“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Heb 9:27-28 (NIV) In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the high priest would enter the holy of holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of his family and for all the people. One goat would be chosen to be sacrificed for the Lord and one goat would become the scapegoat (Lev. 16:10). The blood from the goat sacrificed as a sin offering would be sprinkled throughout the altar, sanctuary, and tent of meeting to remove defilements of the past year. The high priest would then place his hands on the head of the scapegoat and symbolically transfer the sins of the people to it. The scapegoat, also known as the goat of removal, would be led away from the people into the desert to picture the removal of sins. Jesus bore our sins on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus took our punishment for sin to satisfy God’s justice. In His mercy, Christ was sacrificed to remove our sins. Our sin debt has been paid in full and our salvation purchased through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus became our scapegoat to take away our sins. Have you confessed your sins? Have your received God’s provision for the forgiveness of your sins? Spend some time thanking Jesus for the removal of your sins. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: Atonement
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Motivated to Serve
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NIV) What motivates you to serve God? What motivates you to serve to benefit others? It’s not our natural proclivity to serve. Serving is the result of an abiding relationship with Jesus. Selfishness flows like a river in the human race. Selflessness flows from the life of Christ through a believer fully yielded to Christ. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Heb 9:14 (NIV) Jesus took the initiative to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could die to sin and live for righteousness. As sheep, we follow our Shepherd’s lead. Jesus was willing to serve to benefit us immediately and eternally. We have been released from the law that once bound us in order to serve in the way of the Spirit. We have been empowered to live the Christ-centered life by the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus has provided the way for us to serve the living God! What is keeping you from serving God with full surrender and absolute devotion? What is keeping you from serving to benefit others in the power of the Holy Spirit? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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God’s Unfailing Love
“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalms 119:76 (NIV) We are made for love. Loving God, loving people, and being loved by God is our privilege and responsibility. God’s love sustains us through seasons of uncertainty. God’s love preserves us in the storms of life. The fluctuation of our circumstances cannot disrupt, nor hinder the love of God. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rm 8:38-39). God’s love is unfailing. God’s love does not ebb and flow. The love of God is not conditioned by our performance. God loves us unconditionally. There is nothing we can do to cause God to love us more. There is nothing we can do to cause God to love us any less. God’s love is perfect! “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV) “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NIV) We must combat the enemy and his attempt to distort God’s love for us. The enemy cannot attack God, so he attacks God’s children. Remember, Jesus came to give us life abundant and complete. Jesus came to enable us to experience God’s love personally and eternally. God demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin. Receive comfort today through God’s unfailing love. Even when you fail, God’s love never fails. God will love you through your pain. God will love you through your valley and mountaintop experiences. God will love you when you have nothing to give and when your cup is overflowing. May His unfailing love be your comfort! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Forgiveness Forever
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:13-14 (NIV) If you are in Christ, then you are forgiven. Because of Christ’s atonement, you have been declared righteous. Your sins have been forgiven. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Eph 1:7-8 (NIV) “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Heb 9:22 (NIV) Jesus shed His blood to pay the debt of your sin in full. Have you received God’s forgiveness? Confess your sins and God will forgive you of your sins (1 Jn 1:9). Jesus atoned for your sin by dying on the cross as the perfect and sinless sacrifice. His payment for your sin was sufficient to provide for your cleansing. Now walk in the reality of being in Christ. You are forgiven. You have a right standing before God because of your faith in the atoning work of Christ on the cross. You are forgiven because He was forsaken. Jesus bore the penalty for your sin. Jesus provided for the forgiveness of your sins. Heaven and eternal life define your future because of what Jesus did on your behalf. You are forgiven. Your sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
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Dying to Live
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) Jesus died so we could live. Our destiny was destruction. Our identity was diluted by sin. Our iniquity was placed upon Jesus (Is. 53:6). Jesus became sin for us so that we could be recipients of His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus bore our sins on the cross. The penalty for our sin was atoned for. Jesus paid our sin debt in full. It is finished (Jn. 19:30). “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2 (NIV) “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NIV) God took the initiative to communicate His unconditional love (Rom. 5:8). The cross is a visible and tangible demonstration of God’s redeeming love. Jesus died as the sinless atoning sacrifice for you. You can now die to sin and live for righteousness. His physical wounds spiritually heal you. When God sees you, He views you through the shed blood of Jesus. Your life is now hidden with Christ (Col. 3:3). God’s love is made complete in you. What if you started living in light of that reality? In Christ, you are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor