Pastor: Pastor Mike | Series: Basic Christianity, Topical Study | 10-28-2018 – Principles Really Do Matter…

Elections are nine days away. How does the Bible tell us to vote? Today Pastor Mike reminds us of seven principles that really matter. Here is the bulletin insert; the full sermon notes are downloadable as well.
10.28.18 ~ Principles That Really Matter…
1. All human life is sacred ( Psalm 139:13-16).
Murder is forbidden (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22).
2. Marriage is the union of one man to one woman (Genesis 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:22-25, 28-33).
3. Common decency calls for the covering of gender specific body parts (Genesis 2:25; 3:7-11, 21-24).
Although humanity is “fallen,” God’s people are called to a much higher standard (Ephesians. 5:1-5, 15-17).
4. Sin brings work (Genesis 3:17-19); God brings joy (Ecclesiastes 2:22-25) and dignity (2Thess. 3:10).
5. God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), would bless every true Christian (Galatians 3:26-29).
God destined a people for His own (Ephesians 1:4-5; 1Peter 2:9-10); through His own Son (Hebrews 9:15; 1Corinthians 11:23-26; John 1:12-13).
6. God desires Biblical instruction for our children (Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Proverbs 22:6).
7. God ordained Home, Church, and Government.
A. The family is the basic unit of society; a father and mother raising their children by the principles and precepts found in God’s Word (Ephesians 6:1-3).
B. The church is those individuals committed to Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1Corinthians 12:12, 14, 18, 27).
The church is at odds with Satan and the world, as it carries out God’s plan, purpose, and provision through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
C. God established civil government (Romans 13:1; 1Peter 2:13-17); we pray for our leaders, but we obey God’s Word. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s but give to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17).
Peter Marshall, was elected Chaplain of the U. S. Senate in 1947. In his acceptance speech he said,
“The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights and privileges as American citizens. The time is come – it now is – when we ought to hear about the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. America’s future depends upon her accepting and demonstrating God’s government.”
Before you cast your ballot, find out how the candidates and measures line up with God’s principles, and then vote accordingly.

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

On July 4, 1776, the wording for the Declaration of Independence was agreed upon, on August 2, it was signed by 56 men, referred to as our “founding fathers.” The closing words of that document read, “With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” — 5 were captured and tortured to death; 12 had their homes robbed and burned; 5 died fighting in the war; 2 lost their sons in the war.
These courageous men came face to face with the personal cost of freedom; they were able to do so because they sought and were guided by God’s Word.
In 1787, Benjamin Franklin, at the age of 81, addressed the representatives who were preparing to write the Constitution of the United States, saying,“The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build a house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I, therefore, beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberation be held in this assembly every morning.”
In 1789, George Washington addressed the newly formed Congress saying, “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained.”
In 1816, John Jay, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice wrote, ”Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers; it is the duty, privilege, and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
In 1828, Noah Webster published “An American Dictionary of the English Language, in which he wrote the following, “In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed…No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
On April 30, 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer, saying, “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble

sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”
Woodrow Wilson, U.S. President 1913-1921, pronounced, ”America was born a Christian nation…
born to exemplify elements of righteousness derived from the revelations of the Holy Scriptures. …the destiny of Americans lies in their daily perusal of this great book of revelations.”
Christ died and rose, to make men free: all men, all nations. The Constitution of the United States was designed to perpetuate a Christian order, ideals and beliefs reflecting the authority and governance of God’s Word; it was never intended that God be shut out of America’s government, culture, or society.
God’s Word has been abandoned by our civil government, minimized in the public marketplace, and banished from the public school system.
In 1966, Time Magazine’s cover read, “Is God Dead?” One article written by, Princeton Theologian Paul Ramsey observes, “ours is the first attempt in recorded history to build a culture upon the premise that God is dead.”
Another article by Jesuit Theologian John Murray points to an atheism of distraction, to a people who are just “too damn busy” to worry about God at all.
America began as a nation under God, governed by leaders who recognized and revered God’s authority; but America has turned its back on God, resulting in elevated levels of crime, corruption, divorce, drug abuse, indulgent and absentee parenting, sexual immorality, and an overall ignorance and indifference toward God and God’s Word; this has led to an expedited disintegration of the family unit, which was intended by God to be the building block for community, culture and nations, and was to be made up of a husband/father servant-leader, a wife/mother homemaker, and children who were to be nurtured and raised in the knowledge of God.
Did you know that most of the Ivy League schools established in the 18th-19th centuries (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth), were founded on the principles and precepts of God’s Word, for the purpose of training pastors to preach and teach the Word of God.
At the turn of the 20th century, all of those once great institutions fell to secular humanism, denying both the authority and the existence of God, while at the same time, exhibiting disdain toward those who believe the Bible and seek to honor the God of the Bible..
Jesus Christ is the way, and the truth, and the life. He shed His own blood so that you and I might be set free from sin’s control and condemnation, forever!
The truth is, you cannot know life, liberty, peace, or the pursuit of happiness, apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who is both Lord and Savior, as Jesus said (John 8:31-32), “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Peter Marshall, Scottish-American Preacher, twice appointed Chaplain to the U.S. Senate, told Congress in 1947, “The choice before us is plain, Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights and privileges as American citizens. The time is come, it now is, when we ought to hear about the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. America’s future depends upon her
accepting and demonstrating God’s government.”
America began as a nation under God, governed by leaders who acknowledged God’s authority; unlike today where God’s Word is disrespected by government, banned from the workplace, mocked in the educational system, and treated with disdain by the media.
America’s government has turned away from God, and has become spiritually deaf, dumb, and blind, leading to consequences for all of us, as crime, corruption, and chaos threaten every community and neighborhood in this once great nation, just as God said would happen:
2Timothy 3:1-5, 12-13, “But Mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
The Scriptures clearly teach that God will punish those who do not honor and obey Him (Isaiah 13:11), “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”
Future generations of the 21st century will inevitably be more hostile toward Christianity than this present culture, that shows contempt for the sanctity of human life, the institution of marriage and family, the freedom of Christians to profess, proclaim and worship God.
There has never been a more critical time for believers and followers of Jesus Christ to encourage one another, while standing firm and contending for the faith that has been handed down through the Word of God.
1Peter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1Peter 2:13-16, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to his governors sent to punish those who do evil and praise those who do right. For this is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as slaves of God.”
The majority of America’s leaders today neither practice nor promote the Biblical principles that once guided our nation and made it great. And although sad, but very true, the majority of Americans today will celebrate this July 4th by expressing their own independence from and indifference toward the sovereign God of Creation.
Patriotism is love and support of one’s country; yes, we are citizens of and we live in America, temporarily; but we are more importantly citizens of heaven, where we will live forever with God. We should be patriots yes, as Christians first and as Americans second.
July 4 is meant to be a celebration of Christian American Patriotism, which can only be experienced by those who (1Peter 3:15-16), “In [their] hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.”
Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Bible Text: 2Corinthians 1:3-5 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

