No one ever cries out to be persecuted…well, no sane person anyway. But a lot of the Scriptures address the subject of persecution, so we need to look at it, too.

Persecution, meaning harassment or punishment for what you believe in is a tough place to be; but the end result of being persecuted can actually help you…if you let it! Your response to persecution determines whether you will be bitter about it or better because of it.

But in order to achieve the more perfect result from being persecuted, two other areas need to be included, that of submission and suffering. Yeah, I know…most people’s favorite subjects!

In 1 Peter, chapters 1 through 5, we are given some of the areas in which God indicates we should practice submission: citizenship, marriage, work, and Christian ministry. How is that connected you may ask? Well, to get through any persecution and suffering in a more amenable way you have to submit ever so totally to God; to trust Him and depend on Him for your rescue and resolve.

The areas listed throughout the Book of 1 Peter amply cover most aspects of our lives in which we can practice, practice, practice because you cannot effectively submit to God unless you are practiced in submission. So even though most of us loathe persecution, suffering and submission, they are intricately woven with each other to help us, rather than hinder us in seeking and serving God and mankind. Listen to the sermon and glean even more gems of God’s wisdom.

God’s grace is truly amazing in light of man’s long history of rebellion and disobedience toward Him. Romans 3:23 says that, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That’s grace. “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” See Romans 10:9. Grace has also been described as favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that person deserves. It is God’s unmerited favor.

God’s grace was certainly shed upon John Newton who wrote the song “Amazing Grace.”  On May 10, 1748, John Newton, Captain of a slave ship, was on his way home when he encountered a life-threatening violent storm. When all seemed lost and the ship was about to sink, Newton cried out, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God spoke to him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him.

Can you say today, along with John Newton, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”?

We have covered the need for a new life; the way to a new life; and now we shall finish with the results of this new life…that’s the best part!

Now, there are no surprises here, because most of us know the results of being born into a new spiritual life in Christ, but this review will brighten your day and refresh your soul.

A life in Christ gives you:

• everlasting life with a new, fresh spiritual vitality
• a new nature that wants what God wants and does what pleases Him
• the righteousness of Christ…a badge that gives you entrance into the presence of God
• a position in the family of God; no longer a slave but a rising up to the level of sons and daughters of God
• the empowerment of God within—finally, for the first time since Adam’s fall, we have what it takes to please God and obey His commands

What a wonderful God we serve. John 3:16 is ever true…meditate on it today… 

Oh, how the times are changing on how Americans think and live. Speaking of changing times, Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

We are now living in an unprecedented time in America’s history when the president of the United States, our commander-in-chief, has openly announced that he favors state recognition of same-sex marriages. Wow! And he was elected by the American people who full well knew his position on this vital moral issue. He also is an ally of those who favor and promote abortion—the murder of the unborn. Things are definitely different today when the majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. The once unthinkable has happened.

Moral erosion begins immediately when any person or nation turns their ears from the truth—Jesus Christ—to seek teachings from the god of this world (Satan) to satisfy their own desires.

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.

Multitudes of people including our elected officials at all levels, lawmakers, judges, teachers, corporate CEOs and the general population from the young to the elderly have become cold and hard of heart to the ways and laws of God. Many are deceived and believe that they are better off charting their own course of morality than yielding to God. It is a philosophy of humanism and a lifestyle that will lead to despair, misery and death.

However, there is hope! Vast numbers of people do value and hold fast to God’s commands and are fighting the good fight of faith to preserve religious freedoms, the sanctity of life, and God’s definition of family and marriage (the union of one man and one woman.).

God Himself spoke these words regarding Abraham, “For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice in order that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken about him.” (Genesis 18:19)

The choice facing our world is clear—Deny God’s outstretched arm through Jesus Christ and die, or hold fast to Him at all costs and live.

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.

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 --

• Alpha and Omega – Revelation 21:6
  
• Bread of Life – John 6:35
• Chief Cornerstone – Ephesians 2:20
• Chief Shepherd – 1 Peter 5:4
• Good Shepherd – John 10:11
• High Priest – Hebrews 3:1
• Holy One of God – Mark 1:24
• King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Revelation 19:16
• Lamb of God – John 1:29
• Light of the World – John 9:5
• Lord of Glory – 1 Corinthians 2:8
• Mediator between God and man – 1 Timothy 2:5
• Prophet – Acts 3:22
• Savior – Luke 1:47
• Son of Man – Matthew 18:11

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!

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.