Last week we looked at how a house divided will fall. How 2 opposing views on who Christ is don’t work together. You either believe He is deity or you don’t. Today about what it is to blaspheme the Spirit. The Unpardonable Sin. Matthew 12:28-32

Let’s define a couple of words before we get started. “Blasphemy” and “Apostasy.”

So, what was blasphemous about this situation? Simply put, the Pharisees saw God at work, in Jesus and denied that it was God working through Him. There was no denial that demons were cast out. The discussion being had was, “By what power were they cast out?”

We are not talking “Apostacy” which I have heard used interchangeably with “Blasphemy.” Hebrews 6:4-6 But this is not what Jesus is talking about here. Jesus is addressing people, that should have known better. If anyone should have known a work of God, it should be the Pharisees. Because they had their own exorcists working on their behalf doing the same work that Jesus did. When they did it, God was working, but when Jesus did it, He is in league with Satan? That’s blasphemous. That is The Unpardonable Sin!

Jesus, being gracious even then, told them that “To say that I am not who I say I am, ‘As a man’ is excusable because of ignorance or even prejudice.” We’ve been given an example of what that looks like. John 1:43-46 Nathanael, who had studied Moses and the prophets… blasphemed Jesus, the man. He wasn’t denying a work of God in that moment.

But look at the response when he met Jesus – the Son of God. Look at what Nathanael says when the Spirit of God worked in his midst. John 1:47-49

In the presence of Jesus, the man, Nathanael was skeptical! But having witnessed a work of God, when Jesus responded, Nathanael believed. He marveled at the work of God and confessed Jesus as Lord in that moment! The man, Jesus, had been blasphemed based on natural understandings, that’s forgivable. But God the Son (Jesus) was received and worshipped based on a spiritual understanding. You see, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us to counsel us, teach us and guide us through this life. To reject that is to blaspheme. Jesus is actively demonstrating who He is on a daily basis! Will you respond to Him today?

Today, we are going to hear from Jesus about division and what outcome is brought about by A House Divided. Matthew 12:22-30 As we look at our passage, even the average person saw evidence of Jesus’ power and with that childlike faith, they asked the question, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” And looked who tried to talk them out of it. The Pharisees. They made a crazed accusation against Jesus. “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power form Satan, the prince of demons.” So, Jesus sets the record straight. Matthew 12:25-27 This is why a house divided collapses. Someone comes up with the crazy argument like Satan casts out Satan. They sow those seeds of confusion and doubt which destroys people’s faith! The stubbornness of a person to see a miracle and deny the source of the power that brought about that miracle! We have divisions within individual churches! But we have divisions within those who identify as Christians but do not see Jesus as deity. They see Him as just a man… a perfect man… but a simply a man. That’s nuts to those of us who believe in the deity of Christ. I have had discussions with people who claim that Jesus is just a man and they say that John 1:1 does not tell us that God and Jesus are one. That the “Word” is not referring to the WORD (Jesus). They told me that it “COULD BE READ LIKE THIS.” John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word (The Knowledge of GOD), and the Word (The Revealed Word of God) was with GOD, and the Word (Essence of GOD) was God. When confronted with John 1:2-3; John 1:18 The answer I got was, “Let’s stick to the simple Scriptures… turn to…” and off they went. How do you call yourself a Christian and deny the essence of who Christ is in the face of so much evidence??? You see, the house is divided on the foundational point of WHO CHRIST IS. And that is the same thing the Pharisees were doing. They were redirecting people’s thinking and trying to manipulate Scripture to make it fit their narrative. Matthew 12:28-30 What an amazing thing! Those people were experiencing the Kingdom of God, heaven, in that moment… here on earth. Jesus told them… the Messiah had arrived. God’s power, His Healing, His Son all things Kingdom were present in their midst. He also gave a warning. Matthew 12:30 You can’t claim to be a Christian and deny the deity of Christ. Matthew 10:33 You can’t claim to be a follower of Christ, and not do what He asks us to do. Luke 6:46 You can’t claim to be a follower of Christs and bring division to His house. Matthew 12:25 The local church needs the time, energy, talents and finances of its members to advance the Kingdom of God. Romans 10:14-15 How does the Gospel message get preached without a sharing of everyone’s time, energies, talents and finances? God established the church to that together. We, the church, are His hands and feet! That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Think of the people that brought you up or into the faith. Did they spend any time on you? Did they spend any energy on you? Did they share their talents with you? Did they spend money on you? If we do not do the work of the Gospel, together, we will never fulfill the Great Commission.

Have you ever broken something that belongs to someone else and it is irreplaceable? Have you ever been caught in a scandal and the person that could dole out punishment offers mercy instead? How bad did you feel in those moments? Where you wish you could do something, anything, to make it all better and take all the pain and humiliation away? That should be our response when we are in our sin. It is so monumentally one sided that we should get a pit in our stomachs every time we sin. But so often, we don’t even think about the cost owed for our sins.

Today, we are going to read about an encounter that happened prior to Jesus’ death on the cross, but even still we will see a model of what the response that our guilt and shame and appreciation for Jesus’ forgiveness should look like. When we truly understand that Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…” is what we deserve, and we truly appreciate the second part that “but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT) Our sin debt has been paid in full by someone else… our Savior, Our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Luke 7:36-38 There is our standard. She heard that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house and she made the decision to go where Christ was. She modeled… A Broken Response.

Knowing the gravity of her sin and the majesty of who she was in the company with, she brought a sacrificial gift. That “anything” to make things right. And in her sin in the presence of Jesus all she could do was weep over His feet and clean them with her hair. She then kissed the feet of her Savior and anointed them with the sacrificial gift she brought with her. Here she brought that earthly reward she had earned while sinning, her perfume, and she laid it on the feet of her Savior.

Luke 7:39-40 Here the Pharisee, looked down on this woman and on Christ in this situation and Jesus answers his thoughts. His thoughts! We are told in Matthew 12; Romans 14 and 2 Corinthians 5 that we will give and account for our words and deeds and how we lived. Luke 7:41-48 We must go to the One who loaned us these temporary lives to settle our accounts. And the one we must pay is standing and waiting for us to come to Him so that He can kindly forgive our debt along the journey. Acts 26:20

Here’s the deal, we are all sinners that need to repent and prove that we have changed by the good things we do. But some of us won’t. Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth that hurt their feelings, but it brought about a great outcome of repentance and growth within that church. I hope you receive this message the same way. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

It has been said, over and over and over that you don’t have to leave here the same way you came in. You can walk out of here, forgiven and free!

The woman we read about today was confronted with the same fears as you and I have in this area. “Who’s watching?” “What will they say?” “What will they think?” And my answer to all of those is this… “Who cares!” Luke 7:49-50 Jesus wants to forgive you too! He wants you to repent! He wants you to trust Him! Will you trust Jesus to defend you? Would you join me as we declare the truth found in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT) Let’s go before for the Lord in brokenness and seek His forgiveness

We have gone through a series of interesting messages the last few weeks and it is interesting how they all build up to today’s message of What Will Jesus Say About You? Be Persistent; You Will Know Them By Their Fruit; Does Jesus Even Know You?; What Are You Building On?

We are going to read what Jesus has to say about John the Baptist. The question for us today, is: What Will Jesus Say About You?

The account of Jesus confirming the ministry of John the Baptist is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Luke 7:18-23

Why would he send his disciples to ask such a question to Jesus? Matthew 3:1-6 People came from all over to hear John preach. John was persistent and known by his fruit! People knew he was a messenger from God. Here his whole life was committed to the announcement of the coming Messiah.

John knew Jesus. Luke 1:39-45 John saw heaven open when Jesus was baptized. John 1:32-34

John knew Jesus was the Messiah. John was helping confirm to his disciples who Jesus was!

Look at the response they received in asking if Jesus was the coming Messiah that John spoke of. Luke 7:21

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy. Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 61:1 Could you imagine that scene? That had to have been so awesome to have witnessed. Luke 7:24-28

Malachi 3:1 He is confirming John as one that fulfilled God’s will for his life. John was not a fake, a phony, a poser. He lived out his faith at the cost of comfort, luxury, fine dining and other creature comforts. Why, because John was not living for this life!

He understood, like Peter, that we are temporary residents here, we are simply passing through this life so don’t get caught up in the cares of this world. 1 Peter 2:11

Jesus said this about John. Verse 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”

What Will Jesus Say About You?

Luke 7:29-35 Jesus let the religious people that they missed it!! The religious spirit will miss the move of the Spirit! The religious spirit will never be happy!

What is it you would like to hear from Jesus when you enter into His courts?

And often times as believers, we get caught making sand castles, that we know are going to wash away. Or we build with straw and wood and when they get knocked over we either rebuild or move along. But as Christians we really need to be taking the time to build with brick and build on a solid foundation. We are going to read today from the Gospel of Matthew and Luke, about building houses. Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49

What are you building on? What kind of foundation have you laid? Psalms 127:1 Have you been wasting your time? Have you been trying to build your house (your life) without the Lord?

We have to establish our lives on the truth of Jesus Christ. We have to follow His blue prints, not come up with our own designs. We have to surrender to His design. And when we surrender our lives to Him, He comes in with His set of blue prints and shows us how to build a strong foundation, a strong home, one that will last.

Jesus told Peter that because of his foundational understanding, Jesus could build His church on that foundation. Matthew 16:15-18 Did Peter ever mess things up after this? Did he do things that were not the most righteous? Did he say things that he regretted? Yep. What did Jesus do after His resurrection to Peter? The Gospel of John records the beautiful moment where Jesus gave Peter a 2nd chance. In His love, Jesus, went to His friend Peter and lovingly reinstated him. Lovingly gave him a 2nd chance. Lovingly restored their relationship again. And here is the deal, Jesus is here today and He wants to do the same for all of us.

This house, Cornerstone Church, and the people within it, have been established on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:20-22 We are not perfect, but we are family! And family loves! And true love is established on the firm foundation that is Jesus Christ! What are you building on? This church and the people in it are a strong foundation that can be relied upon because it is full of people that have a firm foundation for their lives. 1 Peter 2:5

What would happen in your life if your health failed, if your friends or family die, if your job suddenly goes away or some other sudden life change takes place? Would your foundation crumble? Are you in a place where cracks are forming and you know it is a matter of time before the whole thing comes crumbling down? Can I suggest that today you repent and surrender your life to Jesus? Can I suggest that today you take these blue prints (the Bible) for life and begin building a new foundation?

Does Jesus Even Know You? Matthew 7:21-23

All I can say, is how horrific! How sad that only at the end of one’s life they will have to accept the truth that “good deeds” alone will not get you into heaven! Knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Your Savior does! Does Jesus even know you? 1 Corinthians 8:3; John 10:14; 27 Has He touched you in such a way that like the Apostle Paul, everything you had or owned is worthless compared to knowing Him and walking with Him? Philippians 3:7-10

Has Jesus captured your heart? 2 Timothy 1:7 You are called to great works when you are known by Jesus! John 14:12-14; Romans 8:9-11

When you are known by Jesus, and Christ loves through you, you love others differently than ever before. 1 John 4:18-19; Ephesians 3:18-19

When you are known by Jesus, you are self-disciplined. 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Do you possess the power? Do you possess the love? Do you possess the self-discipline that comes from knowing Christ and being known by Him? Jesus wants to know you! He is knocking at the door of your heart daily! Revelation 3:20 Will you open the door for Jesus, today?

Will you live out 1 John 5:20

Are we going through this life putting together a resume when we can have the ultimate referral?

How does one go from walking in stride with Jesus to going back to the old ways? Philippians 4:9

Why would you leave this place the same way you came in?

Can I encourage you today? To open the door that Jesus is knocking on! Respond to His voice! Will you partake of the fellowship that can only be had by repenting of your sins and confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Will you walk out of here today professing that you know Jesus and Jesus knows you?

The Red Letters - Part 35 by Cornerstone Church

I am so excited to start off the New Year with the message of Be Persistent. God is basically telling us to “bring it on!” “Don’t quit!”

Much like in Malachi 3, where instructs us to trust Him with our finances He is telling us to Be Persistent. Malachi 3:10 That is the only place in the Bible that God says, test me in this “Try me!” And just like God said “Try Me” with your finances, He is telling us to be persistent in our prayers and our pursuit of His will. Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13

We need to pursue the things of God. James 4:3; 1 John 5:14.

Jesus just got done preaching to us about pure motives and intents of the heart and now we see that when we have those pure motives and pure intentions, God will respond! There is nothing wrong with persistent prayer. Luke 18:1-8

I don’t know why or how God answers prayer. But pray until that prayer gets answered!!! But doesn’t that show a lack of faith? Obviously not!

Are you still asking God to show you people that you can share the Gospel with? Are you still seeking opportunities to serve people? Are you knocking on the doors, so that they may be open to you? When we keep on asking for people to minister to, you will receive the opportunities to do so. When we keep on seeking for people to serve, you will find the opportunities to do so. When we keep on knocking for God to open doors of opportunity to bring Him glory, the doors will be opened to you! I want to encourage you today! Don’t grow weary!!!! Keep on asking! Keep on seeking! Keep on knocking! There will be a harvest when you do! Galatians 6:9 Be Persistent!

Are you praying for the salvation of your kids? Be Persistent!

