Calvary Chapel Battle Creek

SAINTS ARE CALLED TO BE DIFFERENT SAINTS are to live with the peace of God . . . . . . . . that’s DIFFERENT! As the world implodes, we do not implode . . . . . . . . that’s DIFFERENT! God’s peace, Christ’s peace, is available to every SAINT that taps into God’s peace promise (verse 7) There is no peace from God until there is peace with God!! Peace = untroubled, undisturbed, wellbeing; NOT freedom from stress, anxiety, irritation, or the crushing’s of life Real peace is available to all believers Peace is found in the presence of God! Practice the presence of God. How? - Meditate on His Word - Speak His Word to your soul! - Sing melodiously to your troubled spirit songs of God - Allow into your ear and eye gates only things that bring you closer to God - Get to the point where God enters, and all other thoughts fade away! Jesus knows you will go through the storms of life When the storms come, don't panic! PRAY!! In the midst of it all, there is JESUS! JESUS is our peace place! SAINTS, we are called to be DIFFERENT! We CAN live with peace! CHOOSE PEACE!!

Who is your master? We are all slaves to something or someone Are you living as a slave to your past? Some abuse or unfairness you have not let go of? Are those feelings controlling you, destroying your peace, robbing you of purpose? We must change from slave thinking to overcomer, freedman thinking! * I cannot control what has happened in the past (the pain is real) * I cannot control what is happening in our world (constant daily stressors) * I cannot control how others respond to what is happening in our world * I cannot control (the sky is falling) someone else (nor do I want to) Impact, yes! Control, no! ** What I can control is me - my responses, in the now! Paul, speaking of the abuse of the Jewish leaders: “ . . . . I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things, I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” ( Philippians 3: 8 ) NIV All the stuff of life is secondary to knowing Christ! Jesus is my power source, my peace source, my hope source, my change source! Is Jesus really your Master, or is some event or someone in your past your master? Is Jesus really in control of your life? What master controls you when your foundations are shaken? WHO IS YOUR MASTER? HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN SAY WITH VIGOR . . . . . THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!! Jesus - Kurios - Master - Ruler - Owner

We look for Four Essentials in a Leader : 1) Does the man have an observable calling by God? 2) Does the man demonstrate character qualities found in Scripture? 3) Does the man demonstrate competency for the position? 4) Does the man demonstrate the chemistry necessary to fit into the group? "Separation to God, separation from the world, is the first principle of Christian living." - Watchman Nee sub*mit /seb'mit/ verb to align my will with God's to find freedom, direction, and true purpose. MEN of GRIT Forging a Legacy of Strong Men grit [gr-it] noun Possessing a strength of character and fighting spirit. Having the drive and determination to push through regardless of the obstacle thrown your way until you succeed. "No reserves. No retreats. No Regrets." - William Borden (discovered written in his Bible after his untimely death) FYI: Christian character is cultivated in the trials, in the wilderness experiences of life. Those who come out of the wilderness are all in with God! Moses’ leadership character was cultivated in the backside of the desert. Leaders must be prepared to protect. Leaders must be prepared to sacrifice themselves. Paul’s leadership character was cultivated in the trials of life. It is in the trials of life, in the wilderness experiences of life, that your character is cultivated. "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply." - Aiden Wilson (AW) Tozer "Does it not seem strange that the generation with the most advanced technology and the easiest-to-read Bible translations is the weakest generation of Christians in the history of our country? Church attendance has never been lower, and the Christian influence in our culture never weaker." - AW Tozer Paul to the Ephesian Elders ( Acts 20: 1920) : “Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials.” Humility is a character trait of Godly leaders! Paul taught the “whole counsel of God” Paul’s encouragement to all Elders ( Acts 20: 27 ( Acts 20: 28 ) ) : “Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Biblical terms: Elder = older, mature man (wisdom) Bishop = oversee, supervise (governing, managing) Pastor = shepherd (teaching) Biblical terms: Elders are bishops (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7) and elders are pastors (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) Elders, bishops, and pastors (1) are always used in the plural and (2) are always used in the masculine (males). The Role of Elders Elders' work was defined for them in 1 Peter 5:2-4 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." Elders are to protect the flock - “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” - Acts 20: 29 Elders are to protect from savage wolves - “Speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” - Acts 20: 30 Jude 3-4 puts it this way: "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." Calling all believers to WATCH and WARN!! “Therefore, WATCH and remember that for three years I did not cease to WARN everyone night and day with tears." - Acts 20:31 Satan’s tactic : To infiltrate believers with deceptive false teaching. How do Elders protect? “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God" - Acts 20: 27 Character Qualifications : - 1 Timothy 3: 17 - No one meets these character qualifications perfectly, except Jesus Christ - This should reflect the predominant way the perfect man conducts his life; Elders are not perfect The Elder’s Wife : Jason will need the support of his wife. God created woman to be a helper, an aid, a surround; one who understands the seriousness of his calling A man needs an understanding wife to help him the greatest he can be for God’s glory Be an Influencer for Jesus - Matthew 5:14

We look for Four Essentials in a Leader : 1) Does the man have an observable calling by God? 2) Does the man demonstrate character qualities found in Scripture? 3) Does the man demonstrate competency for the position? 4) Does the man demonstrate the chemistry necessary to fit into the group? "Separation to God, separation from the world, is the first principle of Christian living." - Watchman Nee sub*mit /seb'mit/ verb to align my will with God's to find freedom, direction, and true purpose. MEN of GRIT Forging a Legacy of Strong Men grit [gr-it] noun Possessing a strength of character and fighting spirit. Having the drive and determination to push through regardless of the obstacle thrown your way until you succeed. "No reserves. No retreats. No Regrets." - William Borden (discovered written in his Bible after his untimely death) FYI: Christian character is cultivated in the trials, in the wilderness experiences of life. Those who come out of the wilderness are all in with God! Moses’ leadership character was cultivated in the backside of the desert. Leaders must be prepared to protect. Leaders must be prepared to sacrifice themselves. Paul’s leadership character was cultivated in the trials of life. It is in the trials of life, in the wilderness experiences of life, that your character is cultivated. "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply." - Aiden Wilson (AW) Tozer "Does it not seem strange that the generation with the most advanced technology and the easiest-to-read Bible translations is the weakest generation of Christians in the history of our country? Church attendance has never been lower, and the Christian influence in our culture never weaker." - AW Tozer Paul to the Ephesian Elders ( Acts 20: 1920) : “Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials.” Humility is a character trait of Godly leaders! Paul taught the “whole counsel of God” Paul’s encouragement to all Elders ( Acts 20: 27 ( Acts 20: 28 ) ) : “Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Biblical terms: Elder = older, mature man (wisdom) Bishop = oversee, supervise (governing, managing) Pastor = shepherd (teaching) Biblical terms: Elders are bishops (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7) and elders are pastors (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) Elders, bishops, and pastors (1) are always used in the plural and (2) are always used in the masculine (males). The Role of Elders Elders' work was defined for them in 1 Peter 5:2-4 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." Elders are to protect the flock - “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” - Acts 20: 29 Elders are to protect from savage wolves - “Speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” - Acts 20: 30 Jude 3-4 puts it this way: "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." Calling all believers to WATCH and WARN!! “Therefore, WATCH and remember that for three years I did not cease to WARN everyone night and day with tears." - Acts 20:31 Satan’s tactic : To infiltrate believers with deceptive false teaching. How do Elders protect? “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God" - Acts 20: 27 Character Qualifications : - 1 Timothy 3: 17 - No one meets these character qualifications perfectly, except Jesus Christ - This should reflect the predominant way the perfect man conducts his life; Elders are not perfect The Elder’s Wife : Jason will need the support of his wife. God created woman to be a helper, an aid, a surround; one who understands the seriousness of his calling A man needs an understanding wife to help him the greatest he can be for God’s glory Be an Influencer for Jesus - Matthew 5:14

Christianity rises or falls on the Resurrection "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith." - 1 Corinthians 15:14 If Jesus did not rise from the dead . . . . . . then we are still in our sins If Jesus did not rise from the dead . . . . . . He was not the Messiah, our Savior If Jesus did not rise from the dead . . . . . . He would be a phony If Jesus did not rise from the dead . . . . . . this would be the greatest hoax in history If Jesus did not rise from the dead . . . . . . He would indeed be a liar and a lunatic JESUS DID RISE FROM THE DEAD – HE IS LORD!! For all the doubters, there is observable evidence: - THE TOMB WAS EMPTY! How could frightened, terrified disciples steal the body? - John 20: 19 What about grave robbers? - No self-respecting grave robber would take the time to fold the handkerchief around Jesus’ head or challenge a Roman guard What about the eyewitness testimony? - Too many people saw the Resurrected Jesus for it to be a farce What about doubting Thomas? - Thomas believed when he saw Jesus - John 20: 27-29 What about the changed lives of the disciples? - They went from running away from the battle, to running to the battle - All died violently, or were tortured - None recanted under pressure – people will not die for a lie! What about your life? How has Jesus changed you? - Go ask anyone whom Jesus touched, their lives have been CHANGED!! We can view Resurrection Sunday as when a day of infamy became a day of VICTORY! A day when Satan (the despicable one), the deceiver’s head was crushed – Genesis 3: 15 Christ’s Resurrection assures our resurrection! John 14: 19 This Resurrection Sunday, may all believers rejoice! “HE IS RISEN!” “HE IS RISEN INDEED!!” WHAT A DIFFERENCE HE MADE IN MY LIFE! Jesus Made All The Difference

What was so good about Good Friday? Here's what . . .

REMEMBER: Doubting God is a flesh thing We cannot please God by doubting – Romans 8: 8 What must I do with doubt? View doubt as an ENEMY; doubt is a peace stealer, an anxiety producer Throw doubt off a cliff! When the doubt storm comes . . . . . TRUST GOD! You are here for a purpose; fulfill your purpose! Paul died bravely, believing and trusting Jesus! HE DID NOT DOUBT! His circumstances did not shake his belief Maybe you, too, can say with Paul . . . . . . . I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE! I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH! - 2 Timothy 4:7 Selah! Think about it!

CAUTION: Do not make the mistake the disciples made and spiritualize the Scriptures If you do, you will walk away with a faulty interpretation Jesus holds people responsible to know the Scriptures and to watch and be ready – Luke 19: 43-44 They did not know the Scriptures and what to expect of Messiah’s arrival Zechariah 9: 9-10 – Messiah’s first coming was lowly, riding on a donkey Messiah’s second coming speaks of a horse and battle bow; He brings peace by establishing His kingdom LESSON: To understand what is coming will require a literal application of Scripture One’s hermeneutics, how the Bible is interpreted, will affect one’s future view: Literal: This approach seeks out the “plain meaning” of the text Moral: This approach is supposed to reveal the ethics behind any text Allegorical: This approach focuses on stories that impart a lesson Devotional: This approach is on proper interpretation and application to one’s life The Golden Rule of Interpretation: Biblical passages are to be taken literally, as read, unless the text indicates otherwise The Law of Context: A text apart from context is pretext; a verse can only mean what it means in context Our Goal: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” - 2 Timothy 2: 15 EISEGESIS: The interpreter makes the Scripture say what he wants it to say. EXEGESIS: The interpreter makes the Scripture say what God has to say. Today, God is speaking; allow His Word to penetrate your soul and go deep into your being! This will help us: "I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes; I will not forget Your word." Psalm 119:15-16 Those immersed in the Word, and filled with the Holy Spirit, will have a spring of hope! HOLY BOLDNESS will mark their lives! Hated by the world yet loved by God! Shunned by the world, yet stand with HOLY BOLDNESS!! Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in. the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. - Psalm 84:10-11 This is our time . . . . . Make this the best of times! Make a difference Brothers and Sisters . . . . . MAKE A DIFFERENCE!! WALK WITH HOLY BOLDNESS!

The supernatural marked Jesus’ ministry and His death Miracles occur when God breaks into the daily and does things that defy the laws of science There is one coming who will defy the laws of science – he is the antichrist! He will do genuine signs and wonders that will mesmerize the world – 2 Thessalonians 2: 9 BE CAREFUL CHURCH: The supernatural will become more common place Be discerning, don’t get mesmerized by the counterfeit! What are we to do? TEST THE SPIRITS! 1 John 4: 1 1 Thessalonians 5: 21 Test = “dokimazo” = to try, to prove, to discern How do we test (dokimazo)? Test what is said or done with the Word of God! It is incumbent on every believer to act with discernment Discernment = to distinguish, to decide; to judge if true or false Why am I emphasizing this? America is in post-Christian apostasy; the True God is rejected in mass; the pantheon of false gods has returned to our shores The supernatural is coming . . . . . WATCH! BE PREPARED!! BE DISCERNING!!! BE STRONG IN YOUR GOD!!!! 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." Don't ignore the realities of today. This is "bull in a blizzard" time!!

Does God get angry and wrathful? YES! God’s anger burns against the destructiveness of sin and rebellion against Him – Romans 1: 18 Wrath/Anger – we have all felt this! It is uncomfortable and unpleasant We must learn to deal with our anger! Anger is a basic human emotional response experienced by ALL PEOPLE! God's Anger is Precise and Accomplishes Righteousness People's Anger causes Chaotic Destruction and destroys lives, nations, friendships, churches, and families - Psalm 37:8 Fleshly anger = a characteristic of the flesh is outbursts of wrath (thumos) – Galatians 5: 20 Simmering, not dealt with anger (orge) can crescendo into thumus anger We must deal with our anger (orge) before our anger (thumos) deals with us – James 1: 20 Righteous anger = is directed at the consequences of sin - Ephesians 4: 26 If anger continues and marinates, it is not righteous, but selfish and bitter – Hebrews 12: 15 Freedom from anger is to realize freedom from anger, and we need the Holy Spirit's power to help us. Identify your triggers! Some are: Insults, Stress and Worries, Disappointment/Annoyance, Fears, Resentment, Frustration, Rejection, Hurt, Embarrassment, Having possessions taken or broken, Jealousy, Being teased or talked about, Low-Self Esteem, Grief, Home Life. Anger is a problem: * When it harms you * When it leads to aggression * When it harms people around you * When it disrupts relationships * When it is too frequent, intense and lasts long * When it effects your overall quality of life * When chronis, explosive anger spirals out of control Dealing with Anger: * Cool off, stay calm * Walk Away * Count to 10 * Take deep breaths * Use calming self-talk: "I can handle this. Chill. It's not as bad as it seems." * Imagine you are in a peaceful place. MY TWO CENTS: * Take a time out and turn to God - Forgiveness is an essential part of your recovery from anger - Recognize you have been totally forgiven by God - Forgive the debt and let it go FIDO = forget it and drive on - Confess your anger and unforgiveness to the Lord - Seek to reconcile if possible (not always possible) - Once forgiveness is given, NO TAKES BACK, don’t bring it up again! What does it look like to forgive someone practically? Forgiveness means you - 1) Don't seek revenge in any way 2) Cancel all debts 3) Don't criticize 4) Forgive unconditionally 5) Bless the person (blessings - wishing the best in life) ~REMEMBER THE HEART OF JESUS~ “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” You have been set FREE, so live free from the bondage of unforgiveness and anger! YOU HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, you have the tools . . . . . NOW WALK IN WHAT YOU KNOW!! God Wants You Free Forgiveness is the JESUS WAY!

