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Enemies of the Cross of Christ!

+The Wonder of Child Birth

The Man Stared with glazed eyes at his new born baby, deep in thought with a look of amazement, joy, doubt and disbelief.

Woman comes behind him – A penny for your thought?

+The Centre of Our Salvation is The CROSS!It’s not the birth of Christ – The only reason we celebrate his birth is His death and resurrection!

It’s not the life he lived on earth, his life would have not been a big deal if he didn’t live to die, and die to live again.

Jesus came to fix a fundamental Human problem, a problem that required stopping a process that started at creation –Disobedience > Rebellion > SIN!

John 3:16 – The Gave was not born… the Gave was unto Death!

Jesus set the foundation of the only faith and Religion that deals with the problem of sin, and in which the founder died for his followers.

+Heaven to Earth – To Show the WayEarth to the Cross – Debts to PayOur Salvation is not by following certain paths

The critical difference between Followers of Jesus and all other world religions are,

1. All others have 8 fold paths, 5 pillars, rules and regulations, only Jesus said, follow me!

2. All others have teachers showing the path, Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life.

3. All died, Jesus lives. Died for his followers, and instructs them to do the same for theirs.

4. All others are religions and burdens of rules, Jesus made a call for a personal relationship. Matt 11:28-29

5. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, makes him timeless and his words relevant through all ages 1 Cor 15.

6. Only Jesus offers a solution for Man’s biggest problem.

+What is the Cross of Christ?

The Doctrine of the Atonement! Through one man, sin came to the world, and through one man righteousness. Rom 5:18. Gen 2-3.

The Gospel! God in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. I Cor 5:19.

The Doctrine of Justification by Faith! All who believe in him are Justified of all things that the law of Moses couldn’t do. Acts 13:39

A life resulting from faith in Jesus Christ - A life of Self Denial! Bought by blood, died on the Cross with Christ! The death of personal agenda, a denial of personal appetites or passions.

+Why are there Enemies of the Cross?

The Cross of Christ hurts their Pride? Makes it absolutely about Christ and God’s agenda, not man. Tears the veil, and gives everyman access to God!

The Cross shows people their need for Salvation from their SINS. He who is well needs no physician. People become enemies of the Cross when they don’t understand their debt of SIN!

The Message of the Cross is too Simple (Simplistic). Either not classy enough for them, or too accessible. 1 Cor 1:23

+Characteristics of the Enemies of the CrossTheir end is destruction – They may look like they are sitting pretty, but their end is destruction. They had a life that looked like God’s, but they are bound for destruction. They did not do the father’s will. (Matt 7:21-23, Matt 25:30)

Their God is their belly – They are driven by personal agenda, self indulgence, unrestrained appetites. Who worship God for what he can do for them, not for who He is. Who claim to follow a Christ that sacrificed His all, without sacrificing anything!

Whose glory is in their Shame – who set their mind on earthly things. They are excited about independence or freedom, they want to own things, and have projects. They do not understand in reality that they are not their own. They glory in not being servants.

+Becoming a Friend of the Cross of Christ

Carry the Cross and Follow Him! Live a life of Discipline, Sacrifice, self denial and obedience to with will of God! Become his Witness! Luke 14:26,27

Seek God’s Agenda above your own! You are not your own, you have been bought with a price. 1 Cor 6:20. Put God first, not your Belly.

Choose to rejoice in that you are being used of God to bring his message to others. Choose to glory in the sacrifices you make, in giving generously, in reaching out in love and not in your acquisitions.

Set your mind on Heavenly things. Prepare for Jesus’ second coming. Live a life that anticipates his return, prepare to lead and reign with Him.

+Let’s Read 1st Samuel 4-7Key Paradigms to Study!

Rejoice at God’s promise like someone who finds great spoil Ps 119:162.

Seek for God’s word like Silver, search for it like it’s hidden treasures. Prov 2: 1-4

God’s word has transformational power. Rom 12 :1-2

We derive life and sustenance from God’s word. Deut 8:3, Job 23:12

God’s word does not return void. It prospers! Is 55:11

+ Let’s DECLARE Together!Lift up your Bible and Let’s declare together!

This is my manual, it reveals who I am, and what I am capable of doing!

This is the constitution of the Kingdom I belong to!

This is a living document, capable of transforming my life. The words are spirit and life.

When I read God’s words, I cannot stay the same.

As I read today, I discover hidden Secrets

God’s word is a hammer – it breaks my resistance, A double edged sword – it judges my thoughts and attitude, A fire – consuming what is not right, A lamp and light – showing me the way, A seed –growing in me to bring forth harvest, Food – nourishing my spirit, A mirror – keeping me in check and shape.

+Lessons Learnt1. Whatever Samuel said was broadcasted throughout Israel. That

was before TV and internet. Don’t belittle yourself, serve God and expect to be global!

2. God is the center of our lives. When we win it’s Him, when we lose still Him. The Israelites believed God beat them with the Philistines.

3. God uses His own Power according to His own will! Using God to achieve your objectives is idolatry. To God- Israel, Samuel Eli

4. When God is not leading your battles, get ready for the trashing of your life! Using God is worse than going alone!

5. When a life is infested with SIN, even the God given joys are empty – ICABOD!

6. God watches over His word to perform it. The House of Eli!

7. Religious professionals – A form of godliness that denies it’s power. Commercial religion, pay compensation!

+Lessons Learnt8. The devil is genuinely and legitimately afraid of anyone who is

pushing God’s agenda. He has the history and records.

9. Stop living in the memories of the Past, refresh your relationship with God daily.

10. People are in the habit of not responding to biblical truth until they encounter pain – humiliates their God, then tumors & rats.

11. God wants to be served on his own terms. He doesn’t have respect for offerings not according to pattern!

12. God showed he Philistines that he was mighty and powerful. A cow should instinctively stay with it’s child! Power over nature.

13. The philistines acknowledge God, as an ingredient, not source.

14. The presumptuous sin of irreverence and idolatry. Using God for your own end is so highly punished because it can lead so many astray!

+Lessons Learnt15. Shiloh destroyed and is not mentioned again. The ark moves to

other locations. Shiloh destroyed in battle because of the evil deed of the priests.

16. After God’s judgment came a fearful movement towards God!

17. Samuel leads Israel to action. It’s not enough to feel sorry, take action, repent, do something about it! To receive new guidance from God, act on his previous directions!

18. True repentance and revival? Get rid of your Foreign gods and Fertility goddesses! Anything that struggles priority with God! Money, success, material goods, pride, etc.

19. Learn directly from Samuel (heard of God) –Judge, Priest, Prophet, Counselor, God’s transition man. – God’s Servant! Faithfulness with little. Don’t ask God to help you to where he wants you to go. Turn over the destination to him. No agenda, no ambition.

20. Build memorials of what God is doing in your life, so you can draw strength from them. Ebenezer!

+ Commitment Call

It’s all about You God!

I surrender my life to You!

I count the cost, and I follow You!

I choose to Pray for Your Will to be done!

I choose to anchor my life on your WORD!

I choose to thank you through and through!

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