LIVING CRUCIFIED #4: HEAVENLY BUTS

I found this sermon by Pastor Tom extremely helpful. I’ve gone back to the final paragraphs several times for help.

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We tend to say things like: “Today was OK, but I think tomorrow is going to be really hard.” What we really think of as most important, or most powerful, we but after that ‘but.’ Leah was a saint who had a very difficult life. People considered her ugly. Her husband didn’t love her, and it didn’t seem like that would ever change. But (!) she learned to put God’s love after the but. We too, can find incredible life and grace by learning to put eternal truth after the ‘buts’ in our life.

To listen to the sermon, click the play button: To download, right click on the link (or do whatever you do on a Mac) and save it to your computer: Download Living Crucified Part 4

LIVING CRUCIFIED #4

Genesis 29:16-35

In order to really grab hold of the riches that…

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Desiring to see God, but…

Tanya Nemley listens to God’s heart and shares it with those who read her blog.

God Speaks I Listen

I need to be inside of you God.  I need to feel your light and the rays of your glory all inside of me and I need to feel me in you like I was before you sent me to earth to be born.  I need that supernatural closeness with you.   I need to see your face.  I need to see where your essence resides and see you on your glorious throne.  I need to hear your powerful voice.  I need to be able to worship you directly in your presence.  I need to see your unspeakable beauty.

In the past, I have wanted to hug you when I got to heaven, but I now realize that all I need to do is have the fullness of your light touch me. That is how powerful your glory is. I need to give you the crown that I have been working…

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The All-Sufficient Cross of Christ

This devotional by our pastor Randy Huddleston spoke to my heart, and I have his permission to share it with you.

Prepare yourself, take off your shoes because you are entering holy ground.

Sacrifice, selflessness, supreme, surprising, suffering, the Son of God nailed to a cross to die.

The injured party in the human drama was God.  His joy and desire were to delight in the people he had made, but they turned on him and aligned themselves with his archenemy.  God was stabbed in the back.  The relationship was broken, and separation led to consequences for the hurt they had done.  This was no small thing like spilled milk; this was the breakdown of divine and human connection, love, and the journey together.  That brilliant, beautiful pair’s act of rebellion rippled like a tsunami across the created order affecting the animate and inanimate.  It has come to you as part of creation and as a son or daughter of Adam and Eve.

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12 (NLT2)

Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Romans 8:20-21 (NLT2)

A solution was needed to sin, curse, and death.  Neither human philosophy, self-made religion, or holier-than-thou living would be the solution.  The solution had to come from above, and God provided it.  He sent his Son.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 (NLT2)

Jesus, the God-man, Son of God, who lived a perfect and blameless life, humbled himself to be the sacrifice, the sufficient sacrifice to pay the penalty of sin.  No other could do it.  He knew the importance of what he did.  His suffering and death were not to impress or please you but to provide justice before the Supreme Court of Highest Heaven.  If the requirements of the highest law and Lawgiver were not met, there would be no future for humanity or this universe.  Jesus on the cross was the all-sufficient, permanent, and perfect payment.  He changed everything.

Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 (NLT2)

Adam freely took from the tree and disobeyed God leading to death.  Jesus willingly gave himself on the tree and fully obeyed God even to death.  Adam’s death led to death for all.  Jesus’ death leads to life.

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT2)

Jesus’ death on the cross did it, once for all, no need for continued animal sacrifices.  Jesus’ cross was God’s plan, and when it was finished, people could have new life in him.  Trying to earn points to get into God’s good graces is of no value by comparison to the once for all sacrifice of Christ.  Salvation is only by God’s grace; no one can earn it by what they think is good.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT2)

• Have you ever considered Jesus’ death on the cross insufficient and tried to do good things to be saved? 
• No other historical event has done more to set people free than this one selfless solitary sacrifice on the cross.  Has the cross of Christ enthralled you?

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Recommended Sermons on Revelation

I’ve appreciated Pastor Tom Hilpert’s sermons on the Book of Revelation. Three I especially liked were #17 “War, Famine, Disease and Death: In All Things God Is In Control which I reblogged earlier today; #20 The Joy That Awaits at https://clearbible.blog/2018/02/27/the-joy-that-awaits/ ; and #21 The End of Grace at https://clearbible.blog/2018/03/13/revelation-21-the-end-of-grace/

I hope you’ll check them out.

God Loves You 4 Real!!!!

I think this post by Tanya is one of her best.

God Speaks I Listen

This is the most serious blog I have ever written! If we don’t understand just how much God loves us…nothing in our lives will make any sense to us. We will always be very fearful during hard trials and lose hope and become discouraged often. We’ll experience a lot of doubt and lose our faith. We may frequently be mad at God and blame Him for any calamites or sudden disasters.

From an early age I never knew what love was. I had never felt it nor could I interpret it to even respond to it. Since it was never available to me it caused me a great deal of grief. By the time I was about 12 I tried to commit suicide. I thought of suicide very often because of feeling lonely and hopeless. I did learn about God Jesus and the Holy Spirit and took great comfort in…

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WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PETER AND JUDAS?

This sermon by Pastor Tom really helped me. One thing he points out is that we need to seek repentance, and beware of regret. He says, “If you find you are regretful but not repentant, I encourage you to ask God to help you repent instead.”

Clear Bible

Peter is my hero. He seems to mess up more than any of the other disciples, but he is my hero because of what he does afterhe makes mistakes. Every time, he repents, and goes back to Jesus in humility and faith. It’s not about how often you fall down: it’s about what you do after you fall. And Peter always does the right thing after he falls. He’s a terrific example for us.

