For the last two weeks, we have looked at the incredible passion and real intimacy Jesus Christ wants to have with each of us, and how it is not our sins that break His heart but our lack of desire for Him in return. Our passion and thirst for everything but Him. The fact that our emotions, needs and trusts are placed in something—anything—but Him. Because He created us to be His greatest love, desire—His beloved. Like any husband, He longs to be everything to His bride in return. Many (most) of us never experience that intimacy with Christ. We give Him our money, time, proper behavior—everything but the one thing He desires most. After two weeks of study, the question now comes down to this: "How do I draw closer, more intimate with Christ as He desires?" Today, we will give a very real and practical, eye-opening answer to that question.

We introduced the Story of Hosea and Gomer...With a "Modern Day Parable" equivalent... To drive it home. The Passage explains how God told Hosea…To marry a woman of whoredom...And show her love and acceptance... Even when NOT deserved!...And then... He told Hosea to CHOOSE loving her...Even when she was unfaithful to him...Even when she had children from another man!
 
Even when she basically became a prostitute...Ruining her life... And finally becoming so worthless and used up...She had to give herself into slavery to exist! Hosea literally buys her back again...Pays her debts which were racked up in her sin...And brings her home... In LOVE!

We have spent much time on the subjects…Of Sin, Judgment, and End Times in recent days...And in light of the current National and World Events…Compared to Biblical Prophecy... These are appropriate and desperately needed studies!
But... There is one study... That our broken and sinful world...Our lost, directionless world...Needs even more! A Study which Trumps all other studies...And tells the world what it really needs to hear...Desperately WANTS to hear...More than anything else!

Homosexuality, Transgenderism, gender-fluency—these subjects have become the central focus, affecting every area of social and religious life in recent days, creating a whirlwind of changes within politics, laws, social etiquette, entertainment, education and even military recruitment and training. For many Christians who cannot agree with these issues—no matter the love and acceptance of the people that are involved in them—anger, exclusion and attempts to silence opinions—have become more and more common. There has been much hatred, prejudice and improper behavior on both sides of this issue that to continue in society, the Church must soon be compromised or crushed. As we address this issue head on today, my most difficult task will be in getting many to simply, truly listen to this message in its entirety before disregarding or disagreeing with what you hear.

So often in my Christian life, I have heard the statement: "If God is so loving, why doesn't He do something about all of the evil in the world? Why does He let these things happen?" And I understand the notion, the frustration—I’ve been there myself. But, if you will stop and think about it, the quandary in that attitude is that we so often turn right around under different circumstances (Biblical or current) and ask: "How could God be so ruthless and unforgiving? How could God be so Judgmental? How could God Do such horribly things to whole societies? If God is real, and He’s supposed to be so loving, how could He be so Barbaric?" We are going to take a hard look at this frustration; these seemingly opposite and contradictory views.

Jehovah Rophe... The God Who Heals... Do we believe that?! This church is definitely a PRAYING CHURCH! I am so thankful for the compassion and
zeal...With which we lift one another up in prayer to God!
 
Often in serious prayer for those we do not even know!...And with complete seriousness... I have to say that for our size... It seems this congregation has been attacked...Physically, emotionally and spiritually... More than any I have ever been a part of in the past! 
 
Just maybe... Hopefully... That means we are not liked by our adversary! How many here today... Either ARE in need of healing of some kind... Or have someone in your life who is in need of healing?

Last week we discussed the Christian... And Non-Christian… REASONING...
For why the Roe V. Wade Reversal was the only right decision...Not only morally... But legally....And this week we will not take the time to revisit these evidences.
 
This 49 year battle... And especially the recent overturning of Roe V. Wade...
Has brought about more division, anger, hatred…And even violence... Between opposing side...Than anything since the Civil Rights Movement…During the 50's and 60's!
 
Today we are not going to discuss the fairness or morality of Roe V. Wade...Today I would like for us to seriously look at…The Bigger Picture... Through the Eyes of Scripture...Because... Now that we've caught the car…We've been chasing for 49yrs...We have to LEARN what to do with it!

On June 24, 2022—for the first time since January 22, 1973—after 49yrs, the protection over the right to choose an abortion was overturned at the federal level of law in this country and the shockwaves of this decision has sent this country into complete division and turmoil. Because of the overwhelming emotions, deep moral implications and for us the unchanging Word of our Lord and Savior, I am compelled to address this issue in full with you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. So that we might stand on the side of God's Will confidently, but also so that we might have the love and compassion of Christ for those who stand against what we know is Truth, for those who are misled, fearful, and angry right now, and for those hurting who have already had abortions.

Think of the worst sin you've ever committed? Got it? Now tell me this... "Did Christ Forgive you?"  Yes...Was that Forgiveness Given Freely? To YOU... YES...But not to HIM!
 
 If you owed me $20,000... And I forgave you of that debt...That forgiveness is completely, FREELY received by YOU...But how much did it cost ME to forgive you? $20,000!
 
We always hear how Christ's Forgiveness is FREE!! But NOTHING is further from the Truth! It is FREE to you because...Everything you should have faced the Father for doing wrong...All of His Anger, Disgust and Judgment...All of your Embarrassment, fear and suffering...IN REALITY... HAPPENED... IT WAS LITERALLY PAID OUT... EXPERIENCED...NOT JUST FORGOTTEN OR DISMISSED! So YOU wouldn't have to pay!
 
YOU...Will never be asked about it...Looked down upon for it... Judged by it... Or face it... Ever again! THAT IS HIS GIFT TO YOU... HIS FREE GIFT! How much MUST He Love you? How Precious MUST His Heart truly be?

A few weeks ago we did a wonderful study of just how personally and passionately Jesus loves us. At our picnic we studied about the deepest, strongest desires of Jesus' heart for our lives and for our relationship with Him. This study we will delve into a much less discussed topic—at least in the way and the depth in which we will see today: the "humanity" of Jesus. We know He took on human form. We know He suffered and died for us as a Human. But in our personal view of Him, and even in how we read about Him in Scriptures, we miss the reality of just how human He became; of just how much He truly relates to/understands us; of just how incredible our God must be to have allowed Himself to experience so many things just so we could truly have the comfort and the truth of this passage: Hebrews 4:14-16.