Easter - The Crucifixion

Next Sunday, we’ll celebrate the most significant event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, before we reach the empty tomb, we must sit at the foot of the cross. Because before Jesus rose, He bled. Before there was life, there was sacrifice.

Today, we’re walking through Luke 23:26–56, the crucifixion of Jesus. But this isn’t just a history lesson. This is the moment that changed eternity. This is the moment that changes you.

Luke 23:26–56

26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[f]

35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Jesus Took Our Place

Luke tells us that Jesus wasn’t crucified alone. Two criminals were led out with Him—men guilty of their crimes. But Jesus? He had done nothing wrong. And yet, He’s treated like the worst of them. He’s mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross like a criminal. And then, with blood dripping from His body and the weight of the world’s sin crushing His shoulders, Jesus says: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Church, that’s your Savior

Not crying out in rage. Not defending Himself. He’s asking God to forgive the very people killing Him. Why? Because this wasn’t just a tragedy—it was a divine exchange. Jesus took our place.

Romans 6:23 says, “the wages of sin is death,” and someone had to pay. That someone was Jesus. He took what we deserved so we could receive what He earned. Let that hit your heart today: Jesus died for you. He died instead of you.

Grace Is Offered to the Undeserving

As the cross stands tall, one of the criminals joins in the mocking. But the other criminal speaks up. He says, “We’re getting what we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he looks at Jesus—beaten, bloody, dying—and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

What does Jesus say? “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Are you kidding me? No good deeds. No baptism. No church attendance. Just a simple request: “Remember me.” And Jesus says, “I will. You’re coming with me.” That’s grace.

Grace doesn’t wait for you to clean yourself up. Grace meets you right where you are. Grace says, “You still belong.” And maybe some of you today feel like that criminal; you’ve made mistakes, you’ve messed up big time, and you wonder if it’s too late.

It’s not. If you still have breath in your lungs, you still have a chance to say yes to Jesus.

Darkness Fell So Light Could Shine

Luke says it was noon midday when darkness covered the land for three hours. Creation itself responded to the death of its Creator. Then, in verse 46, Jesus cries out, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.” And with that, He breathed His last. This wasn’t defeat.

Jesus didn’t get killed; He gave up His life. He chose this moment. He laid it down. And in doing so, He took on all the darkness of the world so you could walk in the light. The cross is not just about pain. It’s about purpose.

He was separated so you could be brought near. He was crushed so you could be healed. He was abandoned so you could be accepted. That’s the power of the cross.

The Cross Demands a Response

After Jesus dies, the Roman centurion, this hardened soldier who had likely witnessed countless crucifixions, praises God and says, “Surely this man was innocent.” Other people beat their chests and walked away in grief. Still others, like the women who had followed Jesus, stayed close.

Everyone saw the same cross, but not everyone responded the same way. And the same is true today. The cross demands a response. You can walk away from it and keep living like nothing’s changed…You can feel sad, feel convicted, and then go back to life as usual…Or you can fall to your knees and say, “Jesus, I believe. You died for me. I give you my life.” There is no neutral ground at the cross.

Let me ask you: What’s your response to the cross?

This is not just a story from 2,000 years ago, it’s your invitation today. To receive forgiveness. To find healing. To begin a life-changing relationship with the Savior who gave His life for you. Jesus took your place. He offers you grace. He carried your darkness. Now He asks for your response.

If today you want to say yes to Jesus…If you want to come back to the God who never gave up on you…If you’re ready to stop running, stop pretending, and just surrender…

Then pray this in your heart with me:

“Jesus, I believe You died for me. I believe You rose again. I give You my heart, my past, my future. I don’t want to live without You anymore. Today, I surrender. Be my Savior. Be my Lord. Amen.”

Next week, we celebrate the empty tomb. But today, we honor the cross, the place where death met its match. And where love paid the price for our freedom.

The cross changed everything. Let it change you.

Philippians - Purpose Keeps Us Going

When we apply God's Word to our lives, we draw closer to Him and begin to trust Him more. Trusting God helps us understand our purpose, which keeps us going even through difficult times. Knowing your purpose can motivate you, keep you focused, and sustain you through challenges and distractions.

Understanding Purpose: Philippians 1:20-26

In today's passage, the Apostle Paul exemplifies a life driven by purpose. Let's read Philippians 1:20-26:

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. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. 25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

Paul's life purpose was to serve Christ and His people, magnifying Christ through both his life and his death. His mindset was that whether he lived or died, it was for the glory of Christ.

God's Direction in Our Lives

God directs our lives for a purpose, as seen throughout the Bible:

• Ruth: Though she may not have recognized it, God guided her steps, leading her to Boaz's field and eventually into a pivotal role in the lineage of Jesus.

• The Woman at the Well, Noah, Moses, Joseph: Each experienced God's purposeful direction, often through circumstances that seemed coincidental or challenging.

God is constantly working in our lives, often in ways we may not immediately see. He places us where we are for a reason, and there are no accidents or coincidences with God.

Personal Testimony: Finding Purpose in Pain

I struggled with understanding my purpose during a challenging period in ministry. My life was full of despair and hopelessness, and I wanted God to change my circumstances. However, when I began praying for God to change my heart about my circumstances, I found that He had placed me exactly where I needed to be for a purpose.

For instance, I experienced a heart attack, which wasn't a stroke of bad luck but part of God's plan for me. This taught me that suffering cannot destroy the real purpose of life. Life is not just for happiness and personal fulfillment but for serving and honoring God.

Living Out Our Purpose

As Christians, our calling is to become like Christ, a process that continues throughout our lives until we see Him face to face. Purpose keeps us going, as illustrated in Philippians 1:20-26. Even in the midst of pain, chaos, and life's challenges, we can hold firm to the belief that God is directing us.

Reflection and Prayer

Consider these questions:

• Does your purpose keep you going?

• Have you questioned where God has placed you?

• Are you fearful of where God is guiding you?

Don't let the pain and suffering of this world keep you down. Embrace the purpose God has for your life, which is far better than anything we could ever want or imagine.

Meeting Jesus - Simeon’s faith

As we bid farewell to 2023 and step into a new year, it's natural to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. Regardless of the highs and lows each of us experienced, there's a common thread that ties our journeys together—the hope for a better tomorrow. Today, we delve into the life of Simeon, drawing inspiration from his righteous and devout character, as recounted in Luke 2:25-35:

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Luke 2:25-35

Simeon's Righteousness and Devotion:

Simeon's life is marked by his righteousness and devotion. He diligently studied God's Word, believed in its promises, and as a result, cultivated a profound hope for the future. In considering Simeon's example, we are reminded that our hope, too, should be firmly anchored in the Word of God.

Our hope should be built on the Word of God

It's not uncommon to feel a lack of hope—perhaps in failing marriages, dwindling finances, or declining health. It's crucial to understand that you are not alone in your struggles. Sharing a personal journey of transition from a previous church to the current one, we understand the challenges of seeking answers from God. Sometimes, the answers come in the form of a 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Wait.'

When we wait on God, we see His plan for our lives

The Power of Waiting:

Reflecting on personal experiences, including health challenges like kidney stones and a heart attack, waiting on God revealed His transformative plan. Like Simeon, we can live and believe in the waiting. Even when life seems overwhelmingly loud, God speaks in the stillness, guiding us with a still small voice. When I sat in the hospital bed. I looked back and marveled at What God did in the waiting. Just like Simeon.

In challenging times, it's easy to feel abandoned by God. Sharing a personal struggle with silence in prayers after losing a brother in a car accident, Romans 8:28 becomes an anchor. Believing God's promises, even in the face of tragedy, has the power to change us.

Believing and waiting on God's promises increases our faith today

Faith in Action:

What is faith? Through a face-down illustration, we explore the concept of faith as an unwavering trust in God, especially when hope seems to fade. It's an invitation to declare our trust in the Lord, affirming our belief in His promises and seeking strength to persevere.

We can have hope for the future when we trust Jesus

The Journey of Trust:

Whether facing challenges in marriage, finances, health, or struggling with trust and belief, the invitation is to be obedient and trust God.

Maybe you are here today and your faith is fading, your hope is diminishing, and you find it difficult to believe.

Who among us today will say Lord my hope is in you and you alone?

Who will say today that I do believe you and your word?

Who will day today, Lord strengthen my faith?

You may not know what is around the corner, You may not know what 2024 will hold You may ask God to change your Circumstances while God is trying to change your heart about your Circumstances.

Meeting Jesus - faith over fear

Fear is tough subject. When I say the word fear it usually brings to mind that one thing that you may be fearful of.

2nd Timothy 1:7

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but power, love and self-discipline”

Throughout scripture we are told not to fear. 

To not fear circumstances.

To not fear people

To not fear death.

Then when we read this scripture in Luke 12, in the first few verses, we read about a group of religious leaders that consider themselves the most spiritual, the holiest, and they would absolutely live by the most legalistic regiment possible. At times they would beat people down and consider themselves better than all the “Sinners” based not on their Savior, but on their good works.

The Bible is clear on our state:

Romans 3:23

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

We know what the wages of those sins are but what is the gift of God?

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord”

We know that Jesus changes everything. Not our works. The religious leaders were banking on their works but also condemned the “sinners”. 

Jesus constantly confronted their hypocrisy.

Let’s pick up in Luke 12:4-12

Luke 12: 4-12

4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. 6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

The Disciples were probably feeling the pressure and the threats from the crowds led by the religious leaders. Jesus is telling them not to live in fear. Live knowing the One who has saved you is the one who dwells within in, the helper, the spirit, God Himself.

You are confronted with 2 categories: Sinner or Saint

The religious leaders felt they were Saints but because of their works. Jesus Shows us we are Saints not because of us, or our works but because of Him.

Yes, we are sinners. 

BUT

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

God loves you regardless of what you have done, regardless of what choices you have made. He loves you and paid for you with his son’s death on the cross.

Therefore:

YOU ARE NOT MERELY A SINNER, YOU ARE A SAINT WITH SIGNIFICANCE

You have significance!! Once you have surrendered your life to follow God, He looks upon you regardless of what happened in your past and sees His son.