Are you praying for the faith to honor God with your finances? Be Persistent! Are you praying for a marriage that just doesn’t seem to have a shred of hope in it? Be Persistent! Are you praying that God will grant you peace in the storms of life? Be Persistent!

Are you praying for healing that never seems to come? Be Persistent!

We have an awesome and mighty God that is all ears, when we pray according to His will!

Be Persistent!!

Asking = Receiving Seeking = Finding Knocking = Open doors!

Tomorrow starts a whole new year and a fresh new start! How will you start your year? It would be interesting if Christian Resolutions were made. Where would %ages fall? How long would our resolutions last? Better than the worlds? Would we truly appear to be “Set Apart” in accomplishing Biblical resolutions? I think we would have more success, in any of those resolutions – worldy or Christian, if we evaluated ourselves more honestly.

I believe the reason so many people fail to attain their goals or have success in their resolution is that they take their eyes off of what they should be doing and focus on others. Today, we are reading one of the more misquoted verses in the Bible. One that the non-Christian world tries to use against Christians, but uses out of context. DO NOT JUDGE!!!!! But Jesus judges. And Jesus also instructs us on how to judge others. We are to Judge Righteously.

We must Remove the Plank in our own eyes. Matthew 7:1-6; Proverbs 9:8; Luke 6:37-42

How we see things skews how we judge and Jesus is telling us that we need to make sure that we are judging situations properly. John 7:24 Remove the Plank!

We are so quick to judge at times, so quick to jump to conclusions. And many times when we judge others we are guilty of doing the same thing, that we are condemning in someone else. Romans 2:1 Remove the plank!!

Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5 & Luke 6:42.

We are instructed to judge wisely… to judge righteously! Don’t allow pride to keep you from examining yourself honestly! Take a moment. Remove the plank!!

When you remove the plank: First of all you won’t be a hypocrite! Second, you won’t look like a fool for spouting off a bunch of nonsense without having a clear picture of what is going on. Proverbs 17:28

But back to judging… If you clean your eye first: your judgment will be righteous. If you clean your eyes first: you will be less likely to condemn, when you clearly see all points of view. If you clean your eyes first: you will graciously grant forgiveness, because you can clearly see how and where it needs to be given. If you clean your eyes first, you will be more apt to give, because you can clearly see the cause to which you are giving too.

I want to encourage us all to take to heart what is being said in these Scriptures! 2018 New Year’s Resolution… Remove the plank!

Good morning and welcome to the Ugly Sweater Christmas Eve service! You may be wondering; how did the Ugly Sweater make it into a Christmas service. Well, that’s what we are here to find out isn’t it?

The ugly Christmas Sweater theme was recognized as starting in around the 1950s where dads would wear these very Christmasy sweaters to get the family in the mood for Christmas. Now, people wear them as a gag. They wear them to make a mockery of fashion. They wear them to make fun of what was originally intended to be a good thing. And that is where the Ugly Christmas Sweater and this message come together.Today, we celebrate the eve of the birth of our Lord and Savior. But He is also referenced in Scripture as: Isaiah 9:6 We celebrate God coming to earth in the form of a man. John 1:14 And why did He come? Luke 19:10; John 12:46 Jesus came to rescue mankind from itself.

When God breathed the breath of life into the clay that was to become Adam, God looked at His creation and said it was “very good.” Look at what mankind has become. What was once a beautiful “sweater,” if you will, became a joke. What was once glorious is now decayed. Jesus stepped down out of the glory of heaven and put on the “ugly sweater” of humanity.He became the fulfillment of prophecy, by removing His glorious nature. Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:3; Luke 19:10 He made that decision knowing that some would see Him as just a man and nothing more. That some would equate this good works to the nothing more than the filthy rages spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 64:6a He counted His life here on earth as a temporary inconvenience, much like we count wearing these ugly sweaters as temporary attire, to save those He created.

Jesus counted the cost before coming down from Heaven! Philippians 2:5-11 As we just read and as we saw in the video, Jesus chose to enter into humanity in a humble fashion, born in a manger. Imagine stepping out of glory knowing that you would be rejected even while in the womb.

Would you step down from the beauty of Heaven to be treated this way? Isaiah 53 2b-9a No one but God could have made that choice. Praise God that Jesus did! Today we celebrate when Jesus dawned His ugly sweater and came to the party. We celebrate with all of heaven and the angels and shout out as they did in Luke 2:14

Will we sing out, “JOY TO THE WORLD!!!!!! THE LORD HAS COME!!!!!!!!!!!! LET EARTH RECEIVED HER KING!!!!!!”

Merry Christmas!!! May God richly bless you and your families!!!