great work of redemption, that no one else could ever have accomplished. Jesus said that His food was to do the will of the Father and finish His work (John 4:34). As a man who real experienced hunger and thirst Jesus found his nourishment and satisfaction from doing the will and work of the Father. This statement by Christ was mentioned in the context of evangelism, with the Samaritan woman, at the well. Jesus said the Father is working and so was the Son at work (John5:17). And Jesus also said that He only did what He saw the Father doing. The Father had given works for Jesus to do while He was on earth as a man (John 5:36) and Jesus carried out every one of those works. Before Christ was went to the cross He prayed saying “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4 ESV). Then right before His death He said “it is finished” (John 19:30).
Christ suffered and died so that He might redeem his own special people zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Those who are in Christ Jesus are created for good works that God had prepared beforehand for them to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Genuine saving faith in Christ will produce good works. If someone says that they believe in God but don’t have works that demonstrate their professing faith, then that is what the bible calls dead faith or not even faith at all (James 2:14-26). Our faith in Christ must produce good works in general but it must also effect the work we do as an occupation and how we work on the job. Paul in writing the Colossians expounded on the preeminence that Christ has over all things (Colossians 1:15-20) and building on that he exhorted them to put Christ first in every area of their lives, including work. He wrote “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23, 24 ESV).
This is how the gospel should influence the work ethic of every Christian. Christians are to work heartily or diligently as unto to God not seeking the approval of man or “kissing up” so to speak. They must keep in their perspective that Christ will reward good hard and faithful work. True believers in Christ will one day hear these words from Christ “well done good an faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

Often the mundane nature of an occupation can make it difficult to work heartily or to put your heart into your work. But you must remember that our Lord Jesus became a man and worked as a carpenter, in the foot steps of Joseph. It wasn’t until Jesus was about 30 years old that He started his exciting ministry, which lasted for about 3 years. Before that He was being faithful to do what the Father had given him to do. During this time Jesus grew in wisdom and stature finding favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). This certainly implies that He was doing what the Father wanted. Jesus recognized the times and seasons of life. In the gospel of John he referred several times to “his hour” (John 2:4, 7:6…). We must be diligent and faithful in the mundane day to day work that God has give us to do and there will be a time when the Lord will exalt or reward us. But we must seek to exalt Christ in all that we do even our eating and drinking (1 Cor. 10:31).
May you be steadfast, immovable, always increasing in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Gospel Gratitude

Posted by

0

20130222-140230.jpgThanksgiving is a great time to reflect on the many reasons we have to be thankful, remembering the the sources of all those good gifts (James 1:17), and then giving God the thanks that He is due. There are so many undeserved gifts that God has given humanity that we never even consider giving thanks to God for nor acknowledge that those blessings came from him (Romans 1:21). It is good to start with the gift of our life or existence. God in His goodness created us and gives us every breath & heart beat of our lives (Acts 17:25-28). He is the creator & sustainer of all life. In Him we live and move and have our being.
God not only created us but He also faithfully cares for us and provides us with everything we need in life. Jesus taught us we need not worry about anything in life because if God the Father cares for birds providing for each tiny little creature, than He will most certainly grant us humans who have been made in His image what we need, especially those whom God calls His children (Matthew 6:25-27, 1 John 3:1).

Of all people the child of God should be the most grateful. For not only has God given His children sustained existence, but He has granted abundant life & eternal life through Jesus Christ (John 10:10, 1 John 5:11-12). The children of God are forgiven of all their sin, which lead to death. The penalty of for their sin has been placed on Jesus and in exchange they receive eternal life as a FREE gift (Romans 6:23). A free gift like that is worthy of much thanksgiving towards God the giver. An abundance of gratitude overflows from those who have been saved by the amazing grace of God. When a person begins to grasp what has been done for their sake in the gospel and also grasps how undeserving of such blessing they really are, then thanksgiving arises from their heart. That is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians stating “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV). Notice the progression; grace extended, thanksgiving increased and glory rendered to God. These three things should mark every child of God. The gospel produces gratitude in the hearts of its recipients, causing glory to be given to God. The link between grace & glory is thanksgiving. Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to give God glory in everything that they do, even their eating & drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31). How does one eat and drink for the glory of God? It is by receiving the gift of food with thanksgiving & recognizing God has provided it for us (Psalm 145:15). God created every good food for us to receive with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:3-4). Also, God gets glory when we enjoy what He provides us with. Paul wrote Timothy saying that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). God also gets glory when we share our food with others and demonstrate the same generosity that we have experienced from God (1 Tim. 6:18, 2 Cor. 9:11, Hebrews 13:16).

