Unworthy No More

Read Scripture

Intro:

Systematic Theology….This was one of those classes that was very interesting but in college it was like drinking water from a Fire Hose. My professor would hand out outlines of what he was going to talk about during that day and try as we might we just could not get everything down that he would talk about.

On top of that it was very difficult to study the notes we had because he required incredible amounts of reading from different books plus regular 15 page papers to be turned on usually at the same day as exams.

So when exam time came it was extremely stressful to me. There was so much information to get through that in my mind there was no way to be prepared for the exam.

So I was relived but also overwhelmed when the prof said that there would be review on the class before the test to help us pull everything together…He told us to bring all the outlines he gave us and our notes as he went through them again…go through them again????? I didn’t get it the first time!

I showed up with my outlines and as the prof went through his outline again he pointed out the important aspects of his notes by saying things like…you might see this again…or this is important to write down…or you might remember this from your reading on page 100. and sure enough if you studied those things when you looked at the test you would see everything clearly on the exam.

There were however people that did not see the important of the reviews. They either did not bring their notes, or simply did not show up on review days because they did not see the value of going over the same material again.

For the most part those people tended to make lower grades than those who took the time to hear things and read things again.

The review was important! It was important to go over things to be reminded of their importance and to ensure a good result on the exam.

Review is important in all type of areas of life as well. Surgeons for instance practice countless times on life like models, and cadavers. Professional athletes do the same drills over and over to prepare for the game, and Salesmen even go over the presentations 10’s of time to make sure the get everything right.

We all know we need review but if your like me repetitions can sometimes seem like a waste of time. However we all need to be reminded of the basics from time to time.

When we fail to take time to review who Jesus is and what He has done for us we tend to create a warped picture of what faith is all about.

When we take time to review the wonderful story of Jesus we find that we are not seen as unworthy anymore. The Power of Salvation brings Joy!

This is why Paul is retelling the story of Jesus here. To remind us of the Hope we have in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. You are unworthy no more!

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

It is the good news of Jesus that saves us. What is this good news?

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

I know this is review but if Paul thought it important to remind people why not us? One of the things that I struggle with is the idea of repetition. As a preacher I do not want to bore you with the greatest story every told. But if I do not remind you and myself of this Single most important aspect of our salvation I would be neglecting my role.

Paul reminds the readers that this is not a fable or wishful thinking. Others who have gone on before us know this to be true because they saw Jesus as well.

5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

We need to be reminded with stories of how others we know experience Jesus in their lives. (Insert Testimony Here)

Mike Brand??? Tell us about your commitment to follow Jesus? Tell us why BA Nazarene means so much to you?

It is ok to tell your story over and over again even if you think people are tired of it. I have news for you every time you tell your story of how you experience Jesus and how He changes in your life you are in fact leading someone close to God with the good news!

Your story matters even if you don’t think it does.

Paul struggled with His own worthiness.

8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Let your regrets can be used as fuel for the gospel not reasons for unworthiness.

10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Whatever your downfalls whatever you have convinced yourself of your unworthiness to bring hope to a troubled world it does not stand up to the favor that God has poured out on you.

Hope Wins

When You respond to this message by receiving Communion today respond with a heart of gratitude that no matter the sin in your past, or the mistakes in your present nothing is able to stand against the special favor God has poured out on you.

If you are new we respond to the message by receiving what we call communion. It is based on the night that Jesus was betrayed.....

We are an open Communion Church so we invite all who know Jesus as saviour to come to the table and receive the presence of Jesus inside of us through the symbols of the Juice and the Bread.

We are an open Communion Church so we invite all who know Jesus as saviour to come to the table and receive the presence of Jesus inside of us through the symbols of the Juice and the Bread.

We are an open Communion Church so we invite all who know Jesus as saviour to come to the table and receive the presence of Jesus inside of us through the symbols of the Juice and the Bread.

Maybe you are dealing with some pretty heavy things in your life right now. Or maybe you have never accepted the salvation that Jesus provides?

These Altars are for you. You can accept Jesus as saviour right where you are. You can call out to God from your seat but sometimes we need a space where we can feel the presence of God in a more tangible way…these altars are a great place to do that.

If you kneel at the altar someone may come a pray with you. They are not going to force their way into your time with God but they may ask what they can pray with you about? You can tell them or simple say it’s personal they will not be offended.

When you are done praying you can return to your seat at your time even if we have released everyone from our time together. You may pray as long as you need.

As those who are helping with communion come to take their places take time to reflect on the Hope that God brings in your story so you can share the hope you have with others in need of hope.

All the elements are gluten free…as you come please exit your row to the right to receive communion from the servers in your section. Then circle back to your row by first aisle to your left.

Benediction: May God Give us ears to hear, lives to respond, and voices to proclaim the good news of salvation, which we know in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Benidiction: May God Give us ears to hear, lives to respond, and voices to proclaim the good news of salvation, which we know in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

May God Give us ears to hear, lives to respond, and voices to proclaim the good news of salvation, which we know in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Loving God, you have called forth disciples and prophets to live and speak your word. Give us ears to hear, lives to respond, and voices to proclaim the good news of salvation, which we know in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.