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After The Fact

What’s Your Story?

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Luke 8:35-39

35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

First, the exorcism left the men with a new posture, that of sitting and resting, in direct contrast to the constant roaming and wandering about the tombs and mountains and wilderness day and night. Christ says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” A problem of sin is discontentment, the lack of peace and rest (Isaiah 57:20-21). However, that all changed when Christ entered the lives of the demon-possessed men to deliver them from the evil adversary.

Second, before the exorcism, the possessed men want nothing to do with Christ, but afterward a tremendous change in attitude occurs: The delivered men want to go with Christ out of reverence and respect for their “Savior.”Jesus, though, has something else in mind: It is more important that they witness to others of what happened. Jesus instructs His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). The man wants to follow Jesus physically, but Jesus wants him to take up his cause for Him.

Third, before their deliverance they wear no clothes, yet afterwards they are clothed (Luke 8:27, 35). Sin makes people shameless and immodest, a natural development due to their separation from the righteous God. The men’s spiritual cleanness is indicated by visible changes; modesty, cleanliness, and appearance improve, as it does when anyone is delivered by Christ. Wherever God’s truth is received, people’s morals improve, reflected in modest clothing.

Fourth, they regain their sanity. Fools, not wise men, reject God (Psalm 14:1), and sin invites Satan into a person’s mind. Ultimately, his influence causes madness. Jesus explains: “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order” (Luke 11:24-25). When a demon is removed, a person’s mind is cleaned of chaos and made orderly. To avoid being possessed again, he needs to replace what was swept out with God’s Spirit and truth.

Fifth, the words “right mind” (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35) suggest the controlling of thoughts and actions, so it indicates, not only sanity, but also self-control. The demons in the men are uncontrollable (“neither could anyone tame him,”Mark 5:4), but when Jesus comes, they recognize God’s authority over them. Evil people cannot control their desires, and society cannot control them, so crime rages on. Living God’s way of life as revealed in the life of Christ is the answer. God provides the right mind to produce the fruit of the Spirit, including self-control (Galatians 5:23).

Jesus instructs the healed man to tell people about his deliverance, particularly those who were familiar and intimate with him. He wants him to be an example of God’s grace, first among his own family and friends, so that they can come to repentance. A Christian is first responsible for witnessing to those closest to him, who will see the greatest difference in him as he lives God’s way of life.

God’s Love Toward Us

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God loves us so much that He loved us even before we realized who He was

1 John 4:19

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

  • It is by this kind of love we realize that we must love others to help them realize how much that God loves them. By this love it opens the eyes of a person that does not know God to realize God has sent people into their life so they know God greater.

God loves us so much that even when we are on the fence about trusting in His love that He continues to love us while we decide

Romans 2:4

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

2 Peter 3:15

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

  • It is by His loving patience toward us that while we are into things that we should face punishment and exposure for that we receive mercy even when we have not apologized and confessed our sins to God.

God loves us so much that once we are Christians and we stumble that He gives us another chance rather than giving up on us.

Job 33:27-30

27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

  • God knows that as we fail and move forward that we have the chance to learn from our failures to be stronger people. Thank God for another chance for growth!

God loves us enough that even when we suffer that it is never more than we could stand.

1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Matthew 11:29

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

  • What would be too much on our own without God we know that through Christ we can do all things. It may not always be how we wanted it or as easy as we wished it could be, but through Christ we can make it!

God loves us enough that while we are on earth that we have everything that we need in order to sustain a happy and Godly life. Materially, physically, literally, mentally and spiritually.

2 Peter 1:3

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalm 37:25

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

God loves us enough that irregardless of what we have done prior to this moment that if we come to him and ask forgiveness of our mistakes and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that by accepting Christ as Lord of our life that we can be forgiven from our past and have a eternal future in Heaven.

Romans 10:9-10

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

– Not only forgiveness and freedom of our past is rewarded but we also receive power by the Holy Spirit to have a present authority to write a new chapter of a bright and marvelous future!

Strength out of Weakness

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2 Corinthians 12:10

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Sometimes we find it hard to be strong in what we face because we cannot see the strength that we truly carry inside of us. God wants us all to know and understand that we are walking with more than just our own strength, more than just our own thoughts, and more than just what we see on earth.