It is good & fitting for us to give thanks for life & provision, but our gratitude for God sending Jesus Christ to save us from our sins should be the greatest reason for thanksgiving. This is what is loudly proclaimed in Heaven: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! … Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 5:10-12 ESV).
Give thanks to God for such great salvation found only His Son Jesus Christ!
Child of God, know that God has taken care of your greatest need through giving you Jesus! So don’t worry about the little necessities of life but rather believe that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 ESV).20130222-140236.jpg

Be thankful for what God has done through Christ coming and also be thankful that Jesus will return one day soon and will restore all things. He will make all things new (Revelation 21:5). He will bring forth judgement & wrath on the wicked (Revelation 19-21) and redemption & perfection to His people. He will wipe every tear from our eye and there shall be no more pain, death, mourning or crying because the former things will pass away and all things will be made new (Revelation 21:4-5). Great is The Lord and He is greatly to be thanked and praised (Psalm 96:4, 145:3).
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)

The Gospel of Grace

Posted by

0

20130222-135941.jpg

Believers possess every spiritual blessing – Ephesians 1:3

God has given every one of His children an abundance of grace upon grace “in Christ Jesus”. We are not lacking any good thing in Christ. We are complete “in him” and we have everything thing we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Jesus became poor in coming to earth, leaving the glories & privileges of Heaven so that we, through His poverty, might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Why do we feel at times that we don’t have the resources to be who God has called us to be & do what God has called us to do? I believe it is because we don’t see what we have in Christ and we need to have the eyes of our understanding enlightened (Ephesians 1:18). That is what Paul requested in prayer for the church to see.

Let’s look at some of the spiritual blessings that believers in Christ have been given through the Gospel of Grace.

We are chosen – Ephesians 1:4

You are not a Christian merely because you chose God at one point in time. You are a Christian because God chose you before the foundation of the world. You are not an accident or an afterthought. God thought about you and picked you before He ever said “Let there be light”. If God loved and chose you then how could you do anything to earn His love or choice of you? No, He didn’t choose us because He saw something good in us. He chose us on the basis of His grace and for His glory, according to His good pleasure and His will. Salvation is about God the Savior. Salvation is of the Lord, His gift of grace granted to us for the praise of His glory. He has chosen us to be holy & blameless and this should be the mark of those who are chosen. Their lives ought to look different than the world. Peter exhorts the church to make their calling and election sure and growing in godliness, holiness & Christ like character is how one can do that.

We are predestined-Ephesians 1:5

Many Christians have trouble understanding, believing and receiving this glorious truth as the bible presents it. But this is a blessing from God, an expression of God’s grace that should “humble the best of saints and give hope to the worst of sinners”, as John Piper put it. Because many Christians struggle to understand & receive this biblical truth there has been much debate over it, but for the Apostle Paul it was a reason to praise and thank God (Ephesians 1:3, 6). Praise Godthat has made plans for our lives before we existed. Praise God that He foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). Praise God that by His grace He determined that we would become His very own for all eternity. Let this gospel truth humble you & stir up gratitude & praise to your Heavenly Father. Rest assured that He who began this God work of salvation in your life will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:30).

We are adopted – Ephesians 1:5

We are now children of God and He is our Father. We are greatly loved and cared for. We belong to a family and are highly valued by God. God has promised to provide for our every need according to the riches of His grace and we don’t have to live like orphans striving to survive. Our Daddy in heaven is watches over us and everything in life is Father-filtered. Nothing comes our way in life without first being approved by Him. And He will work together all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Every good and perfect gift that we experience in life comes down from our faithful & unchanging Father. He is good to us all the time and He always has our best interest in mind.

We are accepted – Ephesians 1:6

We are accepted on the basis of Christ and what He has done on our behalf. He is the Beloved in whom the Father is well pleased and through Christ we also are pleasing to the Father. He delights to be our Father and gives us free access to His presence. Through the gospel of Christ we can boldly approach our Father’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16). Never do we have to earn our acceptance from God because Christ has earned it for us. Never do we have to seek acceptance from men to meet our emotional needs because Christ meets our deepest need for acceptance. No longer should we fear the rejection of men & seek the approval of man because we can be content with God’s acceptance & approval.

We are redeemed – Ephesians 1:7

We have been bought by the precious blood of Christ and rescued from slavery to sin & Satan’s captivity. We have been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God’s Beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). No longer are we ruled by the god of this world or love for this world. Our God & King is the God of gods, the King of kings & the Lord of lords and He has overcome the enemies of our soul. Jesus is now our Savior & Redeemer and no one can pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28).

We are forgiven – Ephesians 1:7

Our sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. He remembers them no more. As far as the east is from the west so far it is that God has removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). The penalty of our offenses has been paid for by Christ and the guilt of sin is gone. The blood of Christ has washed & removed the stain of our sin. Our accuser who seeks to remind us of our past sins is overcome & defeated by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11). We don’t have to work to make up for all the wrong we have done or try and outweigh our bad deeds with good deeds. Christ’s good work on the cross is finished and He has provided forgiveness of sins through His blood. Now we must freely forgive others because we have been forgiven (Col. 3:13). Now we must freely carry this good news of forgiveness to others because we freely received it ourselves (Luke 24:47, Matthews 10:7, 2 Cor. 5:18)

We have revelation – Ephesians 1:9

God has not left us in the dark but He has shared His secrets with us and entrusted to us knowledge of His will. We now know of God’s purpose & plan to unite all things in heaven & on earth. God will restore creation from corruption through what Christ has done. He will make all things new and there will be no more mourning, crying, pain or suffering and God will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4-5). We have been granted wisdom & insight from God to grasp what He is up to.

We have an inheritance – Ephesians 1:11

We have become children of God, heirs of God & fellow heirs with Christ. We can say with the Psalmist “the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance”. (Psalm 16:6). We can be content with the lot that God has granted us and not desire the passing pleasures of sin nor love the world with its lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes & the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17)

We have the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13

Perhaps this is the greatest blessing we have been given, namely God himself. Believers have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whom we have been sealed as God’s own for all eternity. God has granted us His constant presence to lead and to guide us, to teach & to instruct us, to comfort & to help us, to convict & to change us, to empower & to strengthen us, to fill us & to refresh us, to heal us & seal us (John14:26,16:8, Acts 1:8, 2Cor. 3:18). He is our God and we are His people (Revelation 21:3)!

To hear the sermon I preached on Ephesians 1, entitled The Riches of His Grace, go this link:

20130222-135904.jpg

http://citychurchintl.sermon.tv/4368646

 

Gospel Transformation

Posted by

0

20130222-135711.jpg

It is really good news that God is at work in us to transform us into the image of Christ, by the power of His Spirit & His Word. Not only are we pardoned of our sin but we have the power of the Holy Spirit to live a Christ-like life. Sanctification is growing into Christlikeness and obedience to the will of the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The better we imitate Christ and godly leaders He has placed in our lives the more we will experience progress in the sanctification process (Philippians 2). In this process of sanctification we have a responsibility to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” but never are we to work for our salvation (Philippians 2:12, Ephesians 2:8-10). God works in our salvation and we work it out. Sanctification involves God’s working in and through us and our working together with Him, yielding to & following the leading of His Holy Spirit. Any good fruit that is produced through our lives is a result of His work, His grace and His Spirit (John 15:5-8, 1 Cor. 15:10, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 2:13). Therefore we have nothing to boast about before God (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

The Christian life loaded with purpose & power. Our purpose is to be transformed into the image of Christ and reflect the glory of Christ (Romans 8:29). The power we experience is from God’s Spirit and Word (Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 3:18, Hebrews 4:12, Rom. 1:16) working in our lives to transform us into the image of Christ.

 

A Gospel-Centered Perspective

Posted by

1

The Apostle Paul faced many trials & afflictions in his pursuit to do the will of God. He wrote to the Philippians that should rejoice in the Lord always and this was something he personally practiced. When he lost the privilege of physical freedom Paul rejoiced in God through singing & prayer (Acts 16:25). What does it take to rejoice when we are faced with adversity? What is different about the person who rejoices in God when life gets tough & the person who gets bitter?
I believe one thing that enables that kind of rejoicing in adversity is perspective. It helps to have perspective on why you should rejoice in adversity.20130222-135333.jpg
Here is some reasons why you should rejoice in adversity.
1. God commands it (Philippians 4:4, 1 Thess. 5:16)
2. God is at work to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12)
3. God is still in charge and in control (Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 33:9-11)
4. God is for you who are in Christ (Romans 8:32)
5. God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)
6. God is developing character in you (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-3)
7. God’s love for you will never be taken away (Romans 8:39)
8. God has written your name in Heaven (Luke 10:20)
9. God is teaching you to trust Him (Deuteronomy 8:3)
10. God is glorified in you (Philippians 1:21, 1 Peter 1:8)

Gospel Truth

Posted by

0

20130222-222608.jpg

God is the gospel. Gospel means good news and God is good. From his goodness the Father sent his Son Jesus to save us from our sins (Matt. 1:21). Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, declaring & displaying the Kingdom of God. Then he suffered & died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead. Now he has provided forgiveness of sin and freedom from sins dominion, to those who believe in Christ. Christ demands that you repent of your sin and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Not only has Christ provided forgiveness of sin and freedom from sins dominion. He has brought us into fellowship & friendship with him forever (John 15:14, 17:3). Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God the Father and the Son.
Have you experienced the joy of salvation? There is great joy to be experienced by the forgiven saint (Psalm 32:1). There is much joy to be experienced by the one who knows God and spends time in His presence (Psalm 16:11).
Joy inexpressible and full of glory is given to the believer In Christ (1Peter 1:8). Rejoice you Children of God, who have been bought, redeemed and loved by the Father!!!

The Gospel In Jonah

Posted by

0

20130222-133415.jpg

It seems that there are many professing Christians who do not understand the gospel or treasure it with joy and gratitude. Many of them see the gospel as something that an unbeliever soley needs to hear and respond to. Many cannot even explain what the gospel is or what it means. The gospel is the good news. But why is it good news? What is it about this news that is any different than the daily news you can hear on the TV? Tim Keller says that “the gospel is not the ABCs of Christianity but the A through Z”. As Christians we do not grow out of our need to hear the gospel and believe in the saving power of God found in it . The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to all who believe” (Romans 1:16). Yes, as believers we have salvation. It is ours in Christ. We have been saved, but we are being saved and we will be saved. Though we are saved we still find ourselves doing those things that we don’t want to do. We are still sinners in need of our Savior to cleanse us and keep saving us from sin. Christ has delivered us from the penalty of sin, death! Yet we need Him to lead us not into temptation and deliver us from sin and evil. That is why Jesus taught us to pray this way (Matthew 6:13). As long as we are here on earth, in these bodies, there will be a battle against sin. We must not make any provision for it or let have dominion it over us. Indeed Christ has made us free from the domination of sin, yet we still have to resist the temptation to sin. The good news is that through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection we, who believe, have the forgiveness of our sins, freedom from slavery to sin and fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

In the book of Jonah we see the gospel illustrated for us, through God’s gracious dealing with Jonah, the people of Nineveh and a foreshadow of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In it we see the sinfulness of man and goodness of God. We see that though our sin is great, God’s grace is greater and though our sin reaches far, God’s grace reaches farther. In the book of Jonah we see God’s sovereignty over creation and even the rebellious choices of men. We see God’s greatness and God’s goodness, God’s mercy and His might, God’s glory and His grace. In it we see man’s sin and God salvation. Jonah declares from the belly of the great fish “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). This is the key verse of the book. Jonah is grateful when salvation is given to him but when God gives salvation to Nineveh he throws a fit and gets angry. God teaches Jonah and the readers a lesson of His mercy and grace. God will be gracious to whom He will be gracious. As God, He can freely chose those to whom He will be gracious to and those He will give compassion to. God owes no man grace or mercy, but has the right to freely give it out as He pleases.

Jonah had already been used by God in proclaiming a prophecy that came to pass and then God entrusts Jonah with another task, but Jonah goes AWOL. He tried to go far away from Nineveh, which is where God told him to go. And instead he sought to go to Tarshish. The bible says Jonah “rose to flee from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3). When man is in disobedience that is exactly what he does, he runs from God. Playing “Hide and Seek” with God is really vain. Is there really any place at all that we can hide from God? God says through Jeremiah “Do I not fill heaven and the earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24). Jonah went down, down, down when he ran from God! That is what happens when ones resists God’s will. God humbles the proud and rebellious and He will always discipline His own children. Charles H.Spurgeon says that “God does not allow His children to sin successfully”. God hurls a storm at Jonah and the ship that he is on. Now Jonah’s sin is affecting others. Our sin can bring trouble to those around us. The sailors realized that Jonah’s disobedience was the reason for the storm. God used the storm, the pagan sailors and even the casting of lots to corner Jonah. It is futile to run from the Lord when He has a calling on our lives and a mission for us to fulfill. The Lord knows how to overcome our resistance and rebellion. God’s amazing grace overcomes our resistance and His goodness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). God captured Jonah with grace, in the belly of a great fish and the mercy of God triumphed over judgment toward Jonah. Here is the gospel that though we are great sinners Christ is a great Savior. Though we are disobedient God is our deliverer. Though we are lost God is love and He seeks to save us. Actually Jonah’s experience is an illustration of what Christ did for rebellious sinners. Jesus said that as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights,so the Son of Man would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40). This is the gospel according to the Apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the gospel. I can imagine Jesus after being raised from the dead, walking along the road to Emmaus, speaking to the disciples talking about this event. Luke in his gospel wrote that Jesus explained himself from the law and the prophets (Luke 24:13-47), which would include the book of Jonah.

When was the last time you heard God’s voice? Is there something you have been putting off or avoiding that you know God has called you to do? Do you have a good understanding of the gospel and do your actions display that you do? When was the last time you went up to a stranger or group of strangers and shared the gospel message? Are you more concerned about your own comfort or showing compassion for people?