Tag Archives: Humility

Daily Encouragement

At the beginning of our journey with Christ, we see things differently than we do later. It seems one way but later we see the true reality of what happened.

Notice how the disciples understand how they found Jesus but in reality notice how it really happened:

John 1:35-37

[35] The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” [37] The two disciples *heard him say this, and they *followed Jesus.

We know that God sent John to testify of the coming of the LORD. He does that to these two disciples and they follow Jesus. But notice how they explain that to Peter:

John 1:41

[41] He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have *found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

The pattern continues with Jesus and Philip:

John 1:43

[43] The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He *found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

John 1:45

[45] Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have *found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

God is the one who pursues us and finds us! But you might say, “But were they not looking for Messiah anyway?” But then I’d ask, “Why are they looking for Messiah and how do they know what to look for?” The answer is God had made promises to them through his word.

We must not miss the fact that God sought us and bought us with his redeeming blood. He is the one who reconciled himself to us. If we get this wrong we will not live a very Christ-centered life. It will be me-centered and we know how that plays out. It is simple but true: God saves! Turn your eyes upon Jesus!


Daily Encouragement

This was an observation and a continuation from yesterday’s encouragement.

After Jesus sought his scattered disciples and gave them evidence of his resurrection he gives them even more—understanding of God’s Word.

Luke 24:45-46

[45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.

The resurrection of Christ resulted in the new exodus…the new creation. The result of understanding how all that fit together and what they should do in light of it is further evidence not of just the living Savior but the living Word.

—Repentance and forgiveness was to be proclaimed to all nations.

—The promise of the Holy Spirit was coming.

—They worshipped Jesus (instead of hiding).

—They gladly obeyed as they returned to Jerusalem to wait on the promise.

—And they returned with great joy!

This is what happened when they understood the Word. May the Lord open our eyes to understand his word and resurrection and may it have the same effect on us.


A Life Well Lived

A life well lived needs a trajectory. It needs a peculiar perspective. It needs to sit safely in the reality of the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection at the end of the age. I think this poem helps remind us or point us to living a life well lived.

Only One Life

By C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12


Helpful Resource

Here is the link to watch the video:

https://vimeo.com/391061640

The J-Curve will help you process the suffering of life and see it’s purposes. Click the link to watch.


Read Good Old Books

“It is not great talents or great learning or great preachers that God needs, but men and women great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity, great for God. These can mold a generation for God.”

“The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men and women.”

E.M. Bounds

Power Through Prayer https://www.amazon.com/dp/1502994429/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_78CT0RRPYWZ14ARJHPEN


Sermon Manuscript for Lord’s Day 5/2/2021

See the source image

Here’s the link to download the manuscript: (I changed the title after saving the document)

What follows is the order of service:

Order of Worship—John 12.1-11

Prelude

Announcements and Call to Worship (Psalm 145:1-3)

(Ps. 145:1-3) I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.  2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.  3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Song—Hymn #28 “To God be the Glory”

Song—Hymn #3 “Worthy of Worship”

Welcome and Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Reading—Colossians 1:13-14

(Col. 1:13-14) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Song—Hymn #439 “Jesus, I Come”

Sermon—John 12:1-11

Song—Hymn #420 “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”

The Lord’s Supper

(Lk. 22:17-20) 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.  18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

  • (2 Tim. 2:8-9)  8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David
  • Remember (Eph. 2:8-10)  8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Song—Hymn #668 “Doxology”

Benediction— (Jn. 6:32-35)  32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.