Face the fats and live abundantly

Rev. Enoch Thompson | June 10, 2023 | Matthew 17:22-23

KEY VERSE:

²²When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. ²³They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:22-23 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Most people live life at the accidental level, by this I mean they have no consciousness of who they are, where they came from, and what may happen to them as normal human beings. Many people are not aware of it, and they do not become conscious of death until they die! Many more people do not have a consciousness of the reality of the afterlife and do not prepare for what awaits us after we take our last breath.

In the same way, countless humans are not aware of the possibilities and prospects of getting out of their circumstances, breaking longstanding family negative tags and realities and launching into a new mode where peace, progress, and success can be theirs. The reality of a new life in Jesus Christ, like some of us have experienced and celebrate now, has not come to so many humans, and they continue in the bondage and enslavement to Satan and sin.

The Lord Jesus Christ was completely aware of His life, His mission, and His victory. Being God His knowledge of what was to happen to Him was clear, for He had come as a human being to fulfil a clear mission. Christ took ownership of the painful elements of His mission: "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. ²³They will kill him. He equally celebrated the victorious outcomes, “and on the third day he will be raised to life." Matthew 17:22-23 (NIV)

We as limited humans may not know the complete details of our journey of life, but we know certain things that we should own and factor into our way of thinking and living. We know for sure that we are a people in transition, we are not going to be here forever (how much we forget that!). We know that we are in a war zone, with Satan and his demonic hosts fighting against us. We know that evil spirits and human agents of evil team up to work against us. We know that the sinful nature within our souls desires partnership with Satan and the world system to damage us.

But we have heard, and know, and should also embrace the resurrection possibilities that God through Christ has made available to us. We should know, believe, and own the truth that because Jesus Christ died, rose from the dead and is alive forevermore, we can face this life and live forevermore in eternal happiness with God our Father. In place of this great offer, some prefer fun-making, partying, drug addiction and promiscuous living as alternatives.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are you conscious of yourself, of the world, of life on earth? Are you conscious of your prospects and great opportunities in God through Christ Jesus to enter into abundant living, eternal life, now? You must respond to reality, face the facts, and make the right choices.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of a life that was conscious. Please help me gain consciousness. Please let your Church gain consciousness and grant us the resolve to take the necessary blows and celebrate our victory too.

For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!