When life is draining, exhausting, perhaps overwhelming… when family members are unwilling to recognize the Lordship of Christ, when believing family members struggle with health issues, when a loved one gets hurt, when your own health is failing, when the future seems bleak, it is easy to become discouraged.

Discouragement robs our energy, our strength, our joy, our peace, and our contentment. If discouragement is allowed to take up residence in us, we will most likely succumb to a downward spiral of fatigue, hopelessness, despair, depression, doubt, disfunction and bitterness.

Discouragement can be initiated by ingratitude toward God’s past blessings, leading to indifference toward present opportunities to be blessed; ingratitude and indifference will most likely lead to spiritual apathy and weakness, rendering us useless for tomorrow.

When we stop remembering God’s past blessings we are unable to trust Him for future ones, that leads to discouragement. But the Lord knows our troubles, has great compassion for us, and He wants to help us.

Keeping your eyes on Jesus is the best way to remain encouraged and to experience God’s comfort, peace and rest. You a keep your eyes on Christ by studying His Word, honoring it, and applying it to your life, for it is through your obedient faith in Christ that you receive encouragement.

See Verse 3… God is the God of all comfort, and the Father of compassion. The Greek word translated compassion here [NIV, mercies in the NASB] expresses something that is felt and flows from deep down in the heart, and this would be God’s heart.

God is the author of compassion and mercy, He has expressed this to us through His gift of forgiveness and salvation, setting us free from eternal condemnation and punishment, at the same time granting us eternal life.
Psalm 86:5, “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.”

The Greek word translated comfort here implies exhortation and encouragement, by coming alongside; another form of this word is used for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Comfort.
John 14:26, ”But the Counselor, [NIV, Helper in the NASB] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and remind you of everything I had said to you.”

See Verse 4… God says He comforts us in all our trouble [NIV, the NASB says affliction = illness, burden, persecution, disease, suffering, discomfort].

Trouble comes in all shapes and sizes, and is always at inopportune times: wayward children, sickness, financial difficulty, loss of a loved one. But trouble also occurs in the heart, where we can become frustrated, fearful, confused, angry discouraged, and even bitter.

We live in a fallen world where sin’s curse is running rampant and so bad things happen; but we are also sinful people, and sometimes the trouble is our own fault. We can be assured that God wants the best for us, He loves us, and even when

we suffer, whether it is our own fault, someone else’s, or just the consequence of living in a world that rejects its Creator, Savior and Sustainer, God wants to use whatever happens to us in this life for His own glory and to our own benefit.

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The following is from the Daily Bread, Saturday, April 9, 2016, Take Heart!

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.

I like to watch birds at play, so years ago I built a small sanctuary in our backyard to attract them. For several months I enjoyed the sight of my feathered friends feeding and flitting about—until a Cooper’s Hawk made my bird refuge his private hunting reserve.

Such is life: Just about the time we settle down to take our ease, something or someone comes along to unsettle our nests. Why, we ask, must so much of life be a vale of tears?

I’ve heard many answers to that old question, but lately I’m satisfied with just one: “All the discipline of the world is to make [us] children, that God may be revealed to [us]” (George MacDonald, Life Essential). When we become like children, we begin trusting, resting solely in the love of our Father in heaven, seeking to know Him and to be like Him.

Cares and sorrow may follow us all the days of our lives, but (2Corinthians 4:16-18), “we do not lose heart. . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.

Heaven’s delights will far outweigh earth’s difficulties.

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James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

So then, trouble or afflictions can actually work to make us better, strengthening our faith through the comfort and mercy that we receive from God in Christ. Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” 19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

So, how do we receive this comfort from God? By faith, for we must believe what God tells us, and therefore we receive whatever comfort He provides.

Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” God is ever present in our suffering, helping us.
God sometimes provides comfort to us through His people, with an encouraging

word, a helping hand, someone to listen to our troubles, someone to cry with. God comforts us through His Word, when we read it or hear it we receive

encouragement and hope, as well as instruction and guidance.
And then there is the Holy Spirit, our resident Comforter and Counselor from

God, who lives in us.
God comforts us so that we may bring that same comfort to others who are in

need of comforting.
God allows us to go through hard times and struggles so that we will call upon

Him for help; and then having been helped by God we are able to encourage others who find themselves in need of similar comfort.

In a way, we should be thankful for trouble, for through it we are drawn closer to God, and then sent to help others on God’s behalf. We aren’t comforted by God just so that we might be comfortable; but instead, we are comforted so that we will become comforters also.

Verse 5… May we never forget the suffering our Lord went through for us, whatever comfort, encouragement and hope we receive, whether it comes through people, God’s Word, or whatever circumstances, it is ultimately brought through Jesus Christ, who suffered once for all to the point of death, in order to take our sin punishment and condemnation, that we might live for Him.

God is there in the midst of our suffering, to bring us comfort. God’s comfort is merciful, loving, faithful and infinite. God’s comfort is spiritually received by faith. Encouragement is something that belongs to you as a child of God. God the Father loves you so much that He sent His One and Only Son to save you. God the Son loves you so much He laid down His life for you. God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, lives in you to guide, protect, provide for you, and to give you purpose, according to God’s plan and provision through Christ.

The God of all comfort, the God of all compassion is waiting to show His mercy and love to each one of His children, to anyone who trusts and believes in Him, to all who keep their eyes on Jesus, who said (Matthew 11:28), “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Pastor Mike <‘((((><

Bible Text: Acts 1:1-5 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Read Acts 1:1-5. What former book? Who was Theophilus? (see Luke 1:1-4) Theophilus [means loved by God], “most excellent” is most likely a title given to a

Roman Official, influential Gentile, e.g., a lawyer defending Paul, to whom Luke gave a legal brief as a personal testimony account of Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection (there are 10 different appearances recorded in the Scriptures, during the 40-days between His resurrection and His ascension back into heaven:

1. Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18)
2. The women leaving the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10)
3. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), one named Cleopas 4. Peter (1Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:33-34)
5. Ten disciples, Thomas absent (Luke 24: 36-43; Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25) 6. Eleven disciples, Thomas present (John 20:26-29)
7. Seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14)
8. 500 disciples on a mountain in Galilee (1Corinthians 15:6; Matthew 28:16) 9. James (1Corinthians 15:7)
10. The apostles at His ascension back into heaven (Acts 1:10-11).
Mark 1:1-5… John called people to confess their sins and repent, as they were publicly immersed in water so as to identify with their need for forgiveness, basically saying, “God help me, I’m a sinner!” Verse 8 contrasts John’s baptism with water for repentance, and Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit for salvation.

Spiritual baptism immerses us into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, setting us apart as God’s children, when we confess our sins and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (cf. John 1:12-13; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1Corinthians 12:13).

At salvation we are spiritually placed into the Body of Christ, of which (Colossians 1:17), “He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church.”

Read Acts 1:6-8. Jesus’ followers wanted Him to rule over Israel now; Jesus tells them the kingdom will come, but before it does, the gospel message of forgiveness and salvation will be preached to all the world.

The followers of Christ are the ones who are to testify to the Truth of God’s forgiveness and eternal life through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Read Acts 1:9-11. Jesus returns to heaven, His followers must wait for the power and presence of God to come to them at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), when they would receive God’s Spirit, equipping and enabling them to serve as eye witnesses of God’s divine plan and provision through Christ.

Read Matthew 28:19-20. The Greek word used in verse 19 is matheteuo [make disciples], with the meaning of believing, learning, and following; saving faith brings obedience; if you believe, you will seek to behave!

Genuine belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings immediate salvation (death to life), immediate spiritual baptism (relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), and immediate discipleship (believing, following, and learning God’s Word); for the purpose of going and proclaiming it to unbelievers, because they won’t be coming to us.

We are to immerse those who confess Christ into everything the Bible says about Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them God’s Word: equipping, encouraging and exhorting them to serve God with their lives (cf. Romans 12:1-2; 2Timothy 3:16-17).

True salvation obeys God’s Word, honors the Father, exemplifies the Son, and walks in the power of the Holy Spirit, reaching out with the Love of God – the Message of Christ – to all who will hear and believe.
1John 1:1-3… John was an eyewitness to what Jesus said and did, including His death and resurrection. John was not only an Apostle, but he was one of Christ’s most intimate followers and friends, along with Peter & James.

Notice how John states that he personally (and the other Apostles) has heard, has seen, and has touched Christ during His earthly ministry – both before and after His resurrection.

John says God came in flesh, providing forgiveness and eternal life. John declares that we have genuine fellowship with the Father through Christ, therefore, we believe, obey and teach what is recorded here.

1John was written 50-60 years after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension; and yet, John has a vivid recollection of what Jesus did and said. How is that possible? (cf. John 14:15-17, 25-26).

John’s first-person testimony about God’s Son in human flesh, is very important, especially in light of all the false teachers of that day who arrogantly and erroneously proclaimed about a Christ they did not know or believe in, let alone had they seen, heard, or touched him; much like false teachers today who teach heresy.

You and I, as God’s people, are His ambassadors, our purpose is to testify to others about Jesus Christ, as we prayerfully communicate with God, reading, studying and applying His Word to our life, learning to trust Him for what we need and thanking Him for all that He provides for us.

Everyone who genuinely seeks forgiveness for their sins has eternal life and fellowship with God the Father through Christ the Son (2Corinthians 5:18-21).

God’s people are to be witnesses, as was John; we must be ready to share the message of Christ with anyone and everyone who will listen.

God’s people are messengers; Christ is the Message. God’s people are “table waiters” or servers, Christ is the Bread of Life and the Living Water, freely given.

God has provided all the necessary resources, so that anyone can know Him personally and intimately:

The Bible records and reveals the truth of God’s plan, purpose, and provision through Jesus Christ, for He is the only means of salvation (John 14:6), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

The Holy Spirit convicts us that we are all sinners, in need of the Savior (John 16:8-9), “When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: because men do not believe in Me.”

The Believer testifies to God’s truth [the Bible] by the power of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming that everyone who genuinely repents and trusts in Christ belongs to God and is saved by God (cf. Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

Jesus said (John 10:27-28), “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

How does your personal witness [your life] reflect God’s presence, power, and pleasure? Are you following and witnessing for Christ? Are you eager to do so? 1Peter 2:12, 15, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.”

You and I will not personally (this side of heaven) hear, see, or touch Jesus, as did John; but we are just as responsible to bear witness and testify about Christ as John did.

You and I must allow the truth of God’s Word to change us internally, if we expect for the changes to have an effect externally, where people see us.

I pray that, in the weeks, months, and years to come, we will all increase in our desire to know, to grow in, to stand firm upon, and to declare, the Message of God through Christ to all who will listen; for only God can give peace that surpasses all understanding, only God can forgive sins, only God can grant eternal life, and only God can enable and empower us to be His witnesses (1Peter 3:15), “in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

And all God’s people said? Amen!

– Pastor Mike

Bible Text: Mark 11:1-11 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study |

Mark 11:1-11, Passion Week Begins!

Today we begin what is called Passion Week or Holy Week, it is set off by our Lord entering Jerusalem on a Sunday, while the people praise Him; but five days later, on Friday, the people will cry out for His death, after which, He will be crucified and laid in a tomb, but on Sunday morning, one week from when He entered Jerusalem, He will rise from the dead, just like He said He would!

There is much written in Scripture about Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem (Matthew 21-28, Mark 11-18, Luke 19-24, John 12-20). Out of a total of 89 chapters that comprise all four Gospels, about 1/3 of them are devoted to this one week period of Jesus’ life!

In 2007-08, teaching through Mark’s Gospel, I prepared 20 sermons on this one-week period of Jesus’ life; and in 2012-13, teaching through Matthew’s Gospel, I prepared 22 sermons on this same one-week period.

Passion Week is highly charged and extremely important, because it contains Christ’s sacrificial death (payment for all our sins) and His sovereign resurrection (demonstration of eternal life).

Apart from Creation Week, when everything was made that has been made, the crucifixion and resurrection of God’s One and Only Son, are by far the most marvelous, majestic, and miraculous events to ever occur.

The OT gives many prophecies that are fulfilled during Passion Week, concerning the suffering and death of God’s Son, through which the God’s sovereign plan to pay for sin and provide salvation was fulfilled.
Exodus 12:46… None of His bones broken (Passover lamb). (1400 B.C.)

Psalm 16:8-11… He will rise from the dead. (1000 BC)
Psalm 22:16… His hands and feet will be pierced.
18… Lots will be cast for His garments.
Psalm 69:21… He will be given vinegar to drink.
Psalm 110:1… He will ascend back into heaven.
Isaiah 53:1-12… He will be despised, forsaken, led like a lamb to slaughter, pierced and put to death for our sins. (700 BC)

Zechariah 9:9… He enters Jerusalem on a colt. (500 BC)
Zechariah 11:12… He will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver [Exodus 21:32, the price of a slave].
Zechariah 13:7… His friends will desert Him.

Next Friday at 3 pm, we’ll study the events of the day of Christ’s crucifixion; and next Sunday, we’ll study what the Bible says about His resurrection from the grave. Mark 11:1-3… Jesus and the 12 approached Jerusalem, coming near Bethphage [“house of unripe figs”], a small town near Bethany, on the SE side of the Mount of Olives, just east of Jerusalem. Bethany was home for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1).

The Mount of Olives is just across from the Temple Mount; the Garden of Gethsemane is at its base. Jesus often met here with His disciples. It was Jesus’ familiar use of the garden that allowed Judas to betray Him here (Matthew 26:36, 45-50).

The Mount of Olives was where Jesus taught about the End Times Events (Matthew 24). It was from here that Jesus ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9-12), and it is here that He will return (Zechariah 14:3-5).

Jesus sends two of His disciples into Bethphage to acquire a young donkey; Matthew 21:2 records that there was a mare with a colt.
vv. 4-7… The disciples find the donkey, untie it and bring it to Jesus, when asked why they were untying the colt, they said, Jesus told them to, and (v. 6) the owner of the donkey told them to go ahead and take it. The people in that area knew Jesus’ and His disciples, also that He was referred to as “The Lord.”

Matthew 21 speaks of a donkey, her colt (v. 2) and the fulfillment of a messianic prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).
Matthew 21:5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

vv. 8-10… This display on the part of the people was based on an ancient practice (2Kings 9:12-13) of showing homage to a new king; the people seemed to express acceptance of Christ’s claim as King of the Jews.

The people were excited, throwing down their outer garments and palm branches (cf. John 12:13), symbolic of their hope and desire for the messiah-king to come and free them from Roman oppression.
Matthew 1:1, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Matthew 2:1-2, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea (Micah 5:2), during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship him.’”

Matthew 27:11 “Jesus stood before the governor [Pilot] and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Yes, it is as you say.’”

The people shouted (v. 9) “Hosanna!” A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” The actual Hebrew word is Hoshana, a contraction of the words “save” and “please,” and this is a prayerful entreaty with expectation, through which one gives adoration, praise, and joy.

Hosanna is a transliteration from Psalm 118:25-26, “O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD, from the house of the LORD, we praise you.”

Jesus’ name means “God saves,” or “God’s Salvation” and in verse 10 they praise the coming Davidic Kingdom when the Messiah-King will rule on earth for 1000 years.

The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to come and liberate them from Gentile oppression [Rome], to prosper them, and to sit on the throne of David; but what they didn’t understand was that He was coming to immediately free them from the penalty of sin, and in the future to sit on the throne of Israel’s greatest King, David the Shepherd King (John 10:14, Good Shepherd; 1Peter 5:4, Chief Shepherd).

In Matthew 21:10-11 it says, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”
v. 11… Jesus looks around the Temple, the inner and outer courts, nothing was hidden from His eyes; He then returned to Bethany (2 mi.) for the night, as it had been a very long day, during which Jesus had given the disciples a preview of what is going to happen in Jerusalem (see Mark 10:32-34).

The first day of Passion Week comes to a close…

But there is so much more to take place over the next five days, as Jesus pours out His love for the people around Jerusalem, teaching them (mostly on Monday and Tuesday) what the Father had given Him to teach them, and then on Thursday He changes the Passover Meal to the Lord’s Supper, making it clear that He will be the sacrificial lamb, and it will be His blood that will be shed for the sins of the people; and then on Friday, Jesus is arrested, beaten, and crucified, all according to the sovereign plan and purpose of God; so that you and I might be made acceptable to a Holy and Righteous God.