  1. Gideon had a weakness in not believing in himself, but God saw a mighty man of valor

Judges 6:11-16

11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

  1. Moses had a weakness in not trusting the confidence of himself in following God’s command but God was stern in reminding Moses that

Exodus 4:8-12

8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

3) Elijah had a weakness in being afraid of the enemy and feeling alone in the battle that was ahead. Yet God revealed to him that there were others that were still standing. What an assurance to know we don’t stand alone.

1 Kings 19:13-18

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

4) Even though Samson was lured into giving away the secret to his physical strength his biggest weakness was not realizing where his strength came from. Once he asked God for strength it gave him the ability to finally use it for God’s glory.

Judges 16:26-30

26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.

30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

Even when we cannot see our strengths God’s grace is there to help us become stronger than we have ever been before.

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God Is Our Protector

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In order to walk in a greater boldness we must know that we serve a God who is our protector. He watches over us when we cannot even see for ourselves. He keeps us from greater harms. And while living in a world of free choice brings a lot of harms we would never want we are still with someone who helps us with things beyond our understanding.

How are we protected from greater harms?

You are protected from the temptation of evil because God is strong

Matthew 16:18

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

John 19:11

11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

1 Peter 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

You are protected from feeling alone amongst evil because you are never left behind

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Luke 12:32

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Change The Bitter Waters

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Exodus 15:22-24

[22] So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
[23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
[24] And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

We begin with a company of singing former slaves:

  • They had been set free
  • Their enemies have perished at the red sea
  • They had a reason to be singing

Onward they go to Canaan

  • Moses leads his people into the wilderness
  • Our lord knows the way through the wilderness
  • There are great lessons to learn in the wilderness

Three days into the wilderness and out of water

  • The containers they filled up at Egypt are gone

There was water at Marah, but it was bitter

This disappointed Israel, for they expected everything to go well

We all have trials on the journey – John 16:33 – [33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The people murmured against moses

  • Bitter experiences should not make us bitter
  • Bitter people cannot bless others
  • Saul was bitter towards david
  • The prodigals brother was bitter about his return

James 3:14-16

[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Hebrews 12:12-15

[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
[14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

So what do we do now?

  • Moses cried to the lord
  • Pray when others criticize you
  • Moses didn’t know what to do, so he prayed
  • God promises wisdom for those who ask

James 1:5

[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Exodus 15:25-27

[25] And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
[26] And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
[27] And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

The tree made the waters sweet

  • The tree had been there all the time
  • The tree speaks of the tree of Calvary
  • Remember the cross when you face the bitter experiences
  • The cross will sweeten the bitter times in your life

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

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Lamentations 3:18-26

[18] And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
[19] Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
[20] My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
[21] This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
[22] It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
[23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
[24] The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
[25] The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
[26] It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Jeremiah is lamenting over the downfall of his people

  • The chastening of God upon them
  • The full and the captivity

No one seemed to care (Lamentations 1:12)

[12] Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.

We can share jeremiahs tears:

  • The moral condition of our land
  • Crime, drugs, immorality rampant
  • The cold condition of the churches

There is a message of triumph in this book of tears

There is a burst of delight in this book of despair:

  • God is faithful even when things look dark
  • God’s faithfulness revives his weeping prophet

Mercy: a word that bring hope to the troubled. To those in darkness, that despite your failures you can be forgiven

Compassion: a word of comfort, it lets me feel as you feel.

This reminds us of Christ and his compassion for the hurting multitudes.

To them that wait for him and to the soul that seeketh him: We can quietly wait for the salvation of the lord!

Living To Overcome

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1 John 4:1-4

[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Overcoming our adversaries and obstacles

Spiritual adversaries are always active

  • Speaking through false prophets
  • Walking in the spirit of the anti-Christ

We face 3 main types of enemies that the devil uses to attack:

  • Spiritual adversaries
  • Recurring anxieties
  • The world’s temptations

These adversaries are deceptive and powerful, using things unaware to our flesh to provoke it

Ephesians 6:11-12

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

You do not overcome by fighting in fear, you overcome by a perfect love and great faith.

John 4:18

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

  • Responding to God’s love brings faith
  • Fear and faith are opposites
  • Knowing that we are loved makes us unafraid

How do we overcome?

John 14:16-17

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The one we have is greater within us then the one within us that tries to bring fear

We have the Holy Spirit which is not only our comfort and teacher but our weapon to spiritual wickedness

It will not only dispel fear but also help us to rebuke the world’s appeal and keeps us from lowering ourselves to that level

1 John 5:1-5, 13-15

[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] 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.

We can overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life by faith.

We have faith given by God to receive his love and comforter that by this love we lose our fear and gain faith to use the weapons of our warfare not against flesh and blood but to the pulling down of spiritual wickedness!

Who’s In The Bottom Of Your Boat

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Mark 4:35-41

[35] And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
[36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
[37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
[38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
[41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Here we begin at our lord’s long day of preaching.

The crowd was so great he had to teach from a boat

Topics were:

  • the parable of the sower
  • the candle under a bushel
  • the coming harvest
  • the mustard seed

He closes the day’s end with his disciples in an adventure they would never forget

The promise at evening 35 – let us pass over to the other side

  • speaks of a journey with Jesus
  • speaks of his fellowship on the other side
  • speaks of safe passage from the journey

The Christian life is like this journey

  • we may be weary when he calls us
  • we decide to travel with him
  • he goes with us through the entire journey
  • we are not only helped through the storm but are unto heaven eternal

The Peril of the storm (v. 37)

  • There arose a great storm of wind
  • The waves were beating upon the ship

Lessons we can learn from the disciples:

  • they were obeying yet the storm came
  • they were traveling with Jesus, yet the storm came
  • they were in the center of his will, yet the storm came

Storms come to us all!

The purpose of the storm (v. 38-41)

  • Jesus knew the storm would come
  • He was equipped to send the storm away
  • Rather than send it away he chose to go through the storm with his disciples

The storm enabled them to measure their faith

  • They learned that Christ was with them in the storm
  • They learned that he is up to any occasion

There are different storms for different purposes

  • Jonah’s storm was to bring him back to the lord
  • Paul’s storm was to provide a witnessing opportunity

This storm was to build their faith

Don’t judge the purpose of another’s storm

 

Tell My Servant Peter

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Mark 16:1-7

[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
[4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
[6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
[7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

  • We begin at the early morning walk to the tomb
  • 3 women were coming bringing spices
  • They were coming to do the work of undertakers
  • They worried about moving the stone at the tomb
    • Unbelief is fertile ground for worrying
    • There was no need to worry
    • When they arrived it was already rolled away
  • The 3 were commissioned by an angel
    • They were to put away their fears: Christ was alive!
    • They were to tell the disciples Christ had risen
    • They were to be sure to tell Peter
  • So why did Peter had to be told?

Peter needed to know that he was not forsaken – Mark (14:22-72)

  • Jesus had prepared His disciples for what was ahead
    • The crucifixion
    • The persecution
    • and His resurrection
  • Peter vowed to never be offended, but broke the vow
    • He needed to know that Jesus still loved him
    • He needed to know that Jesus had kept this vow
  • To fail does not make one a lifelong failure
    • God’s love reaches out to those who have failed
    • The cross and the resurrection guarantee that love

Peter needed to know that he had been forgiven

  • He had followed Jesus from afar
  • He had mingled with the enemies of the Lord
  • He had warmed himself by the wrong fire
  • He had denied the lord three times
  • He didn’t want to be identified with Jesus
  • Cursed and swore while denying he knew Jesus

In spite of all of this you still can be forgiven!

Peter was a broken man, without Christ his foundation was unsure

Luke 6:6-11

[6] And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
[7] And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
[8] But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
[9] Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
[10] And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
[11] And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

  • His net was broken (Luke 6:6)
    • His pride was broken (Luke 6:8)
    • His partnership was broken (Luke 6:9-10)
    • He left all to follow Jesus (Luke 6:11)
    • Now he felt disqualified
  • Peter needed to know he still belonged to the lord

1 Peter 1:5-8

[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
[8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

  • He called the resurrection his “Living Hope”
  • He then knew that God had not given up on him

Actions and Reactions

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Actions

An action is what you or another person does that is under your control.

We can go to church and act like a Christian, although we do not become a Christian because we go to church and act like one.

When you are saved people expect your actions to begin and be different. 

These are the things you do when your life is in a state of stability.

Galatians 5: 16-25

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The spirit is served to us not only as the teacher to lead our actions but as the comforter to help us better our reactions.

Reactions

A Reaction is defined as an action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or event, thus revealing their true nature.

Sometimes we may not have time to think about what we are going to do or say before we react. 

A reaction will most often reveal the true nature of your comforts, beliefs and pleasures.

It’s what you do when your back is against the wall.

2 Peter 1: 2-13

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as

3 His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

4 Thereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And besides this, using all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge,

6 and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness,

7 and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Therefore brethren, give diligence all the more to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things ye shall never fall.

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them and are strengthened in the present truth.

13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance,