God of Love

 

Scripture Text

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I. We all must make a decision about God's love. The most important decision you will ever make in this life is a decision about love, whether to receive God's love in salvation. The choices that follow are like it. To love God in return, and then because of your love for Him, begin to love others.

II. Remember our God in Christ washed human feet. I don’t know of any other gods that would do that. Many times it is our own unyielding personalities that become hindrances for the world to see Jesus who lives in us. They can’t see Him for us, they just see a non-conformed personality. The bible teaches that we are to be Christ like and treat others as He treated us. Jesus was full of God's love and shared it with mankind.

III. God's love is absolute. It is divine, everlasting, and sacrificial. His care for you does not waver or change over time. His love is not influenced by circumstances or situations. His love for you cannot be diminished in any way. God's love is powerful, wise, and ever present with us. His love penetrates our deepest wounds and causes us to heal. God's love changes us and helps us to grow in our love for others. If we allow it, His love will overtake us completely, heart, soul, mind and strength.

IV. When people meet you today, what kind of god will you represent? Will they see a loving and merciful God, patient and full of grace? Will they see a God who is willing to serve rather than be served? Will God's love be reflected in your life before others?

Invitation: Are you willing to accept God's love and let it reach into every area of your life and transform you? If you would like to accept God's love in your life, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life right now. You should because absolutely nothing fills the emptiness like God's awesome love and you are assured of a home in heaven when this life is over.

Jesus Our All

 

Intro: Jesus in Revelation 2:4 told the church of Ephesus that they had left their first love. Jesus is to be our first love, and we are to never forget Savior and Lord. He is our bridegroom and we are His bride. He has done so much for us, so we must give Him His rightful place in our lives and stand strong for Him in this dark and sinful world.

I. Christ's words are most sweet to us. [Luke 4:22: Psalm 19:10] More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 119:103 (NKJV) How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Christ' words are Sweeter than honey; which is the sweetest food we know of. The honeycomb is that which is sweeter than the rest. Words are a principal part of Christ's beauty, and the main means of our comfort, security, joy and salvation. Our comfort and joy completely depend upon his sweet and excellent words, his holy teaching and gracious promises contained in the gospel. Luke 4:22 (NKJV) So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. To appreciate the sweetness of His words you have to feed upon Jesus' words by reading and meditating on it daily. His word tells us in Jude 1:24 (NKJV) Jesus is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. That is most sweet to our souls.

II. Christ is altogether lovely. There is no part of him which is not all together lovely and beautiful. Now the important question is this: Is He altogether lovely to you? Are you able to speak of Him with the enthusiasm the bride had for her bridegroom? We must know Christ intimately if we are to witness of Him. When one comes to Christ it is not a business transaction, it's a forever commitment. He is wonderful, and I don't think we praise Him, glorify Him, lift Him up, worship Him, and honor Him with thanksgiving enough. He is altogether lovely any way that you look at Him.

III. Christ is my beloved. Can you say He is beloved to you? Is He is the One whom you love the most? Is He is the One dearest to your heart. Do you desire none but him. Is He is the focal point of your interest; is your faith completely in him, and do you love him because He first loved you and gave Himself for you. Do you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength which is the first and greatest commandment?

IV. Christ is my friend: Christ is lovely as our personal friend. We can talk to Him at all times. He discloses the secrets of His heart to us. John 15:15 (NKJV)  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. He paid our sin debt for us by his suffering in our place on the cross, and by shedding His precious blood to purchase us as His own. He has entered into heaven in our name, where He is our advocate before the Father. He is abundant in His mercy and grace, and gives us help and relief in times of need. We can share all our secret things needs with Him, knowing that He will help us. He gives us good and wholesome counsel by His word. He shows us the right path to follow to avoid the pitfalls of life.
He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother; He loves at all times; is constant and faithful, and always to be trusted in; He is a rich, powerful, everlasting, unchangeable friend.

Invitation: Christ is seeking those that have not experienced His love in the forgiveness of their sins. If you have never experienced Christ's love for you, confess your sins to Him, right where you are. Ask Him to forgive you and save you from hell and give you a home in Heaven. He will not turn you away and you will begin to experience His great love for you!

God is Able!

