Hey Folks,
https://soundcloud.com/ed-castro-152556729
Here’s last Sunday Sermon
Intro:The Lord has challenged me to spend most of my ministry declaring the glory, greatness and grandeur of Christ. I’ve hear old sermons of mines when I barely mention Christ named and it makes my wince and repent. I’ve been in services where Jesus was mentioned once…
Put that against the life, ministry and writings of the apostle Paul (who I’ve been studying)
Eph 1 in 23 verses he mention Christ more than 20+ times
Phil 1 in 30 veses he mention Christ more than 20 times
Col 1 in 30 verses mention Christ more than 25x
The truth of the faith can be preserved only by doing a theology of Jesus Christ, and by redoing it over and over again. —KARL RAHNER
In C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian, Aslan says to Lucy, "Every year that you grow, you will find me bigger." I think that’s a beautiful illustration of spiritual growth. Every year that we grow in the Lord, Jesus Christ looms larger and greater in our eyes.
Sermon Illustration:Re: Denominations focus
Every year 3 plp get together for a conference and cry
Mary: I came into this world to give him life and to bring him to humanity but they worshiped me (Catholic/Orthodox friends)
Holy Spirit: I came to reveal him and testify and magnify Christ and make him real and alive but they put me on the throne and they forgot him (Charismatic/Pentecostal Friends)
Bible: I came to point all my arrows to him and to show women, men, angels and demons who he is. His greatness and glory but they made a God out of me. (Baptist/Reformed friends)
Text: [Heb 12:1-2 NLT] 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
Today I want to speak to your heart about 3 questions Jesus Asked Peter
Question #1 Who do you say I am?
[Mat 16:13-17 NIV] 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
2. Why did you doubt?
[Mat 14:22-28, 30-36 NIV] 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." ... 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
3. Do you love me?
[Jhn 21:15-22 NIV] 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
You can place your faith in Jesus and receive God’s gift of eternal life right now. I encourage you to agree with God’s Word and express your faith toward God by praying the following prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You that Your Son Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for my sins. I believe He rose from the dead so I could receive forgiveness, become Your child, and receive the gift of eternal life.
I come to You now and repent from all sin. I not only receive Your gift of forgiveness, but I give You all of my life and all of my heart. I believe you have accepted me because Jesus said, “…the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). You also said, “…whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Thank You for saving me, making me Your child, and helping me to live for You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Love,
Ed
If this was the 77th best newsletter you eva read and what to buy me coffee
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I asked my kitten if she liked the sermon and she said “You’re no Steve Furtick but you feed me so you’re ok”
