September 17, 2017

Sorry, I'm more than a little behind. 

Here's the notes from the service of Sept. 17, 2017.

Thanks, Jean.

Pastor Gamal Hanna

Theme: Christ is our faithful lawyer, advocating our petitions to his Father for us.

Pastor Hanna gave us a report of his ministry and work at home in Egypt. He encouraged all us in the Lord, stating God has called us to be his ministers and to work in his field. We all living in a special time in the Lord. Pastor Hanna told how the church in Egypt is experiencing revival and the Christians in Egypt are very unified, all denominations are working and praying together. Pastor Hanna and his wife have a great ministry to poor families and kids and kids living on the street and many have left a lifestyle of smoking and drinking and are now on the right track in life.

Hebrews 9:24-28

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Verses 24-26 Speaks of Christ as the High Priest, paying for our sin debt through the sacrifice of himself.

Verses 27-28 Speaks of Christ as the returning Bridegroom and reigning King of Kings, to rule and reign for the with a rod of iron and carry out judgement.

Christ did not enter through a man made sanctuary he entered heaven himself and is interceding with the Father for us as he truly knows what we need.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This scripture speaks of the kind of belief we should have, coming before the throne of grace in all confidence expressing our needs. We need to be courageous when we pray, not hesitant. God cares for our spiritual needs as well as our material needs. Christ knows what we need, he is our true High Priest and advocate, advocating for us before the Father continually. We must be ever ready and look forward with great anticipation to when Christ returns to earth with full Glory and power as the reigning King of Kings forever. If we are faithfully living for the Lord everyday and in fellowship with him we will not fear his coming, but look forward to it with great hope and joy.