Sunday Words of Encouragement July 7, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher continued with a video showing Ken Peters decades old prophecy and born-again testimony. One of the descriptions in his vision was the moment of death by decapitation execution for failure to renounce Jesus as savior. The sensation was that he felt no pain but was immediately in the presence of Jesus where he felt “precious in God's sight”.

Pastor shared how many in the congregation served water during our local Independence Day ceremonies. He reminded us that serving the community is an important part of our mission, noting that Millennials and Gen Z look for greater purpose, not just church fellowship.

Pastor then continued his sermon series titled Resolution. This week’s message was based on the second part of Hebrews 10. The book reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice for all ended the prior system of priestly, ritual sacrifices.

Pastor noted that many people are naturally skeptical or at least cautious. “If it's too good to be true, it probably is” and “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” attitudes.
This would fit the people begin addressed by Hebrews because the whole Jewish culture was changed. Hebrews 10:19-25.

Our new freedom begins with the (blood) sacrifice of Jesus. Can we, do we, trust it? Pastor encouraged us to look at the ‘case for Christ’.

Hebrews 10:26-31 reflects a frightening message. It sounds as though there is no salvation for those who “deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth”. But really this section is a contrast to Grace, not a contradiction. We all continue to sin and would be doomed but for Jesus' blood. The verses are really saying that lamb and bull sacrifices are no longer effective. Only the sacrifice of Jesus … and faith therein … brings salvation.

We cannot make ourselves more righteousness by minimizing or avoiding sin. This is the tension between law and Grace. There is only condemnation under the law, not freedom. Hebrews 10:32-39 sets out this conflict but encourages us to patiently endure with our faith.

Jesus’ blood doesn't Tip the scales of Justice/the law in our favor. It removes the scale. We are no longer measured by the law. Only by Grace. As to the continuing to sin, the Holy Spirit will convict if we are listening.

Point: Confident trust in the Lord, brings great reward.

What does trust look like? We learn to trust first by faith, and later we learn to perceive eternity.
We can never measure up; we can only trust Grace.
Do you trust Him? Or trust yourself?
Do you trust God with your life. With Radical love and assurance that allows you to follow Him?
You may need to ask yourself: Where is your lack of trust and how can you begin to resolve it?
We each have a choice: Reject condemnation or reject Grace.

I think this song fits today's message.

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

I thank God for the gift of salvation and for giving me a solid faith to Trust in Him.