To listen to the sermon, click the play button:

To download, right click on the link (or do whatever you do on a Mac) and save it to your computer:
Download Matthew Part

Matthew #96. Matthew 26:69-27:10

There is a lot going on here. Matthew tells the tale as it happened, so we are jumping back and forth between various events. So far, I have not spoken about the physical suffering that Jesus experienced…

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FACING TRIALS

This sermon by Pastor Tom on Matthew 26:27-66 reminds me that I can be jest as self-righteous and blind as those who tried and condemned Jesus. It also encourages me to trust God when I am unjustly criticized.

Clear Bible

We are all capable of being very self-righteous and very blind – you aren’t safe from it just because all your friends tell you that you are open minded. A whole set of things that is called “open minded” is, in fact, just a new set of beliefs that is actually closed to alternative views. That leads me to the other application. This passage may be an encouragement to you when you are unfairly judged and insulted by our culture, and people who have bought into the new cultural values.

To listen to the sermon, click the play button:

To download, right click on the link (or do whatever you do on a Mac) and save it to your computer:
Download Matthew Part 95

Matthew #95.  Matthew 26:57-66

We are continuing with the last night of Jesus life before the crucifixion.

None of this happened quite the way the enemies…

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Pastor’s Joy by Randy Huddleston

I found this devotion by my Pastor Randy Huddleston very meaningful and wanted to share it with you:

He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30 (NASB)

–John the Baptist

Pastor’s Joy

There are jobs that require a person to show up, get it done, and move on, but that isn’t how it works for a pastor.

God matters.  God’s people matter.  There is more going on than this temporal world.  The Apostle Paul understood the importance of these things and gave instructions to the elders (pastors, overseers) of the church in Ephesus regarding the role.

So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. Acts 20:28 (NLT)

Pastors are to be careful to guard themselves against the flesh, the world, and the devil.  All are interested in doing harm and not promoting the good God has purposed.  They fail.  I fail.  But we turn to our redeemer and are restored to the work God has given.  The pastor must draw near to God.  There must be a clarity of his own brokenness so that he can reach out to the broken.  The idea of flawlessness among God’s servants is a myth.  Having failed or been misled a pastor can learn to be a better guard and protector of God’s people if he keeps His eye on God.  He must humble himself, confess his sins, and follow the Lord.  John puts it this way.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10 (NLT)

The key for the pastor is to stay close to God and to bring spiritually nourishing food to God’s people.  Kids may want to live on Happy Meals and cotton candy, but there are some things more nourishing which their parents must provide.  Sometimes God’s people can lean toward spiritual Happy Meals and cotton candy, but there are more spiritually nourishing meals God would desire for the.  The pastor is to discern the real needs and under  the leadership and power of the Spirit provide the proper nutrition.

This is done for God’s flock—the church.  So, very important to the Lord.  Purchased by the blood of Christ.

Precious to the Lord are you, the people of His flock.  And, as such, you are precious to the pastor given charge of the flock.

As for me, as it was for Paul, “You are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.” Philippians 4:1 (NLT)

The eternal exists now and forever.  What God is doing brings us into that bigger picture.  The pressures of today will be different in a few years.  Rationing of food and other items existed during World War II, and then it changed.  These things too will fade away.  But what God is doing in you will last.  Being part of what God is doing in you a worthy challenge and worthwhile goal.  The joy for me and for pastors is seeing God’s people walking faithfully with Him, fulfilling their purpose, and finally being presented perfect in their relationship with Christ.

How has your relationship with the Lord been helped or hampered by pastors you have had over the years?

Have you had any misunderstandings of the responsibilities pastors have?

What do you appreciate about Christ’s design of having pastors in His church?

(e-mail address for Pastor Randy Huddleston: info@gbcpryor.org )

LOVE IS THE ANSWER. BUT WHAT WAS THE QUESTION?

The next-to-last paragraph of this sermon really spoke to me where it says, “…when I sin, one of the underlying things going on with me is that I am not loving God, or my neighbor, or sometimes, either one. It isn’t just that I need to behave better externally (though that is true) – it is also that I need to love God and my neighbor more.” Also, “…I have learned to…ask God not only to help me not to sin, but also to increase the love I have for Him and for my neighbor.” Thanks, Pastor Tom.

Clear Bible

We are to love God with all of our being. According to Jesus, nothing is more important than this. If we love God with our entire being and put him first in our lives, everything else will flow out of that in a way that fulfills what God wants. If we don’t love him, we are just a clanging gong; nothing. We are not to act religious for the sake of being religious. It is meaningless to follow Christian morality unless we do it out of love for God.

If you truly love God, and also your neighbor, you will fulfill, not ignore, the moral teachings of the Bible. 

To listen to the sermon, click the play button:

To download, right click on the link (or do whatever you do on a Mac) and save it to your computer:
Download Matthew Part 80

Matthew #80  Matthew 22:34-45

The third question with which…

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THE GOOD NEWS INVOLVES REPENTANCE

Thought provoking excellent sermon by Pastor Tom.

Clear Bible

To hear many churches, the message of the gospel is this: “Jesus loves you. Now you are free to do whatever you want, as long as admit that you are a sinner, counting on Jesus to forgive you.” Brothers and sisters, that is not the message of the Gospel of Grace. That is not what Jesus preached, and it not what the apostles preached. Jesus and the apostles preached repentance and faith.

To listen to the sermon, click the play button:

To download, right click on the link (or do whatever you do on a Mac) and save it to your computer:

Download Matthew Part 76

Matthew #76  Matthew 21:28-45

I want to remind all of you that we most certainly depend upon your prayers for us, in very real and practical ways. Right now we could use prayers for guidance, encouragement and for the Lord to continue to use…

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