The Cross Of Jesus

The cross of Jesus was about far more than death, suffering and blood.  The cross of Jesus was a place of testimony. It was here that God made His greatest declaration of love for lost humanity, 

Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  . .. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He helped one man and his family.  

When He healed the lepers; delivered the demoniacs; opened the blind eyes and healed diseased, twisted bodies; He was helping one person and one family at a time. 

When He fed the 5,000 thousand, He helped 5,000 men plus women and children.  

But, when He died on the cross, Jesus made a difference for every member of Adam’s family who would believe in Him by faith, accept Him as their personal Savior.

It wasn’t just one man; but it was “whosoever will”, Rom. 10:13; Rev. 22:17. He could have saved Himself, but He stayed on the cross to save sinners.

The best thing that ever happened to me was when I believed in Jesus.

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“I believe that this life with it's great mysteries — Surely someday will come to an end. — But faith will conquer the darkness and death — And will lead at last to my friend.

“I believe in a hill called mount calvary. — I believe whatever the cost. — And when time has surrendered — And earth is no more — I'll still cling to the old rugged cross.

“I believe that the Christ Who was slain on that cross — Has the power to change lives today. — For He changed me completely A new life is mine. — That is why by the cross I will stay.

“I believe in a hill called mount calvary. — I believe whatever the cost. — And when time has surrendered — And earth is no more — I'll still cling to the old rugged cross.”

         Dale Oldham, Gloria Gaither, and William J. Gaither 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

The Will Of God

Genuine, biblical faith is a miracle. Faith in God is something we don’t possess naturally. Eph. 2:8 tells us that faith is “the gift of God.” 

This outworking of faith in God’s people has allowed them see demonstrations of God’s power that boggle the mind. It has allowed them to receive answers to prayers for things that appeared impossible.

Faith in God and in the promises found in His Word, allows us to believe Him in the impossible situations of life.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

It sounds like a blank check, like you can ask for anything and receive it. 

There is not a single verse in the Bible that contradicts another verse. 

The Bible is very clear that answers to prayer come when we pray according to the will of God. 

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

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“Have Thine own way, Lord, — Have Thine own way; — Thou art the Potter, — I am the clay. — Mould me and make me After Thy will, — While I am waiting, Yielded and still.

“Have Thine own way, Lord, — Have Thine own way; — Search me and try me, — Master, today. — Whiter than snow, Lord, Wash me just now, — As in Thy presence Humbly I bow.

“Have Thine own way, Lord, — Have Thine own way; — Wounded and weary, — Help me, I pray. — Power, all power, — Surely is Thine, — Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.”

       Adelaide A. Pollard

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

He is called God - the One Who is over all. It encompasses all of His power, His glory, His influence and His wonder. This word reminds us that He is the One in charge of all things.

Often our faith is overwhelmed by our doubts. In spite of that, God is faithful. 

We can have confidence that our God is faithful and that He will stand by us even when our faith is weak, John 10:28-29; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:28-30!

Regardless of the realm of life, the Lord can be trusted. He is faithful.

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“Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; — there is no shadow of turning with thee; — thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; — as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

“Great is thy faithfulness! — Great is thy faithfulness! — Morning by morning new mercies I see: — all I have needed thy hand hath provided — Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

“Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, — sun, moon, and stars in their courses above — join with all nature in manifold witness — to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. 

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, — thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, — strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, — blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”

           Thomas O. Chisholm

           

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Through It All

God desires intimacy with His people. The trials of life are designed to drive us into His arms. 

He isn’t trying to hurt you; He is trying to develop you. Great faith is shaped on the anvil of affliction. 

He is trying to teach you about His presence, His power and His peace. 

How will you ever know that He can unless He has to.

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“I've had many tears and sorrows — I've had questions for tomorrow — There've been times I didn't know right from wrong. — But in every situation God gave blessed consolation — That my trials come to only make me strong

“Through it all, — through it all — I've learned to trust in Jesus — I've learned to trust in God. —Through it all, — through it all — I've learned to depend upon His Word.

“I've been to lots of places  — And I've seen a lot of faces — There've been times I felt so all alone. — But in my lonely hours — Yes, those precious lonely hours — Jesus let me know that I was His own

“I thank God for the mountains — And I thank Him for the valleys — I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. — For if I'd never had a problem — I wouldn't know that He could solve them — I'd never know what faith In God could do.”

          Andrea Crouch

            

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Hope In A Weary World

Our world is not a place that lends itself to hope. In fact, when you consider the death, diseases, natural disasters, evil, and all the other negative things that fill our world, there’s not a lot of room for hope.

Believers in Jesus have assurance of hope.

Jesus is what will make Heaven Heaven. Imagine what it will be like when we see His face, hear His voice, feel His touch. 

Imagine what it will be like to be bow at His feet and thank Him for the cross, the blood, the empty tomb the Bible, the Holy Ghost, the church, the blessings of life,

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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“When my life's work is ended and I cross the swelling tide — When the bright and glorious morning I shall see. — I shall know my Redeem when I reach the other side — His smile will be the first to welcome me.

“I shall know Him, I shall know Him — And redeemed by His side I shall stand. — I shall know Him, I shall know Him — By the print of the nails in His hand.

“Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face — And the luster of His kindly beaming eye. — How my heart will praise Him for His mercy and His grace — That prepared for me a mansion in the sky.

“Through the gates of the city in a robe of spotless white — He will lead me where no tears will ever fall. — In the glad song of ages I will mingle with delight — But I long to see my Saviour first of all.”

                 Fanny J. Cosby 1891

             

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Learning To Lean

My, what a limitless resource we have been given in prayer. We are invited to pray,

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God promised to hear and answer our prayers, Isa 65:24; John 14:13-14; John 16:23-24.  

If we could learn to lean upon Jesus instead of worry and fear, we would have more victory.

He will see to our needs, Phil. 4:6-7; 19.  He will never fail us nor will He ever turn us away empty-handed, Matt. 7:7-11.

Our commitment to Him provides hope in the day of our battles. 

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“Learning to lean — Learning to lean, — I'm learning to lean on Jesus. — Finding more power than I've ever dreamed, — I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

“Sad broken hearted, at an alter I knelt — I found peace that was so serene — And all that He asks is a child like trust — And a heart that is learning to lean.

“There's a glorious victory, each day now for me — I've found peace so serene. — He helps me with each task, If I'll only ask — Everyday now I'm learning to lean.”

      John Stallings

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

The Name Of Jesus

Many  deny the deity of Jesus even though He has a name above every name.

Either in this life by salvation or in the one to come in judgment, every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is the Christ and Lord of all.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is power in the name of Jesus. We need to take it with us everywhere we go.

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“Take the name of Jesus with you, — Child of sorrow and of woe; — It will joy and comfort give you, — Take it then where’er you go.

“Precious name, oh how sweet! — Hope of earth and joy of heav’n; — Precious name, oh how sweet! — Hope of earth and joy of heav’n;

“Take the name of Jesus ever — As a shield from ev’ry snare; — When temptations round you gather, — Breathe that holy name in prayer.

“Oh, the precious name of Jesus! — How it thrills our souls with joy, — When His loving arms receive us — And His songs our tongues employ.

“At the name of Jesus bowing, — Falling prostrate at His feet,

King of kings in heav’n we’ll crown Him — When our journey is complete.”
             Lydia Baxter

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.