March 10, 2019

Sunday School
The Death & Resurrection of Jesus & Some Misconceptions - Part 1

• The thief on the cross asked, "Lord, remember me when you come to your kingdom." Luke 23:42
• Jesus said, "I tell you the truth today, you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43
• Note: By moving the "comma" to the left one word, the true meaning of Jesus' response is made clear because we know through scripture (Matthew 12:40) "For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three night."
• From John 20:17 - Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father.'"
• So we see that Jesus, directly after His resurrection, did not ascend into heaven.
• Peter's denial and restoration is important
• "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'Before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times.' So Peter went out, and wept bitterly." Luke 22:60-61
• It is also important to remember that it was Peter who first recognized the Messiah because God allowed it. "But what about you?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." Luke 9:20
• Read Peter's denial from Matthew 26:58-75
• After all our sins; after all our denying Jesus through our words, thoughts and actions; after all our lack of faith, Jesus is still able to love us and He is constantly interceding for us to God. All He wants us to do is love one another, take care of one another, forgive one another, be compassionate, and be kind to one another.

Nisan - Jewish calendar depicting the chronology of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

The Seven Last Utterances of Jesus

1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34 - Jesus, by saying this, was fulfilling the prophecy that He would make to intercede for our transgression (Isaiah 53:12)
2.  "You will be with Me in Paradise" Luke 23:43 - Jesus is speaking to one of the thieves on the cross who had a change of heart and proclaimed that Jesus had done no wrong (Luke 23:42)

Sermon
Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us..
Subject: Stay In Focus

• Microwaves, anti-viruses, smart phones, fast foods, etc. All these objects speed up our lives but interfere with our godly lives as well.
• In order to finish the race, we must stay focused on the WORD.
• God will take care of us, so be not dismayed.
• We are in good hands; He fed the thousands; turned water to wine
• Joshua 1:9 - I repeat, be strong and brave! Don't be afraid and don't panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do."
• Matthew 16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
• We are called to a higher purpose - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
• We must endure by staying focused

BY:
1. Take a look around and look to those who've gone on before us. Keep your eyes on the prize - Hebrews 12:2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in.
Listen for that small, still voice and hold on a little while longer.
Remember, we are running a marathon not a sprint.
2.  Lay aside some things. Lighten your load. Loosen the heavy weight such debt, gossip, worrying, or subtle things like the distraction of watching too much TV (soap operas, the news, binge watching); pride, the spirit of unforgiveness, anger, lust: anything keeping you away from God's Word.
3.  Labor on - in this Christian life, don't get sidetracked by life; don't throw in the towel. Become long-suffering.
4.  Know the outcome of what you're running for. Hebrews 12:2 - keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.