1st Peter 1:15-16 

15“But now you must be Holy in everything you do, just as God chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say “you must be holy because I am holy.”

God Saved you, He loves you, even though you are a sinner.

Psalm 103:12 says “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west”

You go from a sinner to a saint by God’s redemptive work on the cross. He forgives us our sin and does not continue to throw it in our face but sometimes people who feel they are saints because of the good they do, will throw it in our face.

When God saves us, we become His child, we receive His inheritance, but sometimes we are so guilt ridden that we cannot get past our sin and who we were either by our own thoughts or what others may think about us that we cannot see how significant we are. We have been forgiven but maybe some of us are still working through that healing. We have a great Celebrate Recovery here at Beach Church that help people experience healing. I have seen healing in the seats of this auditorium. I have seen healing in the dorms, at Youth Camp. I have seen healing in parking lots, in pools, at the beach, I expect to see it Sunday mornings. Last week I saw it first hand at the Beach during our Beach Baptisms. Healing Comes when we become truthful with God and with ourselves.

LIFE-CHANGING TRUTH IS REFLECTED BY TRANSPARENT LIVING EVERYWHERE

When we experience life change. When we meet Jesus, it changes everything! We realize that we are sinners saved by His Grace. The truth is we are the sinner. We are guilty of the sins we committed!!

BUT

God loves us anyways. He loves us, despite the wrong we have done, the sins we have committed. The truth is when we experience life change and we recognize the significance of who we are in Christ. We accept that He saved us and people see the life change because we start to live a life that is different than who we were. We become transparent.  People see a change in us. Our vocabulary changes. Our desires change. People start to see our hearts. Love changes a person. You talk about what you love the most everywhere!! It just comes out.

When you’re in love people can see it.

Maybe today, you haven’t experienced the life changing power of Jesus. You feel like you are just a sinner that will be forever separated from God. Your sins are too much for God to forgive God saved him. There is Hope! There is forgiveness there is life. Maybe that’s where you are.  You are stuck and God is calling you today. Give up. Give it to Him. Turn your life over to him today!

Pastor Joe said Last week. WHY NOT TODAY?

Maybe you are a follower of Christ and have experienced life change but have fallen. You’ve stumbled. You feel like you are merely just a sinner and you are not significant. You have forgotten that you are Saint by his work not your own. You have sinned. You’ve done things you never thought you would. You have questioned your transformation. You have struggled with what you done. 

I did things that I would’ve never imagined I would do, to my wife, to my family, to God. There are people today in this auditorium that can say the same thing. There are followers of God right now that are struggling with sin. There are countless men and women dealing with self-worth, marital issues. There are men and women who are dealing with Pornography. You have turned back to addiction. You think I have messed up and God doesn’t love me anymore. 5 years ago, I was there. I fell, I stumbled. I stepped away from Ministry, I stepped away from the calling God gave me. 

A STUMBLING FAITH SHOULD REMAIN CONFIDENT OF ETERNAL LIFE

You may have fallen, you maybe stumbling through your faith now but remember:

Romans 8: 38-39

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have confidence know that He has saved you! Regardless, of what you have done or what people say about you or what you may say about yourself. Remember that if you have had a life changing encounter with God. You are a son or daughter of the most high God. You are not who anyone says you are. You are a child of God.

Live as though you are a sinner saved by his grace, Living as a saint with significance because of His holiness and not your own. Live a transparent life because you have experienced the life changing truth of his love and your identity is found in him and not of your own works. Be confident in your citizenship even if you have stumbled. Have confidence know that you are His Child and He loves you.

Meeting Jesus - Extraordinary Encounters

I was in my second year of college in 1996 when the comet named Hyakutake (ya-koo-ta-kee) filled the night sky.  Around 10 o’clock at night, my friend and I hopped in my car to get away from the city lights to get a good look at it.  Outside the city limits, we made lefts and rights down some backroads until we finally were far enough away from the city lights to get a good view. We were surrounded by thick trees, the sky was black, and once we found a little clearance at the top of a hill, I pulled my car into a dirt road. My headlights hit a house with boarded windows and doors…

We jumped out of the car, left the doors open, the headlights on pointing toward the woods across the road, and the engine running (because my car usually didn’t start the first time I turned the key) and turned to look at the comet.  

It was stunning.  The huge ball of fire, the streaming brilliant tail that went on for thousands of miles….it was incredible.

But…something felt off.  It felt like I was being watched.  Something did not feel right. It felt like that the moment I jumped out of the car…and it built up.  I couldn’t shake it. After driving 45 minutes to get out of town, I spent less than a minute looking at the comet. As awesome and brilliant as the comet was – something didn’t feel right. I turned to my friend and asked him if he wanted to go.  Quickly, he said “yep.”  

I turned to get in the car, and in the headlights just at the edge of the road, a man was walking directly toward me! He had on dark clothes, a hat pulled down over his head, and was moving silently through the leaves toward me. I jumped into the driver’s seat. Yelled to my friend, “Get in the car!” He saw the guy, jumped in. We slammed the doors, put the car in drive…and as I pulled out past the man, he glared at me through the driver side window and KICKED the back of my car as hard as he could.

I did not stop at one stop sign or red light until I pulled back onto campus.  Once on campus, we both leaped out of the car and quickly looked underneath to make sure this guy wasn’t hanging on. That was the strangest encounter of my life! We had questions like, “Why couldn’t we hear him?”  “Why was he coming toward me?” “If we were trespassing, why didn’t he just yell at us?”  I had no answers.  It was a bizarre, strange, and weird encounter.

Sometimes we encounter things in life that we are unable to explain. Maybe you have had a bizarre experience in your life as well. Some people make claims that they have seen Bigfoot. Or abducted by aliens… 

It’s crazy that in light of all the technology that we carry around in our pocket on our cell phones, most of these strange encounters are blurry and out of frame. Luke recorded a very strange encounter that the disciples had with Jesus.  Two dead prophets and Jesus would hang out together on a hill, and Jesus clothes and appearance would turn to radiant white.  It was strange and bizarre, but I believe there are some great take-aways in the passage for us.

Luke 9:28-36 (NLT2) 

28  About eight days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray. 29  And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30  Then two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. 31  They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. 32  Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. 33  As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 34  But even as he was saying this, a cloud came over them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them. 35  Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” 36  When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen. 

This was a bizarre and strange encounter.  Men who had died hundreds of years before…Jesus appearance being changed.  The voice of God booming from within a cloud. For Jesus, this was a public affirmation from God that he was going to save the World from our sins…that he was the chosen son of God…and that we should all listen to him and do what he says to do.

And It is interesting that in this moment, 

JESUS DID NOT SEEK VALIDATION FROM INFLUENCERS

This was the most significant moment in his life to date...yet he did not bring in the heavy hitters with political or religious influence to see it. Jesus did not contact the local news team. He didn’t gather together the heads of the tribes of Israel, He did not invite Kings, scholars, philosophers to observe this moment of validation. He didn’t invite people from different arenas who would tell others about what they saw, and about who He was. He did not seek out the popular people among the Israelites. So many people in our culture today seek out validation from INFLUENCERS in social media.  

We have many Social Media Influencers in our church.  Let me ask you to use your influence to shine the light on Jesus and to point others to Jesus.

Be informative. Be witty and clever. Be funny. But periodically, point them to something greater than you.

The greatest influence you could ever have is to lead somebody to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Many people today want to be recognized on social media – they want their opinion to matter more than others. They want the recognition. They build revenue through LIKES and HEARTS and COMMENTS.  If enough people like them – sponsors will pick them up.

But some people who want to be an influencer have it wrong. They want to be important and they want to matter.  Some people who try to be an influencer aren’t seeking revenue or cash, they are building their view of self.  They think, “The more people that like my posts, the more important I will be.” 

And, “If people do not like my posts, apparently I do not matter.”

Let me say this right now – you are important. You do matter.  Your self-worth is not found online. If you seek out validation from other people to feel important, stop it.

Jesus has given his life for you – you matter. There may be absolutely nothing exciting or incredible about you. You may not have any talents whatsoever. Your checking account may make a homeless person feel rich…

You may be absolutely NORMAL, like Jesus demonstrates in this passage:

GOD INVITES NORMAL PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THE ABNORMAL

Jesus took regular ordinary people to the top of this mountain to experience something abnormal. Something unexpected. Something unheard of. Peter, James and John were all regular uneducated, untrained, fishermen.  They were mediocre fishermen at best.  When Jesus first called them, they had been fishing all night and did not catch one fish.  They weren’t the best or most skilled in their line of work.

They were ok. They were adequate. They were normal, everyday people that he called to experience the abnormal. That is what God continues to do today. If you want to experience the abnormal in a life-changing relationship with Jesus – you can be wealthy, or poor, you can be be attractive, or ugly. You can be a nobody or a somebody. You can be married. Divorced. You can be single.  

You can bring all your flaws, all your faults, they way you are, surrender your life to Jesus, and experience an abnormal life. I know normal quite well, because I am normal. In many ways, I consider myself below average. God has gifted me as a teacher.  I love teaching his word and helping people experience the abundant life He has for them…

On the stage, I teach pretty transparently.  In fact, one of my core values is to live transparently…I often share my own struggles with applying God’s Word to my life…and often my own failures.  

I acknowledge that I am a guarded individual.  I am very guarded when it comes to who I let in my life.  I have experienced a lot of hurt in my childhood, and a lot of hurt in ministry. Because I am guarded, I may come across as uncaring. Normal people have problems – but we should not let our problems stand in the way of experiencing the abnormal.  

So – what are your barriers to growth?  What are the areas of your life that needs to experience healing? Besides Jesus, Peter is the only other man that speaks in this passage of scripture – and essentially he is a blubbering idiot.  He doesn’t know what to say, so he rambles.  

33  …Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

In the presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah – Peter felt a need to say something – so he just blurted something out. That was Peter’s personality.  He often did or said things that were dumb things to say.  

He jumped out of the boat to walk on water and sank. He rebuked Jesus and told him he was wrong. He blurts something out here just to say something. Like you and I, Peter was a normal ordinary guy. He had a lot of rough edges. He had to make a lot of apologies…

But Jesus knew that…

GOD TRANSFORMS ORDINARY INTO EXTRAORDINARY 

After Jesus rose from the dead, God took this man named Peter, a normal ordinary man and transformed him into a preacher and leader. In the Book of Acts, under Peter’s preaching – thousands and thousands of people surrendered their lives to Jesus and experienced forgiveness of sins and were made brand spanking new. God took the man that smelled like fish and made him a fisher of men.

God took the man with no communication skills, and transformed him into one of the most gifted and honest speakers of his time.

Acts 4:13 (NLT2) 

13  The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Both Peter and John were Ordinary until God grabbed ahold of their lives. So, how can you let God transform you?  How can you as a follower of Jesus, become extraordinary. At Beach Church, our mission is to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We not only lead people to Jesus…we lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. That means, all those in Jesus continue to be changed by Jesus. Let me give you a little glimpse of what we will be incorporating into our Next Steps classes.

Our Next Step classes are designed to help people learn more about our church, and to help followers of Jesus transform into people who become more like the person God created them to be. I have developed 7 Questions called Anchor Points that will be incorporated into our Next Steps course, but for now, I want you to have these questions that you can ask yourself on a regular basis. These Anchor Points are questions designed to help an “ordinary” follower of Jesus become an “extraordinary” follower of Jesus:

Here are the Seven Anchor Points for a follower of Jesus to ask themselves on a daily basis:

ANCHOR POINTS

LOVING: How am I showing others kindness and respect?

GROWING: How am I deepening my relationship with God?

CONNECTING: Who am I getting real with?

FORGIVING: Who am I forgiving and extending grace to?

SERVING: How am I selflessly meeting the needs of others?

INVITING: Who am I encouraging to follow Jesus?

GIVING: How am I trusting God with my finances?

God wants to take your ordinary and make it extra-ordinary. Will you let him?

Meeting Jesus - Overcoming Roadblocks to obedience

This week – the college world series started, with the regionals. Coastal Carolina even hosted one of the tournaments. They are now playing the super regionals and next is the College World Series. Baseball can be a fun sport to watch. The young men are throwing baseballs at 90-98 MPH. I watched one game, where the pitcher hit 100 mph.

Do you know how difficult it is to hit a baseball traveling 90-98MPH?  I tried, 80 MPH at a batting cage once and played against some guys that could throw the ball that hard, so I can tell you that it is very difficult especially the older I get. Pitches traveling at 95-100 mph take just 400 ms to travel from the pitcher to the hitter. Since the typical reaction time is 200 ms, and it takes 100 ms to swing the bat, this leaves just 100 ms of observation time on which the hitter can base his swing.

There is NO ROOM for HESITATION when you are at bat.  You must make a RAPID decision and begin to swing IMMEDIATELY if you want to make contact with the ball. When it comes to following Jesus, believers in Christ can sometimes get caught up in hesitating before applying God’s Word to our lives. Think about it.  A follower of Jesus reads God’s word and KNOW a CHANGE needs to occur in their life. They understand that God has called them to Love God and Love people…to forgive, show kindness and compassion, and grace…

 …But we hesitate.  

Let’s read the words of Jesus from Luke 9:18-27 to see what Jesus has to say to his followers about living in obedience to Him.

Luke 9:18-27 (NLT2) 

18  One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 19  “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.” 20  Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” 21  Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. 22  “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” 23  Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26  If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27  I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.” 

This passage of scripture is Jesus challenge for his followers to die to themselves. He isn’t sharing this with the crowds.  He shared this with only those who were his disciples.  They believed that Jesus was sent from God and that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus took this small group to a deeper level and challenge them to APPLY what he had been teaching them.

BUT, when you hear “take up your Cross” it can stir up some hesitation.

A COMMON ROADBLOCK TO LIFE CHANGE IS HESITATION. 

For Instance, I remember when I first surrendered my life to Christ. My life began to change, but I was still dealing with some hesitation especially about going public with what was happening. Of course, I told my family, but I hesitated when it come to telling others, especially my friends about what Jesus had done. I was afraid that if I told them, that they would no longer be my friends. I remember on one occasion, I had a friend named Michael that point blank asked me what was different about me. As I thought I hesitated to tell him that Jesus had turned my world upside down. I wanted to tell him that I now know what Love is, I have peace, I have hope, I have joy. I wanted to tell him that he could have the same. 

BUT, I didn’t! 

I hesitated because I was afraid of what it might cost me.

“Take up Your Cross”??? that means I have to give up something. I did not want to lose one of my best friends.

Luke 9:23 (NLT) 

23  Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 

At this point in the life of Jesus – everybody wanted to be his follower.  Life-Change was happening all around.  People were being healed.  He was turning the entire religious system upside down.  He was showing compassion, grace, forgiveness.  Crowds were following him at no risk to themselves.  It cost them nothing.  In fact, it was a rather popular position to be in.  

