The Center of the Gospel

10-9-11

The center of the Gospel is the cross. Because Jesus lives, we live.

Galations 2:20

The Christian life is a resurrected life. You don't get the resurrection with out the cross.

Galations 9:23

Every bit of our life is linked with God's plan. We are co-existent with Christ. We are seated with Christ in heaven (in spirit) on His right hand side. Heaven is a realm where we currently function. We are aliens to this earth. We are already seated with Christ on the throne with victory as we are fighting the devil here on Earth. We haven't been to heaven yet but the Word does give us glimpses of it. The cross is also the center of heaven as well. It is in the throne room. Even from Creation God knew his son was going to be crucified.

Genesis 22:: 7-8

God gave hints and rolled everything (sin) forward to the cross where Jesus (the Lamb of God) was crucified. In the Old Testament people offered offerings to God. They had to use perfect/un harmed animals. Jesus was perfect and he paid the ultimate price. "Look behold the Lamb of God who takes away all the sins of the earth." You can't get away from the cross. It is the center piece.

Revelations 5:6-14

You can't have an accurate picture of Christ with out the cross. The cross is forever at the center.

Like 24:17-20, 30-35

Not everything can be understood about scripture but only a dimension of our spirit can understand it. Love may not put all the piece together but it still can change our lives.

Luke 24: 36-40

The Lord will always keep the cross, scares, pain in the center. The cross is ALWAYS at the center of our lives and everything.

Hebrews 12:1-5

God wants us to have joy and God has us need to push through and die with Christ to get to the joy. Discipline is part of the cross life with the cross in the middle of it.

John 15

We experience the pruning of the Lord so we can be more fruitful, it should be an encouragement when you are connected to the fruit you bear. When you bear your fruit God will prune you. Prune = Discipline. Pruning is not punishment. He is just getting us ready for what is coming up. You are pruned because of the Word. The discipline is found in listening and receiving what the mouth of God says. When God talks to us everything disappears and the Word cuts off and corrects things in our lives. It prunes us. Sometimes there is pain. The negative aspect of pruning is sometimes we resist God's word when He touches us. Sometimes there is pain. We need to be yolked with God. You only get pain when you resist God's plan. The positive aspects of pruning is God has a sword pointing at you and asks you to come and die to yourself and change. Sometimes it hurt but God wants you to live the abundances of this life on Earth.

Romans 6:1-2

Grace doesn't cover your sin. You die to sin and Jesus saves you. Don't trash the wonderful thing called grace by saying it saves you. Jesus saves you. We must fear the Lord. He may be our Father but he still is God.

Hebrews 12:6-14

With out holiness no one will see the Lord. Pursue holiness. What is your position with Christ? Make sure your in a good position with Him. Then make sure you have good conduct. The holiness thing isn't entirely take care of. Somethings have been taken care of by the cross but we have to pursue it.

Hebrews 12:28-29

The fear of God isn't an Old-Testament thing. It is here and now. This grace says that we are to come and die. To put others in front of our selves. Die to yourself and pick up the cross. This is the Christian life. The consuming fire is to show God's grace. The fire consumes our enemies. (sin, things that don't have to do with Christ) Leave a fire to spread God's love.

Be dead to sin and live the life of Christ.

Laws and sin won't save you. Jesus saves you and sanctification.With a satisfying relationship with Christ, Jesus wants you to give fruit and have you die to yourself and take to heart Jesus' words and let him change you. Not to make life hard but for you to be free and prune you. You should surrender and don't resist it. Jesus is aiming for the things that are destructive and destroy them so you will be free.

(Pastor Randy Turpin, Royal Ridge Church of God)