• Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
  

1. The problem at Colasse

“Paul’s main purpose in writing Colossians was to put the Colossians on guard against those who propounded  false teaching” -John Polhill

2. Jesus Lord of Creation
   1. Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

• • The image of God—> In Christ the invisible God became visible. To us, the limited, a limitless God revealed Himself through Christ. 
    
  • Christ’s two-fold supremacy
    

3. Jesus Lord of the Church
   1. Colossians 1:18-20 (ESV) 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Christ is the head of the church; He is it’s beginning and He will bring about its final chapters.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• James 1:22-26 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
• For Christians, stewardship is about recognizing where our resources come from and what we should do with them.
• Stewardship helps us develop a more complete picture of our relationship to God and prioritize our finances, values, and lives around the things that matter most.
• In the Bible, we’re encouraged to use and think about God’s resources differently than the rest of the world does.
• If we don’t live out biblical stewardship, we wind up wasting opportunities to glorify God and advance his kingdom on Earth.

• Steward is an ancient job title, and it comes from the word Oikonomia, which means “management” or “administration. ” It is derived from oikos (house) and nomos (law). Steward can also be understood as the management of a household or a resource. It describes a person who takes care of or manages something for someone else.
• Anytime you’re responsible for something that belongs to someone else, that’s stewardship.
• The Bible makes it clear that: Everything belongs to God, he entrusts some things to us, we have a responsibility to manage them wisely on his behalf.
• Biblical stewardship challenges us to recognize that God is the true owner of everything and that he expects us to manage his resources in a certain way.

EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD

• The Bible makes it abundantly clear that as the creator of everything, God owns everything.
• Job 41:11 Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine.
• Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

HE ENTRUSTS SOME THINGS TO US

• Since God owns everything, all that we have comes from him. Not just our resources either. Things like wealth, riches, honor, strength, power, and authority belong to him too.
• 1 Chronicles 29:12 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

 

• Stewardship goes beyond simply “borrowing” things from God. He’s not just loaning us money and other resources. He’s entrusting them to us.
• As stewards, our challenge is to use God’s resources in ways that advance his interests.
• The Bible is full of passages instructing us to use our resources to care for the poor and those who are in need (1 John 3:17-18, Proverbs 28:27, 1 Timothy 5:8).
• Stewardship isn’t about “giving back” to God. It’s about using what he’s given us to accomplish something that matters.
• Matthew 25:26–27 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
• It’s not good enough to simply not waste what God gives us. We need to ensure that God gets a good return on his investment.
• Matthew 6:19–21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
• We can choose to accumulate wealth and glory for ourselves here on earth, where it will not last, or we can use what God gives us to store up treasure in heaven, where it will last forever. Which type of treasure we pursue and invest in will reveal where our hearts are. Are we prioritizing our lives and our resources around the investments God cares about, or are we reaping our rewards now, on earth?
• Acts 4:32–35 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
• We are called to use our resources to meet the needs in our own communities.
• Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

 

• The Apostle Paul didn’t consider stewardship to simply be a financial matter. He even considered his understanding to be a resource that he needed to steward appropriately, and encouraged the Corinthians to be stewards of the things that had been entrusted to them.
• 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 So, look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

“STEWARDS OF GOD’S GRACE”

• We have a responsibility to steward God’s grace. God has given each of us gifts, and when we use them to serve other people—especially those who cannot repay us or do not “deserve” that service—we’re sharing his grace with others.

“FILL THE EARTH AND SUBDUE IT”

• When God created humans, he gave us a job: it was to steward his creation.
• Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

IF YOU’RE A HUMAN, YOU’RE A STEWARD

• Not everyone believes in God. And not everyone believes they have a responsibility to use what they have in any particular way. But every single person is a steward, whether they’re a Christian or not.

