Discover the More Abundant Life in Christ

Mark VanOuse

Hebrews Pt 16: A New High Priest and a New, Better Way

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Why do we need a new High Priest and a new Priesthood? What difference does that new High Priest and priesthood really make for us? In this episode we continue our study in Hebrews chapter 7, digging into verses 11-28. We see the many ways that the High Priesthood of Jesus is infinitely superior to the weak, failing, sinful priests under the Law/Old Covenant. What this means is that GOD will not fail with you!

 

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What Pleases God?

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(1)  Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
(2) Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
(3) But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
— Psalm 115:1-3

Throughout the scripture we clearly see that the almighty, transcendent and holy God “does whatever He pleases”.  But has it ever occurred to you: What pleases God?

The answer may surprise you.  Look at the following verses: …

What Pleases God?Read More »

What Pleases God? Read More »

Hebrews Pt 15: Why We Need a Great High Priest

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Why do we need a Great High Priest? Four chapters in Hebrews are dedicated to this important subject. The Bible is full of talk about priests. But what does this have to do with us? Everything! In this podcast:

  • We identify our greatest needs and how they are fully met by Jesus, our Great High Priest.
  • We learn about the significance of Melchizedek, the Priest King and how this one identified as “King of Righteousness” and “King of Peace” points to Jesus our Great High Priest, the Source of real righteousness and peace.

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The Incarnation: The Greatest Thing That Ever Happened For You – Part 2

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In this podcast, we take up the question, “So what does the incarnation have to do with me”? This question is answered by taking up the reasons for the incarnation that we discussed last time and then connecting the dots to understand the great many benefits Christ’s incarnation give us for the victorious life. (Part 2 of 2).

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The Incarnation: The Greatest Thing That Ever Happened For You – Part 1

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The incarnation — literally, God “in flesh” — is the greatest thing that ever happened for you. Jesus, The Son of God (fully God), was begotten the Son of Man (human) to accomplish incredible things for you. In the first of this two-part teaching, we explore:

  • What is the incarnation? We explore the powerful meaning of this great reality.
  • Why the incarnation? It’s one thing to know the “what” of the incarnation, but when we ask the important question “why”, we dig deep and uncover the incredible heart of God. Jesus had to be human, so that there would be a new race of humans, to unite with our humanity and be our perfect High Priest.

 

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Completeness in Christ: We Don’t Need “More”

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A popular Christian singer has a song that says,

So I’m praying, Father, help my heart believe
That right now You’re singing over me
And fill me up with Your love…

A contemporary worship song has the lines (sung mournfully),

More love,
More power
More of You in my life….

The sincerity of the Christian writers of these songs cannot be doubted. Both are asking God for “more”. Millions hear and sing these songs, making the lyrics even their own prayer. So we pray for God to fill us up with God’s love. We pray for God to give us more love, more power and more of God in our lives.

What’s wrong with this picture?

How can we ask for “more” of what we already have? It would be like owning and living in a two-story house and asking for God to give you a two-story house. We would tell such a person, “Hey, you already own a two-story house — so enjoy it!” It would be like an incredibly rich benefactor giving someone $100 billion and we hear the recipient moan, “I wish I could pