The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! - Psalm 97:1 (ESV)
JESUS ON STUFF PART 1
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
THE CUP OF CALVARY
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” As Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, his first request is for his father to “take this cup of suffering away from me” Luke 22:42 (ESV)
SACRIFICE, FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
As I have read the Old Testament, I have been impressed with the teaching that blessings come as we follow the Lord by obeying His prophets. One of the most striking examples of this principle is found in 1 Samuel, where the prophet Samuel declares to King Saul: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams”
SACRIFICE, FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
A sacrifice is giving up something valued for the sake of our faith. Obedience is our dutiful or submissive compliance; this means surrendering our will to God. Though God accepts both, He is more interested in our obedience than in our sacrifices.
THE PAIN OF CRUCIFIXION
The Crucifixion of Jesus guaranteed a horrific, slow, painful death. Having been nailed on the Cross, Jesus now had an impossible anatomical position to maintain.
WHOSE IMAGE, WHOSE INSCRIPTION
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22 (ESV)
FASTING - A HUNGER FOR GOD'S WORD
Fasting is hungering for God. When you fast food, you help create a deeper hunger for God activating your spiritual hunger hormone. It may not feel enjoyable physically when we fast, but you are fulfilling your spiritual hunger.
GRACE AND JUDGEMENT
The Bible describes God's dealings with man in a series of covenants. Biblical covenants are like the constitution of the Kingdom of God. When we receive these saving ordinances and keep the associated covenants, the Atonement of Jesus Christ becomes effective in our lives, and we can receive the greatest blessing God can give us-eternal life. Consequences and judgments are for all.
WHY DID JESUS COME - PART 2
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.