Jesus had already called those HE now called APOSTLES to give up their lives and follow him.  Now Jesus turned to the crowd and said, before you can follow me – you have to do two things before you can be my follower. 

TURN from your selfish ways

TAKE up your cross daily

Let’s think back to the Garden of Eden.  At the root of ADAM and EVE’S sin was SELFISHNESS. The Fruit was desirable. James 1:15 Says “These desires give birth to Sinful Actions” Adam and Eve WANTED to please themselves by giving into their desires. Pleasing their creator was important – (we know it was important to them because they HID from God after they had sinned) but PLEASING themselves MATTERED more.  Pleasing themselves mattered more than anything.  God said not to eat the FRUIT but they wanted to satisfy and gratify themselves

WE HESITATE BECAUSE WE ARE SELIFSH

Lucifer was kicked out of Heaven because of SELFISHNESS. ADAM and EVE were kicked out of the Garden of Eden because of SELFISHNESS. From the time our children are able grasp the concept – we teach them not to be selfish but to share.

Every sin is rooted in selfish desires.  

Selfish attitudes.  

Selfish ways.  

If you struggle with temptations and give in often to sin – it is because you are a selfish, selfish person.  You may not be selfish in all areas – but you are selfish in some.  You struggle with sin because you want to PLEASE your flesh.

If you fight often with your spouse – it is because you are being selfish.  You didn’t like something they did.  You don’t like that they left something for you to do… Most of the time, when my wife and I argue it’s because one of us being selfish. Let me rephrase that: It’s because I’m being selfish.

If you gossip it is because you deep down – you want to appear wiser, smarter, and better than the person you are talking about. 

So JESUS says the very first step, the very first thing we must be willing to do to follow him is to TURN AWAY from our SELFISHNESS.  

We need to tell ourselves “NO” 

NO I will not say that.

NO I will not think that.

NO I will not go there with my words.

NO I will not look at that.

NO I will not get mad at all Walmart Employees because only one line is open.

We TURN away from our SELFISHNESS.

BUT we limit the MEANING of the words of Jesus spoken in Luke 9:23 if we only focus on SELF-DENIAL.  Self-DENIAL is only part of the equation.  

Let’s look at Luke 9:23 again

Luke 9:23 (NLT) 

23  Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 

In order to be a FOLLOWER of Jesus – we must “Deny ourselves” and “Take up our cross daily.”

The Cross was a symbol of Death. The crowd would have known what carrying a cross meant. The disciples knew. We know how brutal it was because of what we have read and know. We know that when a man carried a cross it was not a round trip ticket. We know if a man carried a cross, HE WAS GOING TO DIE.

Denying ourselves is one thing – but taking up a cross is a whole deeper level of commitment.  You can not be a follower of Jesus without committing to not only DENYING self, but SACRIFICING self as well. This is something that we do daily!! We are selfish people and so we have to take up that cross and deny our selfish desires.

You have heard the expression, “It’s not about me.”  

The most selfless thing we can do is to SELFLESSLY SACRIFICE for others.  Serving in the NURSERY is a SACRIFICE.  Serving in our Children’s ministry is a SACRIFICE. Serving in the student Ministry is a SACRIFICE.  Serving in the church, on a mission team, on any of our teams here at Beach Church is a SACRIFICE. If I can be honest, if we are truly sacrificing self for others church’s wouldn’t have to beg for volunteers. Jesus EQUATED TAKING the CROSS of SUFFERING with what it means to FOLLOW him.

CARRYING a CROSS is LIVING with PURPOSE.  

CARRYING a CROSS is a lifestyle of ACTION.  

CARRYING a CROSS is being a SERVANT to ALL.

CARRYING a CROSS is GIVING so much we feel it.

CARRYING a CROSS is HUMILIATING.

CARRYING a CROSS is giving up all SELFISHNESS and EMBRACING SACRIFICE.

One of the things I have NEVER understood since I became a Christian is how people can be SO PREFERENCE DRIVEN in the church when Jesus calls us to DIE to OURSELVES. 

They think CORPORATE WORSHIP should be the songs THEY LIKE.

They think MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH should be where they DESIRE to go. 

And on and on and on…they fight for their colors, their ministries, their turf, their worship, their preaching style, their SELFISH DESIRES!

When the CHRISTIAN chooses to FOLLOW JESUS they have abandoned their PREFERENCE way of DOING things and PICKED up a CROSS with a ONE-WAY ticket to HEAVEN. This is when we truly understand “It’s not about me”

We were not SAVED merely to STOP doing things – we were saved to “CARRY a CROSS.”  We were saved FROM something FOR SOMETHING!

Paul illustrates what it means to carry a CROSS beautifully in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) 

21  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 

The way Paul describes TURNING FROM OUR SELFISHNESS and CARRYING a CROSS is by THROWING OFF OUR OLD MAN and PUTTING ON THE NEW MAN…just as we would throw off nasty dirty clothes and put on new ones.

Paul then provides illustration after illustration of what that looks like:

Ephesians 4:25-29 (NLT)

25  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26  And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27  for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 

This has always been a fascinating passage to me because it illustrates the LIFESTYLE of a FOLLOWER of JESUS who has turned from his selfishness and is carrying a cross.

A LIAR is transformed to a person who can be TRUSTED by OTHERS.

A HOT-TEMPERED person is transformed into a person controlled by FORGIVENESS to OTHERS.

A THIEF is transformed into a person who WORKS HARD to give GENEROUSLY to OTHERS.

A FOUL-MOUTHED PERSON is transformed into an ENCOURAGER of OTHERS.

THIS IS NOT A HARD CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE MUST APPLY

There is a radical transformation that has occurred!  Something uncommon has happened to an individual who DENIES SELF.  Something amazing.  Something beautiful…SOMETHING that has forever changed the habits of his life!  That something is REPENTANCE.  

True repentance alters a person’s life!  Truly turning from our selfish ways is a result of GENUINE REPENTANCE.

DYING TO SELF HELPS US BECOME THE PERSON WE WERE CREATED TO BE

When we are humbly seeking the Lord, and seeking his face to do what is right, we will take up our cross on a regular basis.  We become the person God has created us to be – we begin the journey of becoming an unselfish person who sacrifices for others.

That first step of REPENTENCE is simply this, rejecting your selfish ways and turning yourself toward God’s ways through Jesus. If you’d like to do that right now, pray this prayer.

Dear God,  

I want to be a follower of Jesus.  Therefore, right now I reject my selfish way of living and turn to you.  I believe that Jesus has paid the penalty for my sin on the cross, and ask you to forgive me of my sin and I receive your one and only Son as my Savior.  Through your strength, I ask you now to help me carry my cross and live out this repentance through my actions.  Thank you for saving me. Thank you for loving me.  I receive Jesus as my Savior and Ultimate example of everything I should strive to be like. 

In Jesus name, Amen.

homecoming - Heart vs. Appearance

• God Is Love
• God’s Love is Gracious
• God’s Love is Steadfast

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
Luke 15:25-27

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
Luke 15:28-29

But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:30

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:31-32

Your Heart is More important than your Appearance.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Genesis 22:2

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!
Genesis 22:9-11

We place what we love the most on the alter but we pray for God to come so we can have both.

What we need is for Him to be the thing we need.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
Luke 10:38-39

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Luke 10:40

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42

We can be so busy doing good deeds that we miss the one thing we need the most.

Is there anything in your life right now that you love more than God?

Where is God leading you?

Will you be too busy, or will you follow him?

homecoming - a father’s love

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
Luke 15:11-12

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
Luke 15:13-14

So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Luke 15:15-16

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Luke 15:17-18

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
Luke 15:19

So he got up and went to his father.“ But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
Luke 15:20

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Luke 15:21

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:22-24

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
Luke 15:25-27

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
Luke 15:28-29

But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:30

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:31-32

• God Is Love
• God’s Love is Gracious
• God’s Love is Steadfast

Have you experienced God’s love?

Have you experienced forgiveness and Healing?

Anticipation… - Herod

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah…
Luke 1:5a

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.
Matthew 2:3-4

King Herod was disturbed because he wanted no other King.

Do you find it difficult to let Jesus be King of your Life?

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:5-6

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
Matthew 2:7-8

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Matthew 2:9-10

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:12

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
Matthew 2:13

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Matthew 2:14-15

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
Matthew 2:16

Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:17-18

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
Matthew 2:19-20

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee…
Matthew 2:21-22

How we respond to Jesus’ kingship affects everyone around us.

Who is sitting on the throne in your life?

Something to be Thankful for: Mercy

Thanks:
      \THaŋ(k)s\
noun
      An expression of gratitude.

Giving:
      \ˈɡiviŋ\
adjective
      providing love or other emotional support; caring.

• Forgiveness
• Grace
• Mercy

 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?
Romans 9:22

What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?…
Romans 9:23

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
~ Abraham Lincoln ~

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…
Exodus 34:6

…maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Exodus 34:7

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Exodus 33:19

“I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.”
~ Charles Spurgeon ~

Something to be Thankful for: grace

Thanks:
      \THaŋ(k)s\
noun
      An expression of gratitude.

Giving:
      \ˈɡiviŋ\
adjective
      providing love or other emotional support; caring.

• Forgiveness
• Grace
• Mercy

      Grace:
      \ɡrās\
noun
      Unmerited favor of God towards man.

“Grace is the very opposite of merit… Grace is not only undeserved favor, but it is favor shown to the one who has deserved the very opposite.”
~ Harry Ironside ~

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2:11-12

Are YOU Thankful For God’s Grace?

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Jonah 1:1-2

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
Jonah 1:3

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Jonah 1:4-5

The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”
Jonah 1:6

Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
Jonah 1:7

So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”
Jonah 1:8

He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”

This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
Jonah 1:10

The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”
Jonah 1:11

“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Jonah 1:12

This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
Jonah 3:7-9

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.
Jonah 4:1

If I’m not showing grace… have I forgotten the grace I’ve been shown?

Are YOU Thankful for the grace you’ve been shown?

