Bulletins - Gateway Baptist Church-Newburgh

Just When I Need Him, Jesus Is Near
Standing on the Promises
Soon And Very Soon
Wonderful Merciful Savior
Be Thou My Vision (Slane)
Luke 18:31-34
Growing up, I can remember my dad telling me something, and I knew he would follow through and meant it. I recall that we were living in a condo in North Richland Hills when Brooklynn asked me if she could have a dog. I told her that we would get her a dog when we had a backyard. After we moved into a house in Garland, Brook approached me. She said, “Dad, you said when we had a backyard, we could get a dog.” So we got her a dog. Why? Because I didn't want her to think I had lied to her. I made her a promise, and I kept it. How much greater is our Lord and Savior than us?
This will be the last time Jesus journeys to Jerusalem. In these verses, He prepares them, protects them, and gives them promises. Let us look at the three “P’s.”
Prepares:
Jesus is preparing them before going to Jerusalem so that the Prophets’ words will be fulfilled. Psalm 22:14–18 “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” ; Isaiah 53
Jesus knew that they would not understand all that was happening. How could this happen to the Messiah? They were His followers, but the moment that Jesus talked about the Cross, their spiritual blindness took over. He told them what the prophets had written was about to be fulfilled.
They had the teachings but did not connect the dots. How many of us have the Word of God but still, at times, fail to see what He is doing? Remember what Peter said to Jesus? Matthew 26:33 “Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”” . What was Jesus’ response to Peter? He prepared him to understand that he would deny Christ three times before the rooster crows. How many of us tell ourselves we would never deny Christ or fall away? How many of us have failed like Peter? How many of us have not allowed Him to prepare us? Think of a coach training a team. At first, the practices seem tough and unnecessary, but they build strength and teamwork. Jesus is like that coach; He prepares us through life's lessons, transforming our shortcomings into strengths. When we feel overwhelmed, remember that He equips us for the greater game ahead, always cheering us on!
But it does not rely on us but on HIM!
Protects:
I remember when my sister Bridgette came to my rescue when two 6th-grade boys were picking on me. I was ready to stand my ground, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw my sister coming in full charge. She knocked them off their bikes and started swinging her backpack full of books at them. I was in kindergarten, and she was in 3rd grade. She did not see size or grade; she only saw that it was her duty to protect her little brother. I also remember my parents protecting me by telling me the truth even when I did not understand it fully. Jesus is our protector.
He was protecting the disciples by concealing the truth from them. The Greek word for hidden is (κρύπτω), which means to keep secret, conceal, or safeguard. By obscuring the meaning, Jesus ensures their safety for now. Although He warned them a third time, He did not allow them to fully grasp it. What do you think would have happened to them? Possible fear would have set in, and they might not have gone with Him. They may have resisted Him from fulfilling what He came to do. Either way, they would have hindered or tried to hinder what Christ came to accomplish.
But Christ did not leave them without a PROMISE!
Promise:
Jesus never leaves us wandering in the desert for long. He told the Israelites they would walk until the evil generation died, Numbers 32:13 “And the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone.” . When Adam and Eve sinned, God did not abandon them without the Promise of Christ, Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”” . He is not like a man who abandons us.
Remember the story of the disciples on the stormy sea, terrified and convinced they would drown? As the winds howled and the waves crashed, Jesus approached them, walking on water. His first words were, 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.' Just as He came to them in their fear, He pledges to come to us, reminding us that His presence dispels our fears and doubts and affirms His unwavering companionship.
He is telling them the same thing here. Even though these horrible things would happen, Isaiah 52:14 “As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—” says, He will be risen on the Third Day. Now, I am a numbers guy, especially in the Word of God. This is the third warning, with Him stating that He would rise on the third day. We know Three is the Perfect Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He pronounces six horrific things that will happen to Him, and the seventh sequence is Him being Risen. We know He created the earth and everything in 6 days and rested on the seventh. He called it good what He created. It was good until man sinned; God had to restore His most incredible Creation by paying the price for us through six mistreatments. But Christ on the seventh accomplished His plan, and this is the Promise He gave His disciples and us.
Today, remember that His Promise is for us. He is alive, and that is what we are preparing to celebrate—not a bunny but a Risen King! It's not a fairy tale but Truth like only God can give since He is truth! Amen!!!!!!
Because He Lives

Luke 18:31-34

Prepares:

Protects:

Promise: