Nailed to the Cross

 Col 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

The handwriting of ordinance was the law that spelled out what was right and wrong. It was first written in stone by the hand of God. His commandments and statues were revealed to Moses how He wanted the people of Israel to live. The sacrifices, the rituals given to God’s people all pointed to the supreme sacrifice that was provided by God when He sent His Son to earth to be nailed to a cross. His death on the cross paid the debt for our sins. Our sins were nailed to the cross. The provision was made for all, for all are born into this world with a sin nature. The fall of man (Adam and Eve) in the garden of Eden set in motion the destruction of humanity, and the curse of the human race. But God, in His love, grace and mercy made a way to escape the punishment and judgment of eternal damnation. Jesus, the Son of God, was nailed to the cross by those He loved. Sin blinded the eyes of man, and they knew not what they were doing. They nailed His hands and feet, they pierced His side, and His blood was spilled for you and me. It was our sins that put Him on the cross. We were dead in our transgression and lost without hope. He gave His life so that we could be born again and made new. This provision is made possible when we by faith, believe that He is the Son of God and accept this gift of salvation. When we believe the nails that were driven into his hands and feet were for our sins. There is forgiveness through Christ who allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross for you and me.

Saved By Grace

Oct 30th, 2025
Eph 2:8,9
 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:.. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

What do we need to be saved from? The word saved implies that we need help, or we need to be recused. Saved from a life-threatening situation. When someone is lost in the mountains, a rescue team is sent out to save them and bring them back safely. Spiritually, we are all lost. Every human being born into this world is born with a sin nature. No matter where we were born, or who our parents are, we all must come to the realization that we are sinners, with a bent to satisfy the sinful flesh. As civilized human beings, we are also created in the image of God and God has instilled within each one of us a conscience to do good. But sin is ever present, tempting us to put ourselves and our wants first. Therefore, we need to be saved from this sinful nature, because sin will destroy and will eventually lead to eternal death (hell). We cannot redeem ourselves. No matter how many good deeds we do, it cannot save us from the sin that we were born with. Jesus came to earth and did many good works, but His main purpose in coming was more than just setting a good example of how to live, but He came to save us from our sin and set us free from the bondage of sin. So by the grace of God, God the Father sent His Son to die and pay the debt for the sins of the world. It is grace, a gift that we receive by believing that the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, giving His life, can and will bring forgiveness of sin. Many believe that their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds and God will see all the good things they have done on earth and let them in through the gates of heaven. But the truth given to us in the Word of God is that there is only one way, and that is through the forgiveness of sin provided by Jesus Christ. Isaiah says, “All our righteousness are as filthy rags.” I have been to many memorial services, and the accolades of their good works are made known, and many truly were good and kind people, but salvation is not possible by good works lest any man should boast. A person who is saved through Christ will manifest good works. The Holy Spirit does a work in the believer, and the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested as they walk in the light of God. So good work is an outcome of our faith, and not the way to have eternal life after death. So faith in Christ is essential to salvation. His grace is sufficient to save us from all sin.

Persecution of Christian

 Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Persecution has always been what caused the Word of God to spread across the world. It is not new to our generation and certainly not in other parts of the world where preaching Jesus is certain death. But in the USA, for years, persecution has been the ridicule of believers who stand against the evil of this day. In our current culture, evil is called good and good is called evil. The events of this last week have awakened the church of Christ across the world. Being murdered for standing for the truth of God’s word has not happened in the public arena. The murder and assassination of Charlie Kirk has caused a shock wave across America and the world. Charlie was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and preaching against the wicked culture of our day. He proclaimed Jesus on the campus and universities across America with open debate and discussion. His motto was “Prove me Wrong.” He was a master apologist defending truth from God’s word. His murder was an attempt to silence the voice of truth and reason. His words were used by the Holy Spirit to convict people of their sin. Across the liberal media, he is being persecuted for speaking against the woke lifestyle of this age. He is accused of hate speech because he dared to call sin for what it is.  He gave hope to those that were trapped in their sin, he lifted Jesus Christ as the answer to sin and evil. Because he spoke and preached a gospel of deliverance, he was martyred for his faith, and the liberal media is celebrating his death, while the rest of the world is grieving the loss of a man of God who did not fear what man could do to him. Throughout history, those who dare to proclaim that Jesus was the way to God, that He had the power to forgive sin were scorned, ridiculed and even put to death. We curse not those who persecute us, we pray that they will come to see Jesus and know the truth that he died so that we may live. May the life of Charlie put a fire under each one of us to share the grace of God, and not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..

The Love of God

 John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The old familiar Bible verse rings loud and clear during the Christmas season. Truly, this is the center of the Christmas story. God sent His Son to earth in the form of a baby. Wise men from the East saw the star and came to worship Him. The Shepherd gathered in the field and heard the angel proclaim His coming. Mary pondered in her heart the miracle of the newborn baby. The demonstration of God's love was manifested to the world when He gave Himself to die for the sins of the world. The song says it so well, “The love of God is far greater than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. The wand'ring child is reconciled by God's beloved Son.”- Frederick M. Lehman. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, God’s love poured down from heaven above. His love reaches you and me desiring fellowship, a relationship that will be everlasting. Jesus grew to adulthood, showed us how we were to love one another. His love allowed the Roman soldiers to pierce the nails in His hand. His love took on the sins of the world. “He paid the debt He did not owe, I owe a debt I could not pay.” The Christmas story, the greatest love story ever told! Oh, The love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

Whosoever Shall Be Saved

 Roman 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What do we need to be saved from? Why do we need to be excused? We, creatures of humanity, born of Adam, inheriting the Adamic nature from the fall of Adam and Eve are a fallen race. Sin abides in our heart and the wages of sin is death. But, Jesus came to save us from death. He took upon Him the sins of the world, died on the cross and paid the debt that we owed. Everyone who will believe, and accept this work of Christ will be saved. Believing and accepting implies that we know that we are sinners and recognize that Jesus alone can forgive our sinful way. We confess with our mouth our depravity, and believe in our heart that Jesus took upon Himself our sins, we can be saved. The core of equity is made clear in scripture. “Whosoever” means every human being born on earth has access to this salvation. God is no respecter of person, regardless of the color of your skin, the identity of your birth, the culture of your land, or the genealogy line you come from, we all have the opportunity to be saved. God so loved the world, that He gave Son that we may be saved. We confess, We believe! We are saved.

Perfect Love

1 John 4:7-19
October 28th, 2007

The Love of God how measureless, that I, a sinner should be loved by God who is Holy and Just. How is it possible for man to be filled with such love? It is only through the propitiation of Christ that we are able to have this love dwell within us. Man in his sinful condition, is not capable of manifesting such love to God or to one another. Therefore, If we desire to love as God wants us to love, we must allow Christ to dwell in His fullness in our hearts. “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given unto us” May divine love rule and reign in our hearts and show it’s fruits in ours lives.

Love that is Mutual (let us love one another)
• How do we show love one to another?
• Evidence of being born of God- “Behold how they love…”
• If God loved us, we ought to love one another.
Love that Matters ((born of God)
• Divine Love only comes from God
• If you know God, then you will show love
Love that is Manifest (In this was manifested the love of God)
• God’s Love toward man is
• God’s Love is shown through the giving of His Son
• Christ is "the propitiation," because by His becoming our substitute and assuming our obligations He expiated our guilt, covered it, by the vicarious punishment which he endured
Loves Mysteries Unfold (Herby know we)
• Seeing God is only seen through someone who loves God
• The dwelling of God can only abide in a heart of love
• It begin with confessing Jesus as Savior
Love Made Perfect (Herein is our love made perfect)
• Then face to face…then shall I know and be known
• There is no fear (of judgment) to them that abide in perfect love
• We cannot properly love without His love dwelling in us.