THE MAT OF PERSONAL EXCUSES

THE MAT OF SINS

Unconfessed Sins

Confession: “I own my sin and am sorry for it.”
Repentance: “I want to stop it and move from it.”

Sins of Inclination

THE MAT OF FAILURE

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!”

Satan, you are my enemy. You delight in my failure? You think I will stay down on the mat. Think again!



“Though I have fallen, I will rise.”

Yes, I have fallen but I will not stay down on the mat—through the power of the Holy Spirit, I will rise.


“Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.”

Yes, my sin makes me guilty. But because of grace I will not stay in the darkness of guilt. The Lord is my light.


Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

Yes, I have sinned and God disciplines those he loves. But the very one who disciplines me pleads my case and establishes my right. He will pick me up off the mat and bring me out into the light.

The Transfiguration proved the Deity of Jesus.

The Transfiguration drove home the truth of Jesus’ suffering.

The Transfiguration provided undeniable evidence for eternal life.

The Transfiguration confirmed the Great Sacrifice.

The Transfiguration shows the humility of Jesus.

When Jesus changes us the internal change is demonstrated in outwards actions.

What does that outward change look like?

I must deny myself.

I must take up my cross.

I must follow Jesus.

I must be willing to make sacrifices.

I don’t belong to the world.

I cannot deny Jesus.

“Deny himself…”
Who is the object of my affections? Really.

“Take up his cross….”
Am I living in true submission to Jesus?

“Follow me.”
Who is the leader of my life?

“Gaining the world…forfeiting my soul”
Could a person what me for a week and conclude that I am not part of the world?

“Ashamed of me.”
Am I ashamed of standing up for Jesus?

Lesson #1: Be cautious about the buzz of the crowds.

Lesson #2: Easy doesn’t always mean right. Hard doesn’t always mean wrong.

Lesson #3: Keep your eyes on Christ not on circumstances.

Lesson #4: Why are you content to sit in the boat?

Lesson #5: Challenge allows us to see Jesus for who he really is.

Tunch Iklin interviews former Steeler JT Thomas.

From this past weekend's sermon:

Abortion is the leading cause of death each year in America (Heart disease kills 600,000 each year while 1.2 million pre-born children died each year from abortion)

Abortion is an enormous industry generating over $800 million dollars each year for abortion doctors, providers, and facilities.

More children have died from abortion than those that have died from all the wars combined throughout history.

The Pregnancy Resource Center: 412-833-7445, http://prcsh.org/

Lecrae video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wauaI7rL0vM

God can handle the cries of your heart.

You have to learn to trust me.

Why are you so afraid? I am right here with you. Trust me.

Can you trust Jesus?
Can you trust Jesus?

Sometimes Jesus calms the storm. Sometimes he calms us in the midst of the storm.

JESUS, THE CHILD BORN TO A VIRGIN, IS THE SAVIOR

Jesus is called from Egypt to the land of Israel where he will perform the ministry of the Lord.

JESUS WOULD BE CALLED UP FROM EGYPT

Jesus settles is his hometown of Nazareth.


THE SAVIOR WOULD COME FROM NAZARETH

The start of Jesus’ ministry.

START OF JESUS’ MINISTRY

The reason for Jesus’ earthly ministry is to be the substitutionary atonement for our sins.

HE CAME TO ATONE FOR OUR SINS

Jesus' ministry of bringing the nations to the Father will be marked with peace and compassion.


MINISTRY WILL BE MARKED BY PEACE AND COMPASSION

Jesus acknowledges that the message is not for all as many will remain in unbelief.

NOT ALL WILL BELIEVE

Matthew identifies that Jesus' primary teaching style will be through parables that will reveal truth about God and how he will interact with us through his love, mercy, and grace.

PARABLES/LOVE, GRACE, MERCY - ESSENCE

Jesus for the first time is identifying himself as the King, the Messiah, who came to bring salvation to God's people.

REVEALS HIMSELF AS KING

Jesus was betrayed for a mere pittance and handed over to those that would provide for his predicted death.

HOW HE IS BETRAYED

Three Foundational Principles of Christianity

• Jesus is the source of true satisfaction
• The Gospel of Grace is vastly superior to the law
• Christ alone has revealed God to man.

His grace, truth, love, and forgiveness are perfectly sufficient for us.