Read through Acts 2:23-24; Romans 3:23-24; 6:23; 5:8; 8:1; 10:9-10, 13). – Pastor Mike

Bible Text: Topical | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

God Already Defined Marriage!
(I guess the Supreme Court missed that memo…)
This past Friday morning, June 26, the Supreme Court ruled that Same Sex Marriages will be legally officiated, licensed, filed, and held binding in all of the 50 sates of the United States of America.
So how are we, as Christians, and members of the true Church of God in America, to respond to this “legal” mandate by the highest court in the land?
First of all, let’s define marriage – God created marriage and ordained that one man and one woman be committed to each other in a faithful monogamous relationship,seeking to honor God.
Secondly, any sexual relationship outside of “marriage” (as God defines it) is sinful in God’s eyes, and cannot be accepted or condoned by God’s people.
Proponents of gay rights, since Same Sex Marriage has been made legal in all 50 states, say Christians should not speak out against same-sex marriages, after all, they say, “Jesus never spoke against homosexuality or judged anyone based on their sexual behavior, the important thing is that we just love one another, and whether we are homosexual, bisexual, transexual, or transgender makes no difference to God, since He made us that way, love is what is important; and so, to speak against same sex relationships or same sex marriages is to express hate.”
To say that Jesus never spoke about sexual behaviors, is simply not true, in fact it is a blatant lie. Jesus is God, and God is the author of the whole Bible, all 66 Books.
2Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed [originating from God] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Hebrews 12:2 commands us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Jesus said (John 14:6), ”I am the way and the truth and the life,” He then said (John 14:26), “the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
2Peter 1:20-21, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Christ: (Matthew 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11); the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2); the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 16:13).

John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” 14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 18, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,
who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.”
Clearly, all of God’s Word (not just the red letter portion) is from God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; and the Word of God speaks very specifically and clearly about homosexual behavior, and about marriage.
What does God’s Word say about homosexuality? Well, in a nut shell, it tells us that those who practice this sin will not inherit eternal life, but will instead be condemned to eternal punishment in hell. Not pleasant thought!
Genesis 19:1-29 records that God totally destroyed the cities and surrounding communities of Sodom & Gomorrah with fire, because of the sin of homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 call homosexuality a detestable act, punishable by death. Romans 1:24-32 declares homosexuality to be sinful, indecent, unnatural, depraved, and deserving of death.
1Corinthians 6:9-10 calls homosexuality wicked, declaring that all those who “practice” this sin will not enter heaven.
1Timothy 1:9-10 teaches that homosexuality is unholy, ungodly, perverse, and contrary to God’s Will.
Jude 7 reiterates that Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, were destroyed by God because of the sin of homosexuality; it says “they serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
Revelation 21:8; 22:15 declare that those engaging in homosexual behavior will not enter heaven, but will go to the fiery lake of burning sulphur [eternal hell].
What does God’s Word say about SIN?
First of all, we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we all deserve the death penalty from God (6:23), even so, God has granted eternal life through Jesus Christ to all who believe in Him, receiving forgiveness, resulting in (8:1) no condemnation for all those who repent and follow God’s Son.
We are ll sinners, but God’s Word is very specific in its condemnation of homosexuality, along with all sexual behavior outside of a God-ordained marriage.
What does God’s Word say about being changed?
In 1Corinthians 6, Paul, speaking to Christians (vv. 9-11) says, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
This is important, the use of the imperfect tense “were” (v. 11) signifies something that was continuously true in the past, but is no longer true.”
Case in point (2Corinthians 5:17), “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.” Although we are all born in sin, no one is born a homosexual. Homosexuality is a sinful sexual preference and practice, and as God’s people we can never accept or condone such behavior.
Homosexuality leads to despair, all who engage in it, and all who approve of it, are at odds with God’s Word, and therefore, with God Himself!
What does God’s Word say about marriage? In a nut shell, God’s design is that a man and a woman, i.e., one male and one female (with NO other options) commit to one another in Christ, to become one in marriage.
Genesis 1:27-28, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female (Adam & Eve) he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” God declared (Genesis 2:24), that a “man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Genesis 1-2 declares the qualifications for marriage and then records the very first marriage,with God officiating. This honored union was established by God and ordained by God (not by the Supreme Court, not by legislators, not by governments, and not by popular vote). God’s qualification for marriage is also stated in the New Testament (Matthew 19:4-6), “’Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’”
Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

It is God’s expressed will that one man be married to one woman, i.e., a heterosexual monogamous relationship, and any sexual activity outside of a God ordained marriage, is clearly sinful, forbidden, and condemned.
Jesus said (John 8:31-32), “If you continue in My Word [the Bible], then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,” (John 14:6), “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” (Mark 1:15, 17), He commanded, “Repent, believe,” and “follow Me.”
Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 both say, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord” [Jesus means, “God’s Salvation” or “Savior”], for the forgiveness of sins [pardoned from sin’s penalty], “will be saved” [made acceptable to God through the righteousness of Christ] i.e., granted eternal life.
How should we respond to Same Sex Marriage?
Can we accept or condone the ruling of the Supreme Court concerning Same Sex Marriage? No, of course we can’t, and I definitely won’t!
Should we not expect some backlash or persecution because we won’t get on the bandwagon, join the diversity parade, become politically correct, or a member of the rainbow coalition?
2Timothy 3:12-13, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived,” (Romans 1:32) “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
We must remain kind and courteous, as we are able, whenever we engage in conversations or discussions about this issue (Romans 12:18), “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
As God’s dearly loved children, we must know and speak the Truth of God, in love, unlike those who tell these folks their behavior is acceptable because, after all, it is now legal. But legal isn’t moral or good [abortion].
Those who practice such behavior, and those who condone it, show that they are void of any relationship with God, and are in fact enemies of God; they are in dire need of God’s loving and righteous forgiveness.
Listen, when you disguise, alter, or withhold God’s Truth from someone who is in need of God’s forgiveness and salvation, you aren’t loving them, you are showing hatred towards them, for you are keeping from them the one thing that can save them, and how loving is that?
1Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.”
Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we
must be saved.”
We must continue to live out and to share the message of God’s Son: crucified, resurrected, and coming again; for everyone who repents and believes in Jesus Christ will be forgiven and they will be changed, no matter what kind of life they lived up to that point.
2Corinthians 5:17-21, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
People who engage in Same-Sex relationships, people who believe it is somehow acceptable for two men or two women to be married, are displaying just how desperately they need the Lord, and God may very well use some of us to bring His message to them.
Are you up to the task?


Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Sermon Notes Available Soon…

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

See Matthew 28:1-10… Jesus appeared near the tomb, to Mary Magdalene

and the “other” Mary (the mother of James and Joseph, 27:56); He instructed them

to go tell the disciples that they would see Him in Galilee.

Mark 16:1-8 has Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and also Salome

(the mother of James and John, sons of Zebedee, 27:56) at the tomb, but there is

no mention of Jesus appearing to them.

Luke 24:1-11 lists Mary Magdalene, Joanna (Luke 8:3, wife of Chuza, Herod’s

steward), Mary mother of James, and “other’ women, but no appearance of Jesus.

See John 20:11-18… Jesus appears only to Mary Magdalene, who at first

thought He was a gardener, but when He called her name, she realized it was the

Lord, then she went and told the disciples what had happened.

Next (Luke 24:13-31), Jesus appears to two disciples who are walking from

Jerusalem to Emmaus (7 miles). When they sat down to eat, Jesus blessed the

bread, then breaking it, He gave some to the two disciples and they instantly

recognized Him — just as suddenly, “…[Jesus] vanished from their sight” (v. 31).

The next appearance is that evening (John 20:19-23) when Jesus passes right

through the wall or locked door of a house where the disciples were gathered.

Jesus miraculously appears right in front of them, although (v. 19), “…the doors

were shut…”

The word translated “door” implies a large and solid door. The word translated

“shut” means locked, most commonly with a heavy bolt that slid through rings

attached to the door and the frame; this door would have been nearly impossible,

to break down.

So, the disciples were huddled together in a locked house (v. 19), “for fear of

the Jews.” The disciples feared they might be arrested and hung on a cross

themselves.

Last week we looked at Matthew 28:11-13, where we read how the soldiers

who had guarded Jesus’ tomb were paid off by the Chief Priests to tell everyone

that the disciples had taken the body of Jesus. That is a good reason for the

disciples to be hiding.

When Jesus came to them, the disciples, were no doubt terrified by His’ sudden

appearance, no wonder Jesus says to them (Luke 24:37-44), “don’t be afraid, it is

not a ghost, it is I, Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and

bones, as you see I have.” Then Jesus asks them for something to eat, and He

actually ate it before them. He passed through walls like a spirit, yet He had a

body and He was able to eat?

Jesus then began to tell them how the Old Testament Scriptures spoke about

Him in many places (v. 45), “He opened their minds, that they might understand

the scriptures,” concerning Him; explaining that “repentance for the forgiveness of

sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Read John 20:24-29… Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared, but

when he heard, he said he wouldn’t believe unless he himself touched the Lord.

The very next Sunday, the disciples were behind locked doors again, Thomas was

with them. Again Jesus came to them, saying they should reach out and touch

Him, feel His wounds caused by the nails and the spear. After this, Thomas

definitely believed!

Luke 24:39-43 adds some additional narrative: “‘Look at my hands and my

feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as

you see I have.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And

while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them,

‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he

took it and ate it in their presence.”

Read John 21:1-14… This is the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples

(this time there were only seven of them, who were fishing); early in the morning

Jesus came to them at the Sea of Tiberias [Sea of Galilee]. Jesus stood on the

shore and called to them, to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.

They weren’t sure who was instructing them, but they obeyed, as they hadn’t

caught anything all night. Guess what? They caught so many fish that they

weren’t even able to pull their nets into the boat, and it was then that they realized

it was the Lord speaking to them!

Peter couldn’t contain himself, he jumped into the sea and dragged the full net

of fish, 153 large fish, about 100 yards to the shore, where Jesus had a campfire

going and He actually cooked some of the fish for them.

That concludes the resurrection appearances given in the Gospels. Now turn to

1Corinthians 15:6, “He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the

same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep [died].”

This appearance seems to be is on a mountain in Galilee, possibly where Jesus gave

the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

After Jesus’ resurrection He told His followers to go to Galilee, where most of

them were from; there they would see Him. This is very likely where Jesus gave

the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20.

1Corinthians 15:7a says, “He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” This James is likely the Lord’s half-brother, not coming to saving faith until he saw the risen Lord. We aren’t given details about Jesus’ appearance to him, but James later served as a leader in the Jerusalem church, and the human author of the Book of James.

I believe the statement in verse 7b, “then to all the apostles,” is the event recorded in Acts 1:3-11, just before Jesus ascended back into heaven.

See 1Corinthians 15:8-9… Paul had been the main persecutor of the followers of Christ; until the risen Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-22), after Christ’s ascension back into heaven.

Paul says (1Corinthians 15:8-9), “and last of all [Jesus] appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

All the others to whom the Lord appeared, had seen Jesus during the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension; but the Lord appeared to Paul long after ascending back into heaven.

Paul felt like one abnormally born, because the other apostles had walked and lived with Jesus for three years, being taught by Him; whereas Paul had not only rejected Him as the Messiah, he had persecuted His followers.

Acts 1:3 says after His suffering [crucifixion], Jesus showed Himself to His followers, giving many convincing proofs that He was alive, appearing to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them of the kingdom of God.

Many convincing proofs [i.e., demonstrable evidences]: Think about all the Post- Resurrection appearances of Jesus, attested to in the Scriptures; the testimony of the early church, and the evidence throughout history of lives being totally changed, because of Christ.

But the real proof of the resurrection is experienced in your life, through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. This is very personal proof that Jesus lives, which clearly means He is not dead. God’s Not Dead!

1John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

True followers of Christ serve as examples in this darkening and decaying world, for Christ lives in us by His Spirit, shining His Light into people’s hearts.”

Revelation 1:17-18, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was

dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!

John 11:25-26, ”I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will

live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

2Corinthians 4:4-6, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so

that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image

of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as

your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”

made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

Jesus Christ has set us free from the curse, corruption, and condemnation of

sin; and He has blessed us with the incomprehensible resources and riches of God,

making us His very own children who are destined to live together, forever, in a new

heaven, a new universe, with all those who belong to Him, in the very presence of

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Bible Text: Mark 2:1-9 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Read through Mark 2:1-9.
As Jesus is proclaiming the good news in a crowded room (vv. 2-4) four men

carry in a paralytic but they can’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they go up the outside stairway to the roof; they dig through the thatch and earth roof, remove the roof tiles, and then lower the man to the room below.

