The cross divides people, all people living and all people who have ever lived. Like the separation of time and the dividing of Testaments, there are only two sides. The side you are on, lost or saved, depends upon what you have decided and done with the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote two canonical letters to the Corinthians. The first is a declaration of war (against sin, not the sinners), the second a peace treaty. Both are very personal, but accessible to every generation of Christ-followers.
The “one flock” is Christ’s church, whose fledgling members were Jesus’ audience for this lesson. The members of His church are His “sheep.” This is a frequent and appropriate metaphor, used in ways both endearing and unflattering.
We want to see the Lord every Lord’s Day, and we can. Take the first three and last eleven words of this beautiful text, the longest post-resurrection narrative in the Gospels.
Jesus Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Repent and believe and it will change your life forever. You can be forgiven and free. You can be empowered and equipped. You can be surrounded by angels. ou can truly live, abundantly and eternally, in the kingdom of God, now and forever.
The palms on Sunday wave at us like the hand of God. He wants our attention. Of course, He demands and deserves it every day of every week. But we are human, with feet of clay and minds that wander.
You get sick, you suffer, you endure many trials. And, yes, one day, you are going to die. Jesus loves you. Jesus cares about you. Jesus can make sure your death is not permanent.
Salvation is God’s principle purpose amongst mankind. The embodiment of God’s person and God’s purpose is our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus saves.
Let’s listen to John, very carefully, in what amounts to the last and most meaningful sermon of his life. It is an offer of grace. It is a call to faith. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, according to John the Baptist.
Sin is “transgression,” the commission of any deed done contrary to the commandments of God. It is the use of one’s hands, or other body parts, to carry out lust instead of love, sinful desire rather than sacred duty, personal pleasure instead of concern for other people. It is a failure forged by doing the wrong thing.
