Three Life Changing Words Hebrews 12:2 Heb 12:2 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Power of a Few Words –Grand Trunk Railway contest for words at crossing –Paid $2500 for STOP, LOOK, LISTEN –Another example “Look, Listen, and Feel” –Many lives saved by these words Three More Important Words: –Looking unto Jesus –Words of salvation, encouragement, direction –Words for daily life How these words should be life changing for us

Looking unto Jesus for Salvation (John 3:14-17) Nicodemus (Pharisee) and his search for eternal life Confused by being born again (John 3:4) Jesus describes the new birth clearly –He uses an Old Testament illustration –The fiery serpents (Num 21:4-9) –A bronze serpent of a pole the remedy –Looking in faith brought healing Jesus died on the cross for sinners Those who look to Him in faith are guided to salvation (Rom 6:3-4) John 3: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:4 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Num 21:4-9 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." 6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Rom 6:3-4 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Looking unto Jesus in Temptation and Trials (Heb 4:14-15) Life is a constant battle –The flesh and the Spirit at war (Gal 5:17) –Forces of evil join the battle (Eph 5:12-18) The enemy tries to discourage us –Attacks our bodies, minds, families –We are vulnerable when depressed When you feel defeated, look to Jesus He will drive the clouds away Heb 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin Gal 5:17 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please Eph 5:12-18 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, " Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Looking unto Jesus When You Collapse (Luke 22:54-62) Shrunken Peter denying Jesus –The Lord looked at Peter –Peter should have looked to Jesus Your condition when you collapse –Once on fire… now a failure. –Once compassionate… now complaining –Once praising… now pouting –Once faithful… now fearful Look to Jesus and be restored Luke 22:54-62 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." 57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them.“ But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!“ Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Looking unto Jesus as Our Example (1 st Peter 2:21-25) Looking at others we’re disappointed –A major cause of failure –Others are sure to fail There’s not disappointment in Jesus Looking to Him will lead to higher ground 1 Peter 2: For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls

Look to Jesus and Leave with New Life Look to Jesus and Leave Your Burdens Behind Look to Jesus and Find Him All You Need

0533 I Am A Sheep