The Bridge

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Yahweh (Deity)

But most important to the biblical tradition, Yahweh is the god of the covenant. Yahweh created, maintains, and sustains the natural world, which includes humanity. There are covenants with Noah which include the natural world, with the patriarchs, with Moses and the people, Aaron and Phinehas and the priesthood, David and the royal house, and others. No matter what the origin of the name or the non-Israelite nature of his epithets, Yahweh had chosen Israel to be his people and had entered into covenants with them. This fact is the central theme of the OT. See also COVENANT.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt."

INTRODUCTION

Good Morning, Southpointe Praise God for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!!

Well, we have been on the series for a entire month now, called the Bridge, we talk to you about the bridge of hope, bridge of be real, and the bridge of unity. So we are going to end today on the Bridge for the gap.

What is a gap?

1. Definition of gap--1a : a break in a barrier (such as a wall, hedge, or line of military defense)b : an assailable position 2 : a mountain pass 3 a : a separation in space b : an incomplete or deficient area a gap 4: a break in continuity 5: lack of balance

Definition of gap

you see, 2. Because of sin, the bridge that was put into place by God to have a relationship with man now there was a gap. Adam and Eve had sinned.

1a : a break in a barrier (such as a wall, hedge, or line of military defense)b : an assailable position

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

2 : a mountain pass 3 a : a separation in space b : an incomplete or deficient area a gap 4: a break in continuity 5: lack of balance

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

We all know the story, God cursed the snake and Man had a curse put on them and women had a curse put on them.

This sin created a gap between God and His creation. Man could not go into the presence of God like Adam and Eve had it in the past.

Could you imagine how it must have been able to take a walk with God in His beautiful garden, that is the relationship that God wanted with man. But now due to man’s rebellion and selfishness there’s a gap. A separation.

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

That relationship was mess up, that type of relationship was not there anymore. All Hope was gone, it seem that man was now doomed.

That relationship was mess up, that type of relationship was not there anymore.

But we know that nothing and I mean absolutely nothing take God by surprise.

Let’s go back to the beginning of the plan of creation.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

God being all knowing, He knew the serpent was going to bring it and He knew Adam and Eve was going to fall. But God had a plan. A plan that was good and a plan that had a future and plan that give hope.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

3. God had the plan and not only was Jesus to become the supreme sacrifice but God the Father was going to raise Him from the dead.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

God was bring hope back to mankind, the gap that was there was getting repaired.

4. That cross of Jesus Christ, that cross that Jesus laid Himself down on to become that supreme sacrifice was going to fill the gap.

Praise God was the Lamb that was slain but it was about the cross but it was about the sacrifice become alive again.

Why does the resurrection matter? You see, Jesus was miraculously conceived. He was born of a virgin. He did not inherit the sin nature of an earthly father. He was completely without sin.

The second thing if you’re taking notes is this, consider the resurrection of Jesus. Why does the resurrection matter? You see, Jesus was miraculously conceived. He was born of a virgin. He did not inherit the sin nature of an earthly father. He was completely without sin. Jesus lived the perfect life for us. On the cross, he became sinned for us. He suffered horribly. While the creation was mocking the Creator, as they spit on Him, and hurled insults at Him, and beat Him beyond recognition, on the cross, Jesus looked up to heaven and cried out, “Father, please forgive them for they don’t even know what they’re doing.” What kind of grace is that? What kind is love is that from the cross?

Jesus lived the perfect life for us. On the cross, He became sinned for us. He suffered horribly.

While the creation was mocking the Creator, as they spit on Him, and hurled insults at Him, and beat Him beyond recognition, on the cross, Jesus looked up to heaven and cried out, “Father, please forgive them for they don’t even know what they’re doing.” What kind of grace is that? What kind is love is that from the cross?

Then, Jesus cries out the victorious cry, “It is finished. Into your hands, I commit my spirit,” and He breathes His last and gave His life.

Then, Jesus cries out the victorious cry, “It is finished. Into your hands, I commit my spirit,” and He breathes His last and gave His life. The moment He did, the earth went dark. The ground trembled. The Roman centurion who was not a follower of Jesus but saw His love, saw His heart, saw His mercy, saw who He was looked on and said, “I didn’t believe before but I believe now. Surely, that man was no ordinary man. Surely, that man was the Son of God.”

The moment He did, the earth went dark. The ground trembled. The Roman soldier who was not a follower of Jesus but saw His love, saw His heart, saw His mercy, saw who He was looked on and said, “I didn’t believe before but I believe now. Surely, that man was no ordinary man. Surely, that man was the Son of God.”

Just as 5. Jesus had predicted, “I will give my life and three days later, I’ll rise from the dead.”

Just as Jesus had predicted, “I will give my life and three days later, I’ll rise from the dead.” Three days later, the women went to the tomb where he was buried. The stone was rolled away and He was not there. Peter who had just denied Jesus. “Do you know Him?” “No.” “Were you one of His disciples” “No.” “You were hanging out with Him.” “Not me.” Peter was completely transformed because the tomb was empty and preached pastorally on the resurrection.

Three days later, the women went to the tomb where he was buried. The stone was rolled away and He was not there.

Peter who had just denied Jesus. “Do you know Him?” “No.” “Were you one of His disciples” “No.” “You were hanging out with Him.” “Not me.”

You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

But Peter was later completely transformed why because the tomb was empty and he preached on the resurrection.

You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

Then, he said, and this is the key, he said, “We are witnesses of this.” We are witnesses of this. We are witnesses. We saw Him. We saw Him. That’s why these men were willing to give their lives for Jesus they were denying days earlier because they saw the power of the resurrection. The resurrection, it all hinges on the resurrection.

Then, he said, and this is the key, he said, “We are witnesses of this fact.”

We saw Him.That’s why these men were willing to give their lives for Jesus they may have been denying Him days earlier but now they saw the power of the resurrection. The resurrection, it all hinges on the resurrection.

What’s so funny to me is some people try to say, “The Roman soldiers stole the body.” No, no, no. The Roman soldiers would have loved nothing more than to produce a dead body.

What’s so funny to me is some people try to say, “The Roman soldiers stole the body.” No, no, no. The Roman soldiers would have loved nothing more than to produce a dead body. Some people say, “The disciples stole the body of Jesus.” That’s right, these unarmed men overpowered the trained armed Roman soldiers. You still would have had the testimony of the Roman guards who would have sworn that that’s what happened. Do you really expect any rational person to believe that eleven average uneducated men devised the greatest scheme in history, pulled it off, kept it a secret all at tremendous personal cause to themselves, and cheated the world to become a better place all at the same time? No. We’re witnesses of this. We’re witnesses of this.

Some people say, “The disciples stole the body of Jesus.” That’s right, these unarmed men overpowered the trained armed Roman soldiers.

Easter2016_1_Message Page 8 of 11 In , he said this to the religious leaders, he said, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.” You killed the author of life but He is not dead anymore. He has risen from the dead. Y ou killed the author of life but God raised Him from the dead.” Then, he said, and this is the key, he said, “We are witnesses of this.” We are witnesses of this. We are witnesses. We saw Him. We saw Him. That’s why these men were willing to give their liv es for Jesus they were denying days earlier because they saw the power of the resurrection. The resurrection, it all hinges on the resurrection. What’s so funny to me is some people try to say, “The Roman soldiers stole the body.” No, no, no. The Roman soldiers would have loved nothing more than to produce a dead body. Some people say, “The disciples stole the body of Jesus.” That’s right, these unarmed men overpowered the trained armed Roman soldiers. You still would have had the testimony of the Roman guards who would have sworn that that’s what happened. Do you really expect any rational person to believe that eleven average uneducated men devised the greatest scheme in history, pulled it off, kept it a secret all at tremendous personal cause to themse lves, and cheated the world to become a better place all at the same time? No. We’re witnesses of this. We’re witnesses of this. Ten of the eleven remaining disciples. Judas took his life, there were eleven left. Ten of them died the death of a martyr. Why? Why were they willing to die? Who would die for a lie? They died because they saw it. The only who remained living was John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos and died in his old age alone. My favorite one is Thomas because Thomas was a lot like me. Thomas was the doubter. Thomas is a lot like some of you. You want to believe but you’re not sure and you need a little bit more. Thomas needed a little bit more. He said, “I want to see? Can I see? I want to see. I want to touch.” Jesus said, “See, here y ou can see, you can touch.” He needed more. Some of you, you’re like that, you need more. Today you’re going to get what you need just like Thomas got what he needed. You know what Thomas the Doubter ended up doing? Thomas the Doubter took the Gospel to India. He became the first evangelist to India. That’s how much the doubter believe. When they said, “Thomas, deny your faith and we’ll let you live but if you stand by Jesus, we’re going to kill you.” You know what Thomas the Doubter said? He said, “I wi ll never deny the faith of the one who died and rose again for me. I will stand by him for the rest of life.” You know what they did to Thomas? They drove a stake straight through his body. They impaled him. Why? Because he was an eyewitness that the tomb was empty, that Christ was risen from the dead. The early church was born, 3000 people saved. 2000 years later there are millions of people and hundreds of thousands of churches that placed their faith in the empty tomb. He is not there. He is risen fro m the dead. Consider Jesus. Consider his ministry. Consider the resurrection

You still would have had the testimony of the Roman guards who would have sworn that that’s what happened.

Do you really expect any rational person to believe that eleven average uneducated men devised the greatest scheme in history, pulled it off, kept it a secret all at tremendous personal cause to themselves, and cheated the world to become a better place all at the same time?

No. We’re witnesses of this. We’re witnesses of this.

Ten of the eleven remaining disciples. Judas took his life, there were eleven left. Ten of them died the death of a martyr.

Ten of the eleven remaining disciples. Judas took his life, there were eleven left. Ten of them died the death of a martyr. Why? Why were they willing to die? Who would die for a lie? They died because they saw it. The only who remained living was John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos and died in his old age alone.

Why were they willing to die? Who would die for a lie? They died because they saw it. The only who remained living was John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos and died in his old age alone.

My favorite one is Thomas because Thomas was a lot like me. Thomas was the doubter. Thomas is a lot like some of you. You want to believe but you’re not sure and you need a little bit more.

My favorite one is Thomas because Thomas was a lot like me. Thomas was the doubter. Thomas is a lot like some of you. You want to believe but you’re not sure and you need a little bit more. Thomas needed a little bit more. He said, “I want to see? Can I see? I want to see. I want to touch.” Jesus said, “See, here you can see, you can touch.” He needed more. Some of you, you’re like that, you need more. Today you’re going to get what you need just like Thomas got what he needed.

Thomas needed a little bit more. He said, “I want to see? Can I see? I want to see. I want to touch.” Jesus said, “See, here you can see, you can touch.” He needed more.

Some of you, you’re like that, you need more. Today you’re going to get what you need just like Thomas got what he needed.

You know what Thomas the Doubter ended up doing? Thomas the Doubter took the Gospel to India. He became the first evangelist to India.

You know what Thomas the Doubter ended up doing? Thomas the Doubter took the Gospel to India. He became the first evangelist to India. That’s how much the doubter believe. When they said, “Thomas, deny your faith and we’ll let you live but if you stand by Jesus, we’re going to kill you.” You know what Thomas the Doubter said? He said, “I will never deny the faith of the one who died and rose again for me. I will stand by him for the rest of life.” You know what they did to Thomas? They drove a stake straight through his body. They impaled him. Why? Because he was an eyewitness that the tomb was empty, that Christ was risen from the dead.

That’s how much the doubter believe. When people of India said, “Thomas, deny your faith and we’ll let you live but if you stand by Jesus, we’re going to kill you.”

You know what Thomas the Doubter said? He said, “I will never deny the faith of the one who died and rose again for me.

I will stand by Him for the rest of life.” You know what they did to Thomas? They drove a stake straight through his body. They impaled him. Why? Because he was an eyewitness that the tomb was empty, that Christ was risen from the dead.

The early church was born, 3000 people saved. 2000 years later there are millions of people and hundreds of thousands of churches that placed their faith in the empty tomb. He is not there. He is risen from the dead. Consider Jesus. Consider His ministry. Consider the resurrection.

The early church was born, 3000 people saved. 2000 years later there are millions of people and hundreds of thousands of churches that placed their faith in the empty tomb. He is not there. He is risen from the dead. Consider Jesus. Consider his ministry. Consider the resurrection.

6. Jesus rose from the dead to bridged the gap between God and us to bring us into His presence.

a. Bridged the gap between God and us to bring us into his presence.

Sin is disobedience to God/separated us from God but Jesus died on the cross to bridge the gap to His presence.

but Jesus died on the cross to bridge the gap to his presence.

How are we made right with God?

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Notice what it doesn’t say? It doesn’t say we’re made right with God by being good enough, by not being bad, by not saying bad words on golf course, by not yelling at our kids in the car, by not getting in a fight with our wife on the way to Easter. “Shut up we’re going to worship Jesus. Smile, come here, and look like you love it. Glory to God, glory to God. Shut up, wait till we get in the car.”

