Category: New Testament

And When He Saw Their Faith

Sermon (Part One): And When He Saw Their Faith

Luke 5: 20

(King James Version)

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

(New International Version)

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2: 5

(New International Version)

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

The words ‘man,’ ‘friend,’ and ‘son’ are written so that we may know that this person is a man that Jesus considered a friend. The word ‘friend’ is used one other time to describe Jesus’s relationship with his disciples.

How would Jesus describe His relationship with you?

If you have a relationship with Jesus, then you are his son and friend.

What are you willing to do to bring someone to Jesus?

In Mark, chapter 5, a paralyzed man is brought to Christ. This person was a grown man, not a child, yet Jesus calls him ‘son.’ This man had the faith that a child has in his parent. His faith was so great that he let nothing prevent him from getting to Jesus.

If you knew someone who needed help, would you help him?

We are all in need of something. For some it’s shelter, clothing, finances, healing. As Christians, we are to do God’s work and that is to help, love and bring God’s Word to those in need.

Read the Entire Chapters Referenced:

Luke Chapter 5

Mark Chapter 2

Please return later this week for Part 2 of the sermon, And When He Saw Their Faith

Jesus Went to Synagogue Every Week

Scripture: Luke 4: 16-19

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,  and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Scripture Commentary: Jesus went to the synagogue every week.

Jesus attended services. Do you? His example makes our excuses for not attending church sound weak and self-serving.

In Luke 4, Jesus proclaims that He will bring the good news to pass, but in a way that the people would not be able to grasp. Jesus was not accepted as a prophet or the Son of God in His hometown.

Many don’t accept what is clearly before them.

Many people have a similar attitude. An expert is anyone who carries a briefcase and comes from a faraway place. We don’t accept the preacher who is standing in front of us, clearly led by the Holy Spirit.

Keep your heart pliable to accept Jesus’ life-changing message. When God touches your life, share the wonderful events with others.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Luke Chapter 4

Jesus and the Throne of God

Scripture: Hebrews 1: 5, 8, 13

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? (5) But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.” (8) To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? (13)

Scripture Commentary:

God is telling us who He is and who His Son is. He tells us about the angels and what they do, and about Jesus, what He is, and His relationship to the throne.

Jesus is God’s only Son who He sent into this world to be a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus saved us from ourselves, opening the gateway so that we can come directly to Him.

God tells us that only His Son, Jesus Christ, is the way to be saved. God tells us of His love for His Son, and where He sits.

Jesus is our security in an ever-changing world.

If you have any questions about who Jesus Christ is and what His place is in heaven, read Hebrews chapter 1. Jesus is our only security in this ever changing world. He has never changed. His love for us (despite ourselves) has never changed.

If we trust Him, we are absolutely secure because we stand on the firmest foundation in the universe. Jesus Christ is the unchanging Son of Our God in heaven.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Hebrews Chapter 1

Do You Recognize God’s Voice?

Sermon (Part Two): What Side of the Cross Are You On? … Do you recognize God’s voice?

John 10: 4-5

” … When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

If you haven’t accepted Christ into your life, how do you know if or when He is talking to you? You know your friend’s voice, you know your enemy’s voice. You’ve learned to trust one and not the other.

God will never tell you wrong, but satan will tempt you always.

Jesus hung on the cross with two criminals. One was on His right; the other was on His left. One says to Jesus to save Himself and them also. But the other criminal was different.

Luke 23: 40-41

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 4We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

This criminal admits they were there because of their deeds.
It’s the same with us. We have done many wrong things and have finally been caught.

Luke 23: 42-43

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This criminal saw God in the flesh. He saw goodness, mercy, love and forgiveness. He repents and Christ saves him. The other was not saved.

Which criminal are you?

Are you the criminal who thinks and acts only for himself? Are you the one who receives God’s love and don’t return it? You cannot ask for forgiveness yet not give it.

The two criminals had time to ask for forgiveness and accept God. One was saved, the other wasn’t.

The time is now.

You have time today to accept Jesus and ask for forgiveness. Later is not promised. So, if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, stand and ask for His forgiveness! Ask for His love, and tell Him you love him!

Praise the Lord. Thank you, God. We love you. Thank you for your Son. Thanks be to God.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

John Chapter 10

Luke Chapter 23

Read Part One of the Sermon, What Side of the Cross Are You On?

Jesus, Remember Me

Sermon: What Side of the Cross Are You On? … Jesus, Remember Me

Part One: Luke 23: 37-43

… and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,[c] “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[d] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 3Two criminals are to be crucified along with Christ. One is on His left; the other on His right. Each criminal is tied to his cross with ropes. They endure no physical punishment. In contrast, Jesus is nailed to the cross with large nails. But before He is nailed to the cross, He is whipped, beaten, spit upon and a crown of thorns is forced on His head.

