Archive for the ‘Grace’ Tag
Jesus Demonstrates The Way Through Human Suffering!
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Accepting God's Will, Facing death, Facing False Accusations, Facing Lies, Facing Mockery, Facing Physical Abuse, Faith, Following God, God's Will, Grace, How to Embrace Suffering, How to Pray, Identity with Jesus, inspiration, Jesus in Gethsemane, Love, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Obeying God, Obeying God's Will, Participation with Jesus, Pastor Tim of New Life Fellowship, Prayer, Resisting Temptation, Submitting to God's Will, Suffering, Suffering of God, Sufferings of Christ, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Union with Christ
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Audio – Part 1a: 27 min
Audio – Part 1b: 26 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 26:31-68
Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, chose to obey His Father and drink the full cup of suffering and wrath in order to purchase eternal life for believers. Even though He would be betrayed and endure false accusations, mockery, physical abuse, and death, Jesus accepted the foretold plan of His Father and fulfilled His identity as the promised Messiah sent as the Savior of the world.
Theological Theme:
Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man, sent by His Father to Be God for Man, and to be Man for God, being God’s Judgment on our sin.
Christ Connection:
In the garden of Eden, Adam failed to resist the serpent and chose instead to follow His way over God’s. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, the second Adam, submitted fully to His Father’s purpose and plan. He willingly submitted to death upon the cross. Jesus demonstrated His identity as the Son of God through both His words and actions as He was betrayed, arrested, and put on trial.
“By saying then, ‘If it be possible, let it pass from me,’ he showed his true humanity. But by saying, ‘Nevertheless not as I will, but as you will,’ he showed his virtue and self-command. This too teaches us, even when nature pulls us back, to follow God.” –John Chrysostom (circa 347-407)
Missional Application:
God the Father calls us to embrace suffering willingly as we participate in the Life of His Son, our Savior, whose mission was to seek and save the lost, in the Spirit.
“All the oracles of God, all the scriptures both of the Old Testament and the New, describe so many scenes of divine providence…Those who bear this on their minds will easily perceive that the inspired writers never lose sight of it but preserve one unbroken, connected chain from the beginning to the end. All over that wonderful Book as life and immortality (immortal life) is gradually brought to light so is Immanuel, God with us, and His kingdom ruling over all.” 8 –John Wesley (1703-1791)
Photo Compliments: i1.wp.com
Jesus Is Not Pretending – God REALLY IS Humble!
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Faith, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Bread and Wine, Communion, community, Faith, Footwashing, Forgiveness, Freedom, God's Commands, God's Kingdom, God's love, Grace, Hope, Humble Service, Humility, Humility of God, Jesus Washing His Disciples Feet, Jesus' Suffering and Death, Love, New Covenant, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, Passover, Pastor Tim of New Life Fellowship, sacrifice, Selflessness, The Last Supper, The Lord's Supper
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Audio – Part 1a: 34 min
Audio – Part 1b: 34 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 26:26-30 John 13:1-15
For more than a thousand years, the Passover meal celebrated God’s deliverance in the exodus of His people from Egypt and simultaneously pointed ahead to an even grander sacrifice and work of God. Jesus reinterpreted the Passover meal in light of Himself and His coming sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. With a demonstration of authority and humility, Jesus set forth the pattern of countless Communion celebrations that now point back to His new covenant sacrifice and point forward to His coming kingdom with holy anticipation.
Theological Theme:
The Lord’s Supper points to our participation in the sacrificial nature of Christ’s life and death, and the humble nature of God – Father, Son and Spirit.
Christ Connection:
Hundreds of years before Jesus came, God made a covenant with Israel and sealed it with a sacrifice. When the people of God broke the covenant and worshiped false gods, God promised to enact a new covenant in which He would forgive sins and write His law on His people’s hearts. At the Last Supper, Jesus explained that His sacrificial death would establish this new covenant and bring forgiveness of sins in the humility of God.
“Why was this sacrament ordained at the time of the Passover? That we might learn that he [Jesus] is the giver of the law and that the things that are foreshadowed in the law are fulfilled in him. The Old Testament was a type of the things to come. He is the truth of those things.” –John Chrysostom (circa 347-407)
“Humility is the principle of all virtues: it removes any contrast, division or dissension from human beings and plants into them peace and charity. And through charity it grows and increases.” –Theodore of Mopsuestia (circa 350-422)
Missional Application:
God the Father calls us to take the Lord’s Supper, participating in his humility by the Spirit, looking back to Christ’s finished work and looking forward to his return.
“Throughout church history, this command to wash one another’s feet has been understood to mean we should do whatever it takes to serve one another, no matter how menial the task. To be a community of foot-washers is to live with this question on your lips: ‘Is there anything I can do for you?’” –H. B. Charles Jr.
“The ideal of a church community living in peace with one another is foundational to the evangelistic witness for the local congregation. It stands to reason that the Lord’s Supper, then, is not just an observance but a declaration about the way things are to be among God’s people. The meal contains a message not only about who Christ is and what He has done for the church, but who is included in the gospel story and in the benefits of Christ’s glory. It is a story of belonging, and a radical message that God intends for His people to identify with all believers, whether they are poor, weak, or forgotten.” –Gregory Alan Thornbury
Photo Compliments: cisphil.org
Are You Becoming More Like Mary or Judas?
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, relationship with God, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts of Worship, Betrayal, Extravagant Love, Faith, Faith in Jesus, Generosity, Generous vs. Greedy, Giving Generously, Grace, gratitude, Hope in Jesus, Jesus' Burial, Love, Mary vs. Judas, Matthew 26:6-16, money, Obedience, Participating with Jesus, Pastor Timothy Brassell, sacrifice, Sharing Money, Sharing Wealth, Wealth, Worship, Worshiping Jesus
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Audio – Part 1a: 36 min
Audio – Part 1b: 36 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 26:6-16
The account of Jesus’ anointing at Bethany contrasts the generosity of a woman and the greed of Judas. In their respective responses to Jesus, we see the importance of giving Him priority and honor over everything in our lives. The distinction between these two people serves as an opportunity for us to consider our own hearts in light of the opportunity we have to express our devotion through visible acts of worship.
Theological Theme:
Our heart’s condition is revealed either by our giving or by our greed.
Christ Connection:
Pouring expensive oil on Jesus was not a waste but an act of worship. By allowing Mary to anoint Him, Jesus showed that He is more valuable than anything. This act of devotion foreshadowed Jesus’ death and burial.
“Matthew’s unnamed woman is Jesus’ invitation to all women, and men and children, to come to the table of Christian koinonia… There is no hierarchy of holiness upon entrance, and there is no pedigree and no degree requirement for entrance. The only prerequisite is faith in Jesus. All who have faith in Jesus can come for a meal.” 4 –Sean Douglas O’Donnell
Missional Application:
God calls us to treasure Christ above all wealth and to express our devotion through visible acts of worship.
“Jesus’s teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day…That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did.” –Timothy Keller
Photo Compliments: thumbs.dreamstime.com
Contending For The Faith Delivered To The Saints! – Part 12
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, Faith, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, Humor, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Christianity, Connecting with God, Discerning the Times, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Faithfulness, God's goodness, God's Grace, God's Guidance, God's Holiness, God's Power, Goodness, Grace, Grace Communion Baltimore, Holiness, Hope, identity in Christ, Idolatry, inspiration, John 4, Jude, Jude 1, Life after death, Marxism, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life in Christ, Postmodern, postmodernism, Prayer, Relationships, repentance, Secularism, sharing your faith, Timothy Brassell, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Truth, Worldview
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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fCnlbFY-m0
Audio: Part 12a: 32 min
Audio: Part 12b: 30 min
Audio: Full Message:
This Specific Message Concludes the Series of 12 messages addressing today’s big questions regarding relationships, race, marriage, love, gender/sexual identity, politics, and worship and witness as it relates to the Christian God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Photo Compliments: http://www.lifeassuranceministries.org/proclamation/2010/4/Resources/octnovdec2010fea.jpeg
The Greater Miracle Of Forgiveness!
Filed under: Bible, By Richard Andrews, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, Faith, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Uncategorized, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Faith, Forgiveness, Forgiveness of Sin, God's Grace, God's love, Grace, healing, Love, Miracles, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Pastor Tim of New Life Fellowship, Physical Healing, restoration, Spiritual Healing, Suffering, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Wholeness and Healing
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Audio – Part 1: 30min
Audio – Part 2: 30min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Mark 2:1-12
True faith seeks Jesus not only for physical healing but also spiritual healing. Jesus is not only able to heal the sick physically but, being fully God, He is also able to forgive us for our sins and heal us spiritually. The gospel of Jesus Christ is able to heal sinners completely and make them whole.
Theological Theme:
Humanity’s greatest need is forgiveness and spiritual restoration.
“Come, and see the victories of the cross… Christ’s wounds are thy healing, his agonies thy repose, his conflicts thy conquests, his groans thy songs, his pains thine ease, his shame thy glory, his death thy life, His sufferings thy salvation.” –Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
Christ Connection:
Through His healing of the paralyzed man, Jesus demonstrated His authority over human suffering and His authority to forgive sins. By claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was putting Himself on par with God—the only One who can command disease and wipe away our wickedness.
“Often we think we know what our greatest need is, but really we are only focusing on our circumstances. In reality the problem you are facing today is not your spouse, children, or parents. It is not your job, boss, or coworkers. It is not your lack of resources, shortage of time, or insufficient income. Just like this young man, your greatest need is for the Messiah Himself. Jesus saw everything clearly—far more clearly than we do. He used this teachable moment to make the point concerning our greatest need in this life or the life to come! Jesus forgives the sins of all who come to Him in faith.” –Daniel L. Akin
Missional Application:
God calls us to be active in bringing people to Jesus—the only One who has the power to heal our physical infirmities and forgive our sins.
“The announcement [of forgiveness] and presentation of radical healing to a man in his entire person was a sign of the Kingdom of God drawn near. The paralytic experienced the fulfillment of God’s promise that the lame would share in the joy of the coming salvation.” –William L. Lane
Photo Compliments: quotehd.com
Contending For The Faith Delivered To The Saints! – Part 10
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Children's Ministry, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, Good News Festival, Gospel, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Communion, Costly Grace, Divorce, Faith, Faithfulness, Fellowship, Fighting For Truth, Gender, Genesis 1-2, God Fights Against Us, God Fights For Us, God's Faithfulness, God's goodness, God's Grace, God's Guidance, God's Holiness, God's love, Grace, Grace Communion Baltimore, human relationships, Idolatry, Immorality, Intimacy, John 4, Jude, Jude 1, LGBTQI, Love, Love Your Neighbor, Male and Female Relationships, Marriage, Neighbor, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life in Christ, Pop Theology, Prejudice, Race, Race relations, Racial Reconciliation, Racism, Relational Intimacy, Relationship Cure, relationship with God, Relationships, Religion, Rodney King, Sensuality, Sexual Perversion, Sexuality, Single, Singleness, Stay Woke, Tags: Bigotry, The Great Commandment, Timothy Brassell, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Unconditional Love
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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X08EByCsRQg
Audio: Part 10a: 31min
Audio: Part 10b: 26min
Audio: Full Message:
Main Passages: Jude 1 John 4 Gen 1-2
This Specific Message in the Series Points to the Truth in Christ that: To be made in the image of God in Christ is to be male and female, to be in union, distinction, and with equality. This message points to the clarity we can have regarding love gender, marriage and sex because of being made in the image of Jesus (The true Image of God).
This message of God’s Good News urges believers to contend FOR the faith once delivered to the Church, in participation with Jesus Christ!, and AGAINST the ungodly cultural pressures and influences of our current times!
This is a Gospel message to a specific congregation of our times facing issues similar to congregations in other times as seen in the scriptures, particularly the Books of Jude and John. In this series, we make Christ-centered comparisons with the congregation in Jude and the Samaritan woman of Jesus’ time in John 4 to our particular congregation. You may see that the Church in general (especially if in the United States!), faces these same issues and also be helped by WHO and HOW He is proclaimed!
In the light of Jesus and the God revealed in Him (and over the course of 12 messages), we address today’s big questions regarding relationships, race, marriage, love, gender/sexual identity, politics, and worship and witness as it relates to the Christian God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Photo Compliments: http://www.tclministries.org/nt-scripture-gallery/
Contending For The Faith Delivered To The Saints! – Part 9
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Evangelism, Faith, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, Song, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Bigotry, Communion, Costly Grace, Divorce, Faith, Faithfulness, Fellowship, Fighting For Truth, Gender, Genesis 1-2, God Fights Against Us, God Fights For Us, God's Faithfulness, God's goodness, God's Grace, God's Guidance, God's Holiness, God's love, Grace, Grace Communion Baltimore, human relationships, Idolatry, Image of God, Immorality, Intimacy, John 4, Jude, Jude 1, LGBTQI, Love, Love Your Neighbor, Male and Female Relationships, Marriage, Neighbor, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life in Christ, Pop Theology, Prejudice, Race, Race relations, Racial Reconciliation, Racism, Relational Intimacy, Relationship Cure, relationship with God, Relationships, Religion, Rodney King, Sensuality, Sexual Perversion, Sexuality, Single, Singleness, The Great Commandment, Timothy Brassell, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Unconditional Love
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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL6FScyA_Jc
Audio Part 1a: 20 min
Audio Part 1b: 21 min
Audio Full Message:
Main Passages: Jude 1 John 4 Gen 1-2
This Specific Message in the Series Points to the Truth in Christ that: To be made in the image of God in Christ is to be male and female, to be in union, distinction, and with equality. It emphasizes how man corresponds to woman and how woman corresponds to man as created by the Father-Son-and-Spirit-God!
