Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 10th, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passages – Ephesians 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)

Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 51

Read a great article by Pastor Chappell– “Making the Most of Christmas“

Watch the Growth Points video by Pastor Chappell – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“

Read the “1210 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Saved To Good Works”

Dead To Sin

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1-7)

Did you ever have someone cross you in some way?  Maybe they lied about you or to you.  Maybe stole something or even picked a fist fight with you.  How about deserting you when you really needed them the most.  I guess you would say they weren’t very nice people and you would have a hard time being friendly with them again.  But can I tell you, that’s exactly what we do to our Heavenly Father everyday yet He still loves us.  His love for us is beyond what we could ever imagine.

We were all the children of wrath.  All of our desires were under the evil one.  Our spirit was dead.  There was no good in us.  Yet Jesus freely gave his life for us.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

We don’t have to be sinless for God to accept us, we just have to accept what His son Jesus did for us, died.

How can you describe that kind of love?

There are two thoughts I have from these passages.

First is the greatness of our Saviour’s love.  If He did nothing but save my souls from Hell, I should be His slave for life.  But He didn’t allow me to be a slave, He made me His child.  I must strive to please Him.  There is no way I could ever repay Him for what He did and continues to do for me.  God don’t even remember my sin.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12)

It’s would be like me buying a hundred million dollar home and not being able to pay for it.  When the bank comes to my door to throw me out, someone comes along and pays for it in full.   Most people would feel as if they owed that person their life.  How much more do we owe God our life for pulling us out of Hell?

My second thought is that if God can forgive us of all our unrighteousness, why do we have such a hard time forgiving one another?

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:21-35)

Conclusion

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Thank You

1 John 5:13