John 3 Study: The New Birth 5of10, Evans Olang

John 3:13-15, “13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

In the beginning of this chapter we saw how Nicodemus recognized Jesus a teacher from God based on the signs that He performed and His teaching, and concluded that it was not possible for someone to do such unless God is with him. He had no understanding that Jesus was more than a teacher, a miracle worker and one with and from God. Jesus was and is God, the Savior of the world. Jesus then begins to talk to him about the things of the kingdom which made no sense to him.

What Treasure Are You Pursuing? Kefa Olang

Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”-

According to legend as popularized by the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, pirates, open sea rebels travel far and wide in search of treasure ranging from gold coins to Aztech gold. Even though it’s been said that not all that glitters is gold, they never grow weary in search of priceless trinkets because that’s what their hearts beat for.

Uniqueness Of Christianity, Evans Olang

 John 14:6, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE”

What do you think is uniqueness of Christianity? No one in any religion in the entire world has ever risen to claim they have the POWER TO FORGIVE SIN, Jesus Christ of the Christians has. Matthew 9:6, “But that you may know that the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) has power on earth to forgive sins”. This is one of the reasons they hated Him the most, they didn’t mind Him healing the sick and raising the dead. Not only has He the power to forgive sins, He has distinguished Himself as unique. He was here on earth 100% God and 100% Man meaning He was the infinite God Man. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God…without God nothing made could have been made….the word was made flesh and dwelt among us (paraphrased). Jesus the living word came in flesh yet without sin. The reason He came to us inform in flesh was to relate to us and redeem us. You can only redeem what you are related to. He understood what it meant to be tempted, go without, be exhausted, loose a friend, to be attacked but still became a victor. Who understands the nature of suffering like He does?

Dead To Self And Alive Unto Christ, Evans Olang

2Corinthians 5:14-15, “14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again”

This is a kind of message few will say “Amen” to, nevertheless it needs to be sounded more often. I think that many are loosing sight of the reason we serve Christ. While we say and even preach that its not about us but about Him, many of our preaching, worship songs, our actions and even prayers tell a different story.

The Cup Bearer Part 2of2, Pastor Phil Sessa

Mark 10:38 –40, “38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

Have you ever asked a question to someone, but because of your lack of maturity and understanding, you came to receive an answer which exhibited, you really did not think through the whole question itself?

The Cup Bearer, Part 1of2, Pastor Phil Sessa

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done”, (Matthew 22:40-46, Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42)

Can you imagine having a job of tasting wine for a king? This was actually a very high profile job in biblical times. The cupbearer was one who tasted and served wine to the king. Ancient kings had to be very cautious about what they ate and drank. They used trusted servants to taste everything before they consumed it.

God And Sinners Reconciled, Pastor Phil Sessa

2Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

Merry CHRISTmas! I love saying that. We live in an age where the world wants us to be culturally tolerant, and politically correct. All other religious “holidays” are not really holidays if we agree that the word holiday is really the word HOLY DAY. How is Kwanza, or Ramadan holy? Kwanza does not focus on Christ, because the focus is on culture and man not on Christ the Lord.

Killing Serpents, Delivering Savior, Part 2of2, Evans Olang

Numbers 21:4-9, vs. “8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”

Simple instructions to the Israelites, if bit, look to the bronze serpent on the pole and you will live. It does not make sense but that is the simple instruction, faith in the basics. They didn’t have to do anything, only look and you will live. Killed by serpents or delivered by a serpent both from God.

Killing Serpents, Delivering Savior, Part 1of2, Evans Olang

Numbers 21:4-9, vs. “8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”

The story of the Israelites gives an account of how the Lord brought them out of the land of Egypt. There are times they trusted God, and then moved from trust to murmuring and complaining. Always comparing their current situation to the old. I don’t think of any people God performed miracles in their midst like the Israelites.