Dare we think of what it would be like to be totally separated from God's love? I'm filled with a sense of despair just thinking about it. That's exactly what this week's message is all about, "The Separation of Darkness."
Can you imagine what life would be like if there was no God? Scarey! It's hard to believe that some people believe this; and if they do, they are in for a big surprise; because God is real.
Let's do some eschatological thinking for a moment. Eschatology is the theology of future things when Jesus returns again; and the world will experience seven years of tribulation; and the church will be raptured; and God will usher in a new Kingdom for His people. Eschatology also has to do with the study of heaven and hell, and the judgment of God. Not only is hell a literal place of eternal fire and torment, but it is also a place of darkness; or separation from God's love.
This weeks message will explore the difference between light and darkness; or love and no love. No love is darkness, and love is light. God pours out the light of His love upon those who invite Him into their lives. Otherwise, you live in darkness; or separation for God's love.
Sometimes even Christians feel overcome by darkness. Not that darkness has any power to overcome God's light of love; but sometimes something exists in one's life that blocks out that light, and you are left feeling separated from God. It is an awful feeling for sure to be saved; and yet to feel that God is at a distance from you, or that He has left you altogether.
Hang on to the truth! God promises to never leave you nor forsake you. When you feel that God is at a distance from you, you should stop and search for Him all the more. Seek and you will find Him.
Come out Sunday and hear this wonderful message about how God's light of love always conquers darkness. Nothing can pluck you from the embrace of the Father's love.
Blessings,
-Leo
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Set Your Face to the Cause
Last night I started a series of discussion/studies on the Travel Narratives of Luke chapter 9 through 18. Luke 9:51 says,
"As the time approached for [Jesus] to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."
At this point Jesus changed his focus of ministry. He had been traveling around from town to town establishing his ministry of healing and casting out demons, and preaching the coming kingdom. But now, things became more urgent. His time was fast approaching. Soon he would give the ultimate sacrifice - his Life on the cross.
The urgency in His mission was to get as much teaching into His disciples as possible; so as the traveled through Samaria toward Jerusalem, Jesus took every opportunity to teach them. This is why there are so many parables in the central section of Luke. Parables became important life lessons to help the disciples understand what it meant to live spiritual lives to the glory of God. These lessons would soon resonate in their minds as they encountered various circumstances along the journey of life.
Last night's lesson mostly focused on the lesson of urgency. Just as Jesus was urgent about discipleship, so should we be filled with that same sense of urgency for the ministry of the gospel today. Jesus will one day return again. However, God is delaying that return for the special reason that "He is not willing that any should perish, but all will come to repentance." My question is: How urgent are we about the lost? Do we think in terms of the limited amount of time until Christ return? Does it make us anxious for the lost in any way?
I have often heard the expression: "The church does not exist for itself." If that's not the case, then there is no need for the Great Commission "to go and make disciples." The church exists for those outside of its walls; the lost.
So let's set our face to the cause of being the agents of God's mission to seek and save the lost. Let's be resolved that nothing will turn us away from completing the Great Commission into all of the world.
Blessings,
-Leo
"As the time approached for [Jesus] to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."
At this point Jesus changed his focus of ministry. He had been traveling around from town to town establishing his ministry of healing and casting out demons, and preaching the coming kingdom. But now, things became more urgent. His time was fast approaching. Soon he would give the ultimate sacrifice - his Life on the cross.
The urgency in His mission was to get as much teaching into His disciples as possible; so as the traveled through Samaria toward Jerusalem, Jesus took every opportunity to teach them. This is why there are so many parables in the central section of Luke. Parables became important life lessons to help the disciples understand what it meant to live spiritual lives to the glory of God. These lessons would soon resonate in their minds as they encountered various circumstances along the journey of life.
Last night's lesson mostly focused on the lesson of urgency. Just as Jesus was urgent about discipleship, so should we be filled with that same sense of urgency for the ministry of the gospel today. Jesus will one day return again. However, God is delaying that return for the special reason that "He is not willing that any should perish, but all will come to repentance." My question is: How urgent are we about the lost? Do we think in terms of the limited amount of time until Christ return? Does it make us anxious for the lost in any way?
I have often heard the expression: "The church does not exist for itself." If that's not the case, then there is no need for the Great Commission "to go and make disciples." The church exists for those outside of its walls; the lost.
So let's set our face to the cause of being the agents of God's mission to seek and save the lost. Let's be resolved that nothing will turn us away from completing the Great Commission into all of the world.
Blessings,
-Leo
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