King - Week 3 - Christmas at BWC
Sharable notes for the December 18, 2022 message. You can post these notes on your social platform!
Scriptures used: Matthew 2:1-12; John 19:39; Isaiah 53:6-10; Matthew 9:36; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 2:21-25; Luke 9:22-23
Passages referenced: Hebrews 10:4; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 6:17
When it comes to sin we are like sheep. We are in our own power defenseless, we can’t think straight and we tend to follow the crowd. We’re weak, witless and wayward. We are inclined to follow the sinful path of our fleshly, fallen hearts. So just as sheep wander, sinners (all of us) wander from God's way.
Jesus wasn’t a king who just wanted others to sacrifice on His behalf. He was a king who came to be a sacrifice on humanity’s behalf. He wasn’t a High Priest who just simply made a sacrifice on behalf of the people. He was a High Priest who became the sacrifice.
When we understand the sacrifice the king makes, the high priest became, the spotless lamb of God went through, then we should understand what our response should be. We are called not just to accept his sacrifice of salvation, not just to appreciate his mediation between us and our creator, but to follow him as our Lord and King.
“The Lord doesn't want you to dedicate yourself to Him, He wants you to deny yourself!” Adrian Rogers
If you don’t deny yourself, you’re going to deny Jesus.
“There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below.” Charles Spurgeon
To take up your cross, as Jesus said, requires us to turn our focus off the false fulfillment of sin and place it on the life giving power of the Holy Spirit. It means to take up a burden to serve others over yourself.
Every morning is a reminder of the new mercies of our Heavenly Father. It gives us a determination each new day we wake up.
Reflect or meet with someone to discuss:
What do you know about sheep?
What thoughts come to your mind when the Bible compares us to sheep who wander?
Jesus told his followers to deny themselves, give up their own way, take up their cross and follow him daily. How do you apply that to your life?
Click the image to start a new 15 day devotion in YouVersion:
In this 15-day plan, you will examine what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus by studying scenes from his life and those of his early followers. Each day includes a Scripture, devotional reading, and questions. It can be used during Lent or at any time.