thespeakndeacon.com

Closer to Jesus

Is this all worth it? Is Jesus worth following?

[Jhn 10:24 ESV] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

[Jhn 10:25 ESV] Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

[Jhn 10:26 ESV] but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

[Jhn 10:27 ESV] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

[Jhn 10:28 ESV] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

[Jhn 10:29 ESV] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

[Jhn 10:30 ESV] I and the Father are one."

[Jhn 10:31 ESV] The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.

[Jhn 10:32 ESV] Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?"

[Jhn 10:33 ESV] The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God."

[Jhn 10:34 ESV] Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'?

[Jhn 10:35 ESV] If he called them gods to whom the word of God came--and Scripture cannot be broken—

Psalm 82

[Psa 82:6 ESV] I said, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;

[Psa 82:7 ESV] nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince."

[Jhn 10:36 ESV] do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

[Jhn 10:37 ESV] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;

[Jhn 10:38 ESV] but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

[Jhn 10:39 ESV] Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 

Let’s take a look at the evidence of Jesus’ Miracles. 

List of Miracles by Jesus. 

Jesus changed water into wine (John 2:1-11).

Jesus cured the nobleman's son (John 4:46-47).

The great haul of fishes (Luke 5:1-11).

Jesus cast out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-28).

Jesus cured Peter's mother-in-law of a fever (Mark 1:30-31).

Jesus healed a leper (Mark 1:40-45).

Jesus healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13).

Jesus raised the widow's son from the dead (Luke 7:11-18).

Jesus stilled the storm (Matthew 8:23-27).

Jesus cured two demoniacs (Matthew 8:28-34).

Jesus cured the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8).

Jesus raised the ruler's daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26).

Jesus cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48).

Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31).

Jesus loosened the tongue of a man who could not speak (Matthew 9:32-33).

Jesus healed an invalid man at the pool called Bethesda (John 5:1-9).

Jesus restored a withered hand (Matthew 12:10-13).

Jesus cured a demon-possessed man (Matthew 12:22).

Jesus fed at least five thousand people (Matthew 14:15-21).

Jesus healed a woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:22-28).

Jesus cured a deaf and mute man (Mark 7:31-37).

Jesus fed at least four thousand people (Matthew 15:32-39).

Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man (Mark 8:22-26).

Jesus cured a boy who was plagued by a demon (Matthew 17:14-21).

Jesus opened the eyes of a man born blind (John 9:1-38)

Jesus cured a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17).

Jesus cured a man of dropsy (Luke 14:1-4).

Jesus cleansed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46).

Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 20:30-34).

Jesus caused the fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:18-22).

Jesus restored the ear of the high priest's servant (Luke 22:50-51).

Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:5-6).

The second great haul of fishes (John 21:1-14).

[Jhn 10:27 ESV] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

[Eph 5:15 ESV] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

[Eph 5:16 ESV] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

[Eph 5:17 ESV] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

What is God’s will for you?  Do you know it?  Is it driving you?

Everything I do is because Jesus. 

[Rom 12:1 ESV] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

[Rom 12:2 ESV] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

[1Pe 1:13 ESV] Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

[1Pe 1:14 ESV] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

[1Pe 1:15 ESV] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

[1Pe 1:16 ESV] since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

[Eph 5:18 ESV] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

[Eph 5:19 ESV] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

[Eph 5:20 ESV] giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

[Eph 5:21 ESV] submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Pushing forward

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Who Is Jesus? 6; Building His Church

Christology 7

building His church,

interceding for us,

and reigning over all things.

Jesus Christ is Lord;

we praise His holy Name forever.

Building His Church,

[Mat 16:16 ESV] Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

[Mat 16:17 ESV] And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

[Mat 16:18 ESV] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Visible & Invisible Church. 

The Visible church is evidence of the Invisible Church. 

What about all the different denominations?

Prepping for hunting season, you walk in the woods and look for evidence of deer. 

Tracks, scat and scrapings. 

The Invisible Church

On the hunt for new creations.  Strange People. 

[2Co 5:16 ESV] From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

[2Co 5:17 ESV] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Interceding for us,

[1Ti 2:5 ESV] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

[1Ti 2:6 ESV] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Those people. . . 

People who can’t seem to leave their religion in the church. 

Offer to pray for someone. 

Invite them to church.

Everyone knows they go to church all the time. 

