Jesus told us “the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve.” This reality alone sent the disciples into a state of confusion. How in the world could this be possible? Jesus also said, “He who is least among you all – he is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48) In this world’s thinking, more often than not, we put ourselves first ahead of all others. With a puffed out chest, many do what they do for the notoriety, fame, rewards and adulation of peers. But, “NEWS ALERT!”, we are nothing compared to the One we need to be like. Most everyone seems to “like” Jesus. But they don’t really understand. You don’t just “like” Jesus as you would a “friend” on Facebook or other social media. By the same token, you don’t just “unlike” Him as you would a friend simply because you disagree with Him. We need to “be” like Him. Some attempt to silence the teachings of Jesus by seeking for themselves and omitting and twisting His words. They change the meaning because what He said doesn’t settle well in their souls. Not serving themselves is the greatest wall they cannot get over – they can’t get over themselves. The way of Jesus is the path of servant hood. This is not a test to see if we deserve better. It is God offering us the best of Himself and the best of life. Jesus calls us to the servant way because He was and is a servant to all of us. References: Romans 12:3, 9-13 (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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Mary Magdalene and several disciples discovered the empty tomb of Jesus three days after His brutal crucifixion. They were confused and perplexed. Mary was weeping and wondered where they had taken Jesus. Two angels appeared and asked, "Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest." Perhaps these faithful followers of Jesus also remembered what He said to the evil scribes and Pharisees when they asked Him to show them a sign. Jesus said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Many more prophecies telling of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension are recorded in scriptures to instill hope for those seeking everlasting life through Jesus who conquered death, hell, and the grave. Jesus told Mary Magdalene to "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not ascended to the Father; But go to My brothers and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.' Mary Magdalene came announcing to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord' and that He had said these things to her." Jesus has ascended into heaven as our high priest and the sacrificial Lamb of God to present and apply His own blood upon the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, "For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." References: Luke 24:4-9; Matthew 12:38-40; John 20:17,18; Hebrews 9:24, 9:12 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. All sorts of New Year’s resolutions are being made at this time of the year…the time of new beginnings. People are looking for peace, inner peace, relational peace, and some even go big and want world peace. But rather than just a new year, a new resolution or a new point of view, what is needed most of all is a new you. And at the foundation of a new you, is having a teachable spirit. The formula for a “new you” can be found in the scriptures, and in those scriptures you will discover that the “new you” isn’t even you! The “new you” is you dying and letting the nature of Jesus Christ come forth. Now that’s worth celebrating…a new you in the New Year! (John 14:26-27, Romans 12:2, Jeremiah 29:11) (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” In honoring the fallen, we need to remind ourselves of what they sacrificed. The freedoms they fought to preserve are being taken away, one by one. The freedom of religion is under attack by a deliberate effort to stop all reference to God, the Ten Commandments and Jesus Christ. Also under attack is the honor of our country. There are some very, very important times ahead for us, our country, and the world — this affects me and you. My church in Tampa, Florida, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, has II Chronicles 7:14 on a banner hanging on our wall. It says, “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We need to be on our knees daily before our Living God on behalf of this great nation. Listen as I share with you Biblical truths on the difference between a “leader” and a “ruler” and how we determine the truth that is needed to save us from the dark and deceitful lies of the adversary. If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. © www.sharefaith.com Philippians 3:10 tells us to live so as intimately know the Lord and to work continually to be transformed to the death of the flesh. That surely spells s-a-c-r-i-f-i-c-e! Of all the spiritual disciplines, sacrifice most closely aligns with the character and mission of Jesus. That means every one of us must enter into the discipline of sacrifice, not just those called into the front line in ministry. If your song includes the verses, my comfort, my desires, my dreams, my plans, rather than your life being all about God, then you need to change your tune! In aligning your life with Christ, He will teach you all about personal, relational and financial sacrifice–and you will live to tell the tale. Don’t listen to the world, the flesh or the devil; listen to the Lord and serve Him well. If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Many amazing miracles took place during and after the crucifixion of Jesus. Immediately following Jesus' last breath and declaration to God and the world that "It is finished," there was the miraculous tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom. At