Some people think they are not good enough to receive God's grace and forgiveness, but Ephesians 1:7 tells us that through the blood of Jesus, we receive forgiveness.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. - Ephesians 1:7

  The following are my notes taken during my pastor's sermon.

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Hope - I'm Forgiven

1.  We are forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

And according to the law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. - Hebrews 9:22

Blood = broken, guilty, stained

Today, we are broken by sin.

How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? - Hebrews 9:14

The blood of Jesus cleanses our consciences. 

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. - Colossians 2:13-14

Image Credit - Brad Neathery - CCO Public Domain Image - via Freely Photos

Do you ever feel too tired to share the gospel?  Do you find it challenging to share the gospel with people who are different from you?  Is sharing the gospel awkward for you?  Is is hard for you to share the gospel when others try to justify their lifestyle?  These are the questions our guest pastor asked in his sermon today.  His challenge to us as believers is to share the gospel anyway.

Our scripture passage for today is taken from John, chapter 4.

 The following are my notes taken during my pastor's sermon.

Share The Gospel Anyway

 

1.  Share the gospel even when you are worn out.

And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph;  and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. - John 4:4-6

This scripture tells us that Jesus was tired.  What if Jesus had failed to share with the woman at the well because He was too tired?  Her life might have turned out very differently.


2.  Share the gospel even when they are not like you.

Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) - John 4:9

What if Jesus had not shared with the woman because she was a Samaritan?  Be diligent about sharing the gospel with people who are different - no matter the differences.

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Do you ever feel hopeless?  I know I do from time to time.  When I feel hopeless, I turn to the Bible.  The Bible gives me hope.

  The following are my notes taken during my pastor's sermon.

The scripture passage from "Hope in the Word" is 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. - 1 Thessalonians 2:13

The Thessalonians welcomed the Word of God.

Hope in the Word - The Bible Gives Us Hope

1.  God's Word is God's Word.

When we read the scriptures out loud, we are hearing words from God.  We are hearing God speak.

And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures. - Acts 17:2

When we speak and explain the Word, it changes people's lives.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. - 2 Timothy 3:16

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For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. - 2 Peter 1:21

Did you know that the first public school was opened for the purpose of teaching the Bible?

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. - Isaiah 40:8