Then, third thing if you’re taking notes is consider the eternal message of Jesus. The eternal message of Jesus. How are we made right with God? How are we made right with God? tells us, we are made right with God by doing what? Let’s say it loud. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Say it again, we are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

tells us, we are made right with God by doing what? Let’s say it loud. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Say it again, we are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

Notice what it doesn’t say? It doesn’t say we’re made right with God by being good enough, by not being bad, by not saying bad words in golf course, by not yelling at our kids in the car, by not getting in a fight with our wife on the way to Easter Church. “Shut up we’re going to worship Jesus. Smile, come here, and look like you love it. Glory to God, glory to God. Shut up, wait till we get in the car.” Why does that always happen? We just take separate cars. I’m just laughing because it’s true.

7. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s what Paul said, “We’re made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.” This is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Don’t miss this, this is true for everyone who believes. This is true for you if you believe. It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t matter how bad you’ve been. It doesn’t matter how bad your life is messed up right now. It doesn’t matter how many people that you’ve hurt. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve sinned. You’re not made right with God by you being good enough. You made right with God because Jesus was perfect, and He took the penalty, and paid the price for your sins.

This is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Don’t miss this, this is true for everyone who believes. This is true for you if you believe.

It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t matter how bad you’ve been. It doesn’t matter how bad your life is messed up right now.

It doesn’t matter how many people that you’ve hurt. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve sinned. You’re not made right with God by you being good enough. You made right with God because Jesus was perfect, and He took the penalty, and paid the price for your sins, and the gap was filled when Christ laid Himself down on that old rugged cross and on the third day rose from the grave, victorious over death and the grave.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

8. Christ did away with the gap so that we now can have a relationship with Him.

It’s a difference between religion and relationship. Don’t miss it, Jesus did not come to start a religion. Jesus came to offer us eternal life.

but Jesus died on the cross to bridge the gap to his presence.

It’s a difference between religion and relationship. Don’t miss it, Jesus did not come to start a religion. Jesus came to offer us eternal life. Jesus didn’t come to start a religion. He came to show us the love of God. Religion is all about how you perform. Relationship is about how Jesus performed. Religion says if you work hard enough, maybe God will love you. Relationships says because God loves me, I want to obey him. Religion is all about what you do, what you do. Relationship tells you Jesus already did it all for you. Consider the eternal message that you’re not made right with God by your own good works, but by the grace and the Love of Jesus.

He came to show us the love of God. Religion is all about how you perform. Relationship is about how Jesus performed.

Religion says if you work hard enough, maybe God will love you. Relationships says because God loves me, I want to obey Him.

Religion is all about what you do, what you do. Relationship tells you Jesus already did it all for you. Consider the eternal message that you’re not made right with God by your own good works, but by the grace and the Love of Jesus.

Here’s where I stand. Ready? If there is a God who claims to be the Son of God, and says He is the only way to the Father, and He predicts his death, and He predicts His resurrection, and He dies, and He rises again, I’m going with that God.

Here’s where I stand. Ready? If there is a God who claims to be the Son of God, and says He is the only way to the Father, and He predicts his death, and He predicts His resurrection, and He dies, and He rises again, I’m going with that God. I’m going with that God. I’m going with that God. I’m going with that guy because that guy came for someone like me, a sinner who is lost and troubled. That guy showed me what God is like. The heart of God who sends His son not for the healthy but for the sick, not for the righteous but for the sinners. Because of what He did for me, my only reasonable response is, “Jesus, take my whole life. Take my whole life.”

I’m going with that guy because that guy came for someone like me, a sinner who is lost and troubled. That guy showed me what God is like.

The heart of God who sends His Son not for the healthy but for the sick, not for the righteous but for the sinners. Because of what He did for me, my only reasonable response is, “Jesus, take my whole life. Take my whole life.”

Some of you, that’s where you are today. You got what you needed. You’re considering Jesus, and you’re looking at it, and you’re saying, “Because of who You are, because of what You did, my only response is to say yes. Take my life. I’ give it completely to you.” Father, we pray that you would do miracle after miracle today because of the perfect work of Jesus. All of our churches praying. Some of you are followers of Jesus and you have loved ones that are not, and you want to pray for them today. All of our churches, if you say yes, I am a follower of Jesus and there are people that I know and love, family members, coworkers, close friends whatever it is that don’t know the freedom and grace that Jesus offers, and I want to pray for them today. Would you lift up your hands right now, just lift up your hands?

Take my life. I’ give it completely to you.” Father, we pray that you would do miracle after miracle today because of the perfect work of Jesus. All of our churches praying. Some of you are followers of Jesus and you have loved ones that are not, and you want to pray for them today. All of our churches, if you say yes, I am a follower of Jesus and there are people that I know and love, family members, coworkers, close friends whatever it is that don’t know the freedom and grace that Jesus offers, and I want to pray for them today. Would you lift up your hands right now, just lift up your hands?