Intro: The apostle Paul had just finished his powerful prayer for the Ephesian church. He closed with a doxology of praise to God because there is nothing that God can't do when He is allowed to work through His people. His power is unlimited and great things can happen when we allow God's power to work in us.

I. God is able to do more than we could ask or think. [Ephesians3:20] Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Think about just how strong and powerful God is. He is able to do... "exceedingly": to surpass; to go beyond any request; to overcome and do anything. "abundantly": to overflow and to do more than enough. "above": to go over and above, beyond any need. "all that we could ask." all that we can think. Imagine going beyond anything we can think! What is the greatest answer or deliverance we can think of? God is able to do far above and beyond what our finite minds can think of. God is able to fulfill our prayers even if they are humanly impossible. He is more than willing to do great things for us and in us. God who could be working for us and in us once spoke the universe into existence. He meted out the heavens and measured the oceans in the palm of His hands. God who could be working in us is able to heal the sick, correct the wayward, help the helpless, give hope to the hopeless and raise those who are dead in their sins and trespasses to new life in Christ. He could help us with all the problems we have in our nation, our families, and our personal lives.

II. What it takes for this to happen? [Ephesians 1:19-23] It will happen according to how much of His power is at work in us. The same power with which He raised Jesus from the dead.  Ephesians 1:19-23 (NLT) ¹⁹  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰  that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²²  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Think of the power necessary to raise someone from the dead. This passage refers to the Holy Spirit of God, who is constantly at work in our lives, seeking to produce a Christlike character in us, convicting us of sin, guiding us in prayer, inspiring us in worship, directing us in service. The more we are yielded to Him, the greater will be God's effectiveness in doing more through us. Our part is to completely surrender to God's Spirit, then ask and believe He is able. Our faith in God is crucial to His working in us. When we ask and totally trust God, then will we see great things happen.

III. God's purpose in doing these things for us. [Ephesians 3:21] to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. So that Glory is given to Him in the church. The church, the body of Christ, exists to glorify God. The church is the instrument God uses to accomplish His plan here on earth. The ability to give glory to God comes only through Christ Jesus, for he brought the church into existence through his sacrifice for sin and his resurrection from the dead. God's glory will be made known through endless ages. Giving glory to God will never cease throughout eternity!

Conclusion: May we all begin to ask God for great and awesome things knowing He is well able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ask or think. He waits for us to bring everything to Him believing that He will do what He has promised. We have not because we ask not. Ask and receive that your joy may be full.

Invitation: If you have never done so, the most important thing you can do is confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you. Invite Him to come into your life to take charge of you. Now is the perfect time to receive your miracle of eternal life and begin to live for Him and believe Him to do exceedingly, abundantly more in your life than you could ever ask or think according to His Spirit that will be working in you.

How to Avoid Deception

 

Intro: No one is exempt from being tempted and deceived.  Christians who are not prepared are being swept into the streams of deception that are being spewed out by many different voices.  Many believers are filled with fear and worry.  They are following deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. (1Timothy 4:1) Here are 4 keys you can use to avoid falling into the trap of the enemy;

1. Be Alert and Watchful. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”. Romans 13:11, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”  And Jesus encouraged us to, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) In other words, as followers of Christ we need to wake up and be on guard.  Too many of us have become apathetic and complacent.  We are asleep. It’s time to wake up and be aware of what is going on around us and sensitive to what spirit is at work.  We need to be aware of the tactics and devices of the enemy, so we are not out witted and become a victim of deception.  (2Corithians 2:11)

2. Know the Word of God and Do the Word of God. You must know God’s word. You will be susceptible to being deceived if you do not know what God has said. The Word is the plum line.   It establishes true north in our life.  Jesus said, “Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks” (Mt 4:4).  We must feed upon God’s word every day – read it, meditate upon it, speak it, hear it. Then, we must do what God’s word says to do not be just hearers only.  James makes this very clear, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  (James 1:22) So, stay immersed in the word and walk in all the light God gives you, and you won’t have to worry about being deceived.

3. Guard your heart. Deception usually begins in the heart as a result of honoring one’s personal will above the will of God. The will of man by nature does not love the truth.  Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Even those who are religiously minded can have their hearts deceived (Jas. 1:26).  The heart can be polluted by pride, greed, apathy, unforgiveness, and offense.  These are all breeding grounds of deception. Not only can the devil deceive us, but others can deceive us, and we can be self-deceived – if, we don’t guard our hearts.

4. Stay in right relationship. God created us for relationship.  Relationship with Him and relationship with others.  It starts with our relationship with the Lord.  You will not be deceived if you commune with the Lord, pray, and worship Him.  You will remain sensitive to His voice and the leading of the spirit. Then, we need to be in right relationship with other believers.   We need each other.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  (Proverbs 27:17)   Fellowship provides encouragement and strength.   We need people in our life to hold us accountable and to help us grow. One of the biggest traps and dangers for deception is going it alone.  When a believer becomes isolated, separated from God and others they become an easy target for deception. This is what church is all about; fellowship with other believers!

Invitation: If you have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins, you are being deceived by the devil because without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be eternally lost in hell. God wants you to spend eternity with Him and has provide the way to heaven through Jesus Christ His Holy Son. Ask Jesus to forgive you and save you from hell. Invite Him into your life right now if you have never done that before its eternally to late! Then you will spend eternity with God and His Son Jesus!

"Taking “Inventory”

Scripture Text

Psalms 26:2 (NKJV)
^“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”

Intro: When was the last time you asked God to examine you and show you where you stand with Him? When you let God examine your spiritual life it will truly bless you.

I. Allow God’s Spirit to examine you. (v:2) Means to study you in a very careful way. Ask God how He sees you? Ask Him to show you where you need to change! God’s will for all His people in this life is to conform them to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Conform means to be in agreement on every point. Is your life being brought into agreement with Christ’s way of doing things? Let God examine and show you the truth. Are you fulfilling the purpose of God in your life? Do you even know your purpose? Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Our purpose in life is to constantly be changed into that new person He created us to be. We are changed in our thinking as we pray and read God’s word. In it We find His will for us. We were created to bring praise, honor and glory to Him while we are in this world.

II. Allow God to prove you through your actions. (v:2) Prove means to show the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions. Are you most like Jesus in your actions or more like the world? Is your life being shaped more by others’ expectations of you than by God’s priorities? Are some of the things you are doing based on guilt, a desire for approval, or a need to make a good impression? Does God see the motive for your actions based on His will, yours, or to impress someone? Take note each week as to the use of your time. How much time is spent on the things of God? Are the activities you are involved in each week on His agenda for you? When your activities have a reason, God’s reason, you can be less affected by the opinions of those who may not understand why you do what you do. God blesses His agenda!

III. Allow God to try you in mind and heart! (v:2) Try means to test! Test means to subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, trouble; or duty. Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV) If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. James 1:3 (NKJV) Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. A lot of people talk the talk of faith, but do not walk the walk of faith when tested. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG) Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. James 2:17 Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT) ²⁰ For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. ²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

Conclusion: What you and I are seeking is the freedom to be who God has called us to be. Not just in theory, but in everyday practice. This should be the goal for our lives this year and every year!

Invitation: Will you allow God to examine your heart right now? Allow Him to show you your heart as He sees it. Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Do you even have a relationship with God? If not, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Will you allow God to test your motives and purposes for what you do? Will you take action and look at your life and see how much it fit God’s plan for your and change what you need to change?

 

LIVING IN THE POWER OF CHRIST

 

1. In Christ we have hope: Ephesians 1:15-18 (NKJV) Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..." In order to have any sense of spiritual growth in our lives, we need a knowledge of Christ that comes to us in a personal way. This is the factual knowledge that comes to us through the work of God's Spirit in our lives. This is the difference between knowing about" and knowing" by experience. I knew about marriage long before I ever married. In a sense I had some knowledge of being a husband. It was not until my own marriage, however, that I knew about being a husband in a personal way. This is a really important issue when it comes to our desire to see people we love come to the experience of faith in God for themselves. Giving facts about God, or saying what we think Christ would want someone else to do never really gets the task done. We learn from the apostle Paul in this text that the way to start is to pray for people before we ever consider talking to people about the life of faith. The question I would have for you here is - "How many people do you have on your personal prayer list that you pray regularly would come to know Christ and the life of faith?"  2.  In Christ We Have Power [Eph. 1:19-20] "...and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places..." One of the great issues in our world today is the sense in which people feel powerless. We have not really begun to understand what the real intent of faith for our lives and for our church is all about until we come together as a church in God's power to carry out our mission in the world around us. We are called to be salt and light, to give witness to God's mighty power to bring about justice, hope and love. Yet it is more than clear that none of this can take place within our own strength. It is when we are in touch with and energized by the power of God which is intended to work within us that we begin to sense the possibility of changing the world around us. In some ways, Paul points to the fact that this power of God that can work within us is not something ordinary. He prays for the church continually that they will have the spiritual knowledge it takes to be the powerful church God desires us to be. 3. In Christ We Have Victory [Eph. 1:21-22] God has placed Jesus at His right hand "...far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church..." These thoughts take us back to one of the central themes in all of scripture namely: God's people live under the power of a divine promise that no matter how long the road may seem or how dark the night may appear to be, God's victory over all unrighteousness is certain. We live under the promise of the resurrection, the power of God within the community of faith and the affirmation that "all things" have been put under the feet of Christ who is, "head over all {things} to the church."  It is the certainty of God's victory in the long term that powers our life of faith in the short term.  4. In Christ We Have Fullness"...Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." We learn in this short verse that Jesus Christ brings fullness, which is completeness and full maturity to our lives as God intended them to be. The New Testament vision of a church that is healthy and whole, a church where people may discover the fullness of Christ, is a church that is bound together as the Body of Christ. This is a church where Christ is the head. One of the reasons we don't experience the fullness of Christ in the church these days is that we have too low a view of Christ and the church. It is seen as just another social grouping by too many. We will gain the power God has for us when we regain a very high sense of the Church as the Body of Christ. Perhaps it would help to re-center ourselves on Paul's words in Ephesians 5:25 Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. The Apostle Paul's prayer actually opens up God's design for the church. In Jesus Christ we have hope, in him we have power, in him we have victory and in him we have fullness. Colossians 2:9-10 ^For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Invitation: Are you complete in Christ? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? Have you invited Him into your life? If not, now is the perfect time in the privacy of your own environment. If you are willing, you simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive and save you. Invite Him into your life and you will definitely be saved. Be baptized to show you are sincere about your salvation!

Our Personal Shepherd

 

Scripture Text

Psalm 23

Intro: A lot of people think God is way up there somewhere in the blue and He doesn't care what happens to me. Yet scripture shows God to be a very personal God. The fact that He is personal distinguishes Him from all false Gods. Notice the personal aspect of a Christians relationship with God in Psalm 23. Seventeen times David uses personal pronouns such as I, me and my. We see God active in the affairs of His people in Ps. 23.

I. The Lord is my Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The term my Shepherd means you must have a personal relationship with God. That can only happen when you confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you. Then God becomes very active in your life as your personal Shepherd. A shepherd meets all the needs of his sheep such as guidance, food, shelter, protection and health. They want for nothing. Phil. 4:19 says My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

II. God fills my life with overflowing abundance. Psalm 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; Green pastures symbolize abundance provision. God makes me to lie down and rest in my spirit because of His abundant provisions for my life. I have been given every spiritual blessing in the heaven places in Christ. [Eph. 1:3]

III. God leads me into peace and tranquility. Psalm 23:2b He leads me beside the still waters. Running water scares the sheep. They are afraid of drowning. Still waters bring contentment to the sheep as they nourish themselves. When the situations in my life are running out of control, God leads me to a place of peace and tranquility which is found in meditating on His word to me.

IV. God restores my soul and leads my path. Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Sometimes my soul gets worn out. It becomes weary and anxious due to the demands of life. When I do God restores my soul through the promises in His word and His continual presence in my life. God's Spirit inside of me takes God's word and leads me in the way I should go to enjoy the blessed life. Without God's leadership in my life, I would go astray and find myself in a dangerous position which would bring me harm. He does this for His name's sake. When He became my Shepherd, He promised me His blessings and that He would take care of me. God fulfills His word in me for His names sake because He can't lie and in order to prove Himself as He has declared Himself to be.

V. God comforts me in my trials. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. I will not give way to my fears but will confidently rely upon the word and promises of God, persuaded that his grace shall be sufficient for me, His Spirit is my Comforter, so support and comfort cannot be wanting. His gospel is the rod of his strength, and there is enough in that to comfort me, both while I live, even in my greatest troubles, and also when I am dying. His upholding grace under all my trials is sufficient for me. [2 Corinthians 12:9] His grace brings me sufficient protection, comfort and guidance regardless of what I have to face.

