Pastor Jay

Monday, August 22, 2011

Life-Changing Power in the Cross!!

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

I was thinking about how Jesus has changed my life and what great things he has done in our ministry here in Newport. The Lord is definitely touching lives and changing hearts. Each Sunday and Wednesday I anticipate what God is gonna do next. As thinking about what to write, the Lord laid this scripture from 1 Corninthians on my heart, and it is the center point of what I believe and preach to our church people. The Cross of Jesus Christ is the theme of the Word of God and its the only message that will set man free. From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden up until a new born baby born in the last few minutes, the only way to restore fellowship between God and Man is to place our faith completely in Christ and him crucified. Every person that has been born, came into this world in original sin and so the only way to enter into fellowship with a Holy God is to have our sins washed away by the blood of the Lamb. In the Old Testament of the Bible, man tried to be holy by the Law of God that was given to Moses, through the keeping of rules and ordinances. It was then we realize that no matter what man did, he absolutely could not keep God's Law. However, the Law of God reveals to us the very nature of God which is Jesus Christ. In the OT, God gave specific instructions to Moses on the Tabernacle and the offering of sacrifices which would be a temporary covering for the sin. The Blood of goats, and bullocks would be a type and shadow of what Jesus would do at the Cross. When Jesus came to earth, he laid aside the expression of his deity to take on the form of man. In his earthly ministry, he never broke the law of God thus becoming, as John the Baptist would say "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." I have come to realize that the words of John 3:16 are so true "For God so Loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believe on him shall never perish but have everlasting life.  My friend that shows us that Jesus paid a price that we could not pay. I did not deserve this abundant life he has given me and I surely could not earn it. But my faith in what Jesus Christ did at the cross, reassures me that when I leave the portals of this life, that I will crossover into a land with no pain and sickness, nor any tears will fall from my eyes. I just want to praise my God for his excellent greatness.
     In our church there are a variety of people that God has changed  from the person they use to be into a man or woman of God. I have had the privilege of watching drug addicts and alcoholics transformed by the power of God. Prostitutes, Gays, and Lesbians have been set free by the blood of Jesus. The Lord has fixed marriages, and healed many from physical and emotional abuse in the home. I thank God that I have been able to see multitudes healed from cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, back problems, headches,and many more sickness and disease. If you try to tell me that God is not a miracle worker, then you are to late, because I know who Jesus is and what he has done. The Preaching of the cross is foolishness to the world and those who choose not to believe, but I tell you the truth when I say it is the power of God. Believe on Jesus today and he will change your life. Dont try to add to what Jesus has already done at calvary. Its not the cross plus fasting, or the cross plus tithing, or the cross plus baptism. Jesus said while he was hanging on the cross, IT IS FINISHED. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see!!!!!!  Believe on him today!!