Our Mission Purpose Statement
Our Mission purpose statement:
Presenting Jesus, the revelation of grace and truth that transforms lives.
This is based on John 1:17-18.
“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” John 1:17-18.
Amplified adds to this saying, “Jesus has revealed God and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known.” Amp.
The Law of God are the things God showed Moses what man must do to be right with God and the Law showed us the holiness of God.
- Moses first encounter with God at burning bush was a partial revelation of His holiness.
- With the Law had a blessing and a curse. Deut. 28.
- Later a Pharisee legalistic man named Saul encountered Jesus and wrote,
“So the Law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Gal. 3:24
The Law of God (commandments) was only a partial revelation of God. But Jesus (Yeshua) is the full and complete revelation of God.
“God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets, has in these LAST DAYS spoken to us by His Son, . . . through whom He made the world. He is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power.” Heb. 1:1-3 Modern English Version
ill. Jesus invited Peter, James and John to a mountain for a revelation. There they saw Moses the law giver and Elijah the prophets talking to Jesus. Jesus face shined as the sun and His garments white. Then Peter spoke up, “Lord it is god we are here. If You wish we will build 3 booths, one for You, Moses and Elijah.” Scripture says “While Peter was still speaking suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them and voice from the cloud said, “This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
The point is Jesus is the full and complete revelation of God. Jesus is perfect theology. John 1:17 is declaring a change has taken place because of Jesus. Bible divided into 2 - OT and NT.
“The OT is the NT concealed, the NT is the OT revealed.” OT was the roots. NT in X is the fruits.
“Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
- The fruit of the OT will produce encouragement and hope. At one time the OT was the only scriptures the NT church had until Jesus came and brought grace and truth about God.
All history is divided with Jesus. Calendar B.C. and A.D. Although this was implemented several centuries after Christ the idea is Jesus changed everything. More specifically everything changes at the cross of Jesus.
You must remember when Jesus walked on earth He lived under the Law of sin and death or the Old Covenant. He is the only human who ever fully obeyed the Law of God. He did what the first Adam failed to do. But the cross of Jesus is the dividing line of the time of Law and the new covenant of grace.
Some things ended at the cross.
Some things changed at the cross.
Some things went through the cross.
Some things were transformed at the cross.
Some things began at the cross.
1. Some things ended at the cross.
- The Tabernacle as the place God dwelled – now our bodies.
- The Feasts that were commanded to be kept as acts of righteousness.
- People of God were called servants but now called sons.
- Sacrifices of animals.
Sacrifices never removed sin – it postponed the penalty for another year on Day of Atonement. You brought sacrifices based on what was prophesied that would one day come – Lamb of God.
All the books of the OT have types of Jesus displayed. He is the theme of all the OT. If you know the Bible but don’t know Jesus, you have missed the point.
The requirement of the Law demanded blood sacrifices to atone or cover sin temporarily. We don’t sacrifice animals anymore because the Lamb of God has come and on the cross He said, “It is finished.”
2. Some things changed at the cross.
Sabbath – one day a week commanded no work.
- Every 7 years – land rest no planting.
- Every 7th seven was Jubilee (49 years) all debts were to be forgiven, slaved freed, land rest for a whole year and trust God to provide. This Sabbath keeping was a Law to be in right relationship with God and there was a curse if you did not keep it. Breaking the Sabbath could mean being cut off from Israel.
While the principle of rest is important in a 7-day work week by God’s design of the human body – we are no longer under Sabbath keeping laws. Both Sabbath and Jubilee changed at the cross.
“Let no man judge you regarding food, or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or Sabbath days. These are shadows of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Col. 2:16
When Jesus began His Ministry He said these words,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me . . . to declare the favorable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18
“The favorable year of the Lord” = Jubilee year
Both Sabbath and Jubilee changed at the cross from a day to an everyday lifestyle mark on the people who met Jesus.
3. Some things went through the cross.
Obedience is blessed by God went through the cross.
Faith in God pleases Him.
Plans and purposes of God.
4. Some things were transformed at the cross.
- Levitical priesthood changed to priesthood of believers.
-10 commandments were transformed from the letter of the Law to the Spirit behind the Law. Example: Jesus’ teaching on sermon on Mount, “You heard it said – anger and adultery Law. But I say unto you” – He gave the Spirit of the Law over the letter of the Law.
- The curse of the Law ended and was transformed into the chastening or disciplining as sons.
- Tithing as a law is transformed into a kingdom of God principle. Tithing is mentioned in NT very little as examples. There is blessing in tithing 10% as long as you don’t do it as under law.
Under law you were cursed if you did not do this. Today you are not under a curse but you are also not under the blessing if you do it by faith hearing from God. Your finances will have God’s help if you let Him lead you to do it His way. Tithing takes faith and it is a kingdom principle but not a law with a curse attached if you don’t – you just don’t get the blessing of seeing how He can multiply what you have left when you follow His plan.
5. Some things began at the cross.
Born from above Spirit
Holy Spirit Baptism
Great Commission and baptism
Holy communion
Church
Speaking in tongues and spiritual gifts
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher offices
Elders and deacons
Son ship
Spirit-led and directed living
The cross makes the difference!
Our Mission purpose statement:
Presenting Jesus, the revelation of grace and truth that transforms lives.
“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” John 1:17-18.
Concl: Today you may have discovered you are living under the hardship and bondage of trying to keep the law. The truth is no one but Jesus has ever been able to keep the Law.
When you see by revelation what God has done for you in sending Jesus – God in the flesh Himself – to come and pay your penalty so you can have a right relationship with Him – you have to fall in love with Him. There is no one like Him.
Today maybe your eyes have been opened to truth you never heard before.
Grab that truth and come to this altar and talk to God about it.
Make sure your heart is good soil not hardened so that you will not obey God’s prompting by the Spirit. Something in you is saying – go forward, move, receive this revelation and your life will see transformation. Humble yourself – do it now.
God’s Spirit gently prompts us – He does not push us. It is a gentle tug or nudge. When God’s Spirit nudges you the moment you hesitate from doing what He is leading – your heart begins to harden to the things of God. Don’t wait to understand – just obey.
I wish I had heard a message like you heard today over 40 years ago. It would have saved me a lot of trouble in legalism, hardship.