Bible Series The Book Of John Chapter 1: 1-14, I Have Value

I HAVE VALUE BECAUSE

I WAS CREATED TO GIVE GOD GLORY

John 1:1-14

When I was in my teenage years to my early twenties, I looked

for the perfect girlfriend. In those days, I had some standard pickup

lines. One I remember, was “What is your sign”. Didn’t really mean

anything to me, but it got the conversation started.

What I didn’t know, when meeting potential companions, was their

background. What was she looking for? What kind of people she

hung around? What kind of issues was she dealing with?  What

did she believe about life?

When meeting someone for the first time, you always start in the

middle of their life story. You don’t know their history.

In the Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke started with the birth of Jesus. Matthew started with the genealogy of Jesus.. Mark started with John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. Luke started with the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. Only John started with the beginning. The Gospel of John emphasizes that Jesus was the principle actor in the creation of the world.

I HAVE THE VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE

 WHERE WE ALL BEGAN   

John 1:1-5

V:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

The word beginning is from the Greek word, archee which

 means the absolute start of all things.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus declares,

    

    Rev 22:13

    I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and   

    the End.

No one can put a time frame on “the beginning”. We could go back billions

Of years, still not be at the beginning”

   

    Ps 90:2

    Before the mountains were born

    or you brought forth the earth and the world,

    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Jesus created the Heavens and the angels before He created

The earth.

    

     Job 38:5-7

     Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

     Who stretched a measuring line across it?

     6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—

     7 while the morning stars sang together

      and all the angels shouted for joy?

    Deut 32:40

    I lift my hand to heaven and declare:

    As surely as I live forever,

The beginning is the forever pass and the end is the forever future;

eternity pass and eternity future.

Jesus has no beginning and no end.

I HAVE THE VALUE OF EXISTANCE

GOD BEGAN TO SPEAK AND WE EXIST

The “Word” in Greek is Logos, the divine expression of Christ.

Logos is the living voice of divine speaking and thinking.

The work of Jesus did not begin at His birth. It begin before creation.

    

       Ps 33:6

       By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,

       their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

The word  “light” is divinely rich in its meaning.

The origin of light finds it true meaning in the purpose

and nature of God (ISBE).  

Light is the joyous emotion of the mind, the true religion,

the moral and spiritual life of men and angels.

The eternal God because of His holiness and moral perfection,

is pictured as dwelling in light. Jesus is the author of light.

Our Christmas story celebrates the birth of a baby boy, named Jesus.

That is only the start of God putting His plan of salvation in motion.

The birth of Jesus in the flesh is a result of His own divine plan.

I HAVE THE VALUE OF RELATIONSHIP

KNOW JESUS IN THE BEGINNING

Here is what we know about Jesus from the Gospel of John.

   1. Jesus was in the beginning.

   2. Jesus was with God in the beginning.

   3. Jesus was God in the beginning.

   4. Jesus and the Father are one.

   5. Jesus is the author of creation.

   6. Jesus is the architect of the world.

  

When we think about Jesus, we must see Him as the divine architect of all

that you see and know and all that you can’t see and know.

We do not know the extent of God’s creation. Scientist with their high

power telescopes in space, have yet to see all of God’s creation.

I HAVE THE VALUE OF HIS AUTHORITY

WE SERVE A GOD WITH ALL AUTHORITY

Verse 3 gives us His absolute power and authority. All things were made

through Him. Nothing exists without Jesus.

The word “made” is in the perfect tense which means the creation

is a completed action. Noting new in the cosmos is being formed that

doesn’t have its start in the beginning.

    

      Jer 32:17

      "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your    

       great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

I HAVE THE VALUE OF UNDERSTANDING

WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD   

V:4-5

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood.

A. Jesus gives life to all living things. In the beginning the earth

     was full of nothing.

    

    1. Gen 1:2

    Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of   

    the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

    2. Not only does Jesus give life, but He gives light (divine knowledge).

    

        Prov 1:7

        The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

         but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

    3. We were given the choice to choose knowledge or to

         foolishness.

    4. When we reject divine knowledge, we choose the devils

         lies.

B. It is God’s Grace that allows us to choose divine knowledge.

    

     1 Cor 2:14-15

     The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come    

     from the  Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot    

     understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

    1. It is the sovereignty of God that chose us to understand the things

      of His Spirit.

    2. What makes us so special? God favors us with His Grace.

C. Every living soul has access to the living light, Jesus.

     1. Some will see the light and accept it.

     2. Others will see the light and reject it.

I HAVE THE VALUE OF HIS MISSION

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL

V:6. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

A. Jesus set the example for us to be a witness for Him.

    1. We are the men and women that God has chosen to proclaim

         the Gospel.

    2. God knew John’s name from the beginning.

    3. God knows you by name.

    4. John was chosen by God to be His servant 700 years before his birth.

    

         Isa 40:3

         A voice of one calling, "In the desert prepare

         the way for the Lord ; make straight in the wilderness

          a highway for our God.

YOU WERE CHOSEN BY GOD TO UNDERSTAND HIS WORD

I HAVE THE VALUE  OF ENLIGHTMENT

   5. You have value to the Lord, because you were chosen to be the

         light that others follow to Christ.

B. Jesus is the light of the world

    1. We are His ambassadors, chosen to draw people to the light.

    2. God has placed His light in us, which is the Word, so

        others can see the God in us.

  

       Matt 5:16

       In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your  

       good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

    3. Without saying anything, others should see our righteous behavior.

    4. Those committed to God, will find ways to serve Him during

         this pandemic

    5. Those committed to God, will take time to fellowship with

        Him.

     6. It is my belief, that God has given us this time to zoom and other

         internet platforms to fellowship together.

     7. This pandemic should not be an excuse not to study His Word.

     8. To get through this pandemic with hope and joy we need to

         meditate on God’s Word continuously.

I HAVE THE VALUE OF SALVATION

John 1:10-14

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

A. Jesus humbled Himself and took on human flesh through His birth as a  

     baby in a poor family, in a poor neighborhood.

     1. He grew up in a Godly designed family and became the living Word

         walking the earth.

     2. He put himself on the cross to be our Lord and Savior.

B. Jesus was born into a Godly designed nation, Israel.

    1. It was His own people who He allowed to rejected Him

        so He would be put to death on the cross.

    2. Why would the all powerful, all knowing God set Himself

         up to be crucified?

    3. Why would Jesus choose to not control the minds of His own

         people so they would accept Him?

    4. He did that because of the non Jews which is us, and the rest of

        the world.

       Rom 11:11-12

      Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!   

      Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles    

      to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the

      world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater

      riches will their fullness bring!

I HAVE THE VALUE OF FAITH

V:12. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

A. This is the unmerited Grace of God.

    1. Everyone makes a choice to receive Jesus or reject Him.

    2. God made us in His own likeness and image, yet gave us the

        freedom to make choices.  Genesis 1:26

    3. It was Jesus who kicked Satan out of heaven, and allowed him

        to land on His newly and perfectly created earth.

        a. Satan was an arch angel before His fall. He was called

            the son of the morning (Isa 14:12), anointed cherub (Ezekiel 28:14),

            and others

    4. Jesus gave Satan titles after his fall; slanderer (Gen 2:3), father of lies

        (John 8:44)  ruler of demons (Matt 9:34) and others.

    5. It was Jesus Himself that allowed His perfect world to     

        become corrupted.

                            WHY?   

  

John 1:14

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

WE WERE CHOSEN FOR GOD’S GRACE

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Excited About Jesus", Psalms 45:1-17, 5/31/2020

EXCITED ABOUT JESUS

Ps 45:1-17

EXCITED ABOUT THE WORD

V:1.  My heart is stirred by a noble theme

as I recite my verses for the king;

my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

A. The word stirred in Hebrew means "overflowing with

 positive thoughts.

   1. As you study God's Word you ought to be excited with

       the anticipation that He is going to give you new

       enlightenment of His glory.

    2. Since God is good, every Word that is enlightening will be

        for your good.

    3. The Word is full of hope and promises that lead to your

        joy.

B. You can never get enough of God’s Word.

    1. The word of God is so comprehensive that you never get

        to the end of all its benefits.

    2. There will never be a time when you meditate on God's Word

          that you won't end with new enlightenment.

