RCCG: Place of His Presence

Intro:

Though Jesus Christ was with God from the beginning, a time came when He was a need for Him to be called upon to make a necessary sacrifice for mankind. John the Baptist announced he came to prepare the way for the coming of Him who has always been. John 1:15, 26 - 27

16/11/08

The Call of Jesus

Luke 5: 27 - 32

Purpose  I Timothy 1:15; John 10:10; Luke 19:10

We have sinned

Reconciliation needed

1. God loves us (John 3:17;  1 John 4:9 – 10; Romans 5: 8
2. We can not help ourselves (Luke 15: 11 – 32; Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 1:9
3. The perfect blood sacrifice (Heb. 9:22; Heb. 10:4; Romans 5:6-11; 1 Peter 1: 18 – 20; Rev. 5:9; Rom. 5:9; John 6:53

23/11/2008

The Call of Jesus. Pt. 2

Effectiveness

Power of God

1. Authority over all (LK 4: 34 – 36; Philippians 2:9-11; Matthew 28:18; Mark 4:37-41;
2. Power to forgive sins -sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Matthew 9: 2 - 7)
3. Lead by example -holy life is possible in a fleshy garment(Mark 9:34-35; Matthew 5:15 – 16; )

Love is absolutely essential (it covers a multitude of sins) 1 Peter 4:8, James 5:20

30/11/2008

The Call of Jesus. Pt 3

The Accomplishment

This was by liberation from earthly limitations

To initiate His purpose, the inaugural thing Christ did was to separate Himself from the things of the flesh and spend time with God – a Spirit. (Matt 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13 & Luke 4:1-2). He was there 40 days & tempted with the things of the flesh by the devil. He had a choice to make.

Therefore, there are two ways of life before man –life in the spirit & life in the flesh.

Jesus was not the only man to be alone with God; the other man, Adam, was. But, Adam did what Jesus did not do –give in to flesh over the spirit.

Like Adam, Jesus had the option of what meat to eat and He choose wisely (Gen 3:6, John 4:34). We need to make the right choices for the work of Jesus to be complete in us, seeing that it is not for everyone to receive this salvation –only to those who can discipline their fleshy desires and obey God because they believe in Christ (John 6: 39 – 40).

1. Separation from flesh -full spirit (Romans 8: 3 – 8; John 4:23-26)
2. Live through Christ (John 14: 6; John 1:12)
3. Do His will, that His work may be accomplished in you (John 14: 11 -12)

Summary

The need for Christ

1)      Only the sacrifice of Jesus could cleanse us from sins and reconcile us with God (Heb. 9:22 & 10: 4, Roms. 5: 6 – 11, 1 Peter 1: 18 – 20).

2)      The authority of Jesus’ name and a heart of true love is essential the sacrifice to be effective (Isa. 59:2, Matt. 9: 2-7, Phil 2: 9, 1 Peter 4:8, James 5:20)

3)      Knowing that the sacrifice will only be meaningful for those who believe and follow His path, we need incline more to His ways and examples than to our earthly ways.

 -Pst. Steve