We’ve all heard of stories about people searching for “the fountain of youth”, and we understand the intrigue as we all have a deep desire to live forever. Today we journey to discover where we can find Our Source of Eternal Life.

The word of God is referring to what God spoke to His people in the past and what is recorded for us in the present, spotlighting the good news about Jesus.

NT Wright ‘God’s word’ seems to mean ‘the ancient scriptures, and the message about how they all came true in Jesus’.

The word of God is...

Living: God’s word exports the ancient & unchanging truths across every culture and every generation. The word of God will continue to impact lives forever. 

Effective: God’s word is effective at cutting deep inside to the soul and spirit, the spiritual tool that God uses to show us the real thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

We are able to cover our bodies with clothes to hide what is underneath from others, but we can’t keep things hidden from Him. When we try to justify our sin, the word of God cuts down deep and exposes our thoughts and intentions.

Do you really believe you must give an account of your life to God one day?

The Scripture warns us, but it should also encourage us because the word of God tells us that God also sees when our actions, attitudes, & intentions are pure, honorable, and kind. Jesus mentions a simple act that you and I might not consider very significant. Jesus says:

God knows the simple way you serve others (even when no one else is looking). 

How might KNOWING THAT change not only WHAT we do, by WHY we do it - this week? 

What’s THAT mean? Those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, are to hold fast - to hold firmly (NIV, NLT) to who we say Jesus is. Jesus passed through the heavens - the One who was glorified in heaven (Jn 17:5) stepped down onto earth. After completing His work, Jesus ascended to heaven (Lk 24:50-51; Acts 1:9) and sat down at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33; Heb 1:3) - the place of honor & authority. 

The human high priest passed through the veiled areas in the temple into the Most Holy Place once a year, standing to complete his task. When finished, he must immediately the room that symbolized the throne room of God in heaven.

Jesus never entered into this part of the earthly temple. Instead, after He sacrificed Himself to make payment for our sins, and after His resurrection, Jesus passed through the heavens and sat down at the right hand of the Father (the throne room of God that the earthly temple symbolized). 

Jesus experienced human weaknesses - exhaustion, hunger, thirst, disappointment, grief, betrayal, laughter, and tears. He felt what we feel, so He can sympathize with our weaknesses.

Jesus experienced real temptation as a real human being. After spending 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil (Lk 4:1-13), and after conquering every temptation, Jesus remained without sin.

When we are experiencing weakness and facing temptation, we know where to turn! Jesus understands, because He’s been there!

We are to approach God’s throne of grace with boldness.

Ancient rulers couldn’t be approached by the common people. Remember when Queen Esther risked her life by approaching her own husband without an invitation (Esther 5:1–2)? 

The Sovereign Creator of all kings, INVITES us to approach His throne, not to be judged for our GUILT, but to be welcomed into His GRACE.

Making an offering for his own sins is NOT something Jesus had to do, as our sinless Savior. The human high priests were SINFUL, but OUR High Priest is SINLESS.

The author quotes Ps 2:7 and adds Ps 110:4 (a passage we will cover in depth in 3 weeks). Other high priests were called to SERVE, but they were called God’s SON.

This passage reminds the reader of how Jesus prayed fervently with loud cries and tears in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking for the Father to save Him from death. It was here that our Perfect High Priest wrestled with the reality that He was about to take our sins upon Him. 

This does not imply that Jesus was somehow disobedient and imperfect beforehand, but that He proved to be obedient & perfect by completing the task given to Him.

Jesus lived His entire life, without ever being defeated by sin, and suffered on OUR behalf. And because of that, Jesus became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. 

Our Faithful High Priest lived a sinless life and then offered to exchange our sin for His sinlessness. 

Jesus IS our Source of Eternal Life, and that doesn’t start when we stop breathing, Eternal life begins when we die to OUR SIN and surrender our lives to Jesus. That’s when we will experience this well of water springing up in us for eternal life.

And while we can experience the REST of Jesus living in us, recognizing that eternal life starts NOW, many of us are beginning to realize that the hour-glass of our life has a whole more sand on the bottom than on the top. We better do what we need to do before it’s too late.

Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. 

Take time this week to read what Jesus did for you (Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16:8, Luke 22-24, John 18-20). Then ask the question, “Jesus gave His life for me; am I giving my life for Him?” 

Watch a MOVIE that shows the significance of what Jesus has done for you (e.g.Passion of the Christ or Risen).

Join us for Good Friday Gathering (5:30-7:30 with dinner - bring a side dish, fellowship, & communion - child care)

Invite Someone Next Sunday as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and talk about the Best Day Ever. Invite them, pray for them, pick them up, take them out to eat afterwards! AND take the opportunity to share Jesus with them.

heretoserveyou                                

Have questions and need some help? …real soon…how about now? Please call or text us soon!

heretoserveyou                                

Have questions and need some help? …real soon…how about now? Please call or text us soon!