The Need for Jesus (In Memory of Maria L. Navarro)
The Need for Jesus
(In memory of Maria L. Navarro April 30, 1960-June 3, 2016)
We are reading from the book of first California chapter 15. What I meant is first Corinthians 15. Actually I mean both. The settings are almost similar. Everything and anything goes here. Paul is writing to the church.
“Now brothers and sisters, let me remind you [once again] of the good news [of salvation] which I preached to you, which you welcomed and accepted and on which you stand [by faith]. 2 By this faith you are saved [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain [just superficially and without complete commitment].
3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold], 4 and that He was buried, and that He was [bodily] raised on the third day according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold], 5 and that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the [a]Twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep [in death]. 7 Then He was seen by James, then by all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to one [b]untimely (prematurely, traumatically) born, He appeared to me also” 1 Corinthians 15:1-18.
I will highlight few words for us. It is a letter to us. First and foremost is who is Jesus Christ. We are introduced and reintroduced to Jesus.
This is the historical Jesus. There was Caesar who ordered a census when Jesus was born. There was a Pilate who was governor of Judea. It is all verifiable. We are not talking about a fictional Jesus. He came from God and was the son of God. He is God himself and perfect and without sin. There is no other Jesus. He was born, lived, crucified, died buried and he rose from the dead. He also went up to heaven where he sits at the right hand of the father God.
Jesus came and died for our sins because everyone had sinned and no longer pleasing to God. The only one who can take away the punishment for sin is one who never sinned and is perfect.
There is no other way to please God except the death and penalty paid by Jesus Christ. No other death or sacrifice will ever please God than death of Jesus Christ. So what is the point? Do you and I see our need for Jesus Christ? If not you don't know him or have him in your life.
Oh you say we're in the church. But Paul was writing to the people in Corinth. You could be in church all your life and don't have or know Jesus. The only way to have or know Jesus is if you see your need for him. If you can do life on your own you don't need Jesus. If you can please God on your own by good deeds you don't need Jesus Christ. Jesus is for those who need him. Only the sick look for a physician. Jesus came for the sick who are sick of sin and sinning.
On Friday June 3, 2016 two great people died. One is known worldwide and the other is known by a handful. One has done a lot of great things and helped many around the world. The other has done good things and helped a few. The one who helped so many trusted in all that he did to please God and used good works as means of preparation to die and meet God. The other did good but believed and on the death of Jesus Christ for sins. She saw her need for Jesus.
Friends I will be bold and politically incorrect and tell you the truth. You can fire me or call me any other names and I welcome it. I just described two people who are dear to all of us. Muhammad Ali and Maria Navarro. You can check the facts for yourself. When it came to final moments Ali’s daughter described her dad as being afraid of death and not wanting to go and that death was in God’s hands. As a Muslim, Ali trusted in good works not in Jesus Christ as Son of God and savior. Your good cannot outweigh your bad in the sight of God. It is impossible.
Those of you who know and saw Maria saw the contrast. She was not afraid to die even till the very end. She trusted Jesus as her Lord and savior from penalty of death for her sins. We are here today to learn from Maria. She is gone. We only gathered here for ourselves.
Do you today see your need for Jesus Christ? I see my need for Jesus. I need him every hour. Jesus died and rose again and he is alive. I believe that Jesus has pleased God for my sins therefore I am ready to meet God at any moments from now. I am not afraid. Are you ready to meet God and are you afraid to meet him? Let us pray.
Father help me to continue see my need for Jesus. Lord help these people to see the need for Jesus and never miss heaven for any reason Amen.
NOTE: Maria Navarro is a dear sister and co-worker who lost a fight with cancer but did not lose a fight with life in Jesus. Maria was 56. We thank God for her. We will miss her at our workplace Bible Study Group – the Ambassadors but we will see again. Message at today’s Memorial/Celebration service at work in Baltimore for Maria.
Jesus is Lord & Savior !
(In memory of Maria L. Navarro April 30, 1960-June 3, 2016)
We are reading from the book of first California chapter 15. What I meant is first Corinthians 15. Actually I mean both. The settings are almost similar. Everything and anything goes here. Paul is writing to the church.
“Now brothers and sisters, let me remind you [once again] of the good news [of salvation] which I preached to you, which you welcomed and accepted and on which you stand [by faith]. 2 By this faith you are saved [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain [just superficially and without complete commitment].
3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold], 4 and that He was buried, and that He was [bodily] raised on the third day according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold], 5 and that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the [a]Twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep [in death]. 7 Then He was seen by James, then by all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to one [b]untimely (prematurely, traumatically) born, He appeared to me also” 1 Corinthians 15:1-18.
I will highlight few words for us. It is a letter to us. First and foremost is who is Jesus Christ. We are introduced and reintroduced to Jesus.
This is the historical Jesus. There was Caesar who ordered a census when Jesus was born. There was a Pilate who was governor of Judea. It is all verifiable. We are not talking about a fictional Jesus. He came from God and was the son of God. He is God himself and perfect and without sin. There is no other Jesus. He was born, lived, crucified, died buried and he rose from the dead. He also went up to heaven where he sits at the right hand of the father God.
Jesus came and died for our sins because everyone had sinned and no longer pleasing to God. The only one who can take away the punishment for sin is one who never sinned and is perfect.
There is no other way to please God except the death and penalty paid by Jesus Christ. No other death or sacrifice will ever please God than death of Jesus Christ. So what is the point? Do you and I see our need for Jesus Christ? If not you don't know him or have him in your life.
Oh you say we're in the church. But Paul was writing to the people in Corinth. You could be in church all your life and don't have or know Jesus. The only way to have or know Jesus is if you see your need for him. If you can do life on your own you don't need Jesus. If you can please God on your own by good deeds you don't need Jesus Christ. Jesus is for those who need him. Only the sick look for a physician. Jesus came for the sick who are sick of sin and sinning.
On Friday June 3, 2016 two great people died. One is known worldwide and the other is known by a handful. One has done a lot of great things and helped many around the world. The other has done good things and helped a few. The one who helped so many trusted in all that he did to please God and used good works as means of preparation to die and meet God. The other did good but believed and on the death of Jesus Christ for sins. She saw her need for Jesus.
Friends I will be bold and politically incorrect and tell you the truth. You can fire me or call me any other names and I welcome it. I just described two people who are dear to all of us. Muhammad Ali and Maria Navarro. You can check the facts for yourself. When it came to final moments Ali’s daughter described her dad as being afraid of death and not wanting to go and that death was in God’s hands. As a Muslim, Ali trusted in good works not in Jesus Christ as Son of God and savior. Your good cannot outweigh your bad in the sight of God. It is impossible.
Those of you who know and saw Maria saw the contrast. She was not afraid to die even till the very end. She trusted Jesus as her Lord and savior from penalty of death for her sins. We are here today to learn from Maria. She is gone. We only gathered here for ourselves.
Do you today see your need for Jesus Christ? I see my need for Jesus. I need him every hour. Jesus died and rose again and he is alive. I believe that Jesus has pleased God for my sins therefore I am ready to meet God at any moments from now. I am not afraid. Are you ready to meet God and are you afraid to meet him? Let us pray.
Father help me to continue see my need for Jesus. Lord help these people to see the need for Jesus and never miss heaven for any reason Amen.
NOTE: Maria Navarro is a dear sister and co-worker who lost a fight with cancer but did not lose a fight with life in Jesus. Maria was 56. We thank God for her. We will miss her at our workplace Bible Study Group – the Ambassadors but we will see again. Message at today’s Memorial/Celebration service at work in Baltimore for Maria.
Jesus is Lord & Savior !
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