He Loves Me Anyway

John 3:14-17 

Psalms 139:13-16 

I would guess that a large majority (if not all) of us would consider ourselves pro-life.  When it comes to this ‘issue’ we are decided: we oppose abortion, we oppose the killing of the elderly or the diseased, we oppose death in favor of life.  Of course, I believe that this is indeed the right stance (the biblical stance) on these issues. Today I want to take a look at the heart of the message of the sanctity of human life. The message that reraurdless of our flaws God loves us. Despite our limitaions and brokens.

God Knows you Intimatly and He loves you anyway... God Loves you anyway and you cant deny it when you look at the cross!

 I want to encourage you to do three things and please dont leave here today until you have i urge you!

1. Accept The Work of Calvary... John 3:14-17

• God Loves You So Much
  
• I do not desire to inspire the lost, nor do I desire to challenge the lost person. I wish to reach, and direct the lost person to Christ

2. Proclaim The Message of Calvary

• I do not desire to inspire the lost, nor do I desire to challenge the lost person. I wish to reach, and direct the lost person to Christ
  
  

3. Display The Wonder Of Calvary

• I do not know that all of you are saved. I look at this town and at you all this morning and I am challenged to convey to you That God Loves You Dearly! You are loved!
  
• If you are saved than live it out!
  
• If you where to die today do you know where you would go?

God Is Still Enough

For the past couple months God has really been speaking to me about one thing... How modern Christianity does not resemble New Testament Christianity... When I speak of church I do not speak of one church nor of the collective body of Christ rather I speak of the social gatherings of masses in buildings around the country. For it is hard for me to see much resemblance between the Church of today and the collective body of Christ. How does The church of today resemble the image of the body of Christ?

When did the gospel stop being enough for the church of America? When did the gospel stop being enough to reach the lost and broken. We have replaced the sharp truth of the word with movie nights and Ice Cream socials. I seem to be bombarded with calls from every group offering "ministries for our church from everything from cookie sales to paying for a monthly movie night to draw people in. When did the message of Jesus's love stop being enough. We have replaced personal evangelism with missions offerings and church invite campaigns. We inspire the lost but never confront the lostness or sin. we abandon our main purpose to disciple the converts Matt 28:18-20 and look after the widows and the fatherless James 1:26,27. We call our weekly rituals church "service" but what service do we do? We dare not challenge the status quo. We never question our traditional practices prayerfully considering whether they are found in scripture. The easy "gospel" is the message of joy peace and prosperity. Yet the gospel we are called to proclaim is the saving grace of Calvary. The lifeline that will save souls from hell. Jesus spoke more of hell than He did of heaven. We must be unafraid to shoot it straight. People dying and burning in hell and we have not warned them. There is nothing wrong with confronting a lost person with their sin and their destination. In fact that is what we are called to do. Paul said in Galatians 1:8,9 if any one preaches any other gospel let them be accursed. I hope we have not drifted so far from the good news of Calvary that we are scared to proclaim it to the ends of the earth.

When did the word of God stop being enough for the church of America? I myself have been one of the worst offenders. God has called us to reach the lost inviting them into a saving grace. Yet we have turned the gospel into an attempt to build our earthly kingdoms. The word of God is given for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) It is all to easy to turn from the word to merely inspiring people or tickling ears. I commit to live by every word of God. Let's face it not every word is inspiring and encouraging. I believe that every function of the church should be at lest based in scripture. Youth and children's ministry allot of the time has sunk down to bussing kids around feeding them snacks and playing games with a short devotional thoughts. And we wonder why they are leaving the church. Sunday School has become overly dependent upon man written curriculum rather than in depth study of the word. We are to be equipped to proclaim the word of God 2 Timothy 4:1-5. More than just proclaim it we are to get it right be thoroughly equipped 2 Tim 3:17 and we are to study the word with diligence so we can shoot it straight 2 Timothy 2:15. Sadly I've noticed that when you have concentrated times of study and prayer the crowds are generally pretty thin.

When did the hope of glory stop being enough? I often wonder what the make up of the church would look like if church was outlawed in this country. How many people would brave the police and death to come worship the lord on a Sunday? We sing about being crucified with Christ. Gal 2:20 But if the time came that they set up a flogging post and crucifix in every town and went door to door dragging out the Christians how many would deny Him out of self preservation? How many would allow themselves to be crucified, burned hung or beheaded for His Glory? At the end of this life it wont matter how committed you were to your local Baptist, Methodist Pentecostal fill in the blank church. All that matters is are you willing to live your life sold out for Christ. Is the hope of glory enough for you to face death punishment or rejection?

Like I mentioned earlier I am the worst offender. What I find most amazing is that God's grace is sufficient for all of my failures. God has challenged me to let my life prove that He is still enough for me. Be it in ministry to others, proclaiming the word of God, or in my witness I am called to show that He is enough? What about you?