Their Unbelief

November 9, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith

Their Unbelief

And He (Jesus) did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:58‬ ‭

Despised And Rejected

Jesus returned to His hometown to teach and preach in the local synagogue. After they heard Him, they discredited His wisdom by making statements like, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Rather than opening their hearts and having faith, the people were skeptics and resistant. Because they rejected Jesus, they were not able to see the great works and miracles that could have been done in that town. Many people could have been healed and saved. Some could have had new life by simply believing in Him. Even more could have been forgiven of their sins. That is tragic to hear that some people would reject the One who came to save the world.

Does your unbelief keep you from seeing the mighty works and miracles of Jesus? Sometimes we are just like those people who were skeptical and resistant. Sometimes we limit the power of God because of our unbelief. Just like the people of Nazareth, we try to humanize the things of God. Unbelief holds you back from witnessing the greatness of God. It enables us to see God’s power and glory. Unbelief hinders the work that God desires to do in you and through you. Unbelief causes us to question His ability to do great things. We should be like the father of the child in Mark 9:24 when he says, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Prayer

Lord, I confess my unbelief and ask You to forgive me. Help me to faithfully live out what I believe.

Saved

November 8, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Trust

Saved

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭

Power of God

The message of the cross is all about Jesus Christ. It is a redemption story that will be retold for eternity, even in Heaven. The most amazing element of the message is love. Jesus endured the punishment of sin so that you would be set free. Set free from your bondage and guilt of sin.

For those who are spiritually blind and ignorant of the truth, it is foolishness. Paul was stating the fact that for some people the message of the cross is meaningless. Some people do not realize how much love God has for them. Even though God hates sin, He loves the sinner and wants to redeem him/her and bring them into a right relationship and fellowship with Him and the Saints of God.

However, for us who have been saved the message of the cross brings us power. The power of God is given to us through the Holy Spirit of God that reveals to us what it means to be saved. Being saved of our sins gives us freedom to live under grace and not by the Law. No one can keep the Law perfectly but everyone can experience the grace of God. It’s given and not earned. It is power to the Believer because we know the truth. The power of God is what makes us live confidently in this evil world. It produces boldness and courage for those who desire to please the Lord.

Prayer

Lord Father, we thank you for sending us Jesus to die in our place. We boldly confess You as King. Give us someone to share Your love and grace with.

God Has Done It

November 7, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Trust

God Has Done It

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:14‬

Forever, Amen

Solomon shares his wisdom and experiences of life in the Book of Ecclesiastes. He brings a worldview of believing in God as Creator and Sustainer of life. Ecclesiastes 3 begins with the subject of time. Verses 1-8 can be summarized as there is a time for every purpose under heaven and shows us the need to take full advantage of the time God gives each of us. Verses 9-12 centers the focus of thinking of God as the master of time and He made everything beautiful in its time. Then in verses 12-15, Solomon speaks of the things of God being eternal.

Solomon describes God’s actions in three aspects. First we need to realize that God’s actions are permanent as they endure forever. On the contrary, anything man made is temporary. The automobile that you drive, the clothes that you wear and the treasures that we store will not last. But the Word of God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Second, God’s actions are perfect as nothing can be added to it. The things of God lack nothing. Even from the beginning, His perfect plans are carried out. His plans and ways are much better than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Third, God’s actions are protected as nothing can be taken away from it. God safely secures everything according to His power and might. There is nothing that can defeat or demise His will. Everything happens as He see fit. (Romans 8:28) Because God’s actions are eternal they are permanent, perfect and protected.

Prayer

Ask the Lord to give you an eternal perspective on life and to reveal His goodness through everything He does in your life.