This series of God’s Good News urges believers to contend FOR the faith once delivered to the Church, in participation with Jesus Christ!, and AGAINST the ungodly cultural pressures and influences of our current times!
This is a Gospel message to a specific congregation of our times facing issues similar to congregations in other times as seen in the scriptures, particularly the Books of Jude and John. In this series, we make Christ-centered comparisons with the congregation in Jude and the Samaritan woman of Jesus’ time in John 4 to our particular congregation. You may see that the Church in general (especially if in the United States!), faces these same issues and also be helped by WHO and HOW He is proclaimed!
In the light of Jesus and the God revealed in Him (and over the course of 12 messages), we address today’s big questions regarding relationships, race, marriage, love, gender/sexual identity, politics, and worship and witness as it relates to the Christian God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Photo Compliments: http://www.tclministries.org/nt-scripture-gallery/
Jesus Provides Bread From Heaven!
Filed under: Bible, By Richard Andrews, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: commands, compassion, Faith, first miracle, God's Calling, God's Compassion, God's Faithfulness, God's glory, God's goodness, God's Grace, God's Guidance, God's Holiness, God's love, God's Mercy, God's Power, God's Unconditional Love, Goodness, Grace, Grace Communion Baltimore, Holiness, Humble, Humility, Jesus Christ, Jesus' identity, Jesus' Miracles, John, john 6: 29, Love, Matthew, matthew 14: 13-21, Miracles, Mission, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life in Christ, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Religion, responsibility, Resurrection, Salvation, Self-righteousness, Sin, Sinners, Stewards, Stewardship, The Bread of Life, The miracles of Jesus, Timothy Brassell, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trust, Unconditional Love
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Video – Watch on You-Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJDt16cqNEA
Audio – Part 1a: 28min
Audio – Part 1b: 22min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: John 6: 29 Matthew 14: 13-21
“Jesus provides not only for physical needs but also for spiritual ones. He showed compassion for the crowd following after Him, He took what was available and worked an amazing miracle to feed a multitude, and He chose to communicate that blessing to the crowd through His disciples. Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000 demonstrated His deity in providing bread for the crowd, even as He Himself is “the bread of life” (John 6:35).” – The Gospel Project
Theological Theme:
Jesus is the Son of God – [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit], who provides bread from heaven.
“Jesus did not come into the world mainly to give bread, but to be bread. He did not come to be an ever-ready bellhop for our bellies, but to be the all-satisfying bread for our souls. O, he cares about our physical lives in this age, but he cares 10 million times more about our eternal lives.” –John Piper
Christ Connection:
When the Israelites were hungry in the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven. Jesus is the greater Moses, the One who not only provides bread from heaven but who also speaks of Himself as the Bread who gives life to the world.
Missional Application:
God, Through His Holy Spirit, calls us to be the people through whom Jesus meets needs today.
“Our compassion for others leads us to share our money, our meals, and our home. We give words of peace and comfort and hope. And even when we’re exhausted or grieving or raw ourselves, we don’t harden our hearts. As Jesus would say in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you.” The Father has proven His love by sending His one and only Son (John 3:16). The love of the Father and the Son and the Spirit was not limited to emotions—God acted on it. Likewise, we as followers of Christ are not called to feel compassion but to be compassionate. Before He ever provided the crowd with a meal, Jesus provided them something far more valuable—Himself. The bread from heaven in the exodus nourished God’s people, but the Bread of Life satisfies forever (John 6:35-38). So, in His compassion, He healed their sick…..
When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we learn that we’re called to be servants, but sometimes that servitude leads to much more—sometimes we are conduits of His miracles. Sometimes we think we’re crazy (or we’re sure others will think we’re crazy), but we step out in faith. Sometimes we have no idea why we left our everyday routines to go out of the way, but then we see clearly that God used us to show His glory to someone.” – The Gospel Project
“The greatest miracle of all, however, is the miracle of a changed life—and this can happen, as we open our hearts and lives to Christ. Do others see Christ in you—His love, His compassion, His purity, His joy? Make sure of your commitment to Christ, then ask Him to change you from within by His Holy Spirit, and make you a living witness to the miracle of His transforming power.” –Billy Graham
Photo Compliments: Heartlight.org
Jesus Turns Water Into Wine!
