Month: April 2020

Set Free!

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The fourth word that Paul used to describe what happens when we accept Christ as our Savior is the word “justified.”

For the sake of review, the first word found in Romans 8:29 was “foreknew” referring to the fact that even before the beginning of time, our omniscient God knew all about us.

The next word found in Romans 8:29 is “predestined.” Not only did God foreknow us, but He determined a wonderful plan for our lives. He determined that He wanted us to be His child and that we would accept His invitation to become our Heavenly Father, Savior and coming King.

The third word in this sequence is found in Romans 8:30. It was the word “called.” God has called us to follow Him; He has called us out of a sinful life and opened the way for us to live life abundantly.

Our word for today, justified, is a wonderful word. It is a legal term that was used in the court of law, back in the day. It means that all charges against us, due to our sin, have been dropped. We have been acquitted. It means that more than being forgiven happened. Now it is as if we had never even sinned. There is no record of our sin.

As a result, we have been reconciled with God. Now, we can walk with Him, talk with Him, listen to Him, follow the plan He prepared in advance for us, and we can have he assurance that He will never leave us, nor will He forsake us. He will always be our helper, our healer and our hope.

This also eliminates guilt, shame and condemnation. Paul wrote in the first verse of Romans 8, “…. there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” We are free to serve Him unencumbered by our past.

By the way, being justified is a gift. It is not something we can earn. The price for our sin was paid by Christ when He gave Himself as the once, for all, sacrifice. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

My prayer for you is that you “live free” and live the abundant life that God has planned for you today!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

God Is Calling You!

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The next word we discover in the sequence of salvation, as explained by the Apostle Paul in Romans 28:29-30 is the word “called.”

First, we are told that God “foreknew” us from before the beginning of time. Then we are told that God “predestined” us to be in right relationship with Him. Now we are told that we are “called.”

This is a great word. Everyone of us is called. Unless people are involved in full-time vocational ministry, most do not think of themselves as being called. But that is a fallacy. We are all called. It does not matter if you are a pastor, janitor, stay-at-home mom, carpenter, doctor, nurse or schoolteacher, you are called.

This call was created at the same time as when God foreknew you and when God predestined you. He called you before the beginning of time.

God wants you to be His own. He created you to be in fellowship with Him. Sin got in the way. This is why God sent Jesus to die and be resurrected so you and I could be reconciled to Him. This would fulfill the call on your life.

Another aspect of being “called” is that of authority or ownership. In Genesis 2:19-20 we read how God put Adam to work and gave him the responsibility of naming the animals. In effect, this gave Adam authority over the animals. He named them. He called them.

In some ways, it is like naming a pet. You try to pick a name that fits. A name that will make that pet uniquely yours. God has done the same with you. He created you, then He called you to be His.

God has done the same with us. He called us. We are His. We are His unique possession. There is not another human like you. One translation of Scripture uses the word “peculiar.” We are peculiar to God. We are His one of a kind. Paul described us in Ephesians 2:10 as God’s masterpiece, His workmanship.

In Romans 11:29 informs us that this call is irrevocable. In other words, you will not be able to make God stop loving you. Nor can you make Him love you more. You are His. He called you. He desires relationship with you. He is patiently waiting for you to accept His invitation.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

(Pre)Destined for Greatness!

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The second word we encounter in Paul’s explanation of what happens when we come to Christ as our Savior is the word “predestine.”

Many evangelical Christians do not like this word. When they hear it, they feel as if someone is taking away their God given privilege to make up their own mind. In some theological circles, the word is used to describe how some have been predestined to be saved while some have been predestined not to be saved.

The problem with the idea of some not being saved because they were predestined to be lost is that it contradicts the teaching of God’s Word. Take a moment and read through John 3:16; Matthew 18:14; and 2 Peter 3:9. It is not God’s will for any to perish. It is His will for all to be saved.

Just as God foreknew you from before the beginning of time, He predestined you to be saved at the same time. At the same time, He predestined a wonderful plan for your life that included healing, freedom and victory over sin.

Of course, you have the privilege of rejecting His plan. Many do so because it does not fit their pre-conceived idea of what God should do for them or the type of life, they think they want to live.

If you go back to the text, Romans 8:29, you will discover that God predestined you to be “conformed into the image of His Son.” This means to be God’s son or daughter following the pattern that Jesus lived. This does not mean we have to be perfect. But we are forgiven, free from sin and marching to the drumbeat of the Holy Spirit just as Christ did. (Read Acts 10:38)

This is His plan for you. It was predestined. You cannot earn it. It is a gift. It is yours. Just receive it.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

God Knew Me When!

