This week’s scriptures are: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalms 119:9-16, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 11:1-8
Please pray with me:
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that the words of this sermon are YOUR words, and not mine. I pray that the message here touches those that need to be touched. I pray that those receiving this sermon remember that all Honor and Glory are yours, Lord, both now and forever. Amen and Amen.
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
What is your goal in life? I don't mean things like: a better job, earn 'x' amount of money per year or even to see your children or grandchildren get married. I guess what I mean is, what is your goal WITH your life?
Have you even thought about it? I think about it often. My goal is to survive this life in such a way that is pleasing to God. My goal is live the life that God wants me to live, so that even though I am not worthy, God may let me into heaven. That's my goal.
In today's scripture readings, we find a short verse in Isaiah that, to me, says so much. Especially when we add it to the reading from Philippians. Isaiah 43:18 (from the New Jerusalem Bible) reads, "No need to remember past events, no need to think about what was done before."
Isn't that just right? I mean, if you believe in Christ and all that He did for us, why are you dwelling on your past sins? Did you ask God to forgive you? Then forgive yourself and move on!
If we dwell on our past sins, even after we've asked for forgiveness, then why did Jesus suffer the pain and humiliation of death on the cross? Why did God send Jesus to die for us? There is NO SIN, that Jesus cannot forgive. However, we need to forgive ourselves and go forward. We need to not repeat our sins and move on in Jesus' love.
At the same time, it says, "...no need to think about what was done before." So even if what we did was good in God's eyes, there's "no need to think about what was done before." Seriously, just because we've done good things all of our lives, does not give us reason to boast. We could very easily rely on our past good deeds, but yet mess up.
In Philippians, Paul tells us that no matter what claims to righteousness anyone has, his claims are better. He was circumcised on the eight days after being born (as was called for in The Law). He was not JUST a Jew, he was born into the tribe of Benjamin, and BOTH of his parents we Hebrews. He was a Pharisee. He was a persecutor of the Church - the followers of Christ. He followed The Law strictly and did not waiver.
These were all of THINGS he was counting on to get into heaven. Then, he found Christ. That's when all of those things became for naught. "...no need to think about what was done before." What good are THINGS, if we don't KNOW Christ? What good is our lineage, if we are not following God's will? Just because we follow The Law, does not mean that we KNOW God.
How many times in our lives have you met someone or watched someone on television that we think, "They are religious"? Maybe you thought they were "holier than thou". You might even have thought, "I want to have their relationship with God".
Only to find out later that all the things you've seen through them or the things you THOUGHT you knew about them were wrong. Reality was not what they were showing you.
Or maybe what you saw WAS real.........at the time. And then something happened to them and they changed. Maybe they were leading the good, Godly life, only to stumble and then fall.
If they stumbled and fell, that does not mean that all is lost. It just means they're at a crossroad in life. Depending on how they respond, will be what matters. If they brush themselves off, repent and move forward in God, all is well. If they don't do that, then all of the good things they did in the past is for naught.
God has a short memory when it comes to our sins, if we honestly and wholeheartedly repent. At the same time, God has a short memory when it comes to our good deeds.
We can live a Godly life from birth to fifty, and then lead a sin filled life from fifty to death. God will only remember our sins when it comes time to determine where we will spend eternity. "...no need to think about what was done before."
Paul continued in Philippians, "...striving towards the goal of resurrection from the dead. Not that I have secured it already, nor yet reached my goal...I am racing towards the finish-point to win the prize of God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus."
That's my goal. I want to reach that finish line and have God call me into heaven. I want to be one of those that God looks down on and says, "well done my good and faithful servant". I want God to stretch out His arms and welcome me into heaven.
THAT, is my goal in life. That's my goal WITH my life. What is your goal in life?
Amen. Amen.
May the reading of this sermon bless you. May God be with you and you with Him, until we meet again.
Amen. Amen.
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