1 Corinthians 9:22

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Christ left heaven and came to earth to save us. Paul sacrificed everything to share the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles. What have we done... what have we left... what have we given up... what have we become... to share Jesus with those we love, know, or influence?

Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

And just why do we serve God? ... Fear? ... Sense of obligation? ... Because our parents did? How about because we want to please God and bring the Father joy? How about because of we believe in what God has done and will do for us? We believe that God sent his Son Jesus to die for our sins so we can be forgiven, cleansed, and adopted as his children into his forever family. What's more, we believe that God longs to share his blessings with us and loves to reward those who believe in his grace and love. We believe and so we earnestly, diligently, and passionately seek him!

Hebrews 10:29

“How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

We often look at the swift and dramatic discipline and punishment God used with his people in the Old Testament and are struck by its severity. The Holy Spirit reminds us that while this is true, to spurn grace and ridicule the sacrificial death of Jesus are actions all the more worthy of God's punishment. Grace is incredible. It is marvelous. But to reject it, to reject Jesus and all that he did to bring it, is to court disaster and reject any source of true grace.

Matthew 11:5

“[In response to John the Baptist's question as to whether Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus said to tell him,] "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."

The clear sign of the Messiah's presence was a time of true blessedness for all who know and follow him. Just think how glorious it will be and all the blessings we will share when he comes again!

[Message No: 7929]