Nothing is more important than the gospel of Jesus Christ.  NOTHING.

 

In 2020, we have taken a few steps backwards:

Creation, Individual Identity, and the idea of Marriage and Family are all under attack.

 

But none should be.

 

What should be under attack is the sinful things that have destroyed our livelihood and our communities.

 

I want to talk today about sin.

 

It is universal.

It is lethal.

And it discriminates against the individual.

 

What does this mean?

 

This means that you are hunted by an enemy who takes the time to find your individual weaknesses and shortcomings.  He plants thoughts in your head, he discourages you that you can not make it, and he encourages you to try new things—to do what feels good … And then he stands and accuses you with the highest intensity.

 

Scripture assures us that he is here to steal, kill, and destroy.

 

I have personally seen him succeed.

 

So where do we go?

We Go To Jesus

 

When Jesus came to earth, He was in a bind.  He wasn’t just hunted.  He wasn’t just hated.  He wasn’t just overlooked.  He was given EVERY temptation.  EVERY ONE.

 

You see some of us struggle with lust or greed or depression or substance abuse.  He was given the full measure of all of them, plus many more.

 

I can say, without hesitation, that I struggle with some of these things but not all of them.  But Jesus?  He was given ALL of them.

 

Hebrews 4  15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.

 

This is the good news of the gospel.  It is for all men.  It is for rich and poor, for black and white, for male and female, for kings and peasants.  And most importantly, it is for ALL SINS.  

 

     Because it is for everybody, the elite might not want it.

     Because it is for everybody, the arrogant might sneer at it.

     Because it is for everybody, the prideful might not see a need.

 

But all will need it.  ALL OF US.  You, me, everyone.

 

And it is not an optional entrance into heaven … It is the gate that we must walk through.

 

1 John 1  8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

 

As you reflect on the importance of all of this, I want you to consider a few things:

  • Because He walked in all of it, and because it is individualized, your sins are not better, or worse, than anyone else’s.  1 John 1 tells us this.
  • Because He walked in all of it, you must understand that He died for you — and you alone — if necessary.
  • Because He walked in all of it, He expects us to have mercy for those who struggle in different areas than we do.  We must understand that just because we don’t fail in an area doesn’t mean that it is easy.  We have ENOUGH sin to condemn us and have NO RIGHT TO JUDGE SOMEONE ELSE’S SHORTFALLS.

 

 

Jesus is worthy.

 

He stood in the middle of a war.  And as bullets flew by Him and the enemy advanced, He rose up with glory and defeated him — for ALL OF US.

 

 

In The Name of the Father and the 

Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8AB0vUU038

 

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Coach J