​When you were forgiven and saved—healed and cleansed from all sin—how long did it take to feel like the stain and the stigma of sin were gone? Maybe you still struggle with it. After years of identifying as unclean, the leper probably struggled with this feeling too, which is why Jesus sent the man to the priest to perform a specific ceremony for someone miraculously cleansed of leprosy (see Matthew 8:4).

As described in Leviticus 14, every detail points to Jesus—wood, scarlet, hyssop, and blood. Each element in this ceremony shouts: “Because of blood, you are clean!” 

We who have been healed miraculously of the deadly disease called sin need to hear this as well: “Because of the blood—the shed blood of Jesus—you are clean!” Our identity is no longer ‘sinner’ but ‘son’ or ‘daughter’ of the King of kings. We must hear this truth repeatedly, or we will return to our old identity and behavior.

Because of the shed blood of Jesus, we are completely forgiven and cleansed. You are a new creation in Christ. Your sin is cast as far as the east is from the west—never to be seen again. Nothing and no one can take you out of your Father’s hand or separate you from His love. He is with you! He loves you! 

YOU are clean! 
YOU ARE clean! 
YOU ARE CLEAN! 

​As Jesus descended from the mountain where He delivered His sermon, He interacted with a leper. In the parallel passage in Luke 5, we read of another interaction Jesus had with a different man named Peter. 

While the leper struggled with his external condition, Peter struggled with his internal condition. However, there are similarities in their struggle—and there are similarities in the answer to their struggle. His name is Jesus.

Watch our study from this past Sunday in  Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:1-14 as we consider how able and willing Jesus is to heal and to cleanse.

“They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”
–Nehemiah 8:5

Simply teaching the Bible is as important today as in Nehemiah’s day. It’s not the ideas or personality of a pastor that will change people’s lives. It is the Spirit of God working through the Word of God in the hearts of the people of God. 

Simply reading the Scripture clearly and then explaining the Scripture simply with the hope of helping others to understand can be radical and transformational for an individual, a family, a fellowship, or even an entire nation.

As we gather in unity, eagerly invite the pastor to “Bring the Book!” Serve behind the scenes to support the service and be intentional about what you hear. Be attentive and respectful, eager and appropriately emotional, responsive and worshipful. And as the Word read, be obedient and joyful—not only in understanding but also (and especially) in applying what you hear.

​When Jesus finished His Sermon on the Mount, Matthew writes that the people were astonished at His teaching, “for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:29)

Jesus wasn’t just a self-help guru sharing practical advice on how to get through life. Those who heard Jesus sensed the Holy Spirit stirring up their spirits as the ministry of the word happened. Something significant and important occurs when the Spirit of God works through the Word of God in the hearts of the People of God. 

On Sunday, we looked at another example in scripture where this occurred—Nehemiah 8. Watch our study as we consider the importance of the ministry of the Word and share the same request— “Bring the Book!”

Religion does not—and cannot—save you. Only Jesus can save you. Do you know Him? Does He know you? Have you genuinely asked Him to be the Lord of your life? Or do you casually, flippantly, disingenuously, and dangerously only claim Him to be the Lord of your life?

Only you and He know the answers to those questions. It would be best to have it sorted out now. At any time, we are all just a second away from eternity. Only Jesus can save you, but He cannot save you if you only know about Him intellectually or even how He could save you. You must place your faith in Him. You must believe Him and receive Him to be saved. 

The only way you enter a real relationship with Jesus Christ is to be born again of God’s Holy Spirit. This happens when you turn from your sin in repentance and turn towards Jesus in belief. Then place your faith in Him to save you from your sin and an eternity separated from Him.

Have you been born again? You can be—and have the assurance of eternal life! Simply acknowledge that you have sinned and ask Jesus to save you. Turn from your sin and ask God to forgive you. Believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. Then put your faith in Him, invite Him to come into your life and take control through the Holy Spirit, and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.

Talk to God. Express these things in your heart. You could say something like this:
Dear God,
I know that I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

​Jesus ended His Sermon on the Mount with three warnings. This past Sunday, we considered Jesus’ third warning about faulty foundations. It’s a warning about merely listening to His words without actually doing what He said.

Listening to Jesus can’t save you. Hearing sermons (in a building or on a mountain) can’t save you. You have to do what Jesus says. You have to put down your excuses and take the leap of faith. 

Jesus gives us a warning because He knows a storm is coming. The only way to survive that storm is to be genuinely His—in a real relationship with Him by believing, receiving, and trusting Him.

Watch our study in Matthew 7:24-27 as we carefully consider the importance of the foundation upon which we live our lives.