It Is Finished

April 20, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Faith, Salvation

It Is Finished

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
‭‭John‬ ‭19:30‬ ‭

Fulfilled

Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled numerous prophecies that were foretold in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus satisfied all requirements that were necessary to provide a blood atonement sacrifice for all sins. Although Jesus never sinned, He died a sinner’s death on the cross. Once and for all, the punishment of sin was accomplished.

God had a plan from the very beginning. Jesus dying on the cross was not plan “B” nor was it an accident. The crucifixion of Jesus was the ultimate plan before man was ever created. God knew what He was doing and knew that Jesus would be the One who could do it.

As Jesus suffered in torment He shouted triumphantly from the cross, “It is finished!” Jesus had completed the work that God sent Him to accomplish. He had faithfully fulfilled the will of the Father and it was completed. His death marks the end of all sacrifices. His blood and broken body was the perfect sacrifice that satisfied God’s requirements for the forgiveness of sin. At the moment when Jesus shouted these words the debt was paid in full. No longer was it necessary to offer another burnt sacrifice for sin. The perfect Lamb of God was offered up and it was approved by God. Jesus ended the old covenant and started the new. Now the new covenant is solely based upon the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

May we always remember the works of Christ that gives eternal life to those who believe in Him.

Prayer

Lord, we seek to please you with our whole life by living holy and righteously unto You.

Our Hearts Burn Within Us

February 28, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Trust

Our Hearts Burn Within Us

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:32‬

Walking With Jesus

After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to two disciples who were leaving Jerusalem and apparently witnessed His crucifixion. They received the news that Jesus was not in the tomb but was alive. They were very sad as they discussed the details of the events that happened over the weekend. As they were walking and talking, Jesus joined their conversation and they did not know that it was Him. Jesus spent much time with them as they talked on the road to Emmaus.

As Jesus spoke to the two disciples, He began with Moses and the prophets to tell the story of Himself. They spent time together as He shared the Scriptures with them and broke bread together. Their eyes were finally opened to see that it was Jesus who spoke with them concerning all things. After they considered all things they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us and as He opened the Scriptures to us?: Their hope was restored and their passion was renewed. The fire burned in their hearts as they heard the words of Jesus.

In the same way, Jesus wants to renew your passion for Him. Notice that it begins with the Word of God. A you walk with Jesus, He wants to spend time with you to reveal His goodness and mercy for you to be encouraged. We must allow time for Him to speak to us and the fire will be rekindled within our hearts.

Prayer

Open our hearts to what You have to say to us and help us to learn from Your word. Give us what we need to hear.

His Brothers

January 30, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Salvation, Trust

His Brothers

For not even his brothers believed in him.
‭‭John‬ ‭7:5‬

The Lost Are Dying

Does it concern you to hear that someone near and dear to you doesn’t believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Do you have family members who are not save? As Christians we should be concerned for those who are lost.

Even Jesus faced the issue of His own half-brothers not believing that He was the Messiah until after He was resurrected from the dead. James, especially, did not believe in the faith until after Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave. Then James became a leader in the early church in Jerusalem and was concerned about the faith of many others. Jude was another brother that eventually believed after the resurrection. They knew who Jesus was but they did not place their faith in Him as Lord until later in life.

This gives us hope and comfort that in the Lord’s timing there is salvation given to our family and friends that we love so much. We must never give up sharing our faith and testifying to others about who Jesus is to us. There is hope that one day they will see Jesus for who He really is. We must pray for our unbelieving family and friends and keep trying to win them to Christ. Sometimes we get so “churched” and close to our fellow believers that we lose sight of those who are lost and dying. We need to pray for those who do not have faith in Jesus nor eternal life. If you knew that someone you cared about was going to Hell would you make it a point to say something to assist the Hoy Spirit in saving their life?

Prayer

Lord, place a concern in my heart for those who are lost and without You.