The New Life - You're Already Forgiven

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)

I don't know about you, but I came into this Christian life with a bit of a track record.  I burned a few bridges, perhaps "blew up" would be a better description.  I distinctly remember times when I would show up at a club or a party, and "that person" would be there.  How awkward. Sure I'd play it off like it didn't matter, but deep down inside there was that feeling of shame for how I had treated that person.  Funny, it never occurred to me to apologize, or make an attempt to make it right.  Cut and run, that was my motto.  But the problem was, the guilt never really left.  Even though I might not see that person, that guilt tended to hang around, popping up in my memory from time to time, bringing on a new wave of shame and guilt.

If we're not careful, we can fall into the same behavior as Christians.  See, there will be times when we fail to live up to our testimony as Christians.  Times when we make the wrong decision, allow the compromise, do something we know is sin.  Then, right when we should go to God and confess, instead we cut and run.  We avoid God.  Well, we really can't avoid God, but alas we try.  We stop reading His word, we stop praying, we avoid anything that would bring us into contact with our God. Our walk with God becomes ...awkward.

Reality Check:  Romans 5:1-2 tells us that we no longer have to avoid God.  Because of our faith, we've been made "right in God's eyes," and "we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." In other words, the reconciliation has already taken place!  That mean's that when we do fall short, and we come to the Lord and confess it, He's already forgiven us!  I believe that understanding that we're already forgiven should bring a new level of confidence to our relationship with God.

Think about it this way:   Say you get into an "discussion" with your significant other.  You both said things you shouldn't have said.  After the fireworks die down, you know one of you has to initiate an apology, but usually both are hesitant to be the first one to apologize, because the other person might not accept it.  When this happens, we'll usually put out a few "feelers" to see how they other will respond.  Maybe we bring up some non-related topic, just to gauge the mood.  What we're really looking for is the answer to this question:  "Will they be open to reconciliation?"  Once we know the door is open, we're fine to proceed.

Here's the think I want you to know:  When it comes to God, YOU'R ALREADY FORGIVEN!  You don't have to hide in the shadows, or toss out a feeler, you can come before your Heavenly Father with full confidence that your sin has been forgiven, and His desire is to restore fellowship with you.  i john 1:9 promises it:

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

So you never need to wonder if God want's to reconcile, the answer is always YES!  "...Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand..."

Pastor Clay

The Birth of New Life

The past two Sundays we have been examining Jesus Christ, looking to scripture to understand who He really is.  So far we have looked at the PROMISE that we have in Christ, the promise of eternal life.  We have looked at His Kingship, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who entered Jerusalem in 32 AD and presented Himself to the Jewish nation as the promised Messiah. Yet God’s people didn’t see it, didn’t get it, and didn't receive Him.  Five days after Jesus entered the city, the Jewish leaders, with support from the people, and under the authority of the Roman government, sentenced Jesus to the most severe punishment that was available:  Scourging, and crucifixion. We read the account in Matthew 27:

And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(Matt 27:31-37)

This Sunday is Easter, the day that Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. 

Now, had Jesus been just another man, just another prophet, just a great teacher, this would have been the end of His story.

In Matthew 21, when Jesus had come into the city, the people wondered: “who is He?”  To me, the events that transpired after the crucifixion answer that question:  Jesus is the Son of God.  He is the promised Messiah.  He is the Anointed One.  He is the King of Kings.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ!

Folks, we serve a LIVING GOD – not a dead prophet.  He rose from the grave, He is alive, and He brings life to all that will accept Him.  If Jesus didn't rise from the grave, we as Christians are the most misled and pitiful people on earth.  But because He rose from the grave, we are the most joyful, hopeful, and powerful people on earth.  At least we should be.

Join us Sunday, as we look at part II of our Dawn of Life series, “The Birth of New Life.”

Pastor Clay

The King of New Life

This Sunday we will look at Jesus entrance into Jerusalem. On April 6, 32 AD Jesus sat atop a colt, and begin his ascent into the city.  We read the description in Matt 21:

And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt 21:8-9)

In my mind I can picture something like the hero’s parade they had in NY City at the close of WWII, or when the astronauts returned from the moon in 1968.  People lining the streets, shouting and cheering, excitement everywhere!  The Jewish people are known for their public display of excitement, and I think this day was no exception! But strangely enough, with all of their excitement about Jesus coming to town, not five days later this same crowd would be calling for his death.  Crowds can be fickle!

A similar thing happens even today.  A person comes to church, perhaps struggling in some way, needing a new beginning.  They come face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ, and man they are excited about Him! They are excited about what He offers, and how He can change their lives! But after the crisis recedes, they don’t need Jesus as much as they thought.  Matter of fact, some of His ways really get in the way of their lifestyle.

In the same way we are faced with a similar question.  We know who Jesus is, maybe we’re even excited about Him, but are we willing to make Him Lord?


Join us this Sunday for episode 2 of our series, "The King of New Life."

...till the whole world hears

Pastor Clay