Living Hope Family Church Marana Sermons

All too often, we limit who God is by our experiences. We think that God will be like our natural father, or we think God behave like what we see on TV or in the movies. We limit what we think God can do by what “we” think is possible. But His ways are not our ways. He may well, and often does, do things in ways that are totally different to how we would have or would like them done.

As amazing as it sounds when we gave our lives to Jesus, we were given a new nature. That's a genuine divine nature, but we need to remain humble so that "in all things He may have the preeminence." We would be wise to stay away from philosophical questions and simply focus on God's amazing grace whereby He has "qualified us." All we need to do is believe His word.

The story of the prodigal son has something for everyone. It speaks to and clears up some misconceptions for those who have run away from God and for those who have been continually faithful.

The bible is filled with examples of men and women worshiping God without restraint, but all too often we hold back. We should push back the fear, shame, uncomfortableness, or whatever it is, and worship with abandon.

Everyone gives their attention to something and unless we focus on God we will be frustrated in the end. God's holiness should be the most impressive and awe-inspiring object we ever look to. It's the cure for all that ails us. God really is good.

Life provides no shortage of opportunities for us to feel anxiety. But the Holy Bible provides many scriptures that can guide us in overcoming that, allowing us to believe in a real reason for peace. Our God is an almighty Father who loves us, and knows exactly what we need.

Forgiveness is a central part of the Christian faith. How we respond to others is a direct response to the great forgiveness that has been extended to us. God does not approve of our short comings, yet he forgave us anyway. We should forgive as He did.

The world is getting darker every day, but that is when light is the most visible. We are to be salt and light to the world. When people look at you, what do they see?

There are many standards in life which must be adhered to in order for society to function for the benefit of everyone. But who sets the standards and who enforces the rules? How this is implemented determines the outcome. However, God's ways are higher than ours and that results in our falling short in our own efforts. It's not that we shouldn't try, it's that Jesus Christ paid for our failures and supplies the power to press forward. Let's focus our attention on His grace toward us so we can express it in love towards others.

Thank God we don’t only get one shot. It we screw up or fall or fail, it is not over. There is only one way to fail as a Christian, and that is to stay down. But much like a boxer, if you get back up, the fight goes on. However, staying down is what the enemy wants you to do. But you are victorious in Christ and the only way you lose is if you don’t get up.

We are tempted when the enemy frames the thing that we are tempted by in an extremely attractive light. He makes it look like the best thing one could imagine. However, if we succumb, we are overcome with feelings of guilt and shame. Or we deal with serious repercussions. The very thing that was “supposed” to make us happy ends up destroying us. But don't worry. God provides a way out every time.

John relates some more post-resurrection information in this last chapter. Jesus is still serving his disciples in Galilee where he instructed them to wait. Making good use of the time, Peter and 6 other disciples go fishing but catch nothing. Obeying Jesus' instructions (while not realizing it's Him) they catch plenty. After they, eat Jesus restores Peter asking 3 times ". . . do you love me . . .? After this a rumor started that John wouldn't see death but Jesus simply wants us to be his followers and be personally responsible to him.

Last week, Jesus made an appearance to Mary, and we know from the other gospels, before the events we will study today, Jesus walked with a pair of disciples on the road to Emmaus (although, they didn’t realize it was Him until the very end of their journey). Even though the ladies told them they had seen angels, and even spoken to Jesus, they didn’t know what to do next. They were still afraid of the Jews. So today we find them hiding behind locked doors when Jesus makes an appearance to them all.

Last week Jesus died on the cross. It seemed like all was lost, and the disciples had lost all hope. But this was not the end of the story. The tomb would be rolled away, and it would be empty. Jesus had risen.

Jesus gives up His life on the cross and proclaims, "It is finished!" He completed the task for which He came to earth, namely, to pay for the evil deeds of all mankind. His friends then buried His body, not realizing it was only temporary.

This week, we will continue to see Pilate desperately trying to find some way not to kill Jesus, but it is to no avail. He wouldn’t follow through with his convictions and is persuaded by the crowd. So instead, He delivers Jesus to be crucified, which is where we will end today with Jesus still on the cross.

Today, we find ourselves still in the house of Annas, the high priests' father-in-law, for a short time as we see Peter continue to deny Jesus, and then finally, Jesus is sent to the Pilate’s headquarters so they could get Him to pronounce judgement and kill Jesus.

Jesus gets arrested in the garden and taken to a mock trial. John goes with Him and Peter, too. After getting brought into the courtyard, Peter denies Jesus. Jesus willingly allowed all the events of the Passion for our sake.

For Mother's Day, we are taking a look through some of the extraordinary cases of mothers throughout scripture, and the relentless, never-ending love that God has instilled into them. We want to thank all of the wonderful mothers out there, and thank God for blessing us with them!

After the teaching and instructions after the last supper in the upper room, we come to what many refer to as the High Priestly Prayer. Now He begins to pray first for Himself, then for His apostles, and finally for those who would believe on Him in the future.