Walter Spires - Only Jesus Saves

Again we learn God only uses humble or "humbled" men for His greatest kingdom work.   Key Bible Verses: John 21: 14-23

Key Bible Verse(s): Luke 22: 61-62

It is all about the Object of our faith. Key Bible Verses:   So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.   But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me. "  Matthew 14:  29-30

Key Bible Verse:    "So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him ."  Luke 5: 11

Key bible Verse:  " (Andrew) first found his own brother, simon, and said to him. "We have found the Messiah." And he brought him to Jesus . " John 1: 41

This title became a popular corporate mantra over the last decade.  Two thousand years ago, it held a different meaning we would do well to rediscover.   Key Bible Verse: “... He must increase and I must decrease .” John 3: 30

John lost his head because of his singular devotion to Christ.   Key Bible Verse(s):   "The king was distressed, but...he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.  His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother . " Matthew 14: 9-11

It takes a man of great conviction to be so sure of God's calling that he preaches a hard message no one wants to hear...  Key Bible Verse:  "In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand .”  Matthew 3: 1-2;  

Finally after 400 years of silence, God sends one final prophet to prepare the Way... Key Bible Verses:  " the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord ..."  Isaiah 40: 3

Key Bible Verse(s):   "Now when (the three wise men) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”  So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt..." &nbs...

Key Bible Verse(s):  Even before the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, he had already decided to do right by his betrothed... "And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly."   Matthew 1: 19

Key Bible Verse:   "And Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man... "  Matthew 1: 19

Reforming is a "living" process. Key Bible Verse:   "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  Galatians 2: 20

Conforming is a "dying" process.   Key Bible References:   "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son."   Romans 8: 29 "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death ."  Philippians 3: 10 

Transforming is a "thinking" process.  Key Bible Verses:   "...and be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."  Romans 12: 2 "But we have the mind of Christ ."  1 Corinthians 2: 16

Key Bible Verses:   "...mourn with those who mourn."  Romans 12: 15b   "...always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence"   1 Peter 3: 15

Key Bible Verses:  "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3  how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation..."   Hebrews 2: 1-3

And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone."   Luke 18: 19

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once..."   Hebrew 9: 27(a)

As I prayed for the families of the nine victims of the recent tragic helicopeter accident, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to use this week to speak biblical truth into the lives of poeple on both sides of the Cross - addressing the hard questions.  

Key Bible Verses:  " I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one..   They are not of the world , even as I am not of the world.   Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world . "  John 17: 15-18

Bible References:  " The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."   Psalm 23: 1  ( a song of peace and contentment in the LORD) "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions."  Psalm 51: 1 (a prayer of repentance)

Bible References:  " God called to (Moses) from the midst of the (burning) bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am... Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?"  Exodus 3: 4, 11 Psalm 90 - The Psalm of Moses the man of God

Key Bible Verse:   "Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD ."  Genesis 4: 26(b)

Key Bible Verse:   "And (Jesus) said to them, "When you pray..."    Luke 11: 2(a) Bible References:  Matthew 6: 6 - 13 ; Luke 11:  1-4