| Steps to Jesus, salvation sermons
Spiritual Sermons "Steps To Jesus" version 2
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Introduction
(Write above on blackboard)
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Most of us know to become a Christian we have to confess our sins, pray and read our Bibles. But is this all there is, and what is the correct order of steps required for salvation, if there is such a thing. Can anybody read for me the chronological steps of salvation found in one passage of the Bible? Wouldn't this be the most exciting discovery of all time?
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Please turn to Hosea chapter 14 and verse 1. May I ask someone to read aloud this verse please? (read verse again with different words...)
Ho 14:1 O sinner, return "shuwb" unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine guilt.
Notice the first action word for the sinner is to "return"...in Ancient Hebrew pictograph script this Hebrew word looks like this, written left to right..(write on blackboard)
The letters in Ancient Hebrew help us see the meaning of the Hebrew word "shuwb". The first letter is two teeth, meaning "pressing". The next letter is a tent peg meaning "secure" and the last letter is the floor plan of the nomadic Hebrew tent meaning "home". So the meaning of "shuwb" is the sinner is "pressing securely home". Don't you just love the Hebrew. The sinner is pressing securely homeward.
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Are you "pressing securely home" every day?
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Come with me to an exicting story of repentance. Turn with me to Luke chapter 15 and verse 17.
Lu 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father.
Notice the prodigal son comes to his senses, and pressing in his mind securely returns home !! Is your mind occasionally wandering when with Jesus ? The Bible calls this adultery, the mind seeks to entertain itself with human based powers, or other lovers in the world apart from Jesus...but never mind Hosea is all about salvation for those steeped in whoredom and minds that are not pressing securely homeward. (point on blackboard and repeat)The first Step to Jesus is to be "pressing securely homeward".
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The second step to Jesus is this:-
Ho 14:2 Take "laqach" with you words, and turn to the LORD:(write on blackboard this Hebrew word)
Notice the first letter is the shepherds staff meaning "Authority" the second letter is the setting sun on the horizon, meaning over there beyond, and the last letter is a row of tent posts outside the tent home holding it up, meaning outside.
Together this word reads "The Authority beyond outside". Notice a second action word in this step we have see before, the word is "shuwb" to return, "pressing securely home" so the message of the second step to Jesus is this : Learn about the "Authority beyond outside" and be "pressing securely home".
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1 Are you "pressing securely home" to Jesus?
2 Are you learning about "Jesus the authority beyond earth outside"?
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How many of us are learning about other "authorities beyond outside" instead of Jesus? Many of us seek Science as an Authority, or Mankind's increase in knowledge, or ourselves in living the dream, we watch the TV authority outside of us, or live in the cities which are authorities outside of our homes. Notice Revelation chapter 18 and verse 3, speaking of a Church system very much in love with the world...
Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
The purpose of learning taking and studying Jesus words is because it makes us humble, rather than keeping us proud. The Rock of Ages has to come upon our stony heart and weather it to soil before His seeds of salvation can take root in our heart. Notice Jeremiah 23 and verse 29.
Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
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The third step to Jesus, reads in Hosea chapter 14 and the first part of verse 2:-
... say "amar" unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously:
(write on blackboard this Hebrew word) Notice this word "amar" reads in Hebrew as follows..the first letter is the bulls head meaning "strong" the second letter is water and means to "flow" and the third letter is the shepherds rod and means "authority". Thus the meaning of "amar" is the "strong flowing authority". Often when we talk to God in prayer we think we are making a flow of words, it is our strong flowing authority, but many of our words are full of pride and presumption.
One of the Hebrew words for GOD is two letters "the strong authority". ( on blackboard point this out)
Think about this first... you need to be "pressing securely homeward" to Jesus, and learning all you can about the "authority beyond outside" in His Bible and in His creation, THAN, you come humbly and meekly to allow His Words to flow through you in prayer, words you have read and learned before in His Scriptures. The "strong flowing authority" comes back to GOD. How can you talk to GOD if you have no words of His own to say? How many of us speak words to God lacking a strong flow of authority...O if it is your will O Lord please let this promise come to pass..O ye of little faith...meekly await for the "strong flowing authority" to lift away your sinning and give you His grace !
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The final step to Jesus is a time related process of doing the first three steps, to allow His fruit to bring others to you, to feel your joy of salvation in Jesus...In Hosea chapter 14 the last part of verse 2 I read:-
...so will we render "shalom" the calves of our lips.
(write on blackboard this Hebrew word) We have seen all these letters before. This letter means ? "pressed" and this letter means ? "Authority" and this letter means ? "Flows". Thus the Hebrew word "shalom" means "the pressed authority flows". The word means to "complete" to become perfect, to be finished, to make fruit...or to be holy whole.
Notice the fruits of the Holy Spirit is NOT something we humans can do, it is evidence of the first three steps flowing in your life, the result of GOD's faith working in your life.
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Summary
1 Are you "pressing securely home" to Jesus?
2 Do you learn about the "Authority beyond outside" of youself?
3 Is there a "strong flowing Authority" when you pray?
4 Than you will be complete bearing His fruits of character to share with others..
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My brothers and sisters in Jesus, do you everyday come with your mind "pressing secure home"? Or does your mind wander in adultery at the chocolate icecream in the store? Are you rich in need of nothing or like the progidal son at the end of his rope, with tears of hope, his mind is pressing securely home, back to Jesus.
Do you study "the authority beyond outside" of yourself ? Or do you allow Science to solve all your worries? Perhaps you seek the "authority within yourself" rather than Jesus who lives in heaven beyond earth. When was the last time you were ground to soil by the Rock of Ages as you read His Words in His Book the Bible? Or is your authority beyond outside in some TV station ? or hospital ? or food processing plant with the latest GMO? Studying His words will make you humble, not studying them will harden your pride. Which authority are you learning from?
When you speak, do you allow a "strong flowing authority" or are they just your words of humanism? with pride and presumption? Do you know any words of Jesus that can flow back to Him, words of a strong flowing authority? Not your words, but Jesus' words, flowing back to Him?
Do these three things daily and be assured of being complete in Jesus and having fruits of the Holy Spirit that others will come to enjoy the presence of Jesus character in you. A mind "pressed securely homeward".
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