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Ever felt like you were a mistake? Perhaps you were a surprise to your parents? These things happen along with many other scenarios that sometimes can make us feel as if we were mistake or even worse, not wanted.

Truth is that while you may have been a surprise to your parents, God knew all about you before you were conceived. Even better, He promised to bring good things out of those circumstances. (Romans 8:28)

In Romans 8:29-30 we are introduced to five terms that describe why and how God can bring good out of the good, bad and ugly circumstances of life. (Please understand the word “good” is defined by the “goodness” of God. This does not always include what we think might be good for us. We need to lean on God, not our own understanding about what might or might not be good. Ask yourself the question, how does this measure up against what God’s desires are for my life. Do not forget what Solomon wrote for us in Proverbs 3:5 and Proverbs 14:12; and Proverbs 16:25.)

The first of these five terms is found in verse 29. There we read that God “foreknew” us. The action attached to these five words took place prior to creation or prior to the beginning of time.

He knew you. In addition, there is also an underlying sense that God not only knew you but understands you. He knows all about you. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He knows how circumstances effect you. He knows when you are angry, frustrated, disappointed, and even offended. He created you and knows every single detail of who you are.

He loves you. He sent His One and only Son, Jesus, to die for you (John 3:16) and to be resurrected for you. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) God also has a wonderful plan for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

One final thought regarding this topic is that God is crazy about you, He sings over you, He has your name written (engraved or tattooed) on the palm of His hand and He will not forget you. (Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 147:11; Isaiah 49:16)

The promise of Romans 8:28 is that no matter what happens or no matter what the source is of these things, God is more than able to bring about good. Sometimes the good is immediate, sometimes the good is delayed. Sometimes we find there is both an immediate and a long-term good that God brings about through the circumstances of our life.

Do not ever forget that God knew you “when.” And when you confess Him as your Savior, He will not allow anything to separate you from His love. And that is good!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

That’s Good, Part III

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Sermon Notes

Sunday, April 26, 2020

That’s Good, Part III

Text: Romans 8:28-31, 35, 37-39

Bible Reading: Psalm 118:21-29 (NIV)

Romans 8:28—God is always at work to bring about good from everything that happens to us!

Romans 8:28—A promise from God!

Romans 8:29-30—

          God foreknew us—

          God predestined us—

          God called us—

          God justified us—

          God glorified us—

Romans 8:31—Crescendo #1—

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:35—A good question

Romans 8:35—List #1—

Romans 8:38-39—List #2—

Romans 8:37—Crescendo #2

“In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

The Psalms, #2

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In a previous post, I introduced you to the genre of Psalms known as lament. Laments came from those times of great questions, from persecution, from hardships, and events that cause us to wonder where God is, or to wonder if God is going to be trustworthy.

There are over 60 Psalms classified as laments. Some scholars choose to ignore the lament, denying the existence of these emotions. Some have simply stated that “if we have faith” we will not experience times that bring about lamentations. I do not agree with that and obviously, the Holy Spirit, the one who breathed these words into the heart of the writer did not believe that way either. Difficult times wreak havoc on our emotions.

As I’ve studied many of the laments, I believe they were placed in God’s Word for the purpose of showing us how to handle those emotions when they come rather than allow them to handle us.

We all experience times of doubt, fear, helplessness, and hopelessness but we do not have to camp there. The Word of God encourages us to express these emotions to God and allow Him to speak to us from those times. Too often we do two things in these dark times. We deny them, put on a “happy face” and pretend that all is well. Even when we pray, we try to convince God that we’re okay. But He knows better. And He is waiting for us to come clean. To confess we are having a tough time. To ask for His help and to put our trust in Him. Too often we carry guilt over our emotions which causes us to hide or feel condemned.

Perhaps the most famous of the laments is Psalm 22. This was the Psalm Jesus quoted while hanging on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”

The psalmist is being honest with his emotions. Jesus was being honest with His emotions. I believe the greatest source of pain for Jesus during all His trials and abuse as He was crucified was feeling separated from God. That was the “cup” He was asking to pass on in His prayer in Gethsemane.

Look though at the next line of Psalm 22. “YET you are enthroned as the Holy One, you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted you and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”

What a great prayer. We too can pray a prayer like that. Admit that times are tough; admit that we feel separated from God; admit that we do not always know what to do, then confess that you have confidence and know that God is more than able to bring you through this season.

