The Gift of Jesus

Sunday, January 29, 2012 Led by Eric Gintert The most important thing we can do this election year is not to vote, but to pray. Acts 1:1 - 2:47 As our leader, Jesus always did what He said He was going to do... He was a doer and not a hearer only (James 1:22) Even the Apostles were concerned about if Jesus was going to restore the kingdom back to Israel... they were only looking at the physical kingdom and not the spiritual kingdom. Jesus didn't come to obtain political power, but to advance God's kingdom. Jesus came to reign in our hearts... He is our spiritual King. Herod wanted to kill Jesus (and killed many babies in the attempt) because the political rulers thought He came to take their position... they were thinking carnally and not spiritually. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peac...

Sunday, January 22, 2012 Led by Eric Gintert Malachi 4:5-6  -  The hearts of the fathers will be turned back to the children and the children to the fathers. Fathers are commanded to teach their children diligently the commandments of God (Deuteronomy 6:6-10). Since fathers are no longer doing this we have no peace and children are oppressing (see Isaiah 3:12) Isaiah 53:5  -  Jesus took on chastisement for us that we may have peace. He didn't resist when the men came to get Him in the garden... He gave Himself for us . Hebrews 12:1-11  -  Don't faint (or have a pity party) when God chastens you. He does it because He loves you and you are His child. He does it that we might partake in His holiness. He commands that we be holy as His is holy (1 Peter 1:16). God chastens those whom He loves just as a father chastens his child.  2 John 4-6  -  Love is walking in the truth, loving one another, and walking after God's commandments....

Sunday, January 15, 2012 Led by Eric Gintert   1 Corinthians 16:13  -  Watch... be sober, as a watchman on a tower appointed to protect. Stand fast... let your yea be yea and your nay be nay (Matthew 5:37). Quit you like men... quit means to be brave and act manly. Be strong... be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6) 1 Peter 3:1-7  -  Conversation means conduct and lifestyle. Today, we have turned these verses around and gone to the wrong extreme. Women are getting and doing what ever they want and men no longer stand up, but bow down to the wife. A woman who is godly and lives according to God's Word will win over their wayward husband. Isaiah 3:1 - 4:2  -  The men are refusing to rule and the women who are ruling are causing them to error and the children are oppressing. The men will fall by the sword (see Ephesians 6:17, the sword is the spirit, which is the word of God) losing the war against sin. After the men are all destroyed, th...

Sunday, January 8, 2011 Led by Eric Gintert Matthew 8:1-4 (also in Mark 1:40-44 and Luke 5:12-14)  -  Why did Jesus, being the way, the truth, and the life, tell the cleansed leper to go back to the priest according to the law in which Jesus was here to fulfill? Leviticus 13:1-8, 32-34, 43-46  -  According to the law, when a man had leprosy he had to go before the priest who would check on him every seven days to see whether he was clean or unclean according to the signs of the disease. Leviticus 14:1-11  -  If the priest found the man was clean from his leprosy, a sacrifice was to be made. A bird was to be killed in an earthen vessel over running water.  Jesus wanted the man to show the priest what He had done for the leper. The priest was supposed to come the the leper and pronounce him clean but instead the man went to the priest to show that he was clean, not only physically but also spiritually. Jesus was the earthen vessel... G...

Sunday, January 1, 2012 Led by Eric Gintert Romans 12:1-3  -  We are called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God, but what does this mean and how can it possibly be done? 1 Peter 2:11 tells us that the flesh and the soul are at war with each other. Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice is our "reasonable service" and therefore we should not expect a reward in return for sacrificing ourselves to Him. How do we pay back the Saviour who spilled his blood for us? Is saying "thank you" enough? We must sacrifice ourselves to Him and give him our heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37). Sacrificing our bodies as a living sacrifice is like the children's song "O Be Careful Little Eyes"... O be careful little eyes what you see O be careful little eyes what you see For the Father up above Is looking down in love So, be careful little eyes what you see. O be careful little ears what you hear O be careful little ea...