Bragging On Jesus

Be motivated by Gods love for us in Jesus instead of our self made determination to love him.

1st John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Galatians were being bewitched, enchanted, hypnotized, captivated, charmed, seduced, held spellbound and mesmerized; they were transfixed by satans tricks to get them to forget the biggest and best and loudest news ever to enter the world. Nothing else should ever be allowed to drown out the beauty and awesome glory of Jesus and the Cross.

Does every sin distort the Gospel to ourselves and the world? Paul called out Peter publicly for his sin of partiality in preferring the Jewish circumcision party over the Gentile believers. Paul does damage control reguarding Peters sin by boldly and forcefully preaching the foundational message of the Gospel to believers. The Gospel is for every day. It helps us combat sin and keeps us from distorting the Gospel to ourselves and the onlooking world.

Galatians 2:1-10 Don't dilute, pollute or substitute the Gospel

This message is Galatians chapter 1... however for some reason I excluded the last three verses which goes along with the text above it showing the developing of Paul's ongoing personal dependence on the Lord after his salvation. Christ is the vine that would supply Paul and all the other the branches(all believers)bringing strength, purpose, unity and community. But the Lord is our source... we look to Jesus; not man and not our-self.

The top of the notes on my phone says: "Jesus can fix this" That's a reminder for me to look to Jesus and point others to do the same. This is the end goal of every Christian counselor's session with someone who is struggling... If you know Christ keep developing the personal part of your relationship with him. If you don't know him, Look to Jesus and keep looking. This is mankind's only hope and joy.

Here's the omitted verses I also mis-referenced in the message. Paul is speaking: Galatians 1:22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me

Matthew 28:1 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead…

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Mark 10:17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Psalm 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

1st Corinthians 15 - 5 Stingers of Death - They all Hurt and Resurrection is associated with each one.

1 Corinthians 15:54 ...“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.