God hasn’t changed. He’s the same today as He was while Jesus was on the cross or while David was being run out of town. He’ll do the same for you!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

That’s Good, Part II

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Sermon Notes

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Bible Reading: Psalms 118:10-20

Text: Romans 8:28-31

God is at work for the good of those who love him—

Five Important Things About God that You need to Know—

#1—God foreknew us—

God is all knowing. He is omniscient—Psalm 139:1-4, 15-16; Psalm 147:4-5

#2—God predestined us—

It is God’s will for all to be saved. John 3:16; Matthew 18:14; 2 Peter 3:9

#3—God called us—

John 12:32; Matthew 23:37

#4—God justified us—

Romans 6:23; Romans 5:1; Romans 4:7-8

#5—God glorified us—

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Romans 8:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 10:10

The Psalms, #1

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My study of the Psalms has been a continual journey for many years now. When I first started, one of the things I realized about the Psalms was that every emotion I had ever experienced was found in the Psalms.

I could find Psalms that spoke of joy (Psalm 16 & 33). Psalms that speak of God as our fortress when I was feeling threatened (Psalm 18). I could find the promise of God being my strength when I felt weak. (Psalm 28 31, & 40) There are even Psalms that speak of anger but that’s for another day.

Of course, we all love and can quote the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

There are various “kinds” or “types” of Psalms. (These are called, “genres.”) One of my favorites is the, “lament.”  A very simple definition of a lament is that it starts off kind of whiny but ends up in victory.

Ever feel kind of whiny? Things aren’t going like we want them to go. Seems like every time we turn around, we are having a conflict with someone. We don’t understand what’s happening or why it’s happening. We don’t know what to do and we feel helpless and even hopeless.

Instead of sitting down and eating a can of worms, the psalmist gives us a great plan for dealing with these emotions. He lets us know that it’s okay to express these emotions, especially to God. Denying you feel this way will only lead to an explosion down the road and there will be innocent victims.

Psalm 3 is a lament of David. He was having a really bad day. His son was trying to kill him You can read the whole story starting in 2 Samuel 15.) Take a moment to read the first four verses in Psalm 3. The first four verses are understandably “whiny.” “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’” Take note though, David didn’t stay there. He pulled from his past. He drew from the faithfulness of God in days gone by. Listen to what he says, “BUT you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts up my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.”

Even though things aren’t going like we want them to go these days and maybe even for many more days to come doesn’t mean we are helpless and hopeless. Don’t forget that important word “BUT.”  It’s okay to express your emotions to God. He can handle them. He understands. Best of all, He can bring comfort, peace and joy in these times. He is more than able to bring you through victoriously.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the most famous lament, Psalm 22. Jesus quoted this Psalm from the cross when He was having a bad day.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week–Resurrection

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You can read about the Resurrection of Jesus in all four Gospels (Matthew 28:1-13; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; and John 20:1-31) You’ve probably heard many sermons/teachings about the Resurrection. It’s an exciting story that causes our hearts to burn with love, joy and hope.

Even though we all know how the story ends, the Passion Week of Christ is one of the most meaningful stories of the Bible. Every time I read it, something inside me burns.

I love Luke’s account of Jesus walking with the two of His followers on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. I get their disappointment. I’ve been disappointed at times by the way God works. But the part I really relate to is their reaction to the words Jesus spoke to them. Their words at that time were, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Something inside me burns every time I read about the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s the foundation of my faith; it’s what brings me hope; and it’s what gives me faith in Him and all that is found in His Word.

There’s one more thing about the Resurrection that causes something inside of me to burn.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the grave, is living inside you and me. It’s power over death and it’s the power that gives me life. Read it in Romans 8:11: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Life. Jesus’ death and resurrection opens the door to each one of us for life, abundantly. This life is for both the here and now, but also for eternity. His death and resurrection defeated death and destruction satan planned for us.

It’s a great promise! Enjoy!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Easter Sunday Sermon Notes

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Does It Matter?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Today’s Bible Reading: Psalm 118:1-7

#1—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it’s the foundation upon which our relationship with God is based.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

#2—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it fulfilled prophecy.

Mark 8:31—

Psalm 16:10-11

#3—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because our salvation depends upon it.

Romans 4:25—

Hebrews 7:25—

#4—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it’s foundational to our faith.

1 Corinthians 15:14—

#5—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it paves the way for a future resurrection for all who believe.

1 Corinthians 15:22-23

The Resurrection of Jesus matters because through it, He conquered death; gives eternal life; and has provided a way for us to have life today, and life abundantly.