Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

Touch of Faith:

You have to risk it all in Faith

Believe what you can’t see by Faith

Have Faith in Jesus as Lord and Redeemer

Proverbs 31:10-31

Women are Excellent:

• But not without fault
• And serve specific roles and purposes
• And equals with their husbands
• Deserving of honor

John 7:25-52

The Invitation to follow Jesus:

• is Free
• open to All
• leads to Life, Love, and Joy

John 7:1-24

Doing God’s will means:

• following God’s law.
• trusting God for what to do and how to do it.
• glorifying God through your actions.
• judging with God’s judgement.

Luke 24:1-12

What we know:

Jesus willingly gave His life

Jesus suffered a sinners death

Jesus died and was buried

Jesus rose three days later

Why?

To Forgive You

To Save You

Do You Believe This?

Jesus Meets Us

Where We Are

Have You Met Jesus?

Matthew 21:1-11

The Jews wanted:

a war

a great battle

the conquering of evil

What Jesus Did:

went to war

fought the battle in Hell

Jesus defeated death

Jesus Conquered Evil Defeating Satan!

John 6:60-71

Jesus pursues us and speaks words of eternal life to us. 

Matthew 28:16-20

Go:

Unashamed

Jesus is sending you

Declare the glory of Jesus

So every knee will bow

Make disciples of all Nations

1 Peter 3:15, Titus 3:3-7, Psalm 107:1-3

Before Jesus: We were dead in our sin

When We Met Jesus: We were saved by His blood

Are You Dead?

Is The Lord Still Working?

Have you been Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus?

Is This Church Dead?

Is The Holy Spirit Alive?

Jesus is the Bread of Life. The One who gave us His body, which was beaten, torn, and abused. The One who shed His blood and poured it out for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus ransomed Himself for us.

Jesus has done the work required. All we have to do is believe in Jesus as the true Son of God and follow Him, and we can be saved.

• Why is the proof we have not enough?
• Jesus has been proven!
• Have you trusted in Jesus?
• Have you received forgiveness of your sins?
• How many times does Jesus have to die on the cross before we’ll trust Him?
• How many times does Jesus have to die on the cross before our faith in Him is secure?

John 6:1-15

With Jesus we:

will never hunger for anything

will never thirst for anything

are filled and satisfied

Matthew 24:35

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Jesus speaks with authority

Jesus speaks for all people (Jew and Gentile)

Jesus speaks justly (eternal life, or eternal damnation)

John 5:1-18

Righteous rebellion looks like?

  Obedience to God, not man

  Seeking the Will of God, not man

  Service to God, not man

Guest Speaker: Steve Gouge

Vision:

Comes from Inspiration

Calls for Investigation

Causes Irritation

Creates Imagination

John 4:43-54

Seeing is Not Believing

Believing is Faith, and Trust in Jesus

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed"

We have heard:

That Spiritual Food Satisfies

Mission Fields are Ready for Harvest

Testimonies about the Christ

And We BELIEVE!

We cannot receive the Spirit until we admit the truth

• We are sinners

We cannot receive the Spirit until we believe the truth

• Jesus Christ is Lord

We cannot receive the Spirit until we confess the truth

• While we are still sinners, Christ died for us

John 4:1-15

Story of the woman at the well. 

Jesus had to pass through Samaria. 

All people are God's children, God created them all. 

There was work Jesus needed to do in Samaria. 

Put aside our differences, discriminations, and fears and trust in the Lord who will provide. 

Believe It or Not...

Jesus is Fully man, and God

Jesus Testimony Proves He is God

Jesus Suffered the Wrath of God

Believe It or Not

The Choice is Yours!

His Name

...was fortold

...is exalted

...is powerful

...Saves

His Name Is Jesus!

We Must...

increase Jesus in our lives

decrease ourselves and repent

receive Jesus as our Savior

God So Loves...

whoever, that He sent His Son,

and forgives, with truth and

fairness, as a Father should.

When Jesus Says...

Truly, truly…listen

Truly, truly…pay attention

Truly, truly…this is important!!!

