April 8, 2012
Introduction:
Ephesians
2:1, 2 – The reason we have a different outlook today is because of Jesus
Christ and that is the only reason. We can look forward to tomorrow only because
God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. We see and know people whose
lives are a mess but they themselves cannot see it or seemingly feel powerless
to change. Paul says our life was once like this and that we were going against
everything God stands for. This world is screwed up. Why? Sin!
But
GOD….He has changed the world. He took what was messed up and screwed up and
marked for destruction and gives us His righteousness. Yet, the world is seemingly
still screwed up. That’s because God’s righteousness doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
God’s offers each and every person the choice to either receive or reject His
righteous plan of salvation. Parents don’t like to give their children choices.
They are afraid that their child won’t choose them, so they lock them in a box,
(figuratively speaking). But eventually they have to let that child out. That
is not what God does. He is not afraid of our choices. He therefore, gives us the
means to get out of the box. In His Word, the Bible, God gives us the
opportunity to live right, to be an original and not a copy. In today’s world
we see a lot of copies. God wants us to be originals for Him and not copies of
the world. In God we can belong to Him and still be an original, one of a kind
as He has always intended us to be. But in the world we become a copy, always
changing trying to figure out whom to follow next. God’s plans for us are freeing,
He simply enhances who we are and enable us to be who He has designed us to be.
The
calendar is a perfect example of how Christ has shaped the world. It is based
on the birth of our Lord. The laws that govern our nation are based on the Word
of God. If we take the Word of God out of the justice system we will be at the
mercy of a man.
As we look
at these verses in Luke chapter 24
V13-19:
On the road Jesus is walking with two men and they did not know it was Him
because they did not expect to see Him, they thought He was dead. When we don’t
expect to see something or someone they can be right in front of us and we can
miss it. With God we must learn to expect the unexpected especially when it is
written in the Bible.
V22-23:
They proceed to tell Jesus about what happened to Him still unaware of whom
they are talking to, telling His story as a new reporter reporting an event yet
doubting its veracity.
V24-27:
Jesus asks them why they are surprised, Are the Word of the prophets not true?
Isn’t God’s Word true? God’s Word is 100% true. Always has been, and always
will be.
V28-32:
When we sincerely spend a little time with Jesus we are not going to want Him
to leave. We are going to ask Him to stay. We become accustom to and enjoy His
company. Anytime someone sincerely spends time with Jesus, Jesus is going to
change their life. When we spend time with Him we will get to know Him. We will
also get to know our self and realize we are dependent on Him. We need to spend
quality time with God, this happens when we read and study God’s Word, the
Bible. Spending quality time in church is NOT quality time with Jesus. There are things that happen in church that
are not of God. Spending time with God always brings us to a place of
decision. The question asked is, “What will you do with Jesus?”
To the
person who has not accepted Jesus as their Savior, I offer you God’s gift,
Jesus Christ His Son: receive Him, trust Him, get to know Him, He will
illuminate and enhance your life. . For the believer, let us be constant in the
Word of God that we may grow deeper in the knowledge of our Lord.
Conclusion:
Psalm
118:19-21 Christ’s resurrection has (not if, but has) changed the world, how
has it changed your life? His life, death and resurrection had the approval and
acceptance of the One who sent Him, God. If we are doing that which is not acceptable
to God, we are wasting of time.
This resurrection
day God has answered. There was a cry from this land for salvation and God sent
Jesus, His Son. If you have cried out for salvation, has God not answered you? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
If we want access to the Father it is only through Him.
How has Jesus affected you
life? Do you depend on Him for everything? Receive Him today.
Pastor Pete
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