Freedom in Christ

The lesson is from the story of the death of Lazarus in John 11.  We recall that although Jesus knew Lazarus was ill and that he loved him, he did not visit him but rather showed up four days after  his death.  This Jesus did to show the power of God to the people.

1.  Spiritual sleep.  Those in this condition suffer apathy and struggle --and fail-- to understand what Jesus is trying to do.  In regard to spiritual things they "just don't get it."

2.  Spiritual sickness.  If this condition persists it will result in spiritual death.

3.  Spiritual death.  These people are lost and cannot hear the voice of God.  There are no vital signs; they are completely dead.

Lazarus was physically dead four days (v.17)  The people thought Jesus had failed them when he did not show up prior to the death and heal Lazarus.  But Jesus never fails! 

 Jesus prayed addressing the Father in heaven, but his words were for the people that they might believe that Jesus was sent by God. (vv. 41,42)

When Jesus called him out he arose, even in his bound condition, the grave clothes hampering his ability to move or see.  Jesus said, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."  (v. 44)

Jesus wants us to be free!

In order for resurrection to happen, death must take place.

When Lazarus responded to the call of Jesus, he who was dead now lived.  But he was still bound.
To Jesus freedom is as important as life.  He directed the people to free the man.

More than saving you, Jesus wants to set you free!  Our freedom is the will of God.  Freedom is placed in the hands of the community as Christ directed the bystanders to free Lazarus.
We must be part of the community in helping others break the chains that bind them.

We pray for one another; we encourage one another; we support one another!

No matter your bondage, Christ wants to free you.

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning

The Resurrection of Jesus

 The Prophets:  Isaiah 25:6-9  "He will swallow up death in victory;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. (v.8a)"
 The Gospel:  Matthew 28:1-10 "And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." (v.8)

All of us need to experience the resurrection of Jesus for ourselves.

Jesus wants to reveal Himself to all of us.  He wants to live in our hearts.

The death on the cross matters.  Why?  Because there is not one righteous among us; all need a Savior.

Religious does not equal righteous.

While we were still unrighteous unclean sinners He came to die for us.  He took our punishment and dealt with the result of our sin.  

He offers mercy and grace as a free gift.  We can do nothing to attain it, but we can accept it.

He paid the debt I could never pay!

  

Some have made it to Saturday but have not experienced the true power of the resurrection.  He did not stay in the tomb!

1.  He defeats death; therefore I don't have to fear the grave.

2.  He claimed the keys to death and hell; therefore I have the hope of life.

3.  He changed the future; therefore I do not have to be defined by my past.

 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. 

Revelation 21:5

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning

Image:  Pedro, Juan y Maria Magdalen en el sepulcro vacio

Jaime Dominguez Montes  

Follow Jesus

We want our lives to  be worthy of something great.

The call to follow is less than glamorous; maybe a little bit too extreme, maybe a bit scary.

Total commitment.  Many of us make contributions; if we do enough of this, or that, we believe, God will do something for us. 

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem the people were in anticipation of what Jesus would do for them.  They did not realize what it was really going to take.

If you knew that following Jesus was going to cost you everything, would you do it?

Mark 8:27-38 
Who do people say that I am?   Who do you say that I am?

The people believed that Jesus was going to release them from their earthly political bondage.
Peter said, You are the Messiah.  Jesus said, Tell no one.

A disciple of Christ must know who He is.

The disciples had the right terminology but they had not fully grasped the concept of what he came to do.

Sadly our lives show no correlation to the life of Christ.   Our terminology is correct, but we haven't a clue as to what it means to follow Jesus.

Misunderstanding who Jesus is can cause a lot of difficulties.  It is dangerous when the true Jesus is not understood.

The palm branches where laid in a misunderstanding of what Jesus came to do.

Jesus was failing to meet the expectations of the people.

(Peter is truly disgruntled)

Jesus is speaking the truth that  is completely at odds with the expectations Peter had.  The disciples had based their lives on a set of expectations not in tune with Christ's mission.

Jesus came to save us, but his salvation does not look like that which the people-- and the disciples-- expected.

Jesus can only give us life if he goes through the grave.  The only chance we have to be justified goes through the cross.

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (v.34)

Jesus hung on the cross for our salvation from sin, but to follow Christ means we get a cross, too.

What does it look like to take up the cross?

1.  It may cost your comfort, physical, financial, something completely outside your self.
2.  It may cost your reputation.  Your friends may turn their backs on you.
3.  It may cost you your health.  Think missionaries in third-world countries.
      It will cost you everything, but it will be worth it all!

We are driven by self  day in and day out.  Jesus says we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses.

Our personal pleasure, passion, and success, must be sacrificed if we are to follow Christ.

Put the old self away, crucify the flesh so that you can be raised to life!

 Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning

Follow: Suffering

Most dangerous doctrine in the church today: the prosperity gospel.
The belief that god wants you to be happy all the time.

God's will is the safest place to be.  No, it is sometimes the most dangerous place to be.
Name it and claim it. Enough faith you can have anything you want.  No, it is not what we want that matters, but God's will in our lives.

 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."   --Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

"This is not what I have in mind when I think about being blessed."  --JB

In Matthew chapter 20 Jesus tells his disciples he will have to die to come into his kingdom.  James and John, focusing through their worldly vision want the glory, prosperity, prestige and ask to sit on his right hand and left hand in the kingdom.  Jesus said, You don't know what you are asking.
All but one of the apostles died horrible deaths.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to suffering.

We will have to face some trial or suffering if we would be what God would have us to be.

1.We need to learn to serve one another.
  ---develop a heart of service; take action against the suffering of others.
  ---we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
2. We need to live humbly before all people. 
3. We need to lean into trials and tribulations.
   ---flee temptation, pray in times of trouble, but lean in. 
   ---God is teaching us.
   ---makes us a ware of our need for Him.

If all I have is Christ, will he be enough?  YES
   ---become more like Christ

The call to Jesus is a call to suffering.
Give us the strength to endure. Let us be able to say "it is well with my soul."

Pastor Johnnie Blair 

Sunday morning