Expect Great Things From God

Jesus is the Chain Breaker

Bible Text: Isaiah 61:1-2, John 8:31-36 | Jesus is the Chain Breaker

Chains are an obvious symbol of bondage.

In physical terms they restrict us, hold us down and signify our captive state.

In spiritual terms they do more or less the same.

While many of us won’t experience physical chains, we’re by no means immune to the impact of spiritual chains which harm our spiritual growth.

What are a few of the chains that keep us in bondage?

Fear

Anger

Pride

Bitterness

Unforgiveness

Hardness of Heart

Legalism

Unbelief

Jesus proclaimed from Isaiah chapter 61:1-2 and John 8: 31-36, that He can set us free from the chains of bondage and sin.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He broke the chains of sin, death, and the power of Devil.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ means we can be unchained from the bondage of sin and delivered from its power and walk in the newness of life.

Lord, I ask You to free me from _________.

I have tried and failed, because I relied on my own strength.

I thank You that in You I can know, forgiveness, freedom, and the fullness of life. Lord, I choose to place my faith and trust in You to be my Savior and chain breaker.

Thank You, Jesus, for setting me free! Amen!

Expectations

The New Covenant

The Abrahamic Covenant

Bible Text: Galatians 3:15-18

Thanks A Lot

Bible Text: Philippians 4:6-7

They Just Didn’t Get It

Bible Text: Luke 9:43-45; 18:31-34

They Just Didn’t Get It
Luke 9:43-45; 18:31-34

Have you ever struggled to understand a subject or teacher in school and you just didn’t get it?

In the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus predicted 3 times that,

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And when He is killed, after three days He will rise.”

In Luke’s Gospel we discover they just didn’t get it.
Luke 9:43-45; 18:31-34

They did not understand the saying.

It was concealed from them.

So that they might not perceive it.

They were afraid to ask Him about the saying.

Their responses to Jesus’ prediction confirmed they didn’t get it.

Peter’s response was, “Far be it from you, Lord; this shall not happen to You.”

The other disciples began to argue about who was the greatest.

Why didn’t they get it?

Probably because they couldn’t handle it yet.

If they really knew what would happen to Jesus, and how different it would be than their own conceptions of reigning with the Messiah in glory, they might have given up right then and there.

Why We Don’t Observe Lent

Bible Text: Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7

Why We Don’t Observe Lent

Lent is a well-known tradition among various denominations, but is this 40-day period of fasting and purification Biblical?

Let’s examine its history, purpose, and the Scriptures to find out.

History

In 360 A.D. the Roman Church at the Council of Laodicea officially commanded the observance of Lent.

So, 300 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection its practice was established.

Purpose

The purpose of Lent is to provide spiritual purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first in their hearts.

Their claim is that through self-denial we can become pure.

The Scriptures say that we are made pure by the shed blood of the Jesus
(Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7).

No amount of fasting, abstinence, or self-denial can purify us from sin.

Lent promotes a works-based salvation that diminishes the saving work of Jesus!

Paul had some important things to say about this form of self-denial used to try to produce our own godliness: Colossians 2:20-23

Lent is a doctrine of men that commands denial of certain things for the purpose of purifying ourselves.

And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:7

Today, it’s popular to have a big wild party right before Lent begins.

This party is referred to as “Mardi Gras” in French or “Fat Tuesday” in English, and in Latin countries, it is referred to as “Carnival”, which comes from the Latin “Carne Vale” which means “Goodbye to meat”.

This day of celebration has come to include wild parties, fatty foods, fornication, drunkenness, dancing, and various forms of lewdness.

It is one last chance to get your sinning done before the fast begins.

Jesus says concerning fasting we should… in Matthew 6:16-18.

Concerning self-denial, we should… in Matthew 16:24

A Step of Faith

Bible Text: A Step of Faith

A Step of Faith
Matthew 14:22-33

In the film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Harrison Ford plays Indian Jones, a daring archaeologist who travels the world in search of treasures.

In this film, Indiana and his father are searching for the Holy Grail, the cup reputed to have been used by Christ at the Last Supper.

Indiana’s father is shot just at the end of their quest.

With his father dying, Indiana’s search for the cup leads him to take a step of faith.

A step of faith can be a scary and even traumatizing experience.

Our entire relationship with Jesus Christ is based on faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

How many times in life, have we made a commitment to Jesus that we would follow in faith only to quit or give up?

When was the last time we got out of the old comfortable boat and walked straight into the arms of Jesus without being distracted by the waves?

How many times have we thought about volunteering for a job at church only to change our mind?

How many times have we thought about telling a friend about Jesus only to chicken out?

Faith is simply taking God at His Word and then taking the next step looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

Feasting On Food From Heaven

Bible Text: John 4:31-39

Feasting On Food From Heaven
John 4:31-39

Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”

But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”

So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him something to eat?”

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish His work.

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.

For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’

I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”