Pastor's Points

It's human nature I guess that we so often anticipate with great excitement coming events with either great expectation, mild enthusiasm or dread. Birthdays, holidays, Fridays, anniversaries and the list goes on. The Apostle Peter wrote of a great day that he said we as believers should look for, prepare for and even long for. It's the Great Day of The Lord and what a day it will be. It's a day of judgement, a day when the world as we know it shall end and new one begin which will only be populated by God's Elect. Are you prepared against that day? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:13-14 (NKJ)  

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 (NKJV) How do you "see" God's Kingdom? Most of us probably take Jesus' statement to mean that unless we're born again we will not be able to enter Heaven and thus never "see" it. This is true, but the scope of Jesus' statement is much greater. To "see" the Kingdom involves among other things, to "see" the need to share the gospel, to "see" the to pray of others, to "see" the need to support your church, to "see" the need to study God's Word, to "see" the need to love your brother as yourself, to "see" the need to....well I think you get the picture. Bottom line? Born again believers can "see" the Kingdom of God Now! As in TODAY!

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 (NKJV) Jesus' earthly ministry is about to culminate in His death. He's been beaten, ridiculed, humiliated and now is nailed to a cross to die. At this point I don't believe anyone would criticize Him for berating and cursing His tormentors yet this would be out of character for the Son of Man. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. Luke 23:34 (NKJV) The Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests, mob and Roman soldiers did not, could not realize the impact of the acts that day. Despite their cruelty Jesus, God's Son, refuses to condemn them. Instead, He prays to the Father that this sin, the killing of an innocent man, the Lamb of God, not be held against them. What love is this? It is the "Agape" love, the love only God

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10 (NKJV) I guess the only thing that approaches the love of God is the love of parents for a newborn or even unborn child. This type of love is not a response to another's  love but given freely without condition. It's the kind of love depicted in John 3:16 and Luck 1:4a. This is real, pure, selfless and sacrificing love and though we are not worthy, it is ours because of who God is. How can we not love God?

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NKJV) Sublime elation! All of us know the joy and excitement of realizing we've achieved a great personal goal. It was evident on the faces of our medal winning athletes in Rio de Janeiro this past month. One could not help but rejoice with them as saw witnessed their victories. Here John says two things "You are of God" and (you) have overcome"! Born again Christians have overcome the chains of sin by becoming Children of God. Our victory is not ours but of God because He is "greater than he that is in the world". Like the Psalmist we too can say "The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want."