Torn In Two

August 19, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Faith, Salvation

Torn In Two

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Matthew 27:51

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Matthew, Mark and Luke share the same event of the curtain (or the veil) being torn when Jesus died on the cross. The tearing of the curtain has a significant meaning that we must consider as we remember the death of Jesus. The events that took place while Jesus was on the cross prove that Jesus was the Messiah.

The Jewish temple was a complicated place of worship. On the outside there were courts set aside for women and Gentiles to be able to worship God. On the inside the temple the Jewish men were allowed to worship. The temple had a very special room called the Holy of Holies. Once a year the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies and offer a sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel. There were certain rules and arrangements made just for this special occasion. A beautiful curtain blocked the entrance of this special place where the presence of God was said to be in the Ark of the Covenant. The curtain was approxmiately 60 feet long, 20 feet wide and 4 inches thick. The historian, Josephus, said horses tied to each side could not pull it apart. But yet we read that when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn from the top to the bottom. Only God could have done such a wondrous work.

The torn curtain symbolizes how every Christian now has access to God without going through a priest. As a Believer we can go directly to God anytime we want to. Because the Holy Spirit resides in the heart of the Believer there are no longer any barriers separating us from God.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for sending us Jesus to save us and give us eternal life. We thank you for removing all barriers and allowing us to pray directly to You.

Remember This Day

May 11, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Salvation, Trust

Remember This Day

Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭

Out Of Bondage

Before God delivered His people out of Egypt they were living in bondage. They were severely worked hard and abused. We call it slavery today. But they weren’t always in bondage. Moses was the man who God chose to deliver the people from out of bondage.

Egypt represents the life of bondage that we once lived in before we were delivered from our bondage of sin. Before we were delivered from our bondage of sin we were trapped. Sin would not let go of us. Then God sent Jesus to come and deliver us from our sins. No longer do you live in chains and shackles. You have been set free by the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus tells us to remember what He did for you s on the cross. If you have participated in the Lord’s supper then you have meditated upon the works of Jesus. His body is our bread of life that was broken. It was His blood that was poured out for the remission of sin. It was His death that gave us victory over sin. We celebrate because we are forgiven. We must always remember what Jesus did on our behalf. When Jesus was dying on the cross, He was thinking of you. As the children of Israel were commanded to set a day aside to remember what God did for them, we too as Christians are always to remember what Jesus did for us. If we keep our eyes on Jesus and our mind on His Word, our lives will be a living example of what we believe.

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes and ears so that I may fill my heart and mind with Your love.

Resurrection Sunday

April 21, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Faith, Salvation, Trust

Resurrection Sunday

He is not here, for He has risen, as He (Jesus) said.

Matthew 28:6

Because He Lives

Today we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior of the world. Easter Sunday is a day that the world can be sure that God’s promises are true and that redemption is accomplished. Because Jesus lived a perfect and holy life on this Earth His blood that was shed on the cross became the atonement for our sins. In other words, Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin which is death!

On the third day (Sunday) Jesus defeated death and sin by bringing Himself back to life. Only God the Son could do such magnificent and miraculous work. That is why we worship and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus could live and die and then live again. All power and majesty are given unto Him!

Because He lives, we have hope and assurance in salvation. One day we all will leave this Earth but glory to God we shall see Jesus face to face. Heaven awaits us for eternal life in perfect harmony and glory. There will be no more sin! No more death! No more tears! No more suffering! It’s all because of Jesus. It’s all because Jesus lived. It’s all because Jesus died. It’s all because He lives! Celebrate today with the joy and blessedness that we have received because God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not perish. Jesus gives us everlasting life!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for dying in my place and forgiving me of my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life in Heaven. I will live for your glory so that others may know you as I do.