A Sure Hope

How do you see the cross? While most have good intentions, when we see the cross on every piece of jewelry, poster, photo on Christian Instagram pages, it can desensitize us to its real meaning. Today Pastor Dave will bring us back to reality and show us the cross’s deep and serious truth.

Has God always loved us? Some may believe He only loves us when we become saved. But the cross shows us how God’s love is for everyone. In today’s message, Pastor Dave will bring us down the path Jesus took moments before he was nailed to the cross, fulfilling prophecies and becoming The Greatest Sacrifice.

So often it’s easier to do what everyone else is saying, give into that mob mentality, but we are not to do this. As Christians, we're to be the salt and light of this world. In today’s message, Pastor Dave will show how the crowd swayed Pilate to crucify Jesus, and how the mind of an unbeliever under pressure can easily give in.

Pilate knew Jesus had done nothing wrong. Despite this, he gave in to please the will of the people. James 4:17 says “… to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin.” And how often are we also guilty of this? Today in Pastor Dave’s message he will give insight into Pilate’s true heart and Jesus’s humility.

Barabbas was the first life spared by Jesus’ death. He was a murderer who deserved the punishment Jesus took. But, he was spared – undeserving of such a great gift. As Pastor Dave will point out in today’s message, the freeing of Barabbas offers us a beautiful model for the spiritual salvation we’ve been given in Jesus.

Sin is so destructive. Today, Pastor Dave will point out how sin can take the minds and hearts of people who were created in the image of God, and twist them to a point where they’ll do the most foolish things out of rebellion against Him and His ways – even embracing a murderer over an innocent man – the Messiah they rejected.

It’s your human right to reject Jesus and deny Him before men. But, consider how He went far out of His way, suffering to an incredible extent – unfathomable to us – in order to make it possible for you to trust in Him and be made right with God. Today, Pastor Dave will encourage us to embrace that amazing gift.

Do you really know who Jesus is? Do you understand the proposition He has for you? He offers a gift – salvation from sin and its eternal consequences – but as Pastor Dave will explain in today’s message, this gift won’t leave you unchanged. It’ll turn your entire life and way of thinking upside down.

How much faith would it take to say something knowing full well it wouldn't be understood until later? Jesus knew that they would look back on this day and realize that He was in control the whole time. Jesus didn't act out of emotion like we sometimes do, but instead, He showed mercy to the rebellious and the hurtful as we learn from Pastor Dave today.

Can you imagine knowing what's coming next? Especially if it's bad? Would you flee in the opposite direction? Jesus didn't run away...BUT He went and MET the man who would turn Him in. Pastor Dave talks about all this today and what the cup symbolized back then. Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to not happen, but He still DID what God told Him.