“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19.10, ESV)¹

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¹Why did Jesus come to this earth? There are many reasons. Here are just a few.

• To reveal His Father (John 1.18).
• To be an example for His followers (1 John 2.6).
• To train His disciples for their task (Matt. 28.19-20).
• To preach the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4.17).

In our text, we learn that Christ came to seek and to save the lost – us (Rom. 3.23).

Why? Because He loves us! Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15.13, ESV).

If you want to learn more about why Jesus came to this earth, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2.5, ESV)¹

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¹What is the mind Paul wants us to have?

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2.1-8, ESV)

First, he explains that joy comes about by “being of the same mind” and “having the same love”, and second, when we “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” He continues, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”.

One way to be of the same mind is to be united in the doctrine of Christ (Eph. 4.1-6). However, we cannot live in harmony with one another or be of one mind unless we first forsake a haughty attitude by putting others before us. This creates true joy in our life and causes us to have the mind of Christ!

At the Franklin Drive church of Christ you can find a loving group of Christians that are striving to practice Paul’s instructions. We would love to have you visit with us and let us show you what you’re missing! E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905 for more questions about God’s will for your life or about the church.

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life” (Romans 5.10, ESV).¹

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¹Jesus calls us to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5.45, ESV).

Paul calls us to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them…Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12.14, 16-21, ESV).

Peter calls all to “…entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4.19). This is done the same way Christ entrusted His soul: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2.21-23, ESV).

Why does the Bible call us to love our enemies? Because "…Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5.6) and "…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5.8). Anyone who loves this world is an enemy of God (see James 4.4). Since all have sinned (Rom. 3.23), all have loved this world. God died for you and me – His enemies.

If God can love and die for His enemies, we can love - and if necessary, even die for - our enemies. Are you holding a grudge? Bitterness in your heart? Do you need help overcoming the enemies in your life? E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2.24, ESV)¹

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¹We often talk about why Jesus came to earth, that is, to seek and save the lost (see Luke 19.10).

In seeking and saving the lost, Christ died on the cross for our sins. He was our sacrifice for sin since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3.23, ESV).

But, what is our responsibility now that Christ has offered Himself? First, to hear the gospel (Rom. 10.17), and second, to obey Jesus in all that He says. The only way we can say “By his wounds [sacrifice] you have been healed [spiritually]” is when we have chosen to put to death the sin in our lives and live righteously with the time we have left on this earth.

Paul said it this way: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2.11-14, ESV)

Christ is our sacrifice. How are you living in accordance to that fact? E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905 if you have any questions about how to live a godly life!

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53.4, ESV)¹

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¹Isaiah 53 is a Messianic prophecy written about 700 years before the coming of the suffering Messiah and all He would endure for us. The prophecy records the events leading up to the cross and around the cross.

What did Isaiah mean by “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows”? The apostle Matthew recorded the events that fulfilled this prophecy:

“And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’” (Matt. 8.14-17, ESV).

By healing those who were sick, Jesus took away their diseases. The same is true for our sins. While He bore our sins on the cross provisionally, He takes away our sins when we come to Him for forgiveness.

This is also what John the Baptist meant when he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1.29, ESV).

One can receive forgiveness when he in faith repents of his sins, confesses Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10.9-10) and is baptized. “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2.38, ESV)

Are you interested in learning more about salvation and your sins being taken away? E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.