Out text tonight was spoken in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. Peter was overcome by the Holy Spirit and preached this simple message after having sinned and denying even knowing Christ. Despite that, by living the very words he was speaking, God enabled Peter to launch a ministry of teaching that would change the world.. It is a simple set of instructions on how to change a life. This is the introduction to the new covenant. It is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. Many do not feel that they are called to teach. However, each of us can teach the gospel message in our own way. Not only can we, were are commanded to go and teach the world. Not everyone can preach. Not everyone can hold bible studies. Not everyone can go on the mission field. We can all however teach and minister to those around us in our daily lives. We need teachers. We have to have burden for teaching.

Out text tonight was spoken in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. Peter was overcome by the Holy Spirit and preached this simple message after having sinned and denying even knowing Christ. Despite that, by living the very words he was speaking, God enabled Peter to launch a ministry of teaching that would change the world.. It is a simple set of instructions on how to change a life. This is the introduction to the new covenant. It is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. Many do not feel that they are called to teach. However, each of us can teach the gospel message in our own way. Not only can we, were are commanded to go and teach the world. Not everyone can preach. Not everyone can hold bible studies. Not everyone can go on the mission field. We can all however teach and minister to those around us in our daily lives. We need teachers. We have to have burden for teaching.

These few short verses are the keys to understanding God’s purpose on the earth. Jesus’ words that day released a promise that exists even now. He declared that He was not there by accident, but was commissioned to be there. It was no accident that He was in the synagogue that day and no accident that he read from the prophecy of Isaiah. He declared that day that the Gospel that He had been sent to deliver would be the great unifier of humanity. One part of this text that is often overlooked is the last part.

In the law handed down from God to Moses, there was the concept of the jubilee. Every 50 years, debts would be forgiven, property would be returned and those sold into slavery would be set free. Jesus saying that he had come at that time to “preach the acceptable year of the Lord” is a reference to the Jubilee. The words used do not indicate an end. We live in a time when we can be forgiven our debts. We can be restored to wholeness if we will but ask. We need to live in it; this is the hour of Jubilee. If we can just wake up and realize that we are surrounded by the forgiving power of God’s love. Too often we limit God with our prayers. We pray as if we are asking God for too much. We ask for God’s blessing as if we are going to cost Him too much. Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He owns the hills and all the gold and precious metals in those hills. How much have we missed because we underestimated how much our God can do? This realization is something that should change the way we worship and have church. We must worship with an expectation. This is an hour of healing, of restoration and release. We need to start thinking differently.

These few short verses are the keys to understanding God’s purpose on the earth. Jesus’ words that day released a promise that exists even now. He declared that He was not there by accident, but was commissioned to be there. It was no accident that He was in the synagogue that day and no accident that he read from the prophecy of Isaiah. He declared that day that the Gospel that He had been sent to deliver would be the great unifier of humanity. One part of this text that is often overlooked is the last part.

In the law handed down from God to Moses, there was the concept of the jubilee. Every 50 years, debts would be forgiven, property would be returned and those sold into slavery would be set free. Jesus saying that he had come at that time to “preach the acceptable year of the Lord” is a reference to the Jubilee. The words used do not indicate an end. We live in a time when we can be forgiven our debts. We can be restored to wholeness if we will but ask. We need to live in it; this is the hour of Jubilee. If we can just wake up and realize that we are surrounded by the forgiving power of God’s love. Too often we limit God with our prayers. We pray as if we are asking God for too much. We ask for God’s blessing as if we are going to cost Him too much. Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He owns the hills and all the gold and precious metals in those hills. How much have we missed because we underestimated how much our God can do? This realization is something that should change the way we worship and have church. We must worship with an expectation. This is an hour of healing, of restoration and release. We need to start thinking differently.

Last Sunday we discussed the Resurrection Effect. The result of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection has had a profound effect on the world. The question this week, is what are we doing with the gift that has been given to us? Are we living a life that takes full advantage of the gift of salvation that God has given us? Do we recognize it in our lives? Are we taking hold of the present opportunity that God presents us through His grace? Don’t miss what God is prepared for us now and today. God has offered the opportunity, it is up to us to actively take hold of it. Whatever we are lacking, there is provided to us the opportunity to receive a direction from God Himself. Because of the price that He paid, we have direct access to God. In our text, Paul reaches back to an old testament prophecy and declares that today is the day to lay hold of that promise. God is not bound by time, so the promise He made then, is still true now and will be true tomorrow. Paul’s declaration of today being the day, is as valid right now as it was then. What are we doing with what God has provided? God’s grace gives us every chance and opportunity that we need to succeed. There is no excuse for us to live a life barely getting by. God’s provision is greater than our condition. When we fail to lay hold to that, we are frustrating God’s grace. Some might ask “suppose I fail?” The answer is that with God it does not matter how many times we fall down, but now many times we get backup. If we fail will be because we could not, or that we would not? We cannot come to the end of our life and wonder if we missed an opportunity. Are we enjoying the full benefit of what He purchased on resurrection morning? Are you experiencing the Salvation Effect?

Last Sunday we discussed the Resurrection Effect. The result of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection has had a profound effect on the world. The question this week, is what are we doing with the gift that has been given to us? Are we living a life that takes full advantage of the gift of salvation that God has given us? Do we recognize it in our lives? Are we taking hold of the present opportunity that God presents us through His grace? Don’t miss what God is prepared for us now and today. God has offered the opportunity, it is up to us to actively take hold of it. Whatever we are lacking, there is provided to us the opportunity to receive a direction from God Himself. Because of the price that He paid, we have direct access to God. In our text, Paul reaches back to an old testament prophecy and declares that today is the day to lay hold of that promise. God is not bound by time, so the promise He made then, is still true now and will be true tomorrow. Paul’s declaration of today being the day, is as valid right now as it was then. What are we doing with what God has provided? God’s grace gives us every chance and opportunity that we need to succeed. There is no excuse for us to live a life barely getting by. God’s provision is greater than our condition. When we fail to lay hold to that, we are frustrating God’s grace. Some might ask “suppose I fail?” The answer is that with God it does not matter how many times we fall down, but now many times we get backup. If we fail will be because we could not, or that we would not? We cannot come to the end of our life and wonder if we missed an opportunity. Are we enjoying the full benefit of what He purchased on resurrection morning? Are you experiencing the Salvation Effect?

Last week we learned several things from the life of our savior about how to live under pressure. None of us live a life without some pressure. Most of it unwanted and some of it unwarranted, but nonetheless, we will all experience it. The pressure we experience is part of building our character. Jesus’ life, especially at the end, was fraught with pressure. He showed us how to live when things happen that out of our control but that are part of our destiny. The principles that we live by are the principles that keep us when we live under pressure. Last week, Bro. Hughes drew several principles from Jesus’ life to illustrate how to live under pressure. Jesus moved with purpose, not by problems. During pressure that is beyond what any of us could imagine, Jesus prayed. Jesus commanded infinite power, but He chose not to use that power to free him from the situation. As he willingly walked toward His destiny, He sang a song of praise.

This week, Bro. Hughes continues his study with more observations from our text. We have to stay focused in the present, not distracted by the present. No matter what is happening, we cannot let it divert us from the purpose God has for our life. Distractions are all around us. That is what gets all of us in trouble. Everything in our world is trying to make our lives as dysfunctional as the rest of the world. Pressure is painful. There is no way for God to extract the pain from life. Pain is an indication of the healing process. If we don’t hurt, there is no way of knowing that we are healing. It is important when under pressure, to maintain an attitude of forgiveness. When we are under pressure, there are hurts and offenses that will come. Most of the time, those committing the offense will not even know they are hurting us. It is important to maintain an attitude of forgiveness. When under pressure and stress, we have to remain sensitive and not be hardened by the things that are against us. Finally Jesus taught us to live by faith and not by fear. Fear cannot decide our peace or our future. How many mistakes do we make because we are reacting to life, rather than walking by faith.

Life will try to frighten us and under pressure it is easy to lose sight of our destiny. But if we look to the life of Jesus and especially the last weeks of HIs life, we find a shining example of how to live when living under pressure.

Last week we learned several things from the life of our savior about how to live under pressure. None of us live a life without some pressure. Most of it unwanted and some of it unwarranted, but nonetheless, we will all experience it. The pressure we experience is part of building our character. Jesus’ life, especially at the end, was fraught with pressure. He showed us how to live when things happen that out of our control but that are part of our destiny. The principles that we live by are the principles that keep us when we live under pressure. Last week, Bro. Hughes drew several principles from Jesus’ life to illustrate how to live under pressure. Jesus moved with purpose, not by problems. During pressure that is beyond what any of us could imagine, Jesus prayed. Jesus commanded infinite power, but He chose not to use that power to free him from the situation. As he willingly walked toward His destiny, He sang a song of praise.

This week, Bro. Hughes continues his study with more observations from our text. We have to stay focused in the present, not distracted by the present. No matter what is happening, we cannot let it divert us from the purpose God has for our life. Distractions are all around us. That is what gets all of us in trouble. Everything in our world is trying to make our lives as dysfunctional as the rest of the world. Pressure is painful. There is no way for God to extract the pain from life. Pain is an indication of the healing process. If we don’t hurt, there is no way of knowing that we are healing. It is important when under pressure, to maintain an attitude of forgiveness. When we are under pressure, there are hurts and offenses that will come. Most of the time, those committing the offense will not even know they are hurting us. It is important to maintain an attitude of forgiveness. When under pressure and stress, we have to remain sensitive and not be hardened by the things that are against us. Finally Jesus taught us to live by faith and not by fear. Fear cannot decide our peace or our future. How many mistakes do we make because we are reacting to life, rather than walking by faith.

Life will try to frighten us and under pressure it is easy to lose sight of our destiny. But if we look to the life of Jesus and especially the last weeks of HIs life, we find a shining example of how to live when living under pressure.

The butterfly effect is a mathematical weather theory that can be best described as a small change can have a huge effect. In the entire history of the world, the life of Jesus was comparatively small. But the effect of his life, death and resurrection cannot be measured. There is no event that has so profoundly changed the world as the resurrection. The entire course of mankind has been changed because He lives. Because of the resurrection, we view the trials and troubles of our life in a entirely different way. The resurrection even changed worship. In the old testament, even back to Genesis, the day of rest was the 7th day. Saturday was reserved for the day of rest. But Jesus rose on Sunday, the first day of the week. This became the day of worship and praise. Even the language has changed, it is no longer a day of rest, but a day of life! The resurrection changes the way we live. We do not live for this world, but for the eternal. Because of the resurrection, we no longer fear death. Death is not the end, but the beginning of a life with our savior. Because of the resurrection, our life has purpose. Because of the resurrection, we are clean. Our lives were dirty and sin filled, but because of the resurrection, we are washed clean. The resurrection effect delivers a powerful message. Death is powerful, but life is more powerful. Does the the resurrection effect have an affect on our life? If not, we are missing out on the greatest blessing in the world.

The butterfly effect is a mathematical weather theory that can be best described as a small change can have a huge effect. In the entire history of the world, the life of Jesus was comparatively small. But the effect of his life, death and resurrection cannot be measured. There is no event that has so profoundly changed the world as the resurrection. The entire course of mankind has been changed because He lives. Because of the resurrection, we view the trials and troubles of our life in a entirely different way. The resurrection even changed worship. In the old testament, even back to Genesis, the day of rest was the 7th day. Saturday was reserved for the day of rest. But Jesus rose on Sunday, the first day of the week. This became the day of worship and praise. Even the language has changed, it is no longer a day of rest, but a day of life! The resurrection changes the way we live. We do not live for this world, but for the eternal. Because of the resurrection, we no longer fear death. Death is not the end, but the beginning of a life with our savior. Because of the resurrection, our life has purpose. Because of the resurrection, we are clean. Our lives were dirty and sin filled, but because of the resurrection, we are washed clean. The resurrection effect delivers a powerful message. Death is powerful, but life is more powerful. Does the the resurrection effect have an affect on our life? If not, we are missing out on the greatest blessing in the world.