Is there someone in your life that needs to be shown Grace?

Something to be Thankful for: Forgiveness

Thanks:
      \THaŋ(k)s\
noun
      An expression of gratitude.

      Giving:
      \ˈɡiviŋ\
adjective
      providing love or other emotional support; caring.

      Thanksgiving:
      \thaŋ(k)s-ˈgi-viŋ\
noun
      the expression of gratitude, especially to God.

• Forgiveness
• Grace
• Mercy

Forgive: stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

Forgiveness: the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Ephesians 1:7

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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Four conditions of Forgiveness
• humble yourself by admitting your sins;
• praying to God – asking for forgiveness;
• seeking God continually;
• and turning from sinful behavior.

Are you Thankful you have received forgiveness?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:21-22

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
Matthew 18:23-25

“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
Matthew 18:26-27

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
Matthew 18:28

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
Matthew 18:29-30

What Is Forgiveness?

Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Matthew 18:3

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
Matthew 18:32-33

In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
Matthew 18:34

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Matthew 18:35

Unforgiveness is choosing to stay trapped in a jail cell of bitterness, serving time for someone else’s crime.

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”
~ Corrie Ten Boom ~

Are you thankful for forgiveness?

Have people in your life experienced the same forgiveness you received?

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Not A Fan. - knowledge about him or intimacy with him?

Fan:
      \ˈfan\
noun
      an enthusiastic admirer

      Follower:
      \ˈfälō(ə)r\
noun
      an adherent or devotee of a particular person, cause, or activity.

Are you a Follower of Jesus?

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Matthew 15:8

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
Luke 7:36

A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.
Luke 7:37

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
Luke 7:38

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Luke 7:39

Do you do what you do for God out of duty?
or
Do you do what you do out of a desire to honor Him?

Do not confuse Knowledge about Jesus for intimacy with Jesus.

A Biblical word for intimacy is “Know”

And Adam knew Eve his wife
Genesis 4:1 (KJV)

Now the man was intimate with his wife Eve
Genesis 4:1 (ESV)

YADA (Hebrew Word for Knew)
To Know completely and to be completely Known

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
Psalm 139:1-4

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
Luke 7:44

You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
Luke 7:45

You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
Luke 7:46

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Luke 7:47

Who are you most like in this Story?

Do you know about Jesus, or do you Know Jesus?

Not A Fan. - Do you believe or are you committed?

Fan:
      \ˈfan\
noun
      an enthusiastic admirer

      Follower:
      \ˈfälō(ə)r\
noun
      an adherent or devotee of a particular person, cause, or activity.

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23

• So how do you start determining if you really are a follower of Jesus?
• How do you decide if this is even something you would want to consider?

We must define the relationship.

Have you made a DECISION for Jesus, or Have you COMMITTED to Jesus?

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
John 3:1-2

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:3

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
John 3:4

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
John 3:5-6

You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.
John 3:7

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
John 3:8-9

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
John 3:10-11

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
John 3:12-13

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
John 3:14-15

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:18

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
John 5:19

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
John 5:20-21

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
John 5:22-23

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
John 5:24

A call to stand against opposition

A call to Action

A Call for Encouragement

A Call FOR BOLDNESS

A Call To Prayer

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 1:1-2

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Nehemiah 1:3

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:4

      Prayer:
      /prer/
noun
      A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.

“God Never Allows Pain without a purpose”
~ Jerry Bridges ~

“Your Greatest Ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt.”
~ Rick Warren ~

When we are burdened, what should we do?

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22

Accept IT
Cast IT
Leave IT

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
Nehemiah 1:5-7

God initiates Prayer in Us

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
Nehemiah 1:8-9

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
Nehemiah 1:10-11

When Is the last time you were so burdened that all you could do was pray?

When was the last time you were burdened for the church?
When was the last time you were burdened for your Neighbors?
When was the last time you were burdened for our nation?
When was the last time you were burdened for the lost?

GOOD QUESTIONS - WHY DO YOU DOUBT?

With Spiritual Doubts - Why Do You Doubt?

What is doubt?

      Doubt:
      /dout/
noun
      a feeling of uncertainty or a lack of conviction*
On an emotional level, doubt is indecision between belief and disbelief

What is faith?
      Faith:
      /fāTH/
noun
      complete trust or confidence in someone or something

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:24-25 (NIV)

Doubt can CRIPPLE you!
Doubt can ROB you of joy!
Doubt can SHACKLE you!
Doubt can HINDER your future!

Faith can HEAL you!
Faith Can GIVE YOU Joy!
Faith can FREE you!
Faith makes YOUR FUTURE certain!

So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.
Genesis 15:9-12 (NIV)

When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.
Genesis 15:17 (NIV)

Doubt makes us believe in the negatives of “What If” living

How Can we have faith that God can save us from our sins but can’t do anything else?

In a World Full of Doubt, We must be a people Full of Faith!

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:26-29 (NIV)

We have to choose one or the other:
It’s Faith vs. Doubt

People Make Choices… and Choices make People

Will you choose today, to keep doubting?
Or
Will you choose today, to live by Faith?