Living Hope Family Church Marana Sermons

In this last section of the first chapter of the Gospel of John, we finally get to see Jesus in the flesh so to speak. Previously, we just heard about Jesus, but now we see Him in action. We also see a beautiful demonstration of how evangelism is supposed to work.

John the Baptist is quite a prominent figure in the New Testament, being mentioned almost 90 times. He was sent to call Israel to repentance, baptizing them in water, and to prepare them to meet their Messiah. As we continue on in this study of the Gospel of John, John briefly and succinctly describes John the Baptist's ministry.

The Gospel of John, like the other gospels, tells the story of Jesus and His life on this earth. But where the others focus more on historical record of Jesus, John takes a more theological approach. In this first part of chapter 1, John teaches on the nature of Jesus Christ in order that we can fully recognize the impact of His teachings and actions.

The wisdom of God is such that the Gospel message can be understood by anyone. Human philosophy falls short compared to genuine revelation from God. That wisdom is demonstrated by the cross and the Resurrection of Jesus.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we understand as believers in Jesus we have been given authority to be His ambassadors on the earth. His promise to be with us should give us the confidence to serve God in the local Church as the members of a body work together. We each have a part to fulfill in the work of expanding the kingdom.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we understand Jesus Christ has given people in leadership to believers to build up the worldwide Church as well as the local Church in order to equip every believer with a part in working in the kingdom of God. We are ambassadors for Christ.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, our mission statement is to evangelize the lost, equip the saints, and empower them to step out into what God has called them to do. The first step is to evangelize. There is a world full of people who are living their life with no hope. It is our responsibility to share the gospel with them.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we are generous. And this is not just with our finances. We are also generous with our love, time, and forgiveness.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we are a family. We respect and honor one another. Family perseveres through difficulties and family loves unconditionally.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we are a people who pray. You cannot have a relationship without communication. If we want to be successful, we are going to have to make prayer a focus in our own life, but we are also going to have to make prayer a priority as a church as well.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we believe the gifts of the Spirit are still for today. The filling or baptism of the Spirit is subsequent to salvation, is available to every believer, and the gifts should be used in an orderly manner.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we are a people who worship. In an ever changing age we have a solid foundation, Jesus our Lord. As the object of our worship we are awed by the fact that God reached out to us. That alone should inspire a heart felt response from use.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we understand that life is lived by faith. We may not see all the details, but we have an assurance of hope that is our faith.

It is important to understand the culture and identity of who we are as a church. At Living Hope Family Church in Marana, we understand that salvation isn't earned. We are a people who are saved by grace through faith.

Sin is often tolerated and sometimes even accepted. Not just in the world, but also by many Christians. If we understood the price that was paid for our sin, how much our sine really cost, we would have a much more visceral, and truthfully realistic, reaction to sin. We also live in a society where love is ridiculously over used and undervalued. We love pizza and we love the Cowboys. We live in a society where to love someone you must agree with them. And if you don’t agree with them, then you must hate them. But today, I want to share with you what real love is. Real love is sacrificial. The only reason we can and do love is because he first loved us, and today, we celebrate the greatest act of love that was ever committed. Jesus paid a horrific price for sin because of His love for us.

As we approach Easter let's examine the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas arrives with a small army because Jesus seems to be a threat. However, prophecy was being fulfilled, and so Jesus allowed Himself to be apprehended, and the rest . . . as they say . . . is history!

You’ll notice that God has been giving Joseph and I similar things to minister on over the last couple weeks. That is the idea that we are to love and have compassion on the lost and to see the value in the harvest. So, what does having compassion for the lost look like and how do we put in that into action? One of the ways is sharing the gospel. Not only corporately, but as individuals. But, to share the gospel, we have to know what it is. That is what we will look at today.

Based on the love and mercy shown to us we need to allow the Spirit of God to move us to express compassion for others. It's His good pleasure to give us the kingdom. We have a good thing to share!

How do you see the lost? How does God see them? If you don't see them as God does, it is time to change your perspective. It is time to recognize how valuable the harvest really is.

In this short book of the minor Prophet Habakkuk, he asks the age-old questions about why the wicked prosper and why God seems to not care. A prophecy yet to be fulfilled is given and we as believers have an opportunity to be used by God in these last days!