Faith in Jesus

Born of the Spirit

Leads to Eternal Life

Jesus…

knows the heart of man

desires the heart of man

saves the heart of man

The Manifested Glory of Jesus…

is for anyone who asks for it

can purify and make us new

reveals Jesus as the Bridegroom

"What Are You Seeking?"

"Come and you will see"

"Follow Me"

A Changed Life

Series: The Gospel of John: The Lamb of God

John 1:6-18

2024 Easter Sunday: Journey to the Cross (Luke 24:13-35)

Luke 24:5 The angels said “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen.”

Praise the Lord! Jesus is ALIVE!!!

• Let’s be real for just a second:
• Sometimes life gets difficult doesn’t it?
• Sometimes don’t you feel alone?
• Sometimes don’t you struggle in your faith?
• Have you ever doubted?
• Have you ever wondered where is Jesus in all this? In all that you have going on?
• Have you ever strayed from the Lord?
• Have you ever found yourself asking Why? Or Why me?

• You are not alone!

Matthew 21:7-9

Hosanna is typically translated as “Please Save Us”.

Timeline of Jesus last week:

•   Sunday:

•   Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Everyone shouts Hosanna!)

•   Monday:

•   Jesus cleanses the temple and runs out the money-changers

•       Matthew 21:13 “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

•       Matthew 21:15-16 “But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

•   Tuesday:

•   Jesus curses the fig tree.

•   Wednesday:

•   Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus

•   Wednesday/Thursday:

•   Preparations begin for Passover

•   Thursday:

•   The Last Supper - Jesus with Disciples

•   Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus sweats blood during prayer

•   Friday (Good Friday)

•   Jesus betrayed by Judas

•   Jesus arrested

•   Jesus put on trial with Jewish leaders: Annas and Caiaphas

•       Peter denies Jesus three times

•   Jesus put on trial with Roman leaders: Goes before Pilate (Everyone Shouts Crucify Him!)

•   Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and mocked as Kings of the Jews

•   Jesus is crucified on the cross

•       Started about 9am

•       Jesus died on the cross about 3pm

•       This is Day 1

•   Jesus is buried in the tomb in the Evening.

•   Saturday:

•   This is Day 2

•   Sunday: Easter Sunday

•   This is Day 3

•   Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb.

•   Mary tells the disciples and Peter and John go to see for themselves.

•   Jesus appears to His disciples.

•   (Jesus is not dead, He is Alive!)

How did we go from praising Jesus and yelling “Hosanna” to yelling “Crucify Him” in the span of a week?

The issue is our sin.

•   Romans 2:23 “For have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

•   We wanted Jesus to be something He wasn’t and do things against His plan.

•   We still do this today.

•   We still try to get Jesus to do our will instead of accepting the Will of Jesus.

•   We still try to get Jesus to bend to our will and do our bidding.

•       Jesus is not a genie in a bottle. You don’t get your wishes.

•   We choose things and people over Jesus all the time!

•                                  We choose our own Barabbas…sometimes daily.

We look to Jesus just as the Jewish people did…wanting a mighty King and warrior who is to overthrown the darkness that has taken over.

Lets look at what scripture says…

•   John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

•   1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

•   Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

What are you to yell now church? Hosanna! (Please Save Us) or Crucify Him!?

You want a King that has won the battle?

You want a King that was the victory?

You want a King who is willing to take your place and raise you up on high?

You want a King who would die for you?

You have One…His name is Jesus!

Mark 2:1-12

Mark 1:21-45

Mark 1:16-20

How many in this room would call themselves followers of Jesus?

How many in this room would call themselves Christians?

How many in this room would call themselves Disciples?

All four Gospels and Acts include Jesus calling the first disciples and who they were. 

Mark 1:16-20

Matthew 4:18-22

Luke 5:4-11

John 1:29-2:2, John never names all the disciples in full.

Acts 1:13 names all the disciples except Judas Iscariot since he betrayed Jesus and killed himself.

The men at the heart of the verses we are looking at here in Mark…at the point of these verses already knew who Jesus was, heard of Him, seen Him and were following Jesus. 

The point of these verses in Mark is this…

• These four men (Simon, Andrew, James, and John)
• They are already followers, or “disciples” of Jesus, and now being called into action.
• They now had to choose obedience to the Lord or to themselves.
• They now had to choose Jesus above all.
• This couldn’t have been easy because Jesus was setting out to shake things up.
• Jesus was healing people on the Sabbath
• Healing diseased people like lepers
• Causing a ruckus and turning over money-changers tables in the temple
• Casting out demons
• Jesus wasn’t playing around.

So who did Jesus get to be followers, or disciples for Him?

Fisherman

Tax Collector

Zealot who supported anarchy, and plotted to overthrow Roman rule

Treasurer, dealt with money (and stole it)

So mostly fisherman and a few with less than desirable resumes.

Who did Jesus not call?

• Jesus didn’t call the Pharisees, Sadducees, or the Scribes.
• Jesus didn’t call those who were actively in schools or seminaries.
• Jesus didn’t call those who were rich and could provide for His ideas.
• Jesus didn’t call those who were perfect and had everything figured out.

Jesus called on those who would follow Him!

Three places in the NT that mention the word Christian and this is where we get our understanding of what it means to be a Christian:

• Acts 11:19-26
• 1 Peter 4:14, 16
• Acts 26:28-29

Being a Christian is the same as being a disciple. There is no difference. When one professes faith in and receives Salvation through Jesus Christ they are at that moment disciples.

On the C.S. Lewis Institute website there is an article by Thomas A Tarrants from June 5, 2014 titled: ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN OR A DISCIPLE? IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? WHY IT MATTERS!

• In this article “Noted New Testament scholar Michael Wilkins is quoted as saying, “a disciple is “one who has come to Jesus for eternal life, has claimed Jesus as Savior and God, and has embarked on the life of following Jesus.”

So the definition of a follower of Jesus is really a Disciple of Jesus, which is also a Christian!

Who here today would agree that we who profess to be Christians are to observe the command given us in Matthew 28:19-20?

How can one who is not a disciple of Jesus, go and make disciples for Jesus?

When Jesus called to Simon, Andrew, James, and John they responded immediately.

• They left their boats, left their family and went walked with Jesus.
• I wonder if there are some in this church who are being called?
• Are you responding immediately?

How are we as Christians living today?

• Just showing up to church constitutes being a Christian?
• Better yet some don’t even go to church, the just claim the word Christian!
• Remember that being a Christian is following Jesus, it’s being a disciple!
• It’s living like Jesus and doing what He would do.
• Is that you? Are you ready to give up everything and follow Jesus who gave up everything for you?
• Are you ready to begin living out your Christianity and become true disciples of Jesus?

Cite from CS Lewis Website: https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/are-you-a-christian-or-a-disciple-is-there-a-difference-why-it-matters/

14. William L. Kynes, PhD, New Testament scholar, pastor, and currently moderator of the Evangelical Free Church of America, in private correspondence with author.

• Jesus said, ““Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” and the man proclaimed the name of Jesus.

• Jesus and God are One in the Same.

•  At the end of the day, what this shows is exactly what we are told.

• James 2:19 “19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

•  And just like this legion of demons:

Philippians 2:10-11 “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Mark 1:14-15

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

• v.14-15 give us an overview of what is happening and coming.
• John the Baptist gets arrested and imprisioned by Herod Antipas because he spoke against Herodias (the wife of Herod’s brother Philip) because Herod was having an affair with her. 
• Jesus however is now beginning His ministry.
• He has returned from the wilderness and is ready to begin teaching and preaching. 
• He picks up where John the Baptist left off bringing a message of repentance…but there is more.
• Jesus says “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand”
• There is now a new and better way for people to know and follow the Lord.
• Isaiah 40:3 says, “A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
• There is a shake up happening…things are about the change. Things won’t ever be the same.
• When Jesus says “The time is fulfilled” He means prophecy has been fulfilled and to prepare yourself for anything because we are about to cause a stir. 
• Churches love shake-ups right?
• Churches love when things change right?
• Churches love when traditions go out the window and new ideas take root right?
• NO!!!!!
• Jesus is on the scene now and He is going to change how religion works. 
• Jesus says “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
• Jesus is here, the kingdom is now at hand and Jesus is bringing a message and you better put your ears on and hear it. 
• The old ways of doing religion is ending and it’s about giving your heart to the Lord
• Repenting for your faults, failures, and sins against God.
• Actually being sorrowful for what you have done and seeking forgiveness.

