WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS TO CALVARY'S HILL

Highlights from Pastor Jerry’s message on March 9, 2025

As a young boy in Sunday school, I was asked this question from the Westminster Catechism; What is the chief end of man? Answer: “To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” 

Are you enjoying God? Don’t you think God enjoys us when we enjoy Him?   The Word of God contains all the things we must know to glorify God and enjoy Him. To have a greater revelation of who Jesus is we are going to have to walk with Him to Calvary’s Hill. 

The Gospel means “good news” - not law and condemnation. Hebrews 2:3 tells us that we must not “neglect this so great a salvation.”  It is important that we understand the pain that Jesus suffered so that we can “… run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Jesus loves you that much…. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12).  He also said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). To be light we have to walk as He walked.

The disciples walked with Jesus three years – they couldn’t accept His death, and some walked away from Him.  Jesus encountered two on the Emaus Road and opened the scriptures to them … “and beginning at Moses and all the Prophets He expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Him.” (Luke 24).

Before His death Jesus was concerned that they go to Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:8). “We have a hope that is an anchor for the soul that is firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).  Hope is having a solid conviction that sees and glorifies God! Give hope and you’ve given Jesus!  When we do, that means we are enjoying God! When the truth of God’s purposes enters our minds and have dominion in our hearts, we will have joy! 

1 John 3:6 say, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin.” This is not meant to condemn!

The Amplified Bible reads: “No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him.”

John 1:1-3 says,” My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. “

But… if we do sin, the word assures us that He can restore us and comfort us and give us peace. (Patsy’s testimony is a good example of restoration.  She was not at peace with her sister-in-law. The word of forgiveness was opened to her, she obeyed, called her sister and opened up restoration.)

Are we really enjoying God? In Genesis 2 Adam and Eve are seen enjoying God; but Satan moved in and tempted them to disobey God. They felt naked (without anointing).

 God knows where we are.  He wants us to wake up and find out where we are.  Once I was born-again, I am ruined for being the kind of sinner I previously was. Hallelujah for “this so great a salvation!” I no longer want to sin and set up a barrier between me and God.

Where are you? Are you enjoying God?  Is there something that draws you to the house of God?  Are we going to enjoy God in every service or allow the enemy to wear us down?

God is here! Do we recognize it?  We are grounded, rooted in love!  I love God, God loves me!  Nothing can block us from the presence of God. Nothing could block Diane from the presence of God!

Isaiah 54:23 says, “Enlarge the place of your tent.” It starts in the heart!  Let’s pray, “Lord, enlarge my heart? Take me to a larger place! And right early!”

Luke 4 tells us that Jesus overcame every temptation by the Word of God and returned to Jerusalem begin His ministry. Let’s look at V14-21…” 14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit … He came to Nazareth…and as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”       

Then He closed the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.”

There’s a purpose for me and you! What is our responsibility? We have to stop being doubters. Hebrews 2:3 says, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

Worship is warfare! What caused the sun to stand still? God! What caused the wall of Jericho to come down? God! Who gave Patsy favor? God! We want our praise to be an act of war on deception – declaring Jesus’ victory. Praise is a powerful weapon in our life – breaking the power of the enemy over us and others.  Our ten stringed instrument dispatches the enemy.   The more we enter into true praise – the anointing mounts.

2 Chronicles 20:22… “Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.”