The greatest abuse a person can do to God is rejecting His Son, ignoring His Son! How does the average person, the passerby, abuse God today? 1) Any person that ignores Jesus’ claim to deity abuses Jesus 2) Any person taking Jesus’ name in vain abuses God 3) Any person that makes a flesh choice, not a faith choice, abuses God 4) Any person who does not speak for Jesus at crunch time, abuses God There you have it – the wrath of arrogant mankind on Jesus! This pales in comparison to Scene Two next week: GOD pours all His wrath on His Son Heartbreaking, but necessary! THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY!

Fulfilled Prophecy – it’s all true! The Bible is true! Christianity is true! There is proof that you are believing the Truth! Consider: Daniel, whom many claim could not possibly have predicted, with such accuracy, the decline and ascent of the kingdom’s future. Consider: Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was predicted - John 13: 18. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver as stated by Zechariah the prophet - Zechariah 11: 13. Judas threw the silver into the temple, just like Zechariah said he would. Coincidence? NO, fulfilled prophecy!! Consider: What Jesus said about Peter’s betrayal - Matthew 26: 34; “Assuredly I say to you this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” What happened that night? Peter betrayed Jesus 3 times, just as Jesus said he would. Coincidence? I think not – this is fulfilled prophecy!! Roughly 1/3rd of the Bible is made up of prophecies One calculation: There are 332 Messianic prophecies from the Hebrew Bible fulfilled by Jesus No other world religion has any fulfilled prophesies, NONE! Consider: Peter Stoner, in Science Speaks, demonstrates that coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability. Using modern science, in reference to 8 prophecies, we find that the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all 8 prophecies is 1 in 10 to the 17th power. Stoner gives an illustration: Fill the state of Texas knee deep with silver dollars. Included in this number is one silver dollar with a black check mark on it. Turn a blindfolded person loose in the sea of silver dollars. The odds that the first coin he would pick up would be the one with the black check mark are the same as 8 prophecies being fulfilled accidentally in the life of Jesus. 48 prophecies would be 1 in 10 to the 157th power. The number of electrons in the universe is around 10 to the 79th power. Jesus is who He said He is – GOD! THE ONLY WAY! – John 14: 6 JESUS IS STILL THE ANSWER! You can trust God’s Word! Hear Jesus, “Your Word is Truth” No one can deny how this One Solitary Life changed the world! I CANNOT DENY HOW CHRIST HAS CHANGED ME! Hopefully, you feel the same way!

Do not be like Pilate and be indecisive, ignoring the evidence BEHOLD, Today is the Day of Salvation! COME TO CHRIST WHILE YOU CAN! The ABC's of Salvation A = ADMIT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23 B - BELIEVE ON CHRIST. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" - Acts 16:31 C - CONFESS YOUR SINS. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation" - Romans 10:9-10

True humility is modeled by Jesus. We (Christians) are to emulate that character trait. It takes a lot of practice. We won't be perfect at it, but our motto should be; "Direction, not Perfection".

Jesus had to deal with Peter’s pride Peter, after his three denials of Christ, was not seen as prideful again Peter was broken, and Peter was restored - John 21: 15-20 Jesus said these amazing words to Peter, and also to each of us who stumble: “FOLLOW ME” Jesus did not leave Peter languishing in his past, but encouraged Peter to move past his failures Folks, this is the normal Christian life . . . . . Never quitting Never giving up ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD! Jesus is always waiting with arms wide open to welcome you! THIS IS AMAZING LOVE! Jesus said; "Come follow Me" "The Spirit and the bride say "Come" - Revelation 22:17

What a story! What a God!! WHAT A SAVIOR!!! The life of Jesus is full of drama and mystery This One solitary life impacted the whole world like none other!! Thy Kingdom come . . . . Thy will be done . . . . WILL be fulfilled, and might I say, SOON!! We cannot deny how our world is changing in preparation for the return of our KING!! This Christmas season, may we have a spirit of MARANATHA - Even so, come Lord Jesus! UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN - UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN Isaiah 9:6-7 "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Merry CHRISTmas to all!

This Christmas season remember: Who you are in Christ This Christmas season remember: We are slat and light This Christmas season remember: That we are Christ followers - we represent Him! ALL HAIL KING JESUS! HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! Merry CHRISTmas to all!

Many in our world hate Jesus and His followers Persecution is to be expected – Jesus warned us! John 15: 18 & 20 So many get off the Jesus train at this point The American Jesus is a “give me what I want Jesus”, the soft cushy life, it’s all about ME! This is a FALSE GOSPEL – it is not about us, but Him! The “give me” sells, it appeals to our will and our way; folks that is the flesh! Many today are being persecuted and dying for their faith We must deal with the REALITY of persecution How will you RESPOND when it comes to your house? REALIZE there are rewards to persecution - A full dependance on God, a deep degree of fellowship with the Living God - The PRESENCE of God: I will trust in the Lord until I die attitude! Jesus is real, and every human must deal with Him Jesus is alive; His resurrection is the hope of humanity * What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ? * Is there room in your heart for Christ to write His story?

The disciples could not fathom the plan, most can’t! God knew the disciples would betray and desert Him; prophecy fulfillment was the PLAN! At some level, we all enter into betrayal and desertion - - Every time we sin, it is a betrayal of our Lord - Every time we sin, we desert God for that moment Paul expresses our greatest plan - to know Christ! "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 Hold lightly to your plans and be prepared for a plan change – Proverbs 16: 9 * The greatest PLAN is to Know Him * The greatest PLAN is to Serve Him * The greatest PLAN is to Enjoy Him forever GOD MADE A PLAN!!

Gethsemane means oil press or olive press; a place to go when we are crushed. Gethsemane teaches us: - to go to our prayer place and meet with God Jesus had to be crushed Jesus did what only the God/man could do Jesus paid our sin debt and reconciled us to God Isaiah 53:4-5 "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." But He was PIERCED for our rebellion, CRUSHED for our sins. He was BEATEN so we could be whole. He was WHIPPED so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5) The Lord was please to crush Him - Isaiah 53:10 Why was this moment crushing for Jesus? - Jesus knows that on the cross He will take all the sins of the world on Himself. In a sense, Jesus will be crushed by our sins! Gethsemane teaches us: - In prayer, we become one with God. - Gethsemane is a place where my will is crushed, and my will no longer matters. - God’s will becomes my will – I am truly one with God! Gethsemane teaches us: - what Jesus' agony was really about. - Jesus knows that when my sins, and all the sins of the world, are placed on Him, Jesus will lose something precious, the sense of the presence of His Father. - This is described in Jesus’ fourth cry from the cross – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” - THIS IS THE AGONY OF THE CROSS! Gethsemane teaches us; - My will and my way gives way to God’s will and God’s Way! - In Gethsemane, I go from struggle and agony, to resolution - In Gethsemane, I realize GOD HAS IT! We, too, will have our Gethsemane moments I pray that we will learn from Jesus and follow His lead! GOD HAS IT! NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL FATHER! MAKE YOUR GETHSEMANE YOUIR GREATEST GOD-GLORIFYING MOMENT! THIS IS FINISHING WELL!! Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace." Shalom is: - Well-being - Completeness - Prosperity - WHOLENESS - Health - Safety - Harmony with God and others

What Do We Do When We Stumble? Since we are all flesh and blood, we are all prone to wander, prone to sin, and prone to stumble We are all faced with multiple opportunities to stumble – but we don’t have to stumble! You have the indwelling Holy Spirit; you can make a faith choice instead of a flesh choice We do not have to be controlled by our urges and our emotions We can be Spirit controlled! Every temptation we go through is an invitation to act independent of God There is a critical moment: A time when a person decides which way he or she will go [Two illustrations, same layout, different outcome] [Process of Salvation illustration] Born dead in sin Point of Conversion is "JUSTIFICATION" Progressive Spiritual Growth is "SANCTIFICATION' Point of Death is "GLORIFICATION" What do we do when we stumble? 1) Own it – don’t make excuses – I did it, “but”, is an indication we are not getting it 2) Confess it – 1 John 1: 9 is our go to place 3) Don’t wallow in it – don’t wallow in despair; don’t allow Satan to make you wallow in guilt 4) Forgive yourself – this can be the most difficult; allow God to take your guilt and restore you 5) Forgive others – don’t live in payback land; anger and resentment are joy and peace stealers Learn from the past; learn from our stumbles But do not live in the past! You are not identified by who you were and what you did . . . . . . . But by who you are in Christ NOW!! NO LOOKING BACK! Philippians 3:13-14 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Life is full of painful events, some caused by us, some caused by others - In any event, MOVE ON!! We are not defined by our past, but how we respond to our past C.S. Lewis (Screw Tape Letters) describes Satan’s strategy: “He gets Christians to become preoccupied with their failures; from then on, the battle is won.” What do we do when we stumble? - Run to the Father, He will forgive - Own it, confess it, don’t wallow in it! - Forgive yourself! This will result in a spiritually healthy, joyful, fulfilled you!

The Lord’s Supper must be taken with self examination Self-Examination - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29... So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks of the cub of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without recognizing the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. The Passover involves four cups at the time of Jesus (Exodus 6:6-7) 1) I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians 2) I will rescue you from your slavery 3) I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with might acts of judgment 4) I will take you as my own people and I will be your God The four cups tell us what God has done for all of us in Christ – Exodus 6: 5-7 First cup = Sanctification - "I will bring you out". - Bring you out of bondage; separate you to Myself Second cup = Rescue - "I will rid you of your bondage". - God acting to save one from danger; to remove one from legal custody by force Third cup = Redemption - "I will redeem you". - I will pay the ransom price for you. Satan's legal custody was broken at the cross - Every believer was rescued from the kingdom of darkness and placed into the kingdom of light This is the communion cup we partake of today; "This do in remembrance of Me" Fourth cup = Acceptance - "I will take you". - God acting to accept one as the Bridegroom does the Bride Jesus will not drink this cup until His Bride is in the kingdom with Him Focus on the Third cup - The Communion Cup 1) When we drink this cup, we remember - we are the Bride of Christ 2) When we drink this cup, we remember - our Bridegroom died for us Jesus' broken body and shed blood was for you! 3) When we drink this cup, we remember - our Bridegroom will come unannounced - BE READY! 4) When we drink this cup, we remember - to remain loyal to our Bridegroom until He returns In this season of chaos, it is good to remember... JESUS IS COMING FOR US! THE KING IS INDEED COMING AND ALL WILL BE WELL! TODAY..... WE REMEMBER!!

Amid the horror of the Tribulation, a huge number of earth dwellers will become Tribulation saints Revelation 7:9 & 14 - After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, . . . And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Who will anyone be able to stand? Revelation 12:11 What happens to the sheep on the right? They enter the Millennial Kingdom What happens to the goats on the left? Everlasting punishment, stating with a place called torment Those in torment are awaiting the Great White Throne Judgment The destination of all at this judgment is the Lake of Fire Deceiving spirits are here today, alive and well in America Don’t fall for deception; stay strong, and stay connected It is the isolated, the spiritually weak, those separated from the herd, that are gobbled up 1 Peter 5:8; "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Through all the noise, listen for the voice of your Shepherd, He is calling you! What is He saying? "Come and follow Me" "My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27 FOLLOW YOUR SHEPHERD - All eyes on JESUS and deceiving spirits will not distract you!

The one who was not working is viewed as not genuine Real salvation results in real change in a person’s life Watch and be ready and work; do what God has called you to do True believers represent their Master in all situations, no blending, no chameleons! No one gets to heaven by being a little good or mostly good One gets to heaven the Jesus way ONLY - believing and receiving the gift of salvation! Once received, then work, represent, and honor our Lord with our lives It will be worth it all when we see Jesus and hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant. ... Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:21 The beauty of all of this is that He knows our potential, and He will not give you more than you can handle. The Lord was, and is, waiting for results in our lives! The master of those servants is fair, righteous, and loving.