• Jesus had to begin…he had to start somewhere and sometime discipling those who would carry on the mission out into the mission field.
• We are no different in our Christian walk. We have to start somewhere and that begins with believing in Jesus, the mission, and our role in the mission.
• Jesus said “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 
• The time is now and to believe in the Gospel which can be summed up simply like this:
• Admit you are a sinner who needs to repent
• Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and in His birth, death, & resurrection
• Confess that Jesus is Lord and receive salvation found in no other Name

Mark 1:12-13

•   Mark mentions four things…

1.    Jesus was drove into the wilderness for 40 days.

2.    Jesus was tempted by Satan.

3.    Jesus was among wild animals.

4.    Jesus had angels ministering to Him.

•   This is a significant event in the life of Jesus and allows for us to see the human side of Jesus.

•   But there is more to this story.

•   Mark only gives us some of what happened.

•       It’s the cliff notes version, there is a lot that happened though.

•   Mark doesn’t dive into the details. This is why it’s important to read all the Bible, not just some.

•       Jesus not only was driven into the wilderness for 40 days, but he fasted the entire time.

•            Fasting for Jesus was real fasting…not what we do today.

•            Jesus did not eat or drink.

•            That’s why in Matthew and Luke 4:2 (for both) it says “he was hungry”.

•       While fasting for 40 days in the wilderness he was also being tempted by Satan (the Devil).

•       Remember that Jesus went immediately into the wilderness (which in Hebrew also translates as desert).

•            Jesus didn’t prepare by going home and packing a bag.

•            He was driven into the wilderness with just what He had on His back.

•                Remember Jesus sent His disciples out the same way, with just what they had.

•                Jesus was exposed to the elements around Him.

•                     Hot during the day (highs of 85°)

•                     Cold at night (lows of 65°)

•                     Wild Animals:

•                         Hippopotamus (Water areas)

•                         Crocodiles (Water areas)

•                         Venomous snakes

•                         Scorpions

•                         Lions

•                         Bears

•                         Leopards

•                         Hyenas

•                         Jackyls

•                         Wolves

•                         Wild Boar

•   As if not eating or drinking, facing the elements and wild animals weren’t enough.

•       Jesus had to contend directly with the devil himself.

•       We don’t face the devil to his face like Jesus did.

•            We are affected by the devil and his demons but not like Jesus was.

•   We hear of three temptations Jesus faced.

•   “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

•   “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

•   8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

•       Jesus speaks from the book of Deuteronomy when responding to Satan.

•   Satan attempt to lure Jesus into sin didn’t work.

•   I feel like I would have responded differently, which is why I’m not Jesus.

•       I would have said “If I’m the Son of God, I’ll show you who is the Son of God”.

•       And then I would have sinned and the devil would have won.

•   Pay attention to this though…

•   When Jesus said “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

•   Jesus said Be Gone and Satan had to leave.

Temptation is defeated because…

•       There is power in the voice of Jesus Christ.

•       There is mercy in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

•       There is Salvation in the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Mark, at the core is about Discipleship. A real relationship with Jesus, following Jesus,  trusting Jesus, fellowship with Jesus, believing in the teachings of Jesus, being molded and shaped by Jesus, and preparing to face what Jesus faced. 

