Bible Text: John 1:29 | Preacher: Pastor Steve
…Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Our 2014 New Year’s Resolution
Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD
We are facing several major crises in the American Church:
A Crisis of Faith
By a 3-to-1 margin adults say biblical truth is relative to the person and their situation
Among teenagers, 83% of who said moral truth depends on the circumstances, and only 6% of who said moral biblical truth is absolute.
The church today is biblically illiterate – the majority of Christians today open up the Bible on an average of 4 times a year and pray an average of 3 minutes a day
A Crisis of Marriage and Family Values
Weddings are a BIG $50 billion annual business
Our society faces the legalization of same-sex marriage
Today the majority of young adults are raising children in cohabiting and serial partnerships
60% of “Middle America” are NOT getting married!
In 1980 13% of the children were born outside of marriage and today 44%
The divorce rate is not changing. If you get married today there is a 45% to 55% likelihood that you will be divorced in 1 to 18 years.
There is an answer as we move into 2014 and John shows us the ONLY way:
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem…Judea…Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…
The size of our praise is directly proportional to the amount of the hell that God takes out of us!
John 8:36 For he who the Son sets free is free indeed.
Our freedom does not come from the Donkey or the Elephant. Our freedom comes from the LAMB who’s on the throne to whom angels cry, Holy, Holy, Holy!
John 8:32 You shall know the truth and truth shall set you free.
Our 2014 Direction
Trusting in God’s Word Everyday!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Romans 3:21-24 …We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.
The Word of God has the Power to Save
2 Timothy 3:15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
The Word of God has Power to Show us How to Live
Our knowledge of God’s Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
Together, Journaling through the New Testament in 180 days
Our 2014 Direction
Pray that is Humble, Persistent and Consistent
Prayer is our most important tool we have as we face confusion, crisis, and chaos.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying…
…Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
(1 Peter 2:9-10)
Our 2014 Direction
Building up and Reaching out
A Strong, Stable and Committed Community
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Peter 4:7-11 …And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.