LEARN WHAT GOD VALUES

• Part of our responsibility as stewards is to use what God gives us wisely. We need to apply our resources, skills, gifts, and time in ways that matter to God.
• If we want to be good stewards, we need to care about the things that move God. Through the example of Jesus, it should be abundantly clear that God cares about people—particularly the poor, the vulnerable, and the destitute.
• James 1:27 “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

 

• As you strive to be a good steward, it should cause you to think differently about the things in your possession. Everything belongs to God, and everything he gives us represents new opportunities to serve others and share the love of Christ.
• Cielo Vista Church has prayerfully decided on a mission that we believe God has called us to fulfill, and we’ve thoughtfully decided on the best way to allocate our resources to accomplish that mission.
• Mission Statement:” Inviting the lost and broken into our Christ Centered Journey form empty religion from empty religion to generational life change.”
• We execute the plan by adhering to the following 5 Values:

• • Biblical Truth Alive in Love
  • Power of Prayer
  • Life Changing Generosity
  • Unity In Diversity
  • Before You’re Ready

• “Tithing is Grace giving with a Goal.”
• REMEMBER THESE THINGS:

• • God doesn’t want you to give out of obligation.
  • He wants you to give out of a sense of obligation.
  • And He does not want you to give with a begrudging heart.

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
• Luke 6:38 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

MESSAGE THEME – Psalms 119:97 “How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.”

 

FIVE REASONS

1. WE CAN GAIN WISDOM THAT SURPASSES ALL HUMAN RESOURCES

• • Psalms 119:98-100 “Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts.”

 

2. WE CAN WALK IN PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

• • Psalms 119:101 “I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word.”

 

3. WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD’S HEART AND MIND

• • Psalms 119:102 “I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me.”

 

4. WE WILL HAVE PLEASANT EXPERIENCES

• • Psalms 119:103 “How sweet your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth.”

 

5. WE WILL LOSE OUR TASTE FOR THOSE THINGS THAT ARE OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD

• • Psalms 119:104 “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.”

 

God’s Gift (2 Tim 3:16-17) A Life Changing Story

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• Disunity is a lack of order or ,  a decline into disorder.
• If you work with , you deal with disunity all the time. That’s why there are dismissals, intense conversations, and realignments.
• Everything that involves people can lead to disunity.
• 2 Peter 1:12-13 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 

 

1. PERSONAL DIFFERENCES

• Preferences are to a biblical standard.
• Preferences are choices. Everybody is different, and it has nothing to do with biblical authority or instruction.
• Philippians 4:2-3 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

 

2. BLURRED RELATIONAL STABILITY

• Acts 15:36-41 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.
• Paul and Barnabas did not split over .
• God, in His providence, created two ministry teams. The gospel probably spread faster.
• There are two brothers in the faith, but they cannot work together. While they agreed on much, the personnel were mismatched.

1. Be not to slander others.
2. Be to look at all sides.
3. Be to admit a poor attitude.
4. Be to unity.

• 2 Timothy 4:9-11 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. >>> Paul put the past in the past, and Mark matured.
• John 17:21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
• HOW? -> Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
• Why? -> Because so much is on the line. The church of Jesus is not something to treat . Jesus died for the church. It’s His bride.

 

• Pushing my preferences on others is a mark of gross .
• Praying and working for unity because it God is a mark of humility.
• Be without being arrogant.
• One of our values at CVC is Unity In Diversity.
• It’s never easy, but it is always a to the world.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• Mark 10:13-16 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

“Whether in the family or the church, we are to do all we can to meet the needs of children.”  Gene Getz

“I believe Jesus is saying that when you think about what you’re going to do for people you better think about children because they are very important as far as the kingdom of God is concerned.”  Gene Getz

• Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
• Psalm 78:4-6 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them- even the children not yet born- and they in turn will teach their own children.
• Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
• God didn’t instruct them to only talk about them at church. He said repeat them again and again, talk about them at home and when you’re away, when you’re going to bed and getting up.

Parenting recommendations and resources:

• Family Ministry: https://d6family.com/
• Child Discipleship Resources: childDiscipleship.com
• Books: Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Ferrer and Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Trip

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• One side of Jesus’ life you may not be familiar with is His ability to maintain . Jesus was both meek and strong.
• 1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
• Jesus was composed under the most arduous circumstances.

• • When there was a storm, He .
  • When people beat Him, He .
  • When called the devil, He .
  • When arrogant religious people tried to trap Him, He .
  • When sinners approached Him, He loved and .
  • When demons ravaged people, He .

 

• Luke 8:26-29 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. 28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.

• • This man is another of sin.
  • Sin is until it’s not.
  • Sin looks until it isn’t.
  • Sin is until there’s shame.
  • Sin freedom but can only deliver bondage.

 

• Luke 8:30-33 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.
• Luke 8:34-37 states that Jesus’ actions became widely known, prompting the people to rush out and witness what had occurred.
• The townspeople were not with the man sitting in his right mind. They were incensed that their income (pigs) was now floating in the Sea of Galilee.
• The only one capable of offering help, hope, new life, healing, transformation, and forgiveness was asked to by the people.

 

• Here’s one of the most tender scenes in the Bible: Instead of being naked and afraid, this man was clothed and at (Luke 8:35).
• Luke 8:38-39 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39“No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
• What was it like when he walked through the door of his house?
• This estranged man, husband, and father is not dressed in mere clothing but, more importantly, clothed in the riches of Jesus’ —a new man.
• Hope is offered , not just on Easter. That’s why We Preach Christ.
• has names – Destroyer, Pain, Regret, Anguish, Hopelessness.
• Forgiveness has a name—Jesus. Hope has a name—Jesus. Grace has a name—Jesus. That is why we preach Christ Crucified.

“The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: grace.” Max Lucado

• This is about repenting from sin before the Holy God who created you. “It’s not about striving to be better; it’s about believing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.”
• Regardless of your past, would you be willing to reach out to Jesus today, submit to His authority, and ask to be made new? This is not about having life’s problems resolved. This is about confronting the sin and evil we are all born with.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• No one is born without sin; sin’s penalty is , and Jesus came to absorb God’s wrath against sinners by dying in our place.
• Matthew 26:57-68 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die! ”67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”
• It’s easy to be quiet when the crowd is for you. But when physical and verbal hatred spills over into action, silence is never easy. What we see in Jesus is controlled .

• • VERSE 57: An arrest.
  • VERSE 65: Falsely accused of blasphemy.
  • VERSE 66: Bizarre verdicts of guilt.
  • VERSE 67: Spit in Jesus’ face.
  • VERSE 67: Beat Him with their fists.
  • VERSE 67: Slapped Him
  • VERSE 68: Jeered at Jesus. (Involves shaming)
  • VERSE 68: Mocked Jesus. (Insult, denigrate, make rude noises with nothing specific).

• In the following scenes in the Bible, Peter denies Jesus three times, and Judas hangs himself.
• Matthew 27:11-12 11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.
• Jesus is taken to the soldier’s headquarters and this happens: Matthew 27

• • VERSE 28: Jesus is stripped.
  • VERSE 28: The soldiers put a scarlet robe on him.
  • VERSE 29: Wove a crown of thorns and jammed it on his head.
  • VERSE 29: Place a reed in his right hand, knelt, and mocked him.
  • VERSE 30: Spit on Jesus, pulled the stick out of His right hand, and smashed Him on the head with it.
  • VERSE 31: The soldiers finally got tired of mocking Him, put his clothes back on Him, and led Him to the cross to die.
  • VERSE 35: Jesus was nailed to the cross, and soldiers gambled for His clothes.
  • VERSE 39: As people passed by, they shouted abuse, shaking their heads and mocking Him.
  • VERSE 41: The leading priests, religious attorneys, and elders mocked Jesus.
  • VERSE 44: The thieves on the cross next to Jesus ridiculed him.
• Alone, agonizing, mocked, jeered at, beaten, and in pain, Jesus said .
• Some of His last words on earth before His death were a question.
• Matthew 27.46 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
• Jesus died for sinners. How repulsive for anyone to believe they can their way to heaven based on their merit and not the CROSS.

