Adorenament No. 10: A loaf of bread Name of Jesus: The Bread of Life
Adorenament No. 10: A loaf of bread
Name of Jesus: The Bread of Life
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger; and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’ John 6:35
One of the newer ministries of Trinity Methodist is a booth we set up in our parking lot across the street in which we serve fresh-baked pastries, cookies, and other goodies to antique vendors and shoppers who attend “The Market Place” held the last Saturday of the month in Arcadia. But the most striking feature along with the fresh breads which also accompany the variety of goods that are sold, is the six-foot banner stretching across the back of the tent that reads, “Not By Bread Alone” and “Jesus is the Bread of Life.”
Did you know that although we are physically alive, the Bible tells us that we are dead spiritually—without a life giver? This causes a spiritual hunger that can never be satisfied without this spiritual life-giver. And the Good News is--Jesus is our Bread of Life!
But is this the kind of bread we eat? No. When God provided manna-bread from heaven to feed Moses and the people of Israel (Exodus 16), it was the physical food they needed to live. But Jesus says there’s another bread from heaven that we need to live spiritually. He says, “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” Jesus was talking about Himself. He is the spiritual bread we all need—the Bread of life! Regular food is only good until we become hungry again. With Jesus, we will never hunger or thirst spiritually! (See Matthew 5:6 and Psalm 119:9).
Stay in God’s Word and Celebrate Holy Communion with great joy!
Pastor Louie
Adorenament No. 12 (f 12): The Crown Name of Jesus: The King of kings and Lord of lords
Adorenament No. 12 (f 12): The Crown
Name of Jesus: The King of kings and Lord of lords
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords…” I Timothy 6:15
Of all the names given Jesus, none describes His power and majesty better than King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus has the highest rank of all, ruling over all kings and rulers of the earth! Psalm 2:6-8, 10-12 says, “I have installed My King upon Zion…Thou art My son…Ask of me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession…O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling…How blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”
Did you hear? It’s God the Father who put Jesus, His Son, as King over all! He placed all nations and kingdoms under Him! He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and sovereign God! Let us take notice that God calls the nations to obey His Word! “Sovereign” means all-powerful and controller of everything. (See also Colossians 1:16).
Because we often hear about Jesus’ love, we forget about His holiness and His commands to obey Him. For those of us who are faithful to obey Him, we will one day be rewarded for what we’ve done for Him—King of kings and Lord of lords! Paul near the end of his earthly life told Timothy, “…in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8.
In the Name of Jesus, the King All!
Pastor Louie
(Final) Adorenament No. 12: The Cross Name of Jesus: Savior
(Final) Adorenament No. 12: The Cross
Name of Jesus: Savior
The Father has sent the Son [to be] the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. I John 4:14-15
If you’re like me, you were excited about Christmas and opening presents. However, Christmas is about Jesus’ birth, when we remember God’s great love in sending His Son. With all the gifts, do you forget that Jesus is the greatest gift anyone could get at Christmas? Remember the reason Jesus was born? It’s what He said He would do hundreds of years before. We need a Savior! One of Jesus most wonderful names is Savior.
Why do we need a Savior? What do we need to be saved from? Our sins. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is disobeying God. Because God is holy, God can’t let out sins go unpunished. Someone must be punished in our place.
Good news! God the Father sent Jesus to be punished in the place of sinners! He loved His Son just like He loves us, but there was no other way, so Jesus, the spotless Son of God went to the cross for you and for me, so that we could have a relationship with God!
But here’s where it can get confusing for some people. Our ability to have a relationship with God is not based on what we do or don’t do, but on the FREE GIFT of God—the FREE GIFT to save sinners! Like a gift under a Christmas tree you can’t earn; you just receive. However, we need to confess our sins and repent. Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus (as) Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” “Confess” means to be honest with God about our sin and ask forgiveness. “Repent” means to turn away from that sin and instead turn to God to live a life that is pleasing to Him. But remember this cannot be done apart from Jesus. And when you trust in Christ by faith as Savior and Lord, Jesus promises our sins are washed away, to never leave us, to send the Holy Spirit or Helper to enable us to live the Christian life with fullness and joy, and oh yes, Jesus promises us eternal life! Have you invited Jesus into your heart to be your Savior? In the Saving Name of Jesus! Pastor Louie
Lean on Jesus!
Lean on Jesus!
“There was reclining on Jesus’ breast one of His disciples whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23
When I was a little kid, my first cousin Gary, and his family made their annual trip to my hometown all the way from Chula Vista California. One day while they were visiting, my parents took me, along with Gary’s family, to my great grandfather’s home way out in the country for a visit. Now Gary had brought plastic pirate swords and hats for us to play with, so we walked across the road with the intention of being swashbucklers in my great grandfather’s big pond. The problem was, I couldn’t swim, and somehow, playing pirates, I managed to get myself into deep water. But God provided for my dad, who had been watching us play from the other side of the pond, to walk over and check on my cousin and me at just the right time, for immediately, he jumped in and rescued me from drowning. The rest of the afternoon, I sat with my head leaning on my father’s chest during which time I was revived and restored to new life!
That Thursday evening, in an Upper Room in Jerusalem, Jesus reclined at a table with John the beloved to his right, leaning on His chest. That same night Judas would leave the room to betray Jesus, and Jesus would inform Peter that before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny Him three times.
Are you drowning? Are betrayal or denial reclining at your table? Remember, like John, to lean on Jesus! Judas Iscariot’s heart remained dark, but Peter went out and wept bitterly in repentance after his denial. He would remember Jesus’ words spoken to Him in Luke 22:31-32.
Rest! Renew! Remember the Promises of God! And be ready to be restored to active service as you Lean of Jesus who rescued you at the cross because He loves you so! Pastor Louie