It was good to be back at Abundant Life Church this weekend and continue our series . . . Famous Last Words. Before I reflect over the weekend I just want to say thanks to Jeff and Josh who covered for me while I was away in Israel and Jordan. They did an awesome job! I'm blessed to have such a great staff that do so well at so many things. Thanks you guys!
- It wasn't the weekend but on Friday I got to speak to a group of Pastors on "Making the weekend Count . . . with specific focus on the preaching. It was such a privilege to do this and to top it off it seemed to go really well.
- Thanks to all of you who expressed how good it was good to see Ann and me back. Whenever we get a break it's always good to get back . . . not always easy to get back in the swing of things . . . but good to get back, nonetheless.
- The singing . . . worship . . . music . . . all of it was awesome!
- Having the sound booth down on the main floor and some new equipment has really improved our sound . . . so many of you have commented on how much more you enjoy it . . . thanks! It does sound awesome!
- This week I got to teach on what were probably the strongest and most perplexing words from the cross . . . My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
- A lot of us have felt the pain of having been abandoned . . . deserted . . . having someone we loved and trusted to turn away and walk out . . . but can you imagine the pain that Jesus would have felt when Father turned away from Him?
- Jesus was abandoned by everyone . . . Judas betrayed Him . . . Peter denied Him . . . the disciples fled from HIm . . . the crowds turned on Him . . . and now . . . "My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
- Think about it . . . the Father/Son relationship was broken for the first time ever . . .
- Only one reason why God forsook His Son . . . my sin . . . I can't believe God loves me that much . . . I'm not worth it
- When God looked on the cross that day . . . He didn't see His sinless Son . . . He saw my sin . . . and made it possible to save my soul
- God's love compelled Him to give His Son . . . Jesus' love compelled Him to stay on the cross . . . our love compels us to go and tell
I pray that this horrible moment continues to penetrate my soul . . . may it cause me to worship more . . . to serve more . . . to tell more . . . because truly I owe Jesus everything
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