GETTING STARTED RIGHT

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
April 24, 2012

(Here is what Pastor Todd shared in Chapel at Rockford.)

In racing your starting position is important. In some cases it is huge. You know the tracks, the ones were it is really hard to get around guys. Where you start is vital.

The Big 8 series and the Mid American Stock Car Series season started at Rockford with the Spring Classic. What a great place to get things started for the season.

Last year we did a survey and overview of Psalms. What a great book. This year we go to the New Testament and study the book of John.

As we start the year with chapter one in John (the foundation), where the start is also vital. It establishes what we will think about many subjects. The Bible; Jesus; light vs. darkness;

Let’s dig in by reading John 1-5; 11-18:

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

11-18 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Beginning – Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, first and last. Jesus is complete. There is nothing more for Him to learn, to know. He is complete in His power and strength, in His love and kindness, in His mercy and grace.

Word – The Word is Jesus. Not only is He the Word, He shares it with us.

God – Jesus is God. John is going to make a strong, more than that, a defined, clear, statement, agreement, case that Jesus is God and LORD. Where as others that scribed the words in Scripture made clear that Jesus is Savior, God used God to make it very clear who Jesus was, is, and always will be.

Light – Jesus is the light, darkness is sin. This is a great statement of hope. In a world that is in need of hope and truth we can find it in Jesus.

Receive – giver and receiver. God the Father gave His Son, Jesus gave His life and we, as sinners, get salvation. And people say they want fair. NO THANKS! I want His grace and mercy.

Believe in his name – it is only Jesus (John 14:6)!

Children of God – we get the good side of the promise here; salvation. We get to become heirs, part of the family, God’s family. Can I get an Amen and WOW!

Full of grace and truth (2x)

Grace – God’s Riches At Christ Expense

Truth – nothing false, reliable, dependable; trustworthy. I wanted truth so badly. I was searching in the wrong places and then God opened His Word and my heart up to truth.

Law – the Ten Commandments, measures us as sinners. The 10 measures us and we are declared, “Sinner”. All have fallen short says the echo in Romans (3:10-12; 23; 6:23). The Law is there so that we know that we must turn to God and cry out for His mercy.

Verse 18 ! – declared God again; God and salvation is made known to us, we have no excuses (Romans 1:20). So start the season right. If you have never turned to God in repentance, do it right now.

Looking forward to seeing you at a track soon.

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Todd