JESUS CAME THAT WE MAY HAVE LIFE

Let me start by thanking you for your response to the music video we presented last week. According to your response many were blessed and uplifted by the song “On My Father’s Side.” Let me suggest if you did not play the video, go back to last week’s message and do so. Music is especially good when it lifts up the name of Jesus and this video does just that. Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is welcome in this place.

Another important thought for you – before you continue to read or listen to this week’s message – stop!! Look to the right side of the message. What do you see? Prayer requests, right? Let me emphasize, these are very important, urgent and very real prayer requests. Take your time. Look them over very carefully. These requests are made to you, the church. Please pray for these people. Lift them up to God. These are our friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, or just plain folk needing help. I’m asking you to renew your efforts for them. Let the sick be healed. Let the weak become strong. Help them, church. They are not just taking up space on the page. I and they are counting on you. Please, do not let us down.

Please, turn with me to I Peter 1:3-5. Let God’s Word minister to you today. Open your hearts and minds to receive what God has for you this week. Okay. I Peter 1:3-5 states:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

So, what is this scripture really saying to us? Let’s look at it closely. I believe there is a lot revealed in what we just read. The first thing that pops out to me is that we should always bless God by being thankful for what he has done for us through Jesus Christ. Now, look at this church. Verse three clearly states that God is the Father of Jesus and Jesus is the Son of God. Now, for those of you out there who have questioned Jesus being the Son of God, you have just read it for yourself. In the Bible – which is the Word of God. You see, you don’t have to take my word or any preacher’s word for it. The Bible clearly states in many different chapters and verses that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

It is shown here that by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which is according to the mercy of God – no wait!! Not just the mercy of God but by his abundant mercy we by our belief in Jesus are transplanted from Adam’s heritage to God’s heritage. Now, do you get this, my friends? God’s Word is telling us in no uncertain terms we as believers are now raised with Christ to a newness of life which enables us to live for God and gives us the ability to live a holy life right here on this earth.

The scripture goes on to say that we as children of God are heirs of God and co-heirs with his Son Jesus. All that God has is ours as long as we keep our faith in Jesus Christ and what he accomplished for us on the cross.

My friends, God loves us more than we can imagine or think. He wants only the best for us. You might have heard the statement “God has made a way for us where there seems to be no way.” I personally know this to be true as many of you do. I look at people and see what condition many of them are in and it is not a pretty sight. Everywhere they turn seems to be a disaster ready to attack. Nothing seems fair or just. The people they have loved and trusted have let them down. They have fought sickness, poverty and emotional distress. They have turned to man with no help - doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, friends, family and even preachers, yet life appears hopeless. There seems to be no answer.

Let me be a voice in the wilderness shouting out to you!! God loves you!! He desires for you to be an over comer in all these situations of life. Let me relate the words of Jesus to you. Turn with me to John 10:9-12. Jesus is talking to you and he says:

“I am the door: By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

Did Jesus Christ not do just that very thing for us, church? Jesus died that we may live. Remember what we said earlier. Jesus arose from the dead and we as believers arose with him. Jesus is the good shepherd and we are his sheep. Sheep follow the shepherd. We follow the good shepherd, Jesus Christ. Does not Jesus tell us here that all the evil pitfalls of life are the works of the thief Satan. Satan’s mission is to separate us from God so he can steal everything we own or possess – our money, our relationships, our peace of mind and even our health. Truly, Satan desires to kill us and to destroy our relationship with God. But, and let me repeat – but Jesus came that we may have life. That includes money to live on, good health, peace of mind, good relationships and to repeat the word of Jesus “I am come that they (you and me) might have life” and that we might have life more abundantly, which means eternal life with God and his son Jesus.

Jesus loves you!! He desires the best for you. Man can and will let you down. Jesus will never let you down. He will lead you through all the troubles of life. I used to preach a message entitled “Bridge over troubled waters.” I have changed that message. Jesus is our present help in trouble. Don’t you just love him?

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob