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death and life


 

John 12:23-26  NLT  

Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.


You heard that right.  Unless something dies it cannot give life.  There is a paradox of the most difficult kind.  Death and Life.  The Bible tells us so many things about this subject, and then we turn to Christmas.


Christmas is about the gift of life.  God gave His son, Jesus, who was born that first Christmas in such a miraculous way.  We will talk through all of those things in the coming weeks.


Let me remind us of the reason for life and Christmas.  Yes, it includes death. 


John 3:16.  NLT   

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  


1 Peter 3:18.  NLT  

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.


Jesus was born to die.  Jesus died with reason.  Your life.  My life.  His death.  For us.  He exchanged life for death.  Or better yet Jesus exchanged His death so that we could have real life.  Push a little further.


John 10:10.  NLT  

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  


We need to take a good look at death and life.  How do we see ourselves in relation to what God has done for us.  Whose life is it that matters and that will get us to a better place?  


I’ve got to do something a little different.  I want my life to count.  God has done so much for me and for those around me.  I want Him to be real and bigger.  I want Him to know that my faith is real and not fake.  


Galatians 2:20  NLT  

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 


Next week I return Cuba, and I will be working with the FCA staff in Villa Clara, the central region of Cuba.  Will you support this trip with prayer and finances?  If so, please reach out to me at pastormh@gmail.com 

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