Archive for the ‘Hope’ Tag
Jesus Is Risen! So Go…Make Disciples! Part 4
Filed under: By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Evangelism, 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, Humor, 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, Scripture Paraphrases, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Baptizing New Believers, C.S. Lewis, Christian Courage And Boldness, Confession, Destruction Of Sin, Disciple-making, disciples, Discipleship, Discipleship Defined, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Go And Make Disciples, God - Father-Son-and Holy Spirit, God Is Love, God's Creativity, God's Deliverance, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's Hope, God's love, God's Love Is Concrete, God's Perfect Love, God's Salvation, God's Spontaneity, God's Unconditional Love, God-Father-Son-and-Spirit Wants to Be Known, Grace, Hope, Hope and Love, Jesus Is God's Love Revealed, Jesus Is God's Salvation, Jesus' Boldness, Jesus' Command, Jesus' Commitment To You, Jesus' Courage, Jesus' Disciples, Jesus' Love, Love, Love's Purity, Loving God, Loving Our Neighbor, Make Disciples, Make Disciples Who Can Make Disciples, Making Disciples Who Make Disciples, Multiplying Disciples, New Believers, Participation with Jesus, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Pointing Others To Jesus, Pure Love, Receiving Jesus Christ As Lord, Receiving Jesus Christ As Savior, Reconciliation, repentance, Respecting Each Unique Person, Salvation, Self-giving, Selflessness, Sent Out By Jesus, Sent Out By The Father, Sent Out by The Holy Spirit, Sharing Christian Faith, Sharing God's Love With Others, Suffering For Jesus, Suffering With Jesus, Suffering With The Church, Teaching New Believers, The Father's Love, The Gospel Preached, The Gospel Proclaimed, The Gospel Taught, The Spirit's Love, Transformed by Jesus, Turning To Jesus Christ, Valuing Differences, Wholeness in Christ, Witnessing to Jesus, Your Commitment To Jesus
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Audio – Part 4a: 27 min
Audio – Part 4b: 30 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28
This Good News series is about Jesus’ Believers and Disciples “GO”ing in Active Participation with Him, Wherever He Says to “Go!…” AND MAKING DISCIPLES WHO CAN MAKE DISCIPLES!
Theological Theme:
Christian Disciples are those who willingly, by grace through faith, and in loving obedience, participate with Jesus in offering their total humanity in allegiance to the Father, through the Son and in the Spirit! Christian Disciples participate with Jesus in his repentance and baptism, being incorporated into his body, the Church. Christian Disciples become fully committed to making disciples of Jesus who can make disciples of Jesus that make disciples of Jesus – in the Spirit, through the Son and to the Glory of our Father!
Christ Connection:
“When the people of Jesus follow the way of Jesus, their stories will begin to look like his story (which is beautiful but it also comes with a cost).” – The Gospel Project
We have been drawn into the self-giving, other centered, self-sacrificing and generous, loving compassion of the Father, Son and Spirit God, through Jesus Christ. And though it comes at great cost, it also comes with great joy!
Missional Application:
*Don’t just “Bring a Friend” (everyone needs Jesus!), more than that, bring a pre-disciple of Jesus to the community of the Church Body.
*Start with one person (and only more if Father has made it obvious!) When rejected, go elsewhere. Feel free to look everywhere! Talk to disciples more about Jesus than something called Christianity. Talk more about Jesus than his Church!
*Don’t worry too much about bringing others to Church at first (think relationship, home, small group first!)! A person genuinely called by Jesus will be drawn to his Body, the Bible, prayer, the Father, the Spirit and loving all people.
*Remember that life is short and death is sure and people are living under the sentence of death! Physical death and spiritual death are real but now is a day of salvation.
*We must not be lax in discipleship because of past and poor teachings but we must be renewed at the living voice of Jesus Christ! “Can these bones live??? You know Oh, Lord!”
You received Christ though the proclamation and discipleship of his Church! Now is not the time to put down the Church but to lift up and be the Church and pray for the Church! God is not limited to the Church but in his oversight of this world Jesus is building his Church (and his Church is called to participate with him and to go and make disciples of all nations).
For the purposes of discipleship: There is a “them” and an “us”! We must never confuse who Jesus is on behalf of all, and who we are as individuals distinct from him and each other! There are some of us who are knowing, loving and trusting Jesus as he draws us to himself, and some who aren’t knowing, loving or trusting Jesus as he draws them to himself!
Photo Compliments: pinterest.com
The Risen King’s Commission (Being Co-lovers with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!)
Filed under: Bible, By Richard Andrews, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Evangelism, 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, Inclusion, 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, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Father Loves and Like You Fest, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, 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: Disciple-making, disciples, Discipleship, Discipleship Defined, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Go And Make Disciples, God - Father-Son-and Holy Spirit, God Is Love, God the Trinity, God's Creativity, God's Deliverance, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's Hope, God's love, God's Love Is Concrete, God's Perfect Love, God's Salvation, God's Spontaneity, God's Unconditional Love, God-Father-Son-and-Spirit Wants to Be Known, Grace, Hope, Hope and Love, Jesus Is God's Love Revealed, Jesus Is God's Salvation, Jesus' Command, Jesus' Disciples, Love, Love's Purity, Loving God, Loving Our Neighbor, Make Disciples, Make Disciples Who Can Make Disciples, Making Disciples Who Make Disciples, Multiplying Disciples, New Believers, Participation with Jesus, Pastor Richard Andrews, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Pointing Others To Jesus, Pure Love, Reconciliation, repentance, Respecting Each Unique Person, Self-giving, Selflessness, Sent Out By Jesus, Sent Out By The Father, Sent Out by The Holy Spirit, Sharing God's Love With Others, Teaching New Believers, The Father-Son-and-Spirit-God, The Gospel Preached, The Gospel Proclaimed, The Gospel Taught, Trinitarian Love
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Audio – Part 1a: 27 min
Audio – Part 1b: 27 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28:16-20
We are to go to the nations with the authority of the risen King, for Jesus alone has the power to save. In Him also is the power for our mission as we go. We are to make disciples through the proclamation of the risen King. We are to teach the believers of our proclamation to obey all that the Father commanded us, through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit, knowing that Jesus will finish the good work He began and that He will never forsake us.
Theological Theme:
The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Christ Connection:
Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He commissioned His disciples to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. Under the authority of Jesus, we make disciples by baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and by teaching them everything Christ commanded us. As we go, we trust in the presence of Christ, who promises to be with us on mission.
“The church is sent on mission by Jesus. It’s not that the church has a mission, but rather that the mission has a church. We join Jesus on His mission.” – Ed Stetzer
Missional Application:
The Father-Son-and-Spirit God calls us to make disciples of all nations by declaring the truth of the gospel with our words and demonstrating the reality of His love with our actions.
“God hath work to do in this world; and to desert it because of its difficulties and entanglements, is to cast off his authority. It is not enough that we be just, that we be righteous, and walk with God in holiness; but we must also serve our generation, as David did before he fell asleep. God hath a work to do; and not to help him is to oppose Him.” – John Owen (1616-1683)
Photo Compliments: newlifebaltimore.org
Jesus Is Risen! So Go…Make Disciples! Part 3
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Evangelism, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, 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 Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Baptizing New Believers, C.S. Lewis, Confession, Destruction Of Sin, Disciple-making, disciples, Discipleship, Discipleship Defined, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Go And Make Disciples, God - Father-Son-and Holy Spirit, God Is Love, God's Creativity, God's Deliverance, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's Hope, God's love, God's Love Is Concrete, God's Perfect Love, God's Salvation, God's Spontaneity, God's Unconditional Love, God-Father-Son-and-Spirit Wants to Be Known, Grace, Hope, Hope and Love, Jesus Is God's Love Revealed, Jesus Is God's Salvation, Jesus' Command, Jesus' Disciples, Love, Love's Purity, Loving God, Loving Our Neighbor, Make Disciples, Make Disciples Who Can Make Disciples, Making Disciples Who Make Disciples, Multiplying Disciples, New Believers, Participation with Jesus, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Pointing Others To Jesus, Pure Love, Reconciliation, repentance, Respecting Each Unique Person, Self-giving, Selflessness, Sent Out By Jesus, Sent Out By The Father, Sent Out by The Holy Spirit, Sharing God's Love With Others, Teaching New Believers, The Gospel Preached, The Gospel Proclaimed, The Gospel Taught, Transformed by Jesus, Valuing Differences, Wholeness in Christ
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Audio – Part 3a: 24 min
Audio – Part 3b: 22 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28
This Good News series is about Jesus’ Believers and Disciples “GO”ing in Active Participation with Him, Wherever He Says to “Go!…” AND MAKING DISCIPLES WHO CAN MAKE DISCIPLES!
Theological Theme:
Christian Disciples are those who willingly, by grace through faith, and in loving obedience, participate with Jesus in offering their total humanity in allegiance to the Father, through the Son and in the Spirit! Christian Disciples participate with Jesus in his repentance and baptism, being incorporated into his body, the Church. Christian Disciples become fully committed to making disciples of Jesus who can make disciples of Jesus that make disciples of Jesus – in the Spirit, through the Son and to the Glory of our Father!
Christ Connection:
Who is Jesus? Jesus is God’s concrete love, revealing that God’s love has substance and is personal and dynamic! God Himself is his love toward us in Jesus! God the Father’s love is JESUS himself and therefore not a loosey-goosey “just do whatever you want, whenever you want” non-love that overlooks transformation. We don’t go out with a sappy sentimental human-centered love but with God’s real love (Jesus!) that supports and challenges others to receive the Spirit, personally, and become truly human, according to what the Father has made of us in Jesus and the fully human way he lives. We must remember though that God’s love respects the differences and uniqueness of each person, just as Jesus is a different and unique person. Jesus can help you discern the unique ways you might witness about him to each person, in the Spirit, without being tied down by laws and rules.
Missional Application:
Because we are united toJesus and his Father in the Love and Communion of the Holy Spirit, we go with him in his outgoing love and compassion, witnessing to all persons about him, but especially to those who don’t know and trust him yet! Disciples can and will be made by God-Father-Son-and-Spirit with our participation, so let’s go together and make disciples!
Photo Compliments: briansandifer.com
Jesus Is Our Wonder-Full World Tomorrow – TODAY!
Filed under: Ascension, Ascension of Jesus, Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Evangelism, 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, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Already-But-Not-Yet, Baptizing New Believers, Believing Jesus, Discipleship, eternal life, Evangelism, Everlasting Life, Faith, First Appearance of Jesus, Glorification, Go And Make Disciples, God Is Love, God's Creativity, God's Deliverance, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's love, God's Salvation, God's Spontaneity, God's Unconditional Love, Hope, Hope and Love, Life Of New Creation, Love, Make Disciples, Multiplying Disciples, New Believers, New Has Come - Old Has Passed, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Pointing Others To Jesus, Receiving Jesus, Second Appearance of Jesus, Self-giving, Selflessness, Sent Out By Jesus, Sent Out By The Father, Sent Out by The Holy Spirit, Sharing Christ, Sharing God's Love With Others, Sharing The Gospel, Teaching New Believers, The Gospel Preached, The Gospel Proclaimed, The Gospel Taught, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Your Best Life Now
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Audio – Part 1a: 25 min
Audio – Part 1b: 26 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28
This message proclaims Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son! It proclaims how he is The Life of New Creation breaking into the present right now, by the Spirit! He has come and appeared, and is still here by the Spirit, saying he would never leave or forsake us! At one and the same time, He is also yet coming in his second appearance! Although we don’t get to experience the fullness of his life here and now, even with the Spirit (you don’t get “your best life now”), you can indeed get “your best taste now” as we await the fullness experienced in glorified human bodies! A taste may only be a taste but it’s not meaningless, rather a taste is meaningful and provides hope! We only get a taste right now or else we might think the corruption still in the world represents part of the whole thing that’s coming, and it doesn’t! We don’t want to get totally locked into the here and now and “trade our inheritance for a bowl of soup”. On the other side we don’t want to be so future-oriented only that we are of no earthly good as the Spirit lives in us to lay out the red carpet for Jesus’ soon coming return! From the Father, through Jesus and in the Spirit we can live in the tension of the “Already-but-not-yet!”
Missional Application:
We’re not just called to raise children, maintain households, make widgets and spreadsheets, and create music, do homework assignments, or oversee projects, deadlines and inventory! We’re also called to make disciples who can make disciples that the world may know Jesus starting now – as many people as possible! Others who can also begin receiving and helping to share in God’s Love and Life proclaiming the Good News of the “Wonder-full World Tomorrow – Today!” There is no discrimination or respecter of persons but to all who believe and receive in him, he gives the right to become the children of God!
Photo Compliments: alwaysnjoy.com
Jesus Is Risen! So Go…Make Disciples! Part 2
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, 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, Inclusion, 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 Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Baptizing New Believers, C.S. Lewis, disciples, Discipleship, Discipleship Defined, Evangelism, Faith, Go And Make Disciples, God - Father-Son-and Holy Spirit, God Is Love, God's Creativity, God's Deliverance, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's love, God's Salvation, God's Spontaneity, God's Unconditional Love, Hope, Hope and Love, Jesus' Command, Jesus' Disciples, Love, Loving God, Loving Our Neighbor, Make Disciples, Make Disciples Who Can Make Disciples, Multiplying Disciples, New Believers, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, Obedience, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Pointing Others To Jesus, Self-giving, Selflessness, Sent Out By Jesus, Sent Out By The Father, Sent Out by The Holy Spirit, Sharing God's Love With Others, Teaching New Believers, The Gospel Preached, The Gospel Proclaimed, The Gospel Taught, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship
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Audio – Part 2a: 20 min
Audio – Part 2b: 20 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28
This Good News series is about Jesus’ Believers and Disciples “GO”ing in Active Participation with Him, Wherever He Says to “Go!…”
Theological Theme:
What is a disciple? Disciples are those who willingly, by grace through faith, and in loving obedience, participate with Jesus in offering their total humanity in allegiance to the Father, through the Son and in the Spirit! They participate with Jesus in his repentance and baptism, being incorporated into his body, the Church, and become fully committed to making disciples of Jesus who can make disciples of Jesus that make disciples of Jesus – in the Spirit, through the Son and to the Glory of our Father!!
Christ Connection:
Who is Jesus? The Father’s Son! Our Chief brother! He’s the One Who sends the Spirit!
*He’s the one intent to fill the whole universe with his presence, which means his relationship with his Father in the fellowship of the Spirit!
*He’s the captain of our salvation Who has defeated sin, hell, death and the grave, affecting atonement and reconciliation with God, self, others and creation!
*He’s the Resurrected God/Man who has broken back into our corrupted time, cleansing and exalting it!
Missional Application:
God the Father calls us to embrace a life of participation with His Son, our Savior and Lord, and in his life of fellowship and communion, whose mission was only to seek and to do what his Father was doing, in the Spirit. What Jesus is doing now is sending out his people, even as he was sent, that the world might believe, receive and be saved! We’re actually supposed to make disciples of Jesus NOT just discuss making them!
Photo Compliments: sandwichink.com
Jesus Is Risen! So Go…Make Disciples! Part 1
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, 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, Inclusion, 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 Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Baptizing New Believers, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, Go And Make Disciples, God Is Love, God's Creativity, God's Deliverance, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's love, God's Salvation, God's Spontaneity, God's Unconditional Love, Hope, Hope and Love, Love, Make Disciples, Multiplying Disciples, New Believers, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Pointing Others To Jesus, Self-giving, Selflessness, Sent Out By Jesus, Sent Out By The Father, Sent Out by The Holy Spirit, Sharing God's Love With Others, Teaching New Believers, The Gospel Preached, The Gospel Proclaimed, The Gospel Taught, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship
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Audio – Part 1a: 26 min
Audio – Part 1b: 24 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 28
This Good News series is about Jesus’ Believers and Disciples “GO”ing in Active Participation with Him, Wherever He Says to “Go!…”
Theological Theme:
As Christians called to Christ and in Union with him, Jesus sends the Spirit so that we can be transformed and begin to Organize and Execute our Lives Around the Father with him and his priorities! We no longer seek to live only for ourselves. Believers have died to selfishness and self-centeredness in Jesus and now we live unto the Father and for others by God’s Grace!
Christ Connection:
Immediately following his Resurrection, Jesus began to meet with his disciples, directing them to “Go” in the Spirit. In this message his disciples are encouraged to go everywhere and make disciples, encouraging and equipping those new converts to also make disciples who can make disciples that make disciples!
Missional Application:
God the Father calls us to embrace a life of participation with His Son, our Savior and Lord, and in his life of fellowship and communion, whose mission was only to seek and to do what his Father was doing, in the Spirit. What Jesus is doing now is sending out his people, even as he was sent, that the world might believe, receive and be saved!
Photo Compliments: s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
Jesus The Savior Is Crucified!
Filed under: Bible, by Tony Marra, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, 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 Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Trinity, Uncategorized, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Atonement, Death of Jesus, Faith, God Crucified, God The Father's Love, God's Atonement, God's Costly Grace, God's Grace, God's Humility, God's Judgment, God's love, Hope, Jesus Crucified, Jesus The Crucified King, Jesus' Costly Sacrifice, Jesus' Cross, Jesus' Death, Jesus' Death On The Cross, Jesus' Love, Jesus' Obedience, Jesus' Suffering, Love, Matthew 27:11-51, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Pastor Tim of New Life Fellowship, Putting Death To Death, Reconciliation with God, Salvation, Salvation of Sinners, Substitution, Taking Up Your Cross, The Judgment of God, The Love of God, Unjust Death
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Audio – Part 1a: 20 min
Audio – Part 1b: 21 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 27:11-51
The crucifixion of Jesus was brutal and unjust, and yet, He willingly laid His life down in obedience to the Father and for the salvation of sinners. As the substitute sacrifice, Jesus died in our place and on our behalf. As the crucified King, He demonstrated the true wisdom and power of God. And as the forsaken Son, He endured the punishment of our sin, absorbing all of our transgressions and putting them to death so we could become the righteousness of God in Him.
Theological Theme:
Jesus is the King who willingly took upon Himself the judgment for sin.
Christ Connection:
Unjustly condemned to death, Jesus willingly took up His cross and suffered the judgment our sins deserve. At the moment He died, the curtain in the temple sanctuary was torn in two, signifying the truth that sinners have access to God through the blood of Christ. The crucifixion of Jesus is the center of history, revealing God’s holiness and justice, our sinfulness and unrighteousness, and Christ’s humility and love.
Christ Our Substitute “At the heart of the atonement is Jesus Christ substituting Himself for sinners as He died on the cross. This truth is seen against the backdrop of the Old Testament sacrificial system, which provided a picture of humanity’s need for sin to be covered and guilt to be removed by an innocent sacrifice. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with humankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of humanity from sin.” – The Gospel Project
Missional Application:
God the Father calls us to proclaim by the Spirit not only that Jesus died on the cross but also why He died and what it reveals about the Father’s heart and his going to the uttermost that we might be saved and participate in his love!