DO NOT SIN, like everyone else is doing.  

[2Co 5:18 ESV] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

[2Co 5:19 ESV] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

[2Co 5:20 ESV] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

[2Co 5:21 ESV] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Visible Church

[Act 2:41 ESV] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

[Act 2:42 ESV] And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

1. My relationship to Jesus does not depend upon being a member of a local church.

2. However, my relationship to Jesus as my King, demands that I be involved in a local church, not just a member, but involved. 

The question you want to have settled in your heart. 

Are you part of the invisible church?  Does Jesus own you, rule over you, and command you and do you push forward to obey?

I am Christian because Jesus saved me.  Invisible

I’m an involved Member of a local church because Jesus commands it.   Visible.

You cannot be a Christian and miss church for long. 

God commands you belong to a local church.  Hebrews 10:24-25

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/global/christian-persecution-china-even-worse-you-thought

In China; 

It’s unprecedented persecution against the Church, where church leaders are going to prison, are being sent to mental institutions, are being beaten and tortured and where crosses have been forcibly removed from now over 1,800 churches since 2014.

Why do you come to church?

Why label yourself as a Christian?

Consider why you might miss church?

Jesus Christ is Lord;

we praise His holy Name forever.

Who Is Jesus 7

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Who Is Jesus? 5; Prophet, Priest and King

Christology 6

He is our Prophet, Priest, and King, 

Prophet

[Heb 1:1 ESV] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

[Heb 1:2 ESV] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

[Heb 1:3 ESV] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Jesus states where His Authority is from. 

[Jhn 12:49 ESV] For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak.

[Jhn 12:50 ESV] And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

A Prophet of God is commanded to Say what God gives them to say. 

[Eze 33:7 ESV] "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

[Eze 33:8 ESV] If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way,  that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

[Eze 33:9 ESV] But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Jesus IS.

[Col 1:15 ESV] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

[Col 1:16 ESV] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.

[Col 1:17 ESV] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

[Col 1:18 ESV] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

[Col 1:19 ESV] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

[Col 1:20 ESV] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Priest

[Heb 2:17 ESV] Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

[Heb 7:24 ESV] but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.

[Heb 7:25 ESV] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

[Heb 7:26 ESV] For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

King

[Jer 23:5 ESV] "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

[Jer 23:6 ESV] In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'

[Isa 9:6 ESV] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[Isa 9:7 ESV] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

[Rev 19:16 ESV] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

King Verses:

[Luk 1:32 ESV] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

[Luk 1:33 ESV] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

No other name.

[Act 4:12 ESV] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Everlasting Kingdom

[Dan 7:14 ESV] And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

All will bow to Jesus.

All will bow and confess. 

[Rom 14:10 ESV] Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

[Rom 14:11 ESV] for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 

[Rom 14:12 ESV] So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

It is Written:

[Isa 45:23 ESV] By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.' 

Philippians 

[Phl 2:9 ESV] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

[Phl 2:10 ESV] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

[Phl 2:11 ESV] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Is Jesus your King? Is He your Leader?

Do you know His orders and are you pushing forward to obey His Orders?

Jesus said to the religious leaders.

[Jhn 8:42 ESV] Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

Love of Jesus is to keep His commands. 

[Jhn 14:15 ESV] "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

[Jhn 14:16 ESV] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

[Jhn 14:17 ESV] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

[Jhn 14:18 ESV] "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

[Jhn 14:19 ESV] Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

[Jhn 14:20 ESV] In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

[Jhn 14:21 ESV] Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

Switch Your Yoke

[Mat 11:28 ESV] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

[Mat 11:29 ESV] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[Mat 11:30 ESV] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Who Is Jesus 6; Prophet, Priest & King

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Who Is Jesus? 4, He took our filthy rags and gave us His righteous robe.

He took our filthy rags and gave us

His righteous robe.

For us,

He kept the Law, 

atoned for sin,

and satisfied God’s wrath. 

He took our filthy rags and gave us

His righteous robe.

Imputation

3.

Law. to ascribe to or charge (a person) with an act or quality because of the conduct of another over whom one has control or for whose acts or conduct one is responsible.

4.

Theology. to attribute (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to a person orpersons vicariously; ascribe as derived from another.

ARTICLE 13

We affirm that because of Christ’s life of obedience and death, our sin is imputed to Him and His righteousness is imputed to us by faith.

We deny that our sin is merely overlooked or passed over, and we also deny that Christ’s righteousness is not imputed to us.

Monergy VS Synergy. 

[Isa 64:6 ESV] We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21)

God forgave us of our sins AND declared us Righteous in Christ

The Law helps us see we can’t do.

[Rom 3:20 ESV] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

[Rom 3:21 ESV] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--

[Rom 3:22 ESV] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

[Rom 3:23 ESV] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

[Rom 3:24 ESV] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Does not do Works of the Law. 

[Rom 4:5 ESV] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

[Rom 4:6 ESV] just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

[Rom 4:7 ESV] "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;

[Rom 4:8 ESV] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."

Jesus became our Righteousness

[1Co 1:28 ESV] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

[1Co 1:29 ESV] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

[1Co 1:30 ESV] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

[1Co 1:31 ESV] so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Righteousness comes through Faith in Christ, not works.

[Phl 3:9 ESV] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Sola Fide, by faith alone.

Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.

Solus Christus, through Christ alone.

Sola Gratia, by grace alone.

Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

What about doing good works?

Work’s does not save you, works is the response of the saved. 

Call to action:  Response.

[Phl 3:8 ESV] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Call to Action:  Love may Abound more and more. 

[Phl 1:9 ESV] And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

[Phl 1:10 ESV] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

[Phl 1:11 ESV] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

What are the works of the saved?

Great Command

Great Commission

Five Disciplines. 

What is most important to you?

Communion 

[1Co 11:23 ESV] For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,

[1Co 11:24 ESV] and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

[1Co 11:25 ESV] In the same way also he took the cup, 

after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

[1Co 11:26 ESV] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Who Is Jesus 5

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Christology 3 For Us!

Christology 4

For us,

He kept the Law, 

atoned for sin,

and satisfied God’s wrath. 

He took our filthy rags and gave us

His righteous robe.

We affirm that Jesus is the perfect and supreme image of God, and that to be truly human is to be conformed to His image.

We also deny that sin is inherent to true humanity or that Jesus’ sinlessness is incompatible with His being truly human.

People who believe in free will believe evil is part of that “freedom”.  Yet, Christ as a human truly had a free will, yet evil or sin was not in His nature.  That is a what a free will looks like. 

Therefore He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb. 2:17–18).

Propitiate (To make favorably inclined: appease)

Propitiation:  the act of propitiating, conciliation. 

1 Cor.  15:45 Jesus is the Last Adam

So it is written:  The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. 

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 

Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 

Grace:  Giving us what we DON’T deserve.  

And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. 

1,2,3, 4 punch

For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, 

but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  *difference: “all men” extent vs effect

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:12–21).

  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5).

In the statement it begins with “For Us”

God want’s to make sure one thing is settled for you.  Your Salvation. 

1. That You Are going to Heaven

2. How you are going to heaven. 

Why?  How you live your life, is based on what you know. 

Someone who truly understands and feels loved by God, wants to Love God back. 

1. By pursuing Him. TO KNOW HIM.   And OBEY HIM. 

2. The Bible is the most direct way to Know God. 

3. The Christian is compelled by LOVE to want to know what is in the Bible.  Because that is how we pursue God. 

1John 3:1.   But whoever obeys His Word, truly in this person the Love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. 

Jude 1: 20

But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, 

21 keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for Eternal Life. 

Who Is Jesus 4

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Who Is Jesus 2; The Return of Christ

He was born of the Virgin Mary

and lived among us.

Crucified, dead, and buried,

He rose on the third day,

ascended to heaven,

and will come again

in glory and judgment.

Lived a sinless life among us. 

*Last week I stated that God could not lose to sin and the devils temptations.  

Subtly shift from Christ’s humanity to His deity.   

Humanity, could not lose. 

1 Sinless, w/ knowledge of who He is 

2. Filled with Holy Spirit. 

He lived among us. 

[2Co 5:21 ESV] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Only a sinless offering can be offered for sin. 

Son of man and Son of God

[Rom 1:1 ESV] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

[Rom 1:2 ESV] which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

[Rom 1:3 ESV] concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

[Rom 1:4 ESV] and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Ascended into Heaven. 

[Act 1:9 ESV] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

[Act 1:10 ESV] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,

[Act 1:11 ESV] and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Jesus comes and goes on His terms, not His creature’s terms. 

His return is in Glory and Judgement. 

2 things most people do not want. 

Remember God’s most offensive character trait to a fallen race, is His Holiness. 

The Return of Christ. No Mistaking It, Glory

[Mat 24:21 ESV] For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

[Mat 24:22 ESV] And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

[Mat 24:23 ESV] Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.

[Mat 24:24 ESV] For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

[Mat 24:25 ESV] See, I have told you beforehand.

[Mat 24:26 ESV] So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

[Mat 24:27 ESV] For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

[Mat 24:28 ESV] Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

[Mat 24:29 ESV] "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

[Mat 24:30 ESV] Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

[Mat 24:31 ESV] And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Judgement

Jesus will be your Judge.  More than that. 

[Mat 25:31 ESV] "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

[Mat 25:32 ESV] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Get on God’s Good side. 

Let Him forgive you. 

Admit you need forgiving. 

Yield to Jesus, Ask Jesus to take your life.  Be your boss, captain and leader. 

Yield to Him, ask Him to lead you. Then read your Bible so you can get orders of what to do. 

Live the life you were created to live. 

[2Co 5:14 ESV] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

[2Co 5:15 ESV] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

[2Co 5:16 ESV] From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

[2Co 5:17 ESV] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

[2Co 5:18 ESV] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

[2Co 5:19 ESV] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Who Is Jesus 2

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

The Resurrection Had To Happen

The Importance of Why Jesus HAD to be raised from the Dead. 

Morning Service: 

The most important holiday for Christians is not Christmas but Easter. 

Because in Easter we celebrate the victory of Jesus over our sin, over death, over evil. 

Jesus has reconciled man to God by paying a debt you and I cannot pay. 

[1Co 15:12 ESV] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

[1Co 15:13 ESV] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

[1Co 15:14 ESV] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

[1Co 15:15 ESV] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

[1Co 15:16 ESV] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.

[1Co 15:17 ESV] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

[1Co 15:18 ESV] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

[1Co 15:19 ESV] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

[1Co 15:20 ESV] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

[1Co 15:21 ESV] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

[1Co 15:22 ESV] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

[1Co 15:23 ESV] But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

[1Co 15:24 ESV] Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

[1Co 15:25 ESV] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

[1Co 15:26 ESV] The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

[1Co 15:27 ESV] For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

[1Co 15:28 ESV] When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Are You Trusting In Jesus as your only way that God is going to allow you into Heaven?

[Heb 10:29 ESV] How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

[Heb 10:30 ESV] For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people."

[Heb 10:31 ESV] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

[Jhn 12:48 ESV] The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

[Jhn 10:25 ESV] Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

[Jhn 10:26 ESV] but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

[Jhn 10:27 ESV] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

[Jhn 10:28 ESV] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

[Jhn 10:29 ESV] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

[Jhn 10:30 ESV] I and the Father are one."

[Jhn 14:21 ESV] Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

Do You Know Him?

Main Service Easter 2016

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Sanctification; God Changing You

Sanctification:  Hope in Change, Your Change.

Sanctification:   

1. A Separation from the world to God. 

2. Purified

3. Justified

consecration

to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity:

consecration, purification

the effect of consecration

sanctification of heart and life

[2Th 2:13 ESV] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

[2Th 2:14 ESV] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All Things for Your Good and God’s Glory. 

[Rom 8:28 ESV] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

[Rom 8:29 ESV] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

[Rom 8:30 ESV] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Sanctification.  Sep apart for God. 

[1Co 1:30 ESV] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

[1Co 1:31 ESV] so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Victory that comes From God and Through God, To God Glory. 

[Rom 8:31 ESV] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

[Rom 8:32 ESV] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

The Victory is you, rescued from evil and set apart for God. 

[Rom 8:33 ESV] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

[Rom 8:34 ESV] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

[Rom 8:35 ESV] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

[Rom 8:36 ESV] As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

Pause Right There.  The Love of Christ.  Clearly is not “creature comforts”. 

True Life; The Real You is already been made alive.

The Real You is already Immortal. 

[2Co 5:4 ESV] For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

The Love of Christ is the Relationship forever connected with Your Creator. So that every little detail of  your life, from what socks you will wear to your career, relationships.  All have an eternal meaning and purpose. 

More than a Conqueror. 

[Rom 8:37 ESV] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

[Rom 8:38 ESV] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

[Rom 8:39 ESV] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Creation’s enemies simply cannot beat the Creator. 

Sin & Death, Sanctification and Eternal Life

[Rom 6:19 ESV] I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

[Rom 6:20 ESV] For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

[Rom 6:21 ESV] But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

[Rom 6:22 ESV] But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

[Rom 6:23 ESV] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God Perfects His Children

[1Jo 4:15 ESV] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

[1Jo 4:16 ESV] So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

[1Jo 4:17 ESV] By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

[1Jo 4:18 ESV] There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

[1Jo 4:19 ESV] We love because he first loved us.

God who does not change, changes us. 

[Mal 3:6 ESV] "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Reflection questions

Are God things becoming habit in your life?

Are God things becoming the norm?

The Five Disciplines.  Are they life habits for you? 

Church is an uncompromising norm.  Sunday I go to church. 

God Will Finish what He started. 

[Phl 1:6 ESV] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Sanctification

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Sanctification

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

What Does The Bible Say About Owning Guns?

Do Not Resist an Evil Person

[Mat 5:38 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

 (Civil Justice, with the temptation for revenge.)

Civil Justice Examples of neighborly disputes.  Things that make us say, “That’s not fair”. 

[Mat 5:39 ESV] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

[Mat 5:40 ESV] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

[Mat 5:41 ESV] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

[Mat 5:42 ESV] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Do not resist the one who is evil. Slap, stealing, forcing, and begging. 

These are not examples of life threatening situations.  

These are examples of “unfair or unjust” experiences we have with our neighbors. 

But what about life-threatening situations?

Breaking and entering? Hurting your neighbor? 

Justice for a thief (not a murderer or rapist)

[Exo 22:2 ESV]  If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him,

[Exo 22:3 ESV] but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. 

He (The Thief) shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

This is not an issue of endangerment to personal-self or family. This is an issue of stealing. 

The Westminster Catechism uses a term called General Equity. 

What overarching moral law is governing the situation?

And what clear commands has God Given us? 

Command of God for men to LOVE for their wife and family. 

[Eph 5:25 ESV] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

[Eph 5:26 ESV] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

[Eph 5:27 ESV] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

[Eph 5:28 ESV] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

[Eph 5:29 ESV] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,

[Eph 5:30 ESV] because we are members of his body.

The Bible doesn’t say anywhere you can’t own a weapon. 

Jesus command to be prepared, during the last supper mentions owning a sword. 

[Luk 22:35 ESV] And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."

[Luk 22:36 ESV] He said to them, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

[Luk 22:37 ESV] For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment."

[Luk 22:38 ESV] And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough."

Example:  Mission Trip training. 

Prepping for a trip. 

Governing laws

Cultural norms. 

Why: as Christians we don’t want to do anything that is perceived Offensive or Sinful. 

Be Subject to Governing Authorities.

[Rom 13:1 ESV] Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

[Rom 13:2 ESV] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

[Rom 13:3 ESV] For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

[Rom 13:4 ESV] for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

[Rom 13:5 ESV] Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

You are a Christians in US of America.  

Over our church door as you are leaving, says you are now entering the mission field. 

Does our governing authorities restrict its citizens from owning a weapon?

On the contraire, the founding fathers (Christians & Deists) made sure it was a right and duty to keep the citizens armed. 

Encouraging its citizens to a higher calling of responsibility. 

Concerning Lethal Self-Defense VS Pacifism.

Lethal Self-Defense is implied, because that is the purpose of weapon; sword or gun. 

Why spend time talking about this? 

What does it look like to be a Christian living in America?

God has an answer for us from the Bible.  

A few weeks ago I was critical of a sermon given by John Piper concerning Christians owning weapons. 

However the first part of that very sermon gave me great hope. 

John quotes from Ed Stetzer, President of LifeWay Research.

The statistics from the 2012 survey by the Pew Research Center for Religion and Public Life. 

People claiming to have no religious affiliation has grown.

What we see from Pew is not the death-knell of Christianity, but another indication that Christianity in America is being refined.

From 2007 to 2014, the number of evangelicals in America rose from 59.8 million to 62.2 million.

Christianity isn’t dying and no research says it is; the statistics about Christians in America are simply starting to show a clearer picture of what American Christianity is becoming — less nominal, more defined, and more outside of the mainstream of American culture.

Stetzer puts it like this:

The cultural cost of calling yourself “Christian” is starting to outweigh the cultural benefit, so those who do not identify as a “Christian” according to their convictions are starting to identify as “nones” because it’s more culturally savvy.

Christianity is losing, and will continue to lose, its home field advantage; no one can (or should) deny this. However, the numerical decline of self-identified American Christianity is more of a purifying bloodletting than it is an arrow to the heart of the church.

My bigger concern.  

It’s important to know as much Bible as possible that is why I don’t mean digging into Biblical Truth for any topic. 

However, if when Christians have 101 reasons to miss church. A clear open act of rebellion to Jesus. I am very scared for you.  No Christian should be comfortable habitually missing church. 

WE all need to ask ourselves, do we love Jesus and will be obey Jesus our LORD?

Because Jesus our Lord Commands us to meet on a regular basis. 

[Heb 10:24 ESV] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

[Heb 10:25 ESV] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

[Heb 10:26 ESV] For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Freedom to bear arms

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

The Command to Love God

Sermon Notes Concerning the Command to Love God

Loving God

[Deu 6:4 ESV] "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

[Deu 6:5 ESV] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Jesus points out the highest Command in Matt, Mark and Luke. 

[Mat 22:37 ESV] And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

[Mat 22:38 ESV] This is the great and first commandment.

[Mat 22:39 ESV] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

[Mat 22:40 ESV] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Joshua exhorts the people. 

[Jos 23:11 ESV] Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.

The Ten Commandments 

First 4 is your relationship towards God

Six towards fellow mankind. 

1. The 5 books of the OT

2. The Jewish Oral Law

Jesus Concerning the Law of God.  (Why, Law; Justice is Good)

[Mat 5:17 ESV] "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

[Mat 5:18 ESV] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

[Mat 5:19 ESV] Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

[Mat 5:20 ESV] For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

The OT Law. 

Civil: Contextual to the Jewish Nation. 

Ceremonial: Fulfilled in Christ.  

Moral: The response of the Saved towards God and Mankind

This Question is illustrated and answered in Acts and Galatians. 

Should Christians follow all the OT Civil Laws or Ceremonial Laws?

[Act 15:10 ESV] Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

[Act 15:11 ESV] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

[Act 15:15 ESV] And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

[Act 15:16 ESV] "'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,

[Act 15:17 ESV] that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things

[Act 15:18 ESV] known from of old.'

[Act 15:19 ESV] Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,

[Act 15:20 ESV] but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

Ceremonial Law:  Hebrews 7-9.  (There is no ceremony left that can reconcile man to God)

[Heb 9:24 ESV] For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

The Book of Galatians Paul confronts Peter about Gentiles Believers, not being burdened with the Jewish Laws.  

Back to Jesus.

Jesus now mentions 

“It was Said”

It is Written,  the OT. 

It is Said, Oral tradition.  Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don’t. 

Jesus goes straight for highest expression of the Moral Commandments. 

Murder:

[Mat 5:21 ESV] "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'

[Mat 5:22 ESV] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.

Adultery and Fornication:

[Mat 5:27 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'

[Mat 5:28 ESV] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

[Mat 5:31 ESV] "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

[Mat 5:32 ESV] But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Not Telling the Truth

[Mat 5:33 ESV] "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'

[Mat 5:34 ESV] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

[Mat 5:37 ESV] Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Justice VS Revenge, to the highest form – LOVE.  Love and Justice are not in conflict. 

[Mat 5:38 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

1. The Law:  Justice; That is Good.

2. “It was said”. Twisted for the sake of Revenge, it is bad.

3. Love the evil person, a. no room for revenge and God will see that Justice is met. 

[Mat 5:39 ESV] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

[Mat 5:40 ESV] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

[Mat 5:41 ESV] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

[Mat 5:42 ESV] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

[Mat 5:43 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

1. The Law / OT: doesn’t say anywhere to hate your enemy. 

2. “It is Said”; twisted from it’s original intent.  

[Mat 5:44 ESV] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

[Mat 5:45 ESV] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

[Mat 5:46 ESV] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

[Mat 5:47 ESV] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

[Mat 5:48 ESV] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Now what does that look like concerning Self-defense or fulfilling the Command to provide for your family?

Your Command; Love God: to provide for your family; wife, children, parents. 

Highest Form of Love Obey God

More presentations from Jeff Rossignol