DAD'S DAILY BREAD

6 What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? ² Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? ³ Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. ROM 6:1-4

How can we, the very ones that died to sin continue to live in it? What a question! A powerful and quick way to check yourself! If I have habitual sin in my life then I’m not living for Jesus! Christ did what He did to break the bondage sin had on our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin and it does not master over us. We have a choice! Are we going to choose ourselves or are we going to follow the Word of God. Are we going to live out the faith we claim to have or am I going to do what’s easy and more comfortable…? Don’t be ignorant! Don’t be stupid! Choosing God is not going to be easy or comfortable but it’s worth it because it is the only path to true lasting happiness and peace.

Each day I have to choose to bury my old self with Christ! I don’t have to sin anymore. I can choose a different path. My way is not the only way. Fill your mind with God’s Word and He will light the path for you to follow! A path that brings happiness and peace and true comfort. Such a wonderful promise! Be raised with Christ through the glory and power of the Father! So cool! SO… we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. I love seeing words like habitually when it comes to serving God because I have been habitually addicted to something and I know how strong that word is and what it represents! So I want nothing more then to be habitually addicted to Jesus! Addicted to following His Word and habitually making choices that bring God honor and not myself! Those are the kinds of habitual actions I want in my life. Prayer, service, kindness, being humble enough to put everyone above yourself! All that is really easy to say so above all let my actions speak louder then my words. Live out scripture daily and walk in the newness of life that can only come from grace and faith in Christ

APPLICATION:

Abandon all the old ways of thinking. Don’t be afraid of change. Let the faith and belief in what Christ did guide me and direct my thinking. Stay focused on God’s word and know that He is sufficient! Stay humble and put others first! Don’t take advantage of the grace and forgiveness of God but let that kind of love change you from the inside out. We should be obedient because He deserves it!

IN HIS NAME!

17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Rom 5:17

I love this verse. Paul speaks of that life which springs out of justification, in contrast with the death which springs from sin and follows condemnation. I can think of my past and how fast sin would grow and how fast bad things just piled up… In the same way as I live in the abundance of Christ’s grace and with His gift of righteousness I can enjoy my life and things like peace and comfort and faith will grow.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. Rom 5:18

Jesus won the battle and He paid the cost for our sin. And He paid it with His blood. That drives me to want to be better. Makes me aware of things I might not have thought about before. The more I read the Word the more sin gets exposed. So thankful for His promises and that I can believe with faith that Christ died for me! Thank you for promising to never leave me or forsake me and that your Word is ALWAYS true.

21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:21

Thank God for Him giving us grace that leads to our righteousness! Thank you for making it crystal clear that I did nothing to deserve my justification and that there is nothing that I can do to lose it! I was unworthy before I knew about Jesus and I’m still completely unworthy today! Living and believing with faith that Christ did all this drives me to want to be better! That’s what drives me to be righteous! Out of love and thankfulness you remove and change the things that are not honoring God. Thank You Jesus!

APPLICATION:

Stay in the word. Filter my thoughts with scripture! Remember what Christ did and why He deserves my obedience. Stay humble. Remember the amount of grace God gives me everyday and so I should give more grace to others. Serve others and remember I don’t deserve anything but death. Pray more. Lord please help me to be better because you deserve it!

IN HIS NAME

Sermon Notes Pastor Kobe Orr

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Alive in Christ 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Col 2:1-7

As Christians we must stay faithful to the end. Don’t get lost in meaningless arguments or anything that slowly corrupts the truth. The scariest lie is the one that just barely bends the truth… Don’t get complacent and by into the lies of the world.

The one who endures to the end will prioritize Christian community. Believers are united together because Christ bonds us together. Phil 2 / Eph 5 / John 8 Confronts with love and holds each other accountable. HOW: Be at church, Get into a life group, and BE HONEST! Loving one another does not mean enabling each other. Be willing to speak the truth. Blessed are the PEACE MAKERS! maker=go to war. if needed.

The one who endures to the end will be the one who truly understands the gospel. Eph.2:2-8 True blessings and true wealth can only come from Jesus! We need people around us all the time. We were not meant to live this life alone or isolated!

The one who endures to the end will walk in biblical obedience. The faith that isn’t changing you most certainly isn’t saving you! Engadget in Christian community now! Get surrounded by people! Be rooted in the faith that is rooted in God’s word! What does this look like? What does your fruit look like? Test yourself with these: Humble Obedience Jam 1:22, Spirit Filled Character Gal 5:22, Overflowing Gratitude 1 Cor 4:16-17! Is my character growing in these traits? Is the truth of the gospel changing EVERYTHING in my life? If not, change now. Confess, Repent, and Change.

Am I enduring to the end??? Am I living in Christian community??? Do I truly understand the Gospel??? Am I actually walking in obedience to His Word??? What does my fruit look like???

APPLICATION:

Remember Gods word as I go through my day! Apply those words to my thoughts and actions. Remember who I am without Christ! Drag my sin into the light. Get into Christian community and be honest with everyone! Stay in Gods word! Pray for strength! Stop making excuses! Remember to be thankful in EVERY situation! Thank you Lord!! Have mercy on us!

IN HIS NAME!

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Rom 5:6–10.

So much love demonstrated here! 3 different ways Paul demonstrates the love and the grace of God. First Christ dies for the ungodly. People that have no hope and no chance of ever being good enough to deserve forgiveness. But are rather repulsive in the eyes of God. But God shows His love! Second He did this for us when we were without strength. Still living for ourselves and and powerless to change on our own. But God shows His love! Third He gave us His grace at the right time. While we were His enemy He gave us mercy and sent His own son to take our punishment! God shows His love! This brings me so much peace to know that God has my back. Nothing else in my life should matter! The King of Kings rescued me and there is nothing that can take that away! These verses are also very convicting because they drive me to want to be better!

After all that Christ has done He deserves my allegiance! I feel heavy today because I feel like I let him down so often. Why do I keep failing and why do I keep reverting back to my own sinful actions? Why do I feel like I deserve respect or do I need to be treated a certain way? Why am I relying on how other people view me to give me satisfaction and worth? The fight against sin is real. It never goes away and it just sits there waiting for an opportunity to pounce… Please Help me Lord! Help me to be better! Thank You for Your Word and Your direction in all situations! May I remember Your Truth as I live everyday!

APPLICATION:

Stay in the Word. As much as needed to filter out the lies from the enemy! Don’t get caught up in arguments that are meaningless! Stay humble! I literally don’t deserve anything but death and punishment! Remember that this is a fight to the death! I’m either on God’s side fighting for His glory or I’m on the world side driving my life into the ground… It’s a second by second decision and every choice matters! So stay vigilant and focused on the truth! My King lives and He lives in me! That gives me the faith I need to fight today! Today I choose Jesus! Thank you Jesus for saving me when I couldn’t save myself! Help me to be better because you deserve it!

IN HIS NAME

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Rom 5:2-5

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard someone say or I read myself about what it takes to be saved!! The Spirit is talking so I better pay attention! By the blood, Christ’s blood, Christ shedding of His own blood is the only way to freedom! Our sin requires a payment. A payment that I couldn’t make myself even if I wanted to. The God of the universe gave His very own son, His Blood for me… Why… you ask? Because He loves me enough to not leave me in the miserable state I was when He found me! He knows how much I need Him! Thank God for that! If that’s not a reason for you to rejoice then I don’t know what else could be… God saved me when I was still a sinner and continues to save me each and everyday that I decide to wake up and put Him first! Because of what Christ did I get to rejoice and I have access to God everyday! Those beliefs should change the very nature of my being and lead me in a way that honors God with the rest of my life! But how easy is it to rejoice when things are going your way? What is your attitude like when things aren’t working out or you are literally suffering and in pain? Paul tells us in the very next verse.

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 

This verse is very convicting! I mean I can say I’ll rejoice in my sufferings but I would be surprised if I actually followed through once the suffering started… This causes you to completely change the way you look at life. Changes the way you view your own circumstances. Scripture says that suffering is helping you grow. Without it you don’t get the practice and the endurance and the character you need to stand firm for Christ when something is not right. Suffering is a powerful tool that God can use to change you and make you more dependent on Him! Sometimes I think God will use suffering and trials to get your attention. In my life when things were good I would walk away from God and start worshiping myself. So God had to break my legs and put me on my knees so the only direction I had left to look was back up and back to Him. Don’t be afraid of a tough situation or something you view as too hard or too much work because you could be totally missing something that God wanted to use to make your life better and closer to Him. Don’t miss your blessing! Every single thing that happens to you can be used to honor God. Don’t be selfish like me and spend most of your life blind and suffering alone! Wondering why the world hates me and being completely self absorbed. God is there and He wants to help you and He wants you to be better! He wants to give us FREEDOM!

So there you have it, rejoice because God saved you when you didn’t deserve it. Rejoice that we are saved by the blood of the lamb and nothing can get in the way of that! Rejoice when things are great and be thankful! Also rejoice in the bad times in the midst of your suffering and your trials because it is God’s hand in your life molding you into something that you would never be without Him. Look at your life with an eternal view and see God working in every situation. With a healthy attitude adjustment you can quickly turn a painful situation into a life saving lesson. And then all those lessons build endurance and character and then before you know it you wouldn’t want to have missed out on that suffering because you can see what God was and is actively doing. Praise God for mercy and grace that is literally unexplainable! Lord please help me to be better! Help me to recognize you in every area of my life! 

APPLICATION:

Stay in God’s word at all times! If I’m not filtering my life and my thoughts with scripture then it’s me making decisions and I am not letting God’s word influence my life. Try to think more before I speak. Keeping in mind my attitude and that my words tend to show what I believe in my heart. Rejoice at all times spreading that love to others around me. Recognize what is going on around me and try to be a light in dark situations! Don’t hide my light but share it with everyone! Especially with those who are suffering! Remember that my most powerful tool God has given me is prayer! Pray all day and all night! Let God’s word just resonate in my head everywhere I go and during everything I do! Lord may I never forget that it was your BLOOD that rescued me! You gave it all so that I could have this relationship with you. Please let those truths change every single aspect of my life! Help me to rejoice AT ALL TIMES! I want to be better because you deserve it!! Thank You Lord!

IN HIS NAME!!

Sermon notes Pastor Kobe Orr

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, Col 1:19–22.

Big Idea: It is only through Jesus that we can be reconciled to God. John 14:6

Reconciliation= Restoration of a broken relationship.

We were once enemies of God. (Vs. 21) Sin breaks/fractures our relationship. Sin comes naturally to us. But that’s not the case for God! Our sin grieves God very deeply. 1 John 3:4 Sin= living as if there is no law and no law giver. Sin= lawlessness. When we sin we are rejecting our King and choosing to rule our own lives. When living in sin we are hostile to God in our actions and in our minds. You cannot be neutral. HEB 11:6/ Isa 64:6. Apart from Christ we cannot please God. Only through Jesus can we have access to God. ROM 5:8-10

But Jesus made peace with God through His cross. (Vs. 19) Sin requires blood. Heb 9:22. Jesus came to fulfill the law and save us from the punishment that we deserve. He willingly hung on the cross for you and for me! Isa 53:5-6. Because of Christ we are presented to God as holy and above reproach! Because of what Christ did God looks at us with perfection! Just like He is looking at His own son. God desires a relationship with you. He desires to heal our hearts! There is nothing the King and His Cross cannot fix! Only through Jesus can we be reconciled to God!

This hope belongs to those who endure to the end. (Vs. 23) Perseverance of the saints. All this truth and all this information should change the way you act. If your heart is not transformed and your not actively changing and removing things that aren’t honoring to you King, then your not living like you truly believe that God’s Word is real. And you’re definitely not letting God rule in your heart. Jesus bought our peace with His very own blood so He deserves our allegiance! That truth should change everything in your life! Luke 7. When you’re confronted with the mercy that can only come from Jesus what are you going to do? Saving faith will change everything! Don’t wait! Confess, Repent and Change!

All things will eventually be reconciled to God! Who is going to pay your debt? We owe God our blood! Let Jesus put you back in the black! Jesus wants to pay your debt and heal your soul today! Don’t wait! 2 Pet 3/ Ezk 33.

APPLICATION:

Believe with faith that God’s word is real! Be honest with myself about who I am without the blood of Christ covering my sins. Apart from Christ I deserve only death! Be humble and thankful for everything! Let my beliefs change my actions! Be bold and courageous to put Christ first in everything! Lord please give me mercy! Forgive me for all the things I put above you! Help me to be better! You gave your blood for me and I am so unworthy!! Thank you Jesus!

IN HIS NAME

1 Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).  Rom 5

So far this week has been really tough! Feelings of discouragement and frustration as I try to walk with the Lord. Sometimes I will allow my pride to get in the way of everything I’m trying to accomplish! When something happens and I feel like I’m being disrespected and unappreciated, I get angry. Sometimes I snap and I say something that is completely out of line or I use words to try to get back at whoever is causing me the problem. Where does this pride come from? And why am I allowing it to stay on the throne of my heart??? It’s like in an instant I forget just how wretched I am and how I only deserve death. Everyday that the Lord keeps me breathing and walking it is only because of His grace! Lord please clean my mind and give me a brand new heart!! Remove all the idols that I built for myself and give me the strength to change!

Thank God that through all of this I stayed in my bible! I kept pushing into Him and He was there to help me! Just look at the scripture above. Read that and truly let it soak in. Because of God I am declared blameless! Because of what Jesus did I have been justified! When I needed to be encouraged, He gave me this word. Thank you for saving me when I couldn’t save myself and thank you for continuing to walk with me through the good times and the bad! Because of Jesus I have peace with God. If that doesn’t put a smile on your face then you truly don’t understand the depravity of your sin and you don’t know God. That verse brought me comfort every time I read it throughout the last few days! By faith, I accept that gift and because of that gift I want to serve Him everyday until He takes me home! Christ did all the work and once that truth really sets in it will change everything! Out of gratitude and thankfulness your actions will change. And you will want to give it all to Him. Thank you Lord!

APPLICATION:

Remember who I was before Christ. Remember who I still am today without Christ! Be aware of my shortcomings and don’t hide anything. Talk about how I’m feeling and tell someone when I’m upset. Don’t internalize all my feelings. Shine the light of Jesus into ALL of my dark places! Confess, repent and change anything that does not bring honor and glory to the Father! Stay in God’s Word and continue to let that change me from the inside out. Apply God’s word to my life and remember to pray. Pray, pray and pray some more! By faith believe all the truths of God and let those truths produce fruit that lasts! Be humble! I don’t deserve any respect so when someone disrespects me do not be offended! God’s truth is better than anything I could have. And He has done more for me than I’ll ever be able to do for myself! So be thankful, be thankful at all times! Thank you Lord and I pray you give me the strength and courage to put it all on you! Nothing anyone can say will hurt me when I have You on my side and working for me! Help me to have victory! Thank you for your Word and may I never stop reading it and trying to get closer to you! I love you so much! I’m so unworthy!

IN HIS NAME

Sermon notes Pastor Dustin Slezak

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, Col 1:15–22

Who is Jesus? How you answer that question will tell you a lot about where your life is going to go!

BIG IDEA: Jesus is over everything!

1. Jesus is greater than everything and anything that you can have in your life! There is no one greater! Jesus is the only G.O.A.T. Col 1:5/ 1 Tim 6:6/ John 1:18/ John 14:9-10. Jesus is God in human flesh. He is equal to the father. Rom 10:9. Jesus is the boss of the company, the controlling share holder. Until we can realize that He is in charge and we are not we will continue to have a dysfunctional relationship with Him! Does my life reflect the reality that Jesus is my boss? Is He better and more important than everything else? Confess, Repent and Change!! Don’t wait!
2. Jesus is in control of everything. Col 1:7. He is the only one person that can keep it all together! HEB 1/ Psalm 75. We cannot comprehend God/Christ and all the things that they do to keep the world spinning on its axis. No matter what is happening or how you feel God is in control!
3. Jesus had a design for everything. Col 1:16. Christ is the creator of everything because He was there in the beginning! HEB 1:2. Imagine the emotions He felt when He was watching His son head towards that cross. Did He think about stopping it? Or changing His plan? No, it was all a part of His design! It was the only way He could save you and me! He was delivered over because of our transgressions and He was raised because of our justification! Rom 4:25. God remained faithful to His promises even when it went to the length of Him having to give up His only son. Thank God for doing the things that I couldn’t do on my own!!! Those facts should give us confidence and courage to trust Him more and more each day! His love didn’t end there on the cross either! He is still holding firm to His promises and still guiding us in ways we will truly never understand until the day He calls us home! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?
4. JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING! Col 1:20. Gods business is restoring people! Our sin separated us from Him. Isa 59:2. BUT JESUS MADE PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS! Col 1:20 Thank You Lord! Learning about that should initiate a response. One of humility and thankfulness! Lord I pray you never let me forget that!!!

What should our response be? First is we should be worshiping Him! Just think about the magnitude of what He did! Think about where you were before Christ rescued you! That should make you want to shout Hallelujah! If it doesn’t move you to worship then you have a major problem! Confess, Repent and Change! Another response should be our prayers. Talk to God often and without hesitation! Pour your heart out to Him. He is listening and He is there to help restore anything that is sour in your life! Jesus is over everything. If your life is not a reflection of that then maybe you need to stop and re-evaluate some things. Jesus is either over all or He is nothing at all. You can’t have it both ways! Lord please Help me to live like Jesus is over all! Thank you for everything that you have done and for all that you are in my life! I am so unworthy!

IN HIS NAME