Filed under: Bible, by Tony Marra, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: commands, Faith, first miracle, God's Calling, God's Faithfulness, God's glory, God's goodness, God's Grace, God's Guidance, God's Holiness, God's love, God's Mercy, God's Power, God's Unconditional Love, Goodness, Grace, Grace Communion Baltimore, Holiness, Humble, Humility, Jesus Christ, Jesus' identity, Jesus' Miracles, John, John 2: 1-12, Love, Miracles, Mission, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life in Christ, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Religion, responsibility, Resurrection, Salvation, Self-righteousness, Sin, Sinners, Stewards, Stewardship, The miracles of Jesus, Timothy Brassell, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trust, Unconditional Love, water into wine, wine
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Part 1a: 26min
Part 1b: 30min
Full Message:
Main Passage: John 2:1-12 NLT
“John did not recount the story of Jesus turning water into wine for our entertainment; by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he intentionally presented the truth that Jesus’ miracles reveal God the Father. Through the details of this miracle, we see Jesus’ compassion for our needs, a glimpse of His identity, and His ability to reveal God in all He does.” – The Gospel Project
Theological Theme:
The miracles of Jesus were part of His purpose in bringing glory to God. – [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit]
“With [Jesus], nothing is incomplete or done at the wrong time, just as with the Father there is nothing haphazard.” –Irenaeus
Christ Connection:
Sin has disrupted our relationship with God, leading to spiritual barrenness and sorrow in our lives. Christ’s miracles are a sign that joyful reconciliation with God is possible again through faith in Jesus’ glorious life, death, and resurrection.
Missional Application:
God, through His Holy Spirit, calls us to do whatever Jesus tells us to do as we seek to display His glory and lead others to faith.
“Now this transformation of the water from its own substance into another, testified to the powerful presence of the Creator. Only he who had made it out of nothing could change water into something whose use was quite different.” –Maximus of Turin
“By this first sign, Jesus revealed His glory, ‘the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth’ (1:14). His glory would be revealed in greatest measure in his cross, resurrection and exaltation, but every step along the course of his ministry was an adumbration of that glory.” –D. A. Carson
“So what does this have to do with me?” you might ask. “Jesus is not on earth anymore; I don’t get to see His miracles.” Correct. But you are a miracle of Jesus, pointing others to God.
“Me?” you might ask, “I’m a sinner saved by grace.” Exactly. And when you tell others how Jesus won your heart, called you by name, and changed you from the inside out, you are just as amazing and awe-inspiring to unbelievers as the turning of water into wine.
Just as Jesus considered His purpose before each miracle, we should consider our purpose before each conversation, each lunch meeting, each relationship, and each trial: Am I reflecting Christ? Do I point others to Him? Can others tell by my words and actions that Jesus is King of kings, Lord of lords, and the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world? – The Gospel Project
Photo compliments: BLCF: thefirstmiracle
Contending For The Faith Delivered To The Saints! – Part 8
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, Humor, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, Song, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Bigotry, Communion, Costly Grace, Divorce, Faith, Faithfulness, Fellowship, Fighting For Truth, Gender, Genesis 1-2, God Fights Against Us, God Fights For Us, God's Faithfulness, God's goodness, God's Grace, God's Guidance, God's Holiness, God's love, Grace, Grace Communion Baltimore, human relationships, Idolatry, Image of God, Immorality, Intimacy, John 4, Jude, Jude 1, LGBTQI, Love, Love Your Neighbor, Male and Female Relationships, Marriage, Neighbor, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life in Christ, Pop Theology, Prejudice, Race, Race relations, Racial Reconciliation, Racism, Relational Intimacy, Relationship Cure, relationship with God, Relationships, Religion, Rodney King, Sensuality, Sexual Perversion, Sexuality, Single, Singleness, The Great Commandment, Timothy Brassell, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Unconditional Love
Comments (1)
Part 8a: 32min
Part 8b: 26min
Full Message:
Main Passages: Jude 1 John 4 Gen 1-2
This message of God’s Good News urges believers to contend FOR the faith once delivered to the Church, in participation with Jesus Christ!, and AGAINST the ungodly cultural pressures and influences of our current times!
This is a Gospel message to a specific congregation of our times facing issues similar to congregations in other times as seen in the scriptures, particularly the Books of Jude and John. In this series, we make Christ-centered comparisons with the congregation in Jude and the Samaritan woman of Jesus’ time in John 4 to our particular congregation. You may see that the Church in general (especially if in the United States!), faces these same issues and also be helped by WHO and HOW He is proclaimed!
In the light of Jesus and the God revealed in Him (and over the course of 12 messages), we address today’s big questions regarding relationships, race, marriage, love, gender/sexual identity, politics, and worship and witness as it relates to the Christian God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Photo Compliments: http://www.tclministries.org/nt-scripture-gallery/