 

• 1 Peter 2.22-25 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
• Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

 

• 1. Justification – The act of making sinful people to a Holy God. Romans 3:24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
• 2. Propitiation – Appeasement. Jesus the price for sin that God in His Holiness demanded. 1 John 2:2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
• 3. Adoption – The Greek word translated adoption means “placing as a son.” It’s a legal term that expresses the process by which a child is brought into a family, giving all the of a biological son or daughter. Romans 8.15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
• There is not a more fitting symbol of God’s love for us than the CROSS.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

 

• JOHN 3:16-21 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

 

#1 THE RICHEST POSSIBLE

 

#2 THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE

 

#3 THE LARGEST POSSIBLE

 

#4 THE DARKEST POSSIBLE

 

#5 THE GREATEST POSSIBLE

 

#6 THE EASIEST POSSIBLE

 

#7 THE BEST POSSIBLE

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• Mark 10:35-42 / Matthew 20:17-28
• James and John wanted to be on Jesus’ right and left hand when he took his Throne in Glory. This portrayal of earthly power grabbing is an reminder to us that Jesus is not focused on glory and the privileges of power, he was focused on serving God and others.
• Sacrifice and suffering.
• Serve the least.
• Submitting to the sovereign God.

Gene Getz Life Essentials principle – Matthew #47 – Servant Leadership link: https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1013/

 

• Matthew 20:29-34 / Mark 10:46–52 / Luke 18:35-43
• Even though Jesus and the disciples were leaving Jericho on their important journey to Jerusalem, Jesus heard of two blind men shouting for help. Despite the crowd’s effort to ignore, shush or silence those beggars, then low life’s of society, the men continue to holler for help. Jesus heard, saw, and ministered to them where they were. He acknowledged them and healed them of their physical handicap.
• Walk slowly through the crowd.
• Take care of the needs of the least among us.
• Meet people where they are.

Gene Getz Life Essentials principle – Matthew #48 – Personal Interest link: https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1014/

 

• 2 Timothy 1: 13-14 / 2 Timothy 2:1-2
• Paul’s companion, Timothy, learned from Paul‘s oratory and daily interactions as a team while accompanying him on many missionary journeys. Paul encourages Timothy to hold firm to the sound teachings of God and guard that truth.  His message is loud and clear:  Do not focus solely on correcting false teachings; Go teach other men capable of teaching others.  He is teaching Timothy to invest in others. Equip those who can teach others.  The investment in preparing future mentors is far more fruitful for the Kingdom.
• Practice a pattern of sound teaching.
• Guard the truth.
• Confront false teaching with love.
• Become a mentor:  Equip those walking in God so they can teach others

Gene Getz Life Essentials principal – 2 Timothy #3 – Mentoring Others link: https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1366/

 

• 1 Thessalonians 2:7-11 / Colossians 1:1-6
• Stand firm in our purpose – one team for Christ  (Unity in purpose)
• Strengthen and encourage others.
• Actions speak louder than words
• Serve, Mentor and Teach (Discipleship)

Gene Getz Life Essentials principal – Colossians #1 – Team Ministry link: https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1322/

 

• Pray for church leadership. We are striving to do God’s will at CVC. (It is not about what we get or the position we hold; it’s all about doing God’s work to His glory.)
• Encourage our church staff. They serve like Timothy selflessly!
• Become a Timothy and serve with this awesome team as an active participant.
• Walk slowly through the crowd – meet people where they are.
• Continue to learn, grow, and mentor others – Discipleship begins at home
• In Christ, we Journey Together as one Team

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.