Impact Christian Church

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”Matthew 5:29 NIV

Why would a loving God send people to hell?

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:29 NIV“‘They have built the high places of  Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire …’”Jeremiah 7:31 NIV

Hell exists for God to righteously punish Satan.

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10 NIV

Hell exists for God to righteously punish evil

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might … c2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21 NIV “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Luke 16:22-24 NIV“… ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27-28 NIV

LESSONS FROM HELL

The rich man was fully conscious and aware. The rich man’s eternity was fixed. •The rich man knew that his suffering was just. The rich man begged and pleaded for someone to help his brothers know Jesus.

Conclusion

… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … Romans 3:23 NIVBut God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.Romans 5:8-9 NLT The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

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“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 NIV

Please Note: Audio podcast coming soon

Intro

If God is not able to prevent evil, then He’s not all-powerful. If God is not willing to prevent evil, then He’s not all good. If God is both willing and able to prevent evil, then why does evil exist?

Christianity makes sense of, gives meaning to, and offers a solution for the evil and suffering we experience.

What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.Psalm 73:11-14 NLT

Part 2

If God is loving, why would He allow suffering? If love is a choice, suffering is a possibility. If there is no God, who decides there’s evil? Why do bad things happen to good people?

… “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 NIV

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”Revelation 21:4 NLT

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17till I entered the sanctuary of God … 26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:16-17, 26 NIV

The post Why? Why did God let it happen? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group  and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”  They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.  When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.John 8:1-11

Intro

“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.”  Bruce lee Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

Moving Forward

Step 1: Admit it and Quit it Step 2: Resolve to do better Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Step 3 Enlist the help of our pack Romans 12:4-5 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Acts 17:29 “Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.”1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 1:3-8 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love  he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace  that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,”Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past.  Behold, I am going to do something new, now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Isaiah 53:3

Results of Relational Letdowns:

HARD HEARTPRIDEFUL SPIRITJUSTIFIED SINREVENGEFUL ATTITUDE

1. God Help Me To live with thicker skin

A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11Thicker Thoughts:People will let you down, so stop hoping they won’t.People can’t meet your needs, so stop hoping they will.…When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly… 1 Corinthians 4:12-13

2. God Help Me To love with a softer heart

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’  Luke 23:34I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

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When they [the wise men] saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 NLT

When they [the wise men] saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 NLT

For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.1 Timothy 6:15 NLT 

3 Responses to Jesus as King:

Herod opposed Jesus as King. The Jewish priests dismissed Jesus as King. The wisemen bowed and worshiped the King. 

The post Unwrapping Christmas: A King like no Other appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Matthew 2:10-11 NLT

Intro

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own … Isaiah 53:6 NL

Sheep are weak. Sheep are witless. Sheep are wayward.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. 7He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. … Isaiah 53:6-7 NLT

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT

Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. … 11When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:8-9, 11 NLT

And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:22-23 NIV

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“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be doneon earth, as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:10 

TRUTH

 God’s Kingdom IS WHEREVER JESUS IS KING

SERIOUS QUESTIONS:

 Do you want what Jesus wants for you?

Or, do you want Jesus to want what you want ?

1. Let Go of being in charge

“Let go, and know that I am God.  I rule the nations.  I rule the earth.”  Psalm 46:10 “If a person’s thinking is controlled by his sinful self, then there is death.  But if his thinking is controlled by the Spirit, then there is life and peace.”  Rom. 8:6

2. Finding contentment, no matter where you are

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:11-13“Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”  Ps. 37:7

3. Laying my plans down every day

I.A.S. = IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  1 John 3:16 (NIV)“…Give yourselves to God…  surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.”  Rom. 6:13“God will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”  Matt. 6:33

4. Giving God tomorrow-Today

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  Prov. 3:5-6 Jesus: “…You must give up everything you have to be my follower.”  Luke 14:33   

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“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”Matthew 6:6 MSG

Introduction

Some of us lack focus.Some of us lack confidence.Some of us lack faith.

Prayer isn’t just an action you do. Prayer is a way that you live.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. … Philippians 4:6 NLTNever stop praying. 1st Thessalonians 5:17 NLTPray continually… 1st Thessalonians 5:17 NIVPray without ceasing… 1st Thessalonians 5:17 KJB

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

From Author: Max Lucado: 4 W’s for Praying throughout the Day

WakingWaiting Whispering Waning

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ...Hebrews: 12:1 NIV

We throw off everything that hinders. We run with perseverance.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled but rather healed. Hebrews 12:11-13 NIV

When you’re tempted to stop, remember why you started. We fix our  eyes on Jesus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. …

“What do you want me to do for you?”  he asked.37They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”Mark 10:36-37 NIV

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.Mark 14:31 NIV

… “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon … was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Mark 15:21 NIV

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26The written notice of the charge against him read:THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Mark 15:25-27 NIV

The post Are You Living a Distracted Life: Part 1? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.

… They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” John 2:8-10 NIV

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. Luke 19:1-2 NIV

Don’t miss what you have now pursuing what you want later.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. …”Matthew 6:34 NIV

Surrender the past you can’t change. Trust God with a future you can’t control

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14 ESV

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:24 NLT

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