the same, "the earth shook, and the rocks were split and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised." The temple veil was torn to give us unhindered access into the Holy of Holies and the very presence of God through Christ's own body being "torn" for us. Though He was sinless and perfect in every way, He took upon himself our iniquity and sin and removed it and cast it into the "sea of forgetfulness." The law that required the sacrifice of bulls and goats could never remove the sins of the people and give them access directly to God. God appointed a priesthood for a season and gave rules for their atonement. But Jesus has been offered as the ultimate sacrifice – giving His own blood – and has torn down the veil and walls of separation and invited us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." (John 19:30; Matthew 27:51-53; Hebrews 4:16) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. © Daniel R. @ creationswap.com Jesus knew that He was born as God incarnate. He was fully human and fully God on a mission to redeem man from death and eternal separation from God. In Luke 9:51 we read, “And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem.” He was destined to be crucified in Jerusalem as God’s perfect and unblemished Passover Lamb. That’s what Palm Sunday is all about. Jesus was entering Jerusalem on the 10th day of the first month, Abib-Nisan of the Jewish calendar. He was displaying Himself to the world and was being set apart as the Passover Lamb. He would be “kept” until the 14th day for His sacrifice on Calvary— right on God’s schedule. (See Ex 12:1-14.) Zechariah spoke of His majestic entry into Jerusalem, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation. Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) The multitudes were going before Him laying their garments on the roadway and spreading branches along the way. They shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David and blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” (See Matthew 21:1-11) It has been over 2000 years since Jesus gave His life as a ransom for all who would receive Him as Lord and Savior. Make every day a “Palm Sunday” to bow before Him, casting your garments (your life) before Him and shouting “Hosanna in the highest and blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Boy, another heavy subject! In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, he tells the disciples to discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness…not rules and regulations, but for godliness. In seeking this godliness, we must make sure that we have a focused determination, a huge change in attitude and behavior AND be prepared for the many heartbreaks and setbacks that often accompany these changes. But even though difficult choices and hard work are required, it results in an increased ability to enjoy God and all His goodness. Remember, it’s easy to become RELIGIOUS instead of godly…so let us discipline ourselves, rather, for the purpose of GODLINESS! (Sermon Originally Recorded: 12/19/12)
Do you really know what Jesus has done for you? Have you thought recently on the importance of being “saved” and your punishment for your sins—GONE, ERASED, ADJUDICATED by the shed blood and death of Jesus? I hope your hearts will be touched greatly as we share today and you will be blessed with a renewal of the knowledge of the power and importance of the gift God gave us with His Son Jesus. Knowing that you were saved from hell and damnation by a God who loved you even when you didn’t love Him! Read over John 3:1-21 and think on what Jesus has done…not just as INFORMATION but as something that can deepen your love relationship with Him. His love for us is proven…is yours? As you look at some of these names/titles of Jesus, may your picture of Him and understanding of what He has done for you be ever so sweet --
What a God we serve…all hail to Jesus Christ our LIVING Savior!! [Please watch video below, "John 3:16 - The Story of Love", before you listen to the audio of this morning’s message. References to this video are made by Pastor Pugsley. The audio of "For God So Loved The World" is below the video.] If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. God says that, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Wow – what a crummy employer that pays you with death!!! – separation from God FOREVER! If you work for sin, you are hooked on such a cruel master. On the other hand, God doesn’t “pay” you to work for Him; it’s voluntary on your part, and a free gift on His part. This free gift is eternal life. You can’t earn it, buy it or barter for it; for if you could, then it wouldn’t be a FREE GIFT, now would it? We need to understand a few basics: eternal means it never ceases. Also, the basic concept here involves union…coming together with something as one. Physical Life: UNION of body and soul — human birth Spiritual Life: UNION of soul and God — new birth-born again Eternal Life: Eternal UNION of soul and God — final stop You unite with God in Christ = gift of eternal life Jesus knew exactly what He was getting into – a painful, excruciating death…a cost that cost Him everything…right up to and including His life. Stop and think now – it cost YOU NOTHING…NADA, but it cost God everything and cost Jesus His life. The wages of sin is death – separation from God – SEPARATES. The gift of eternal life – UNION with God – UNITES. I rest my case! Romans 5:8 gives us the heart of the atonement: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Court adjourned! Previous "My Way Or The Highway – A New Life In Christ" Messages If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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