It says (v. 5), Jesus “saw their faith,” and said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” It was clear to everyone that the man’s greatest need was to be able to walk, to be healed of his paralysis. But Jesus basically says, I have healed your spirit, and by forgiving your sins.

This man has just received eternal life, but he still can’t walk.

The Pharisees (vv. 6-7), equate Jesus’ statement about forgiving sins to blaspheming, for only God can forgive sins.

Many of the Jews living at that time, believed that diseases and afflictions were the result of one’s own sin. And so, Jesus asks the Pharisees, (v.9) “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

Anyone could say, “your sins are forgiven,” I mean, who could verify whether or not it had happened? But to say, “Get up… and walk” that miracle could be witnessed by all who were there.

By healing the paralytic, Jesus was verifying His claim to grant forgiveness; for just as sure as there was physical healing, there was also spiritual healing, through the forgiveness of sins. The emphasis here is not the healing of this man’s body, but the healing of this man’s spirit (vv. 5, 10-11).

So, how does this relate to the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

We are told in the Scriptures that Jesus came to take upon Himself our punishment for sin’s penalty, to the point of death.

Isaiah 53:3-8 says He was despised and rejected by men… pierced for our sins; the punishment that brought us peace was poured out on Him, and by His shed blood we are healed, for God placed on Him then penalty for all our sins. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was cut off from the land of the living [put to death]. Verses 11-12 tell us that after suffering death for the sins of all who will believe in Him, He would come out of the grave alive.

What if we only had the reality of Christ’s death, but no resurrection? If you had been the paralytic man in Mark chapter 2, it would be like Jesus saying to you, “your sins’s are forgiven, really!” But there would be no way for you to know if that were true, until after you die and regain your consciousness, either in heaven or in hell.

But, if along with saying to you, “your sins are forgiven,” Jesus also said, “now, to affirm that you really are saved, and that I have such authority, “I say to you get up and walk, for you are healed of your paralysis,” you would definitely know that you were also healed of sins’s penalty.

In the apostle John’s vision in Revelation 1:17-18 he records the Lord’s words, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ sovereignly confirms and declares that Jesus, through His own shed blood on the cross, did in fact take the full punishment for our sins before God, and therefore, we have forgiveness and eternal life!
1Peter 3:18, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous

for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
Listen, Jesus died on a Friday afternoon and was placed in a tomb, and on

Sunday morning His body was missing, because He had risen from the dead!
Read Matthew 28:1-15… If Jesus did not rise from the grave, and His body was missing, then, either He did rise, as He said, or someone took His body away.
1. The Jewish Leaders didn’t want Christ’s body removed from the tomb; a missing body could be a resurrected body, that would look bad for the Religious Leaders; for this reason (Matthew 27:62-65), they pressured Pilate to put a seal on the tomb and a Roman guard unit there to keep the body in the grave, for Jesus had said (v. 63), “after three days I will rise again.”
2. The Roman Guards were stationed in order to make sure Jesus’ body stayed put; moving it or allowing it to be taken, was punishable by death; therefore, they made sure Christ’s body remained in the tomb, at all costs, against all foes, but then, they had never met one of God’s mighty angels, like the one who rolled away the stone.
3. Jesus’ Disciples wouldn’t dare move His body and falsify His resurrection; for if they knew Jesus did not rise from the grave, they had no hope of eternal life, and it would have been better for them to quickly and quietly get out of town, change their names,
and deny any prior relationship with Jesus of Nazareth.

Why would the Disciples continue to proclaim the risen Lord, if it were not true? Why did the Jewish authorities bribe the Roman soldiers to spread the “stolen body” story if it were true?

Jesus told His disciples on several occasions, that He would be arrested, put to death, and on the third day He would rise from the grave. He told them He would return to the Father; but at a future time, He would come back to get all those who belong to Him (Christians) to be with Him in heaven, forever; all this is according to God’s own sovereign plan and purpose.

Mark 8:31… “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”
Matthew 17:22-23… “When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.”

Luke 24:44-48… “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’ You are witnesses of these things.”

John 14:1-3… “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” 29 “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”

After His resurrection, before ascending back into heaven, Jesus appeared to many of His followers, and we will look at those events next Sunday morning.

When you repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ’s death on the cross to provide forgiveness for your sins, you receive salvation; and Christ’s resurrection demonstrates God’s sovereign power and authority over sin, death, and judgment, and is proof that you indeed have eternal life from God.

The only reasonable explanation for the empty tomb is the one that is repeatedly revealed in Scriptures: Jesus Christ rose from the grave, by His own divine power and authority (John 10:17-18), “I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and [I have] authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Christ’s death provided forgiveness; His resurrection proclaimed and demonstrated that He alone provides eternal life.
John 11:25-26, “Jesus said to [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

Going to where Lazarus was buried, Jesus said (39-44), “ ‘Take away the stone.” “But, Lord,’ said Martha, ‘by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said,

‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come
out!’ [Lazarus then] came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’”

Do you see what just happened? Jesus loosed Lazarus from the bonds of death, declaring that he indeed had eternal life, for Lazarus belonged to the Lord.

Let that sink in. The resurrection is not just an event. It is a Person. Jesus is the Son of God. All authority rests in Him. “Resurrection” is through Him. The great hope that we have on this holiday is that He is “the resurrection and the life”. 1John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Because Jesus Christ alone is “the resurrection and the life”; and because He Himself has tasted death for us—bearing our sins on the Cross; and because Himself now lives forever more—having been raised from the dead three days later; we have eternal life and hope in Him!

Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior from the dead. Our celebration isn’t only looking back at some event in the distant past, or looking forward to some event in the distant (or maybe not so distant) future —Christ’s resurrection should impact our lives every single day.

God wants us to see that Jesus Himself is the substance of real hope for everyone who has placed their trust in Him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

After He made that affirmation, He asked Martha, “Do you believe this?” And so today, as we end this study, I want to ask you a similar question:

Do you believe in and confess Jesus Christ as Lord?

Do you have the assurance in your heart [your spirit] that you belong to the Savior and that you will live, even though you die?

Take a moment right now, soberly consider this in your heart.
If you know that you have eternal life, praise God,Hallelujah!
But if you are unsure that you are saved, that have been granted eternal life,

please, settle the issue right now, right here.
Admit to God that you are a sinner (we all are).
Repent of your sins, asking God to forgive you (He turns no one away).

Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior – that He died for your sins, and rose from the grave to proclaim victory over death and judgement.

Prayerfully read God’s Word daily, obey what you understand, following the Lord as your example in this life.

Participate in a Bible Believing, Teaching, and Practicing Church, as a member of Christ’s Body, serving through word and deed, as if serving the Lord Himself, Jesus Christ, for He is the Way, the Truth, the Resurrection, and the Life!

He is Risen!

Bible Text: Matthew 21-28, Mark 11-18, Luke 19-24, John 12-20 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Next Sunday begins what is known as Passion Week, the day our Lord entered

Jerusalem while all the people praised Him; but five days later, they were demanding His death, after which, He was laid in a tomb, but on Sunday morning, He came out alive, just like He said He would!

There is much written in Scripture about Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem (Matthew 21-28, Mark 11-18, Luke 19-24, John 12-20 = 29 chapters). Out of a total of 89 chapters that comprise all four Gospels, almost 1/3 are devoted to this one week at the end of Jesus’ earthly life!

In 2007-08, teaching through Mark, I prepared 20 sermons on this one-week period of Jesus’ life; and in 2012-13, teaching through Matthew, I prepared 22 sermons on this same one-week period.

Passion Week is highly charged and extremely important, because it contains Christ’s death and resurrection. Apart from God’s original act of creation, when everything was made that has been made, the crucifixion and resurrection are by far the most marvelous, majestic, and miraculous events to ever occur. Next Sunday, we’ll consider Christ’s death; the following Sunday we’ll celebrate His resurrection, and then, perhaps one more Sunday to contemplate His post resurrection appearances before returning to heaven.

OT prophecies of Christ fulfilled during Passion Week: Zechariah 9:9, He will enter Jerusalem on a colt. (500 BC)

Zechariah 11:12, He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver [Exodus 21:32, the price of a slave].

Isaiah 53:1-12, He would bear our sins, receiving God’s just penalty upon Himself, in our place. (700 BC)

Psalm 22:16, He would be pierced on the Cross. (1000 BC) Psalm 16:8-11, He would rise from the dead.

Christ enters Passover week (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:1, 12-15).

In Exodus 12:1-13, God gives instruction to all of Israel concerning their participation in the first Passover.

The people are told to acquire a year-old male lamb [kid] without defect, it is to be taken from either sheep or goats. Each family was to bring one home on Nisan 10; they were to treat it as a “pet” and care for it until Nisan 14, when, at twilight (before sundown), it was to be slaughtered, and its blood spread on the doorpost of the house (this provided God’s protection from His wrath, which would soon come (the death angel would pass over all of Egypt). The lamb was to be cooked and eaten at each home, any leftovers were to be burned.

At the beginning of that first Passover, recorded in Exodus 12, on Nisan 10 a lamb was selected and brought home for four days. Guess what? Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Nisan 10 (equivalent to our Sunday, March 29), and for four days Jesus (the Lamb of God, John 1:29) enjoyed the favor of the people, loving them and being praised by them.

On Nisan 14 (equivalent to our Thursday, April 2), just after sunset, God’s Lamb celebrated Passover with His disciples; at the close of the meal, He changed Passover’s meaning and message forever (Matthew 26:26-29).

Ephesians 1:7 says, ”In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

The cup of wine (cup of blessing), symbolizes the fulfillment of God’s covenant requirement through the blood of a sacrifice, which up to this time was the shed blood of a yearling lamb/kid; for it was the blood that sealed or ratified the covenant with God.

But notice (Matthew 26:28), it is not the blood of an animal sacrifice Jesus is talking about which is to be poured out in order to cover the penalty for sins and grant forgiveness— He says, “My blood,” this is Christ’s blood which will be shed in order to provide forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22), “for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,” in fact 1Peter 1:19 says we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Jesus forever changed the manner and message of the Feast of Passover, but He did so much more (Luke 22:20), “In the same way, after the supper He [Jesus] took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.’”

Sunday of passion week Jesus rode into town on a donkey’s colt, He was praised and honored by the people.

Jesus exhausted Himself, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, sharing God’s love and message with all who would listen.

Come Wednesday the narrative goes silent, it seems Jesus stayed away from the city, He needed to rest .

Thursday was Passover, when Jesus forever changed the manner in which we approach and relate to God.

Jesus encouraged, equipped and exhorted His disciples throughout that very long night, pouring Himself out like a drink offering to these men who had been by His side for three years; for they would soon be the ones who would carry the message of God’s love throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Very early Friday morning, long before sunrise (before 0300) Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His disciples run away. Jesus is taken before the High Priest, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, and then back to Pilate who, although he finds Jesus innocent of any crime, turns Him over to be flogged and then crucified.

On Friday, the blood of God’s Lamb was shed on the cross for all who trust Him (Romans 10:9-10), confessing Him as Lord, believing God raised Him from the dead, for only then do we receive forgiveness and eternal life.

Jesus was nailed to the cross (Mark 15:25) at the third hour of the day (9 am), from the sixth to the ninth hour (noon-3 pm, Luke 23:44-46) darkness covered the land, until Jesus finally cried out to the Father, then breathing His last breath, He gave up His spirit and died.

During Passion Week, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, took upon Himself the punishment that belongs to sinners like you and me.

He did this to set us free from sin’s penalty, and to offer us God’s gracious, merciful, and eternal Love.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”