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Once again it is a snowy (or in this case, icy) Thursday in February. So what better way to enjoy a snow day than to read about how much Jesus loves you! ;-)
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Before we jump in to Erin's conclusion to the Work of Jesus series, we want to give you the quick heads up that we start our new series in the book of Acts this Sunday. Feel free to read chapter 1 as preparation!
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And now, let's take a few moments to consider one more work of Jesus for us... intercession.
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Jesus Intercedes
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A few months ago, a viral video from a doorbell camera showed a high school student barging into the unlocked front door of a friend's house. Why didn't he knock or ring the doorbell? Because he was fleeing a bully who was close on his heels.
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However, rather than hear screams from inside the house as the bully chased him indoors, the doorbell camera showed the bully suddenly backing away from the front door while two adult males shouted threatening obscenities. Turns out, one of the adults was the older brother of the friend, knew the teenager who barged into the house unannounced, and when the bully rushed in milliseconds after, immediately recognized what was going on and stepped in to protect the kid.
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Unfortunately, I can't post a link to the video due to the language used by the two adults who chased the bully out of the house, but their actions saved the teenager from being injured by the fists and feet of an angry young man looking to exert physical power over a fellow human.
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Jesus, our Older Brother
Most people wouldn't use this word, but the friend's older brother interceded on behalf of the fleeing teen. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines intercede as "[to] intervene on behalf of another."
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This is exactly what Jesus is doing for His followers right now.
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When Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" from the cross, He had in mind the work of paying off the ransom for sin. However, Jesus did not cease from all work in that moment. Jesus not only intervened on our behalf by going to the cross in our place, He continues to intervene, praying for us as we continue to live life in this sin-stained world.
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The author of the book of Hebrews shows us this continuing work of Jesus...
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Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
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I love that idea in the first phrase: "he is able to save to the uttermost."
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Jesus completely saves you, cleansing you from all unrighteousness, not just through His work on the cross, but also through intercession (prayer) before the Father on your behalf. (See also Romans 8:34.)
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If you were to never sin again the moment after putting your faith in Jesus' work through the cross and empty tomb, there would be no need for Him to continually intercede on your behalf. But since Jesus knows we will still struggle with sin even while seeking to follow Him, He actively reminds the Father that the power of His crucifixion covers even these sins.
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This is why Joseph Scriven declared in 1855 through his famous hymn,
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Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
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If you feel like the bully of sin is chasing you down, rush into your Father's house and let your "older brother" Jesus protect you, saving you to the uttermost through His intercession.
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Gospel on the Move
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This Sunday we begin a new sermon series on the book of Acts called The Gospel on the Move. Invite someone who has been on your mind to join you as we dive into the growth and advancement of the early Church through the Gospel.
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Ash Wednesday
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Yesterday marked the first day of Lent (the weeks leading up to Easter on April 9). If you would like a devotional to use during Lent, we recommend purchasing Journey to the Cross by Will Walker. Or, head over to RightNow Media for free access to a large library of biblical content.
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Read Acts in March
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Need a Bible reading plan? Consider reading through the book of Acts during the month of March. By reading one chapter a day, 6 days a week (with Sunday as a catch-up day), you will read the entire book of Acts in just one month!
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Just For Fun
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The Super Bowl may have marked the end of the NFL football season, but that doesn't mean we can't honor all the G.O.A.T.s out there!
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