Archive for the ‘ Gospel ’ Category

VerseD: Matthew 19:26

“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26, ESV

We are unable to save ourselves. To escape God’s eternal judgment and wrath, we need His salvation through Jesus Christ’s atonement.

Video Lesson: Infinite to Infinitesimal Gospel

We should know the big picture.

It is extremely helpful to know the littlest parts: how things work and what needs to be understood.

How would you define infinity? What is it?

What is the opposite of infinity? Do you know?
(Hint: It is not negative infinity!)
[In other words, what is the limit of what we should know?]

What does the Bible say?

  1. Matthew 22:36-40
    1. L                               God.
    2. L                               people.
      1. The first 3.5 C are based on the first.
      2. The second 6.5 C are based on the second.
  2. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
    1. The best way to love God is admit J is God who loved us enough to become a h and die for our sins.
    2. The best way to love people is tell them that God became a human to die for our sins!

There is obviously more detail on how we love God and others, but that is for another lesson!

So, love God and others by reading your Bible to know Him better and to share the full Gospel with everyone!

VerseD: Acts 2:21

“‘And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
Acts 2:21, ESV

Calling on the name of the Lord is not merely praying or saying you understand or want something.
It is realizing you have been wrong and that Christ is the only way to be made right with God, believing He died for your sins, and trusting that He has indeed saved you and brought you into a saving, loving relationship.

VerseD: Acts 4:12

“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.”
Acts 4:12, ESV

It cannot be said enough:
Jesus Christ is our only hope, for this life and to attain eternal life by freedom from our sin of rebellion against God.

VerseD: Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1, ESV

We will continue to sin until we leave this life, but Christ’s atoning sacrifice cleanses us of all sin – past, present, and future – when we put our faith in His sacrificial work.

VerseD: 1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1:3, ESV

Our only hope is found in that the Father sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins, and the Holy Spirit guides us to this truth.

VerseD: Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6, ESV

None of us is guiltless against God.
Yet He placed all our guilt on Jesus and gave us the gift of grace.

VerseD: Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 25:8, ESV

Christ defeated death and sin at the Passover weekend 2000 years ago.
We are merely in the small closing battles until His triumphant return!

VerseD: Psalm 126:5

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Psalm 126:5, ESV

Before the cross, we lament our sin.
After the cross, we worship our God for His grace and love.

Topical Children’s Lesson: Resurrection Sunday – John 20:19-29

This is still happening online because of the current mandate for isolation for the C-19 pandemic.

After the lesson for Palm Sunday that my lovely other-half, Caitlin – who is our Children’s Director at the Church Next Door – made, we had her record another lesson!

So, gather up the kiddos (or enjoy this at any age), and enjoy another mashup from a weekly sermon and children’s curriculum:

Questions to consider:

Was there a time in your life that you thought everything was going wrong? How did you feel?

Have you had a fight with someone and  you could not ask for forgiveness or were you ever not able to see someone for any reason, to say goodbye?

Resurrection Sunday – John 20:19-29

Jesus is the Son of God, God’s only Son by birth.

Remember last week’s big idea? That Jesus is the Son of God, God’s only Son by birth.

He was nailed to a cross to save us from our sin, but His own disciples did not understand it.

Jesus died. Their leader was gone. His friends felt abandoned by Him. They thought they would never have the chance to see or talk with him again.

But then … He is alive?! Now what?

John 20:19-29

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus’ resurrection shows us that:

  • We can be afraid in our circumstances, but Jesus can comfort us;
  • We can push God away with our sin, but by His sacrifice He draws us back to Himself;
  • We can misunderstand God’s plan, but Jesus draws us close with the Holy Spirit to give us forgiveness;
  • We can doubt, but Jesus comes to us and overcomes our doubts. Because He was dead, but He is alive!
  • Now, we tell the world that Jesus is alive!

Today is Resurrection Sunday! The one holiday we celebrate 52 times a year!

Christ is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

Memory verses: Ephesians 5:2:

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

HE IS RISEN, INDEED!