“He lost his own life in order to gain life for all; he preferred to be conquered in himself in order to be the victor in everyone.” – Maximus of Turin (circa 380-465)
Photo Compliments: media.istockphoto.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
Jesus Christ Transforms Our Fallen Expectations!
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, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, 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 Church, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Coming of Jesus, Coming of the Lord, Faith, Hope, Humility of God, Humility of Jesus, Jesus cleansing the temple, Love of God, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Pastor Tim of New Life Fellowship, Praise, Praise of Children, redemption, Restoration to God, Transformed Expectations, True Worship, Worship, Worshipping Jesus
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Audio – Part 1a: 34 min
Audio – Part 1b: 34 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Matthew 21:1-21
Matthew 21 contains three scenes that occurred on the day Jesus entered Jerusalem during the week prior to His crucifixion. Jesus’ entry into the city was welcomed with great fanfare, even though He approached in humility while sitting on a donkey. He cleansed the temple of those there to take advantage of the worshipers. And as the true Son of David, He permitted and welcomed the praise of children. In these events, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament expectations and longings for the Messiah, who would redeem His people, restore true worship, and receive all praise.
Theological Theme:
Jesus is the Messiah who cleanses the temple and welcomes the unworthy into God’s presence.
Christ Connection:
By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah. Through His actions in the temple, Jesus conveyed His judgment toward those who would misuse God’s house for exclusionary and greedy purposes. For the sins of His people, Jesus offered His own body as a temple to be destroyed and then raised again.
“Only the redeeming, all-powerful, transforming grace of God can raise our sin-besotted heart from the dead, give us eternal life, and set our gaze on Jesus, our blessed hope.” –Gloria Furman
Missional Application:
God calls us to put away hypocritical and hollow worship and to exalt Jesus as Savior of the world.
“Let his coming in the name of the Lord be mentioned with strong affections, to our comfort, and joyful acclamations, to his glory. Well may we say, Blessed is he; for it is in him that we are blessed. Well may we follow him with our blessings, who meets us with his.” – Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
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Jesus, The Christ, Raises Lazarus From Death!
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, Faith, God Father Son and Spirit, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Participation with Christ, relationship with God, Sermons, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, Timothy Brassell, Uncategorized, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God | Tags: Faith, Glorifying God In Suffering, God Heals, God's Compassion, God's Delays, God's glory, God's Power, God's Timing, healing, Hope, Jesus Healing Lazarus, Jesus Raises The Dead, John 11, Lazarus, Life after death, Love, Miracles, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Pastor Timothy Brassell, Physical Resurrection, Power Over Death, Resurrection, Resurrection of Lazarus, sickness, Spiritual Resurrection, The Curse of Death, Trusting God
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Audio – Part 1a: 36 min
Audio – Part 1b: 36 min
Audio – Full Message:
Bible Verses: Mark 2:1-12
Jesus demonstrated His power over death by raising his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. This miracle story reveals the goodness and sovereignty of God, the curse of death and the power of resurrection, as well as Christ’s compassion toward those in pain. As we trust in Jesus—our powerful Friend who conquers death—we bring glory to Him in the midst of terrible circumstances.
Theological Theme:
The Son of God grieves the reality of death and overturns its power.
“A quaint Puritan writer said that if Jesus had not named Lazarus when He shouted, He would have emptied the whole cemetery!” 9 –Warren W. Wiersbe
Christ Connection:
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have full assurance that Jesus will one day defeat death forever and resurrect us from the dead.
“He leads her [Mary] to the knowledge of higher truths. Even though she had been inquiring only about the resurrection of Lazarus, he tells her of a resurrection in which both she and those with her would share.” 5 –John Chrysostom (circa 347-407)
Missional Application:
God calls us to glorify Him in sickness and death, trusting in His power to raise us from the dead.
“Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ sickness or even healed it from where he was; but he chose not to. He saw in this sickness an opportunity to glorify the Father. It is not important that we Christians are comfortable, but it is important that we glorify God in all that we do.” 3 –Warren W. Wiersbe
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