VI. God provides me victory. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. God prepares a table for me with every spiritual blessing and promise of victory over the world and the devil. He does this in the presence of my enemies. They see and envy me as God anoints me with His Holy Spirit. My cup runs over because He has blessed me above all that I could even ask or think.

VII. God's goodness and mercy follow me. Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. God is ready to do good and have mercy on me All the days of my life here on this earth. I conclude that from the past instances of God's favor to me and because of His unchangeable nature, and the stability of his covenant and promises. I have a covenant with God through Jesus Christ's shed blood. I am His child. And I have the promise of an eternal home in God's kingdom when this life is over. [John14:1-3]

Conclusion: We conclude from these passages of scriptures that God is very concerned about His people, and He is active in our lives every day working out His will for us. Romans 8:31-32 ³¹  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Invitation: Is God your personal Shepherd? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive and save you from hell? If not now is the appointed time. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you save you and invite Him into your life. Then you will know Him as your personal Great Shepherd.

We Remember!

 

Scriptures From N.K.J.V.

Intro: This coming Sunday we celebrate “Jesus' Resurrection form the dead. After the Lord's Supper, as Jesus made His way to the “Garden of Gethsemane” where He would pray for Himself, He prayed for all those who would serve in His kingdom's work and all those who would believe on Him as their personal Savior and Lord. Jesus shows His love for us. He was not concerned with Himself but us. He ever lives to make intercession for us. (Hebrews 7:25)

1. In just a short time after Jesus' prayer for us, He would be suffering great agony and pain as He made His final steps to the cross. As we celebrate the Lord's Resurrection Sunday,we remember that severe agony and pain Jesus suffered for us on His way to the cross. LUKE 22:39-46 Says as He prayed there in the garden, Jesus was in such agony the angels came and ministered to Him, strengthening Him as He sweat drops of blood. There while He was praying, His disciples went to sleep on Him. They could not stay awake to help Him pray for what was ahead.

2. Even after suffering such agony in the garden, Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples.

Luke 22:47 (NKJV) ⁴⁷ And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸ But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

3. He was deserted by His disciples. Matthew 26:31 (NKJV)
³¹ Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' Not one disciple stood by Him. Jesus walked the road of suffering to the cross all alone.

4. Peter denied Him 3 times, last time with a curse. Matthew 26:74-75 (NKJV) ⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

5. Jesus was falsely accused and denied a proper trial before the religious leaders and Pontius Pilate.

No fault could be found in Him. Luke 23:13-16 (NKJV) ¹³ Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; ¹⁵ no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. ¹⁶ I will therefore chastise Him and release Him"

Even though Jesus did no wrong, He was unjustly condemned to die on a cross by His own people the Jews.

Luke 23:18-24 (NKJV)¹⁸ And they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas"--
¹⁹ who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.
²⁰ Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. ²¹ But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" ²² Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go."
²³ But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.

This week we remember how He endured that cross, hanging there in agony with His arms outstreched in love until He gave His Life to pay the penalty for our sins. He was left alone even by the Father God while He bore our sins in His body.

Matthew 27:45-46 (NKJV) ⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

John 19:28-30 (NKJV) ²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. The payment for mankind's sin was now paid in full.

6. This Sunday we will celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

A. Jesus' body was taken from the cross and put in a borrowed tomb and sealed. Matthew 27:64-66 (NKJV) ⁶⁴ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." ⁶⁵ Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." ⁶⁶ So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

B. But on the third day He arose! Matthew 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ⁵ But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Hallelujah, Jesus Christ lives and He lives in His people.

As resurrection day approaches we remember Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as we worship and praise Him in God's house for all He has accomplished for us. What a Savior, we are free from the penalty of sin.

Invitation: All I ask is that you each respond to what you have read as God's Spirit leads you before its too late! Death is certain! Be sure you are right with God. If you have not been saved and you are not right with God, then ask Jesus to forgive your sins and then invite Him into your life to save you from Hell and live in you to guide, guard, and direct each day of the rest of your life. You will be so glad you did, so sorry if you don't!