    3. There is a new joy in the Word every day.

    4. The writer was excited about his king.

    5. When we think about Jesus we ought to be filled with joy

        and gratefulness.

THE ANOINTING OF JESUS, OUR KING

V:2. You are the most excellent of men

and your lips have been anointed with grace,

since God has blessed you forever.

A. In this verse, the Holy Trinity Is represented.

    1. You Have God the Father.

    2. God the Son, the King

    3. God in the current work of the Holy Spirit teaching us the true

        meaning of the Word.

B. There is none greater than Jesus.

     1. He is worthy to be praised continuously.

     2. Jesus was selected by Himself, empowered to

     speak words of grace and to act on His grace for

      our good.

    

          John 1:16

          From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after  

          another.

B. This verse points to the eternity of Jesus. He is a forever

     King.

    1. He was ordained by the Father to bless us continuously.

    2. There is no limit to God’s grace,

    3. There is no end to God’s grace.

    4. Every day when we wake, we are a recipitant of His

        grace. 

THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE KING

V:3. Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;

clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously

on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness;

let your right hand display awesome deeds.

5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies;

let the nations fall beneath your feet.

A. The Lord Jesus is armed with battle armor.

    1. He shows Himself as king in a wardrobe of

        majestic clothing.

       a. His clothing are truth, righteousness, and

           humility.

        b. With truth, because the truth sets us free.

        c. With righteousness for justice and atonement

             of sins.

        d. With humility to know our trials and tribulations.

 B. He is armed with a sword that pierces the hearts of the enemy.

     1. He is armed with mighty arrows to defeat the enemy for

          ever.

      2. The enemy will become His footstool.

           a. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.

      3. King Jesus is equipped for our salvation and to

          bring peace and joy to our lives.

THE THRONE OF THE BRIDEGROOM

V:6. Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.

A. The throne of God in heaven.

     1. He sits high and He looks low.

     2. The apostle Paul said, he was called up to

          third heaven which was paradise.  2 Cor. 12:2

     3. The throne of God has no end.

     4. Men come to power on earth but their time

         is limited.

     5. I suggest that the throne of God is above the

         third heaven.

      6. According to Revelation  21:1

          This present heaven and earth will be done away

           With and the new heaven and new earth will be

           Put place after the second coming of Jesus,

B. The scepter represents Jesus absolute power and

     authority.

    1. Matthew 28 says all power over heaven and earth was

        given to Jesus.

    

        Matt 28:18

       And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto     

        me in heaven and in the earth.

   2. We serve a God of Justice

   3. On this day, justice is not always served.

   4. Most often, those who are rich, powerful, and well connected can

       escape justice.

   5. Many times those who are poor are treated unjustly.

   6. Jesus is no respecter of person. He will treat everyone

       fairly.

C. The God we worship is a God of righteousness who serves up

     joy to all who follow His commands.

    1. He serves up mercy for the believer and judgment for the

        nonbeliever.

 

THE WEDDING PREPARATION

V:8. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;

from palac

the music of the strings makes you glad.

9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;

at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:

Forget your people and your father's house.

11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord.

A. The fragrant of myrrh and aloes is what was used to

     Prepare Jesus' body for burial.

   1. The palaces of ivory my indicate His resurrection.

   2. Music is supplied because it will be a continuous

        joyful occasion to worship Jesus forever.

B. King David was a musician.

      1. He played the harp to soothe the temper of

          King Saul as a teenager.

      2. We are commanded by God to praise Him with

            musical instruments.   Psalms 150

      3. Notice, God gives us the method to lift up our hearts

          and minds through music.

C. Gold was one of the gifts brought to Mary and Joseph

     By the wise men to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

    1. The Church is the bride of Jesus.

    2. The church is beatified by the righteousness of Jesus

    3. The royal wedding will take place in Heaven.

    

         Rev 19:7

         Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

         For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

         and his bride has made herself ready.

D. What is most important, God or family?

    1. As members of the body of Christ, God should be

       first in our lives.

    2. When we put God first, our love for family grows.

   3. If we don't love God, we don't know true love.

   

4. True love is the sacrifice of ourselves and family to follow

    God’s commands.

5. The command God gives to leave families is to put

     our trust in Him. In so doing we treat families with

     Godly love.

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

V:12. The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift,

men of wealth will seek your favor.

13 All glorious is the princess within [her chamber];

her gown is interwoven with gold.

14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;

her virgin companions follow her

and are brought to you.       

A. Tyre was a rich city.

     1. Those who honor the Lord and accept Him as their

         bridegroom will find favor with all people,

         including the rich.

      2. Jesus will adorn His bride with the best clothing.

          a. She will have the clothing of righteousness.

          b. She will have the clothing of true love.

          c. She will have the clothing of truth.

          d. She will have the clothing of grace and mercy.

B. Those us who follow Christ with love and devotion

     will influence others to follow Christ.

    1. We became virgins to Christ when we accepted Him as

         our personal savior.

    

        2 Cor 5:17

       Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,   

        the new has come!

    2. Jesus opened the door for us to come to Him with His

        death on the cross.
Luke 11:10

      

THE WEDDING RECEPTION

15 They are led in with joy and gladness;

they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;

you will make them princes throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;

therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

A. The only gate to Heaven is Jesus.

     1. By no other name shall one be saved.

        

         1 John 5:13

          I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God   

          so that you may know that you have eternal life.

      2. Jesus came that we might have joy.

    

                Rom 15:13

                May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in  

                him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the

                Holy Spirit.

       3. When we train our children to know the Lord, His

            Word will not be far from them.

    

                 Prov 22:6

                 Train a child in the way he should go,

                 and when he is old he will not turn from it.

              4. By training up our children to know the Lord we

                  pave the way for generation of children who are not

                  yet born to come to Christ.

              5. Praise is contagious.

                  a. When we praise God, we inspire others to praise

                       His Holy name.

THANK GOD FOR OUR KING

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst. Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston, Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and visit my blogs

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

Bible Study Series, Grace And Mercy

   

GRACE AND MERCY

John 5:1-14

Grace is God unmerited favor

Mercy is an aspect of God love that forgives the sinner.

Everyone receives God’s Grace daily.

Not everyone receives God mercy ( the aspect of divine

Mercy that leads to salvation)

We received God’s Grace before we received His mercy

    

Matt 28:18

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

This story, in many ways is similar to our story of meeting Jesus.

WE ARE IN JUSUS PLAN

V:1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.

A. While we are having a good time, Jesus does what He has gifted us

      to do.

      1. Jesus visits the sick to console and heal them.

      2. Jesus truly is the  doctor in the hospitals.

B. There was a festival in Jerusalem.

     1. Jesus went to the pool first.

     2. We have no indication that Jesus was call to the pool.

     3. We have no indication that anyone was praying for the well being

          of the sick.

      4. Jesus knows where we are and what our needs are.

JESUS KNOWS YOUR SITUATION

V:5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

A. Notice the Grace of God.

    1. Jesus chose this man to bless with His presence.

    2. Out all the sick people there, this man was singled out.

    3. I cannot image that this man was any better than the others.

B. Notice Jesus knew all about Him.

   1. 38 years in his condition lying on a pallet.

   2. Jesus knew his state of mind.

   3. Just because you have not heard from Jesus, does not mean He

       is not working on your behalf.

C. How did God’s Grace abound in this man for 38 years?

    1. Jesus kept him alive.

    2. Jesus clothe him.

    3. Jesus kept him in his right mind.

    4. Jesus gave him friends.

    5. He had a friends/ relatives that brought him

        to the pool each season.

    6. God may not bless you the way you want, but

         he favors you with what you need.

     7. Other than the fact he could not walk, he was in

         good health.

     8. Can you see any other favors?

D. Jesus is interested enough to ask you what you want.

     1. God wants to hear your prayer request.

     2. Others may pray for you, but God want you to develop

         a relationship with Him through prayer.

E. You could look at the negatives of his situation and get

     depressed.

   1. Or look at the positives and remain hopeful.

   2. He kept coming to the pool hoping he could get

      in the water first.

   3. It is God’s Grace that keeps our minds together

       doing trials.

DETERMINED TO BE BLESSED

V:7 "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

8 Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."  9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

A. Why do the same thing and expect different results?

    1. Jesus did not address the man’s excuses.

    2. What could the lame man  done differently that could have

         influenced a speedy recovery?

         a. Got in the pool after the water was stirred.

         b. Got there early enough to be at the edge of the pool

             to roll himself in the pool.

          c. Ask the ones who brought him to the pool to stay with

              him until the water was stirred.

          d. He probably didn’t ask why only one person was healed

              or what cause the healing.

YOUR HOPE IS NOT IN VAIN

 B. Jesus didn’t come to judge the man, He came to pour out His

      Grace on him.

     1. The man’s 38 years of hope was not in vain.

     2. He came to the right place.

     3. For 37 years it was not His time

     4. On the 38^th year, he failed again to get in the pool,

         but Jesus showed up.

     5. The man didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, but he

         was on Jesus schedule.

B. God’s Grace fell fresh on the man.

    1. It was not yesterdays Grace, but today’s Grace

    2. Jesus commanded the man to get up and walk!!

    3. Grace comes in many favors

        a. In 38 years his muscles had become weak.

        b. Do you know how many muscles are used in walking?

             Quadriceps

             Hamstrings

             Buttocks

             Stomach                                            

             Calf

             Pelvis stabilizing

             Abdominal

             Spinal

THERE IS NOTING TO HARD FOR GOD

      4. Get up and walk!!

          a. All these muscles had to come alive, along with

          blood vessels, blood cells, and other inactive

          body systems all in an instant for the man to walk,

  

        b. Jesus skipped the stage of learning to walk

        c. The brain communication with the feet and ankles

            had to be reactivated.

      5. All inactive body systems became strengthen,

          and coordinated in an instance at the command of Jesus.

      6. He didn’t walked for 38 years, but Jesus gave the man the

         frame of mind to believe and act on His word.

 

DON’T FORGET TO PRAISE GOD

C. The man received God’s Grace, but showed no gratitude.

     1. He came on a cot, got up and walked away without

         saying thank you.

     2. The man did not ask Jesus His name.

     3. He didn’t try to develop a friendship with Jesus.

     4. The man received God’s Grace, but not His mercy.

     5.  Have we ever been like this man?

EVERY DAY IS GOD’S DAY

V:9 The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

11 But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, “Pick up your mat and walk.”

A. Some folk don’t want to see your recovery

    1. Some folk don’t want to see you in a blessed state.

    2. Some people are happy with your misery.

    3.  Some people find fault with the work of Jesus.

B. Some People interpret the law so it applies to you, but not themselves.

    1. The act of walking is work.

    2. We should be joyful when others are blessed.

PROCLAIM THE NAME OF JESUS

V:12 So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"

13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

A. You receive God’s Grace before you receive His mercy

    1.  The Lord Grace fell on you before you were born 

      Isa 44:24

      "This is what the Lord  says —

      your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:

      I am the Lord ,who has made all things,

      who alone stretched out the heavens,

      who spread out the earth by myself,

    2. You cannot receive the mercy of the Lord without a relationship

         with the Lord.

REPENT,  RECEIVE THE MERCY OF GOD

V:14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you

A. The man was blessed in his sin,  GOD’S GRACE

    1. Sometimes it is our sins that  causes  our tribulations.

    2. The Grace of the Lord Jesus fell on him, but it was not enough

         to cause him to repent.

B. He was in the temple, but he didn’t know God.

    1. God tolerates our sins until He brings us to the point where

        He shows us the light of His mercy

    2. God gives us Grace before we ever know His salvation

        

       Eph 2:8-9

       For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not   

       from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one

       can boast.

God gave us favor (grace) so that we can take part in His mercy

   

           

          John 6:44

         "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and    

           I will raise him up at the last day.

It was by the favor (grace) of Jesus that we were drawn to Him and given a measure of faith.

        

          1 Peter 1:3

          Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great    

          mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the   

          resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Notice the lame man received the favor of God, but according to the

story, left Jesus without the mercy of salvation.

God before the foundation of the earth favored us with salvation mercy.

    

    Eph 1:4-7

    For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and     

    blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his

    sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to

    the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he

    loves. 7 In him we have redemption.

THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND MERCY

 Rev. M. Mitchell