sin – Champion Builders

Look…Your Deliverer and Victory has Come!

Ask yourself these questions…

What do you want to change in your life?
What is the situation you have found yourself in that you are tired of?
What thing do you keep on doing that you know is wrong?

Paul talks about the human condition we all find ourself in:

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:21-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sometimes the situation or condition we find ourself in is not because of our sin….it is the result of living in a fallen world. Checkout this interaction Jesus had with two guys.

READ: Matthew 20: 29-34

Jesus asked them “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?”

““Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”
Matthew‬ ‭20:33-34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

But Jesus is setting up for the main event here…the thing he was ultimately going to do that would give everyone a chance to be free and have victory over their situation.

READ: Matthew 21:1-9

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Hosanna means SAVE! The people wanted to be free from the oppression of the Roman Empire. But Jesus knew that they needed to be ultimately be save from their sinful nature.

READ: Titus 2:11-14

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Gods grace has appeared in the form of Jesus that offers a way out….and saves us from our sin and situations. When we have faith in Jesus and what he did for us on the cross, His spirit saves us, forgive us and purifies our hearts so that we are “eager to do what is good.”

ACTION POINTS:

What do you want Jesus to do for you?
Go to church this week and expect to receive a word or blessing from Jesus.
If you have never asked Jesus to save you, then make that be this week…today. Ask Him to come into your heart.

Devotions, Psalm 51

Missions In Your Mess Up

What is that sin that you keep falling into? In what area of your life do you feel you have blown it so bad that you don’t see how any good can come out of it? Are you feeling hopeless with the depth of your sin or what others sins have done to you?

Take heart….because you are not alone. In fact God holds up one man in particular as “a man after His own heart” but yet he is known as one of the biggest screw-ups of all time too.

READ: Psalm 51:1-17

David commited two horrible sins. Namely sexual sin and murder. But, did you notice what he said? Consider these questions: Who did he say he sinned against? What did he ask God for? What was the attitude of his heart?

Beyond admitting his guilt and beyond a heart of repentance and humility, we see another amazing thing happen. It is interesting that in the midst of David’s horrible sin, there is a spirit of missions. David’s desire was for God to use his “mess up” to help other people to move out of the dark places and sin in their own lives. And because of David’s repentance and humility, he answers David prayer.

So can God use your “mess ups” and a sinner like you and me? You better believe it!

**Below is a link to a great audio clip that is from John Piper. If you are struggling in sexual sin (or any other for that matter), listen to the short clip and let it minister to your heart.**

Why Sex Is Not the Root of Sexual Sins (Episode 396) #askpastorjohn

Devotions, Romans 6

Working for the Boss of Sin

If we have lived long enough and are honest with ourselves, we know that something is not right with us and the world. Scripture tells us the problem is sin. Some people are better at sinning than others, but the outcome of a life of sin is a bad deal. In fact, check out what the Bible says…

READ: Romans 6:23

The first part of that passage says the the outcome (the wages) of a life filled with sin, is death. Just like when you work for someone, in return for your labor, they promise you money (a wage) for your services. The principle of living in sin…or working for sin…is the same: “the wages of sin is death.“ Yikes!

But there is good news if you are tired of working for the “boss” of sin.

“The wages of sin is death BUT….[and that but is huge!]..the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The good news is that Jesus has come to rescue us from a life of labor for sin. He comes to offer you and I a gift. We just have to receive it.

Do you know how to receive it? If you don’t check this out. But, before you do why don’t you talk to God and thank him for what he has done for you.

PRAY: “God thank you for giving me a way out from a life of being a slave to my sin. And Jesus I really want to know the gift that you offer and I long to receive it.

Devotions, Romans 3

Something is Not Right

With all that is good in this world, we also know that there is a lot of bad. So, if God created us for the purpose of reflecting His glory and joining with Him in His good work, then what happened? As we look around the world, something has gone terribly wrong. Check out what the bible says is the problem…

READ: Romans 3:23

What has caused us to “fall short” of what God wants for us? It is a small word that has huge consequences. “Sin” can be described as having a “rebellious, anti-God attitude”. It is more than just doing a bunch of bad things (i.e. sins), it means we have a natural bent toward being selfish or wanting our own way. It is a “disease of our heart” that needs a cure.

The good news is there is a “cure”! Do you know what it is? Post on the link “Ask or share anything”.