At the time of Christ's arrest, Peter took up his sword and cut off the ear of the slave of the high priest. When this occurred Jesus told the disciples "No more of this!" and Jesus immediately healed the wounded slave. Brothers and Sisters, the message that I bring you today is about peace and not resorting to anger and force to obtain what we think we "Need" or "Must" have. If force were the way Jesus would have came as God's general and defeated all the kingdoms of the world as to to establish God's kingdom. Yet, we all know that Jesus came instead as the "Suffering Servant" that established his kingdom by sacrificing his life for our sins. Instead of brandishing a weapon, Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to a cross and hung, ridiculed and abused and allowed to die a public death.
Jesus as the Son of God could have used force to establish his kingdom, but just as he did in the wilderness, he refused to be tempted by the power of Satan and use force to lead his people. Many people go through life with the agenda of getting what they want at any price, and in the belief that our kingdom is here and now. Friends, the meager riches and conquests that we obtain here earth, hold no relevance to beauty and majesty that we will share with Jesus Christ in heaven.
My prayer for you this day is that instead of lashing out in anger and taking up the sword of hatred and anger, go to the cross and act as Christ did by taking out the love of forgiveness. Do not let the evil one draw you this day, follow the Lord to the cross and witness what true love for others can yield. I end today's message with the lyrics of Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, please read the words and let them help guide you this day and all day.
Thanks for calling me as your pastor.
Tim.
Charles Wesley 1747
Love divine, all loves excelling,Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
Lyrics www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/charles_wesley/
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
'Til in heaven we take our place,
'Til we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Scriptures for Today's Message
John 18:10
Matthew 26: 51-56
Luke 22: 49-53
Matthew 26:35
Matthew 26: 52, 53
Matthew 4: 8, 9
Matthew 4: 10
1John 4: 7, 8
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