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Because Grace Is Grace

September 16, 2012 • Michael McCracken

For the simple fact that we are in such need of God’s grace it shouldn’t surprise us that we would miss it even if it were right in front of us. Mark states that “HE (Jesus) could not be hidden”. That statement is incredibly far reaching, but what we learn here is that if it weren’t for the grace of God Jesus and His salvation would be hidden from all of us. We must never forget that salvation came because of grace and not because of us. Sadly, over time spent in God’s grace and mercy we can be tempted to believe that grace and favour and blessing exist because of something we’ve done or accomplished which ironically was done and accomplished through God’s grace. Oh the lessons we can learn from this unclean, Gentile woman!

Additional Scripture References:

Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9, 10, 18; Romans 4:4-8; Philippians 2:13

Go!

September 8, 2013 • Michael McCracken

God’s divine plan of redemption didn't end with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In some sense it had just begun. Because all authority in heaven and on earth belong to Christ He has determined that His Church should glorify Him through making disciples of Him in all nations. Additional Scripture References: Luke 24:25; Matthew 28:17; James 5:19-20; Psalm 51:13; Daniel 12:3; Malachi 2:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:9-11; 1 Cor. 1:21, 24, 29, 31; 1 Cor. 2:10,12; James 2:19; 1 Cor. 12, 14; James 1:21; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17

The Death Of Death

September 1, 2013 • Michael McCracken

Christ destroyed death when He was raised to life on the third day. ALL OF LIFE can have purpose and meaning knowing how this story ends. The resurrection of Christ is THE REALITY that underlies the human longing for a happy ending and for good to triumph over evil. It ensures that this present age will give way to a perfect and glorious one. We WILL wait patiently for it! Additional Scripture References: Genesis 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Philippians 1:6; Deuteronomy 5:29; Zephaniah 3:7; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalm 97:1-5; Deuteronomy 30:15-16; Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; Romans 4:7-8; 5:9; Psalm 30:5; Malachi 4:2; 2 Samuel 23:3-4; Psalm 22:31; 1 Corinthians 15:54, 57

Forsaken In Order To Reconcile

August 25, 2013 • Michael McCracken

In this hour of utter darkness, Christ, from the cross, points us to a Psalm of David that speaks of suffering and despair that ultimately ends in triumph. The beauty of it all is that in the darkness God finds us. Additional Scripture References: John 17:11, 22; John 17:1; Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 2:10-11; Ephesians 2:18-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Hebrews 10:14-23; Psalm 22; Romans 10:20