Isaiah 53: 3

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

One of the criminals says to Jesus to save Himself and them, too. Similarly, Satan tempts Jesus after He is baptized by John the Baptist.

Matthew Chapter 4 recounts Jesus being led of the spirit into the wilderness. He was there 40 days and nights. When Jesus was weak and hungry Satan came to him.

Matthew 4: 2-3

And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 

Jesus’ response is very clear. In Matthew 4:10, Jesus says, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Satan tried to tempt Jesus, fully knowing that He is God’s Only Begotten Son. So, if He would approach Jesus to tempt Him, what chance do you have?

I am here to tell you, you have no chance unless you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must be under the covering of God’s grace.

Read the entire chapters of the Scriptures referenced:

Luke 23

Isaiah 53

Matthew 4

Read Part Two of the Sermon, What Side of the Cross Are You On?

Do You Recognize God’s Voice?

The Last Days Will Be Terrible

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3: 1-5

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Scripture Commentary: Paul’s reference to the “last days” reveals his sense of urgency.

The last days began after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost. And the last days will end when Jesus returns.

Paul gives us a descriptive list of behavior of the last days. Check the list! It describes our society and unfortunately, the behavior of many Christians.

Don’t give in to society’s pressures.

Don’t settle for comfort without commitment. Sin has consequences, and no one will get away with it. Don’t be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you live.

We have to remove ourselves from temptation. This can be the most courageous action we can take when the devil tries us. When we do this, those who oppose us will be more willing to hear what we have to say. Perhaps they will turn from their error.

Stand up against evil by living as God would have His people live.

Seek to find God’s truth and will for your life. God is the only one we need to please.

Read the Entire Chapter:

2 Timothy Chapter 3

You Are God’s Temple

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

Scripture Commentary:

You are God’s temple. He made you in His image but some have forgotten this. You may think that you’re all that, and that you don’t need anyone, not even God.

The Spirit of God is in all of us – both in the good and in the bad.

But if you don’t open your heart and soul so God can come in and save you, you’re lost. The foundation is in you because Christ died so you can be saved.

The foundation was laid when you were born. How you build it is up to each of you. Build your foundation on Christ, not on another person or principle.

You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Care for, love, and cherish what God has given you. If you defile yourself, you defile God.

Non-believers are victim’s of life, swept along by its current. They wonder if there is meaning to live. The believer understands life’s true purpose. Love others as God loves you. After all, God gave His only Son for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:

1 Corinthians Chapter 3

Live in the Spirit of Christ

Scripture: Romans 8:6-9

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 

Scripture Commentary: Ask yourself these questions …

Do you truly have the Spirit of Christ in you? Do you study the Word, live a Christ-like life, help others? These are questions that only you can answer.

It can be hard to live in this world and not be affected by what you see, hear and do everyday. You are in one of two categories – those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, or those who follow after Christ.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

All of us would be in the first category if Jesus Christ hadn’t offered us hope. Being a Christian means that you have the Spirit of Christ living in you. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and have acknowledged Him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life. You are a Christian.

If this has happened to you, then you are working for Our Lord already. If this is not the case, pray and ask Him to forgive you your sins and see the Holy Spirit work in you. When the Holy Spirit is working in you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Romans Chapter 8

God Has Freely Given Us His Love

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2: 10-12

… these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Scripture Commentary:

God has freely given us His love and a chance to choose. We can choose the things of this world (money, cars, lust of the flesh) or we can choose to serve God.

We need the things of the world to live but we do not need to let anything of this world rule us. God gives us what we need. We are to labor for our needs, but more importantly, we are to labor for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where would we be if not for His grace and mercy?

God gave His son for us. What have we given to Him? God’s Holy Spirit lives in us but we have to accept, repent and ask God for forgiveness so that it can be awakened.

Non-Christians cannot understand God, and they cannot grasp the concept that God’s Spirit lives in those who believe. To have an intimate relationship with Jesus is to spend time with Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:

1 Corinthians Chapter 2

God’s Grace is Sufficient for Me

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12: 9


but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 

Scripture Commentary: A prayer for grace…

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your son, Jesus Christ. You sent Him to save us, to show us the way to you. Your grace is sufficient in whatever burden we have.

We humble ourselves before you. And we ask that you touch our sick, our lost. Take the yoke off for your strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Please bless our shepherd (Pastor) and his wife. Protect them. Walk with him, talk to and guide him. Keep him on your path and strengthen him for the journey of guiding your flock.

Thank you for sending this Pastor, your servant to us. In our weakness we see your love, grace, and mercy.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Thank you.

Amen

Read the Entire Chapter:

2 Corinthians Chapter 12