• All the Gospels give an account of John proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.
• My favorite…John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
• Here in Mark we get the overview of what happened. 
• We get introduced to John the Baptist, what he was doing, and why he was doing it. 
• Baptizing in the wilderness
• proclaiming a baptism of repentance (remember the word repentance)
• for the forgiveness of sins.
• As crazy as John the Baptist was, people were coming to him. Confessing sins to him.
• John the Baptist also recognized his purpose…
• “After me comes he who is mightier than I”
• John the Baptist was humble.
• “The strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie”
• John the Baptist recognized his place and worth.
• “I have baptized you with water”
• John used what he could, what he had…water to wash and cleanse away sin.
• It makes sense…when we are dirty we get in water and wash to get clean. 
• But when John the Baptist was baptizing people Jesus hasn’t yet died or resurrected. 
• The act of baptism was yet another means by which people tried to rid themselves of sin but couldn’t. 
• The act of baptism did not, does not even today, atone for sin.
• However, Jesus seen the importance of this act and asked John the Baptist to baptism Him.

• Jesus knew that what John the Baptist was doing was meaningful, had importance, and would allow for people to remember.
• Jesus is the one that made Baptism important, necessary, and meaningful.
• John prepared the way for us to follow The Way, Jesus. 
• Prior to John the Baptist people were doing cleansing rituals that could be considered baptism-like.
• None were being baptized as John the Baptist called…for the repentance of their sins.
• Repent means to turn away from…
• So John was calling for people to be washed clean of their sins, but it’s more. 
• John the Baptist was sent to “Prepare the Way”.
• His purpose was to get people ready for the Messiah…for Jesus.
• The way that John baptized people was fulfilling the prophecy that told us that Jesus would die, be buried, and then raised again to life.
• It wasn’t just so people could get clean…baptism was to prepare people for Jesus, “the Way, the Truth, the Life.”
• When Jesus was baptized by John it changed everything. The whole purpose of baptism changed from simply getting clean to dying to one’s self. 
• Jesus comes out of the water and Heaven opens up.
• v.11 there is a voice from Heaven.
• “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
• There are witnesses to Heaven opening up, the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus, and now a voice. 
• For those gathered, witnessing the baptism of Jesus, this is a special moment and one that brought many to faith in Christ. 
• Acts 2:41 talks about Peter continuing the message of “Repent and be baptized”.
• Thousands have heard and received this message that John the Baptist Prepared.

Romans 8

• We are sinful by nature, born into defiance against the Lord ever since sin entered into the world.
• v.2 tells us that our flesh is weak and we who are flesh are condemned.
• God gave us laws that proved our sinfulness.
• Not so we could be saved by the laws, but to be found guilty of it. 
• To show us our sinfulness and have it stand out to us.
• We were given a gift, the ability to receive the Holy Spirit who can set us free through Jesus.
• v.3 God sent His Son Jesus in the likeness of our flesh to take upon Himself our sins.
• This was so that the law could be fulfilled and the debt of sin paid by the only sacrifice worthy to do so.
• No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
• Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
• Are you a follower, a TRUE follower of Jesus?
• Our vision for this year is “I Have Decided…”
• Have you decided to believe in Jesus and follow Him only?
• If so, then there is no condemnation for you.
• Your past sins are forgiven.
• You are no longer a slave to your sin.
• You have been set free and the chains of sin binding you have been broken.
• Our flesh cannot, does not have the ability to please God. 
• No amount of effort or works can accomplish this.
• Through the Holy Spirit we have hope, peace, and life in Jesus our Savior.

• We must be committed followers of Christ. 
• We must give up ourselves and follow Him.
• If we live to ourselves, in our own way and in our flesh we will die. 
• It says so in v.13, but if we live by the Holy Spirit, meaning Jesus lives in our hearts, we will live.
• v.14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
• When we belong to Jesus we have nothing to fear. 
• This world can do what it wants to us but we have so much more waiting for us in eternity. 
• The Spirit knows if you are faking it! 
• The Holy Spirit knows if you are true believers and followers of God and bears witness to this…
• Only true believers and followers of Christ are adopted into God’s family.
• We are sons and daughters, we are heirs alongside Jesus even. v.17 

Pass Over v.18-30 (That is a whole other sermon on it’s own) 

• v.31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
• v.34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 
• v.35 Nothing shall separate from Jesus.
• Tribulation
• Distress
• Persecution
• Famine
• Nakedness
• Danger
• Sword
• Addiction (alcohol, drugs, pornography)
• Depression
• Loss
• Anxiety
• Self Harm
• In all these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus when we give ourselves over to Him
• v.38 Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
• Jesus said in John 10:29 “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. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Followers of Jesus are:

• Set free in Christ Jesus
• No longer condemned for their sins
• Can never be separated from Jesus
• Sons and Daughter of God

Philippians 3

• Look out for the dogs…Paul is referring to the Judaizers.
• Judaizers were Jewish Christians who believed Jews had to follow the Mosaic Law and that Gentiles must be circumcised in order to be saved in obedience to Jewish Law.
• Paul is saying look out for anyone that is not in line with the teaching of Jesus. 

• Paul was circumcised on the 8th day at was OT law.
• He was an ethnic Israelite and knew from what tribe he came…the tribe of Benjamin.
• Hebrew of Hebrews likely meant that he was of a long line of ancient Jewish ancestors.
• He possibly even spoke Aramaic.
• He was of the strictest religious sect…the Pharisees.
• And his zeal was that he was a persecutor of the church.
• According to Jewish law Paul would have been considered blameless. 
• Of course we all know that no one is blameless. 

• what formerly went into the gain column—his power, prestige, and “obedience”—now goes into the loss column.
• Paul counts all he was before, everything he though he gained, as “rubbish”.
• Rubbish in Hebrew means garbage, waste, dung…it literally means poop. 
• Remember that Paul said to watch out for the dogs (meaning the Judaizers)

• Paul knows he is not perfect. He is a sinner. He can’t do anything righteous on his own.
• Paul also knows that we must continue forward. 
• Paul knows there is more importance on Jesus than anything else. 
• Paul has decided and is inviting those around him to make a decision also. 

• Join me in imitating me…because I’m doing my best to imitate Jesus.
• walk with me…because I’m going my best to walk with Jesus.
• see my example…because my example is Jesus.
• let me be an encouragement to you so that you will become an encouragement for others. 
• It’s called discipling.
• Not everyone will listen and I can’t let that stop me. 
• It breaks my heart for those who won’t turn to Jesus. 
• Their destruction is their end…it’s an eternity in Hell. 
• Remember, we must focus on what lies ahead and our citizenship is in Heaven.
• Believers in Jesus Christ wait on our Savior for our eternity is secure with Him in Heaven. 

I Have Decided…

• It’s not enough to just show up on Sunday.
• It’s not enough to just check a box for my Christianity.
• It’s not enough to just claim to be a follower of Jesus.
• It’s not enough to just give Jesus half my heart and life.

I Have Decided…

• To give my life to Jesus
• To say yes to Jesus
• To Follow Jesus

No one will stop me…This is a New Year…a New Beginning…and a New Me because I have been made New in Christ Jesus. 

New Year’s 2024 - I Will Hope In the Lord

Read Lamentations 3:22-24

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

• Steadfast love never ceases
• Mercies never come to an end
• Mercies are new every morning

Turn to Romans 5 

How do we receive this steadfast love; this mercy without end, new every morning?

• v.23 “Great is the faithfulness of the Lord”
• The Lord made the Way; Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

• v.2 we now have access, through Jesus, into the grace that God faithfully promised. 
• v.6 proves that the Lord’s steadfast love never ceases.
• v.8 is your mercy that never ends and is new every morning.

Psalm 138:1-3 “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;

2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

• v.3b Only through the Lord can my diminished, and weakened soul find strength and be increased. 
• v.3a On the day I called, You answered me.

I will hope in the Lord because:

• His Steadfast love never ceases
• His Mercies never come to an end
• His Mercies are new every morning
• Great is His Faithfulness

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 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.

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

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Peter 1:3-9 “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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Luke 15:10 “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

There is Joy Over Just One:

• One Sinner is Enough
• ...for Jesus to die
• One Believer is Enough
• ...for Jesus to die
•   You...are Enough
• ...for Jesus to die
• Luke 15:10 applies to you if you have accepted Jesus in your heart!