Posts Tagged ‘ Jesus ’

VerseD: Luke 19:38

saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19:38, ESV

First the angels at His birth, and then Israelites at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, gave glory to God at Jesus’ arrival. Someday [soon], all the [believing] world will celebrate Jesus’ return for His faithful!

2020 Perspective on Passover:

As born again Christians, we understand the foundational truth about Jesus’ sacrificial, atoning death and resurrection that brings us freedom and life, but I want to focus on the post-salvation implications of Jesus’ awesome work. Keep in mind, this will only apply if you have already committed to the side of Jesus.

After salvation, what does freedom and life look like for a Christian? Many might think “well, if a Christian is addicted to alcohol, etc. then Jesus can set them free from that” and that is true. But beyond that, what does freedom and life look like? It looks like this:

1. Freedom from false guilt.
2. Freedom from fear about what others may think.
3. Freedom from people who try to control and manipulate.
4. Freedom from the idea that you need anyone else’s approval other than God’s.
5. Freedom from circular or destructive thought processes.
6. Freedom…to grow, which is life-giving.

Pastors are supposed to promote freedom in Christians lives so that they can grow, but sadly many pastors do just the opposite.

Friends are suppose to be life-giving and help us grow, or at the very least, not hinder us from getting closer to Jesus, but sadly, many friends do just the opposite.

Assuming they already have a sincere faith in Christ, here are some things to ask yourself about a pastor or a friend:

1. Are they someone in whom I can see consistent growth?
2. Do they listen well?
3. Am I afraid to talk around them? Why?
4. When I come away from them do I feel burdened, or more free?
5. Does what they say ring true and bring clarity?
6. Can I see any ways that they attempt to manipulate?

There are many forms of manipulation, some are quite subtle and can even be seen as pious. Some of the more subtle ways of manipulation include:

* False guilt – does this person make me feel guilty if I don’t do what they want?
* Tone – are they talking down to me as though I don’t know anything? (Pay great attention to this one!)
* Leading Questions – do they appear to have all the answers? This is accomplished through the use of leading questions, that is, a question that is asked, with a very specific answer in mind. Therefore, unless you answer with the specificity that the manipulator is fishing for, you appear inferior while the manipulator appears to have all the answers.
* Positioning – there are many types of positioning, but one example is, is the person using tactical empathy? That is, do they claim to know and empathize with what you’ve been through, in order to earn your trust?
* Redirection: there are many types of redirection, but one of the most cunning is exploiting your emotional wounds to shift the attention off of something they don’t want to talk about.

Ask yourself, “who helps me walk in freedom?” It may surprise you who you DON’T list.

Jesus came to bring us freedom and life, and I believe the Lord wants the church to walk in Freedom and Life in 2020!

Wishing you freedom and life as you celebrate Resurrection day!

In His Love,
Jesse ישי

About Jesse Walker

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!

VerseD: Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16, ESV

God’s power was manifest is raising our Savior to life. His power is manifested in every believer who is washed clean of their sins.

VerseD: Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1‭-‬2, ESV

When we humble ourselves, look inside and realize how sinful we are, we see the need for a Savior.
Thanks be to God He is our Savior, through the work of Jesus on the cross!

VerseD: Zephaniah 2:3

Seek the Lord , all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
Zephaniah 2:3, ESV

While not promised safety from everything in this world (but maybe!), we are promised that having sought the Lord and obeyed His Word, we are saved from His wrath on the Last Day!

Video Lesson: The True Passover

At the time of upload, the Passover starts tomorrow! Thursday evening, the ninth of April in the year of our Lord Two thousand twenty. It is still fitting that we are currently in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic at the time of posting this!

Why? Because the Passover started during … THE 10 PLAGUES ON EGYPT!

Even why-er? Because we are talking about THE ACTUAL PASSOVER!

You should read Exodus 12 before reading/listening to this lesson.

Here are some questions to ask ourselves:

Why is blood so important for salvation?

What are some of the mighty works that God has done in history?

What about in your own life?

What are we expecting from God? What does He expect of us?

Now, to the big question of the day:

What is the True Passover?

The True Passover
Exodus 12

We are continuing to look at the importance of Passover.

The final plague against the Egyptians was the Plague against the Firstborn:

  • Israel was told to sacrifice a lamb, and its blood was to painted around the door posts.
  • They were to be ready to leave in a moment’s notice.

[READ Exodus 12:29-36]

At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord , as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!” The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Firstly, we know the connection that Jesus, God’s Firstborn, is the Lamb that was sacrificed so that death would not have a hold on us anymore. (1 Corinthians 15, 1 Peter 2:22-24)

Secondly, as the Israelites were to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, we are to be ready to share the gospel at any moment and give a defense for our faith. (Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 3:15)

Thirdly, we know that Jesus Christ is coming again to free the world from the stain and bondage to sin, removing those who remain in rebellion, and instituting heaven on earth for all eternity, and giving us new clothing – heavenly, glorified bodies. (Philippians 3:17-21)
The book of Revelation lets us know that He will bring His army of angels along with His faithful to cleanse the Earth. Afterward, just as Israel left with the silver and gold of the Egyptians, we – His faithful, the Christians – are given crowns of glory. The riches we inherit are our lot in Christ’s inheritance.

So, the True Passover comes, first, when we accept and believe that Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb, and, second, when He returns and we pass over from a fallen world in time to pure glory in eternity.

So make sure you are good with the King of Glory!

VerseD: Matthew 18:3-5

and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me”
Matthew 18:3‭-‬5, ESV

Children often admit they need help and know they don’t know everything.
Approach Christ this way.
We don’t know how deep our sin is or how salvation works, but we need Christ to save us.

VerseD: Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein
Psalm 24:1, ESV

God is the Creator of everything.
He deserves our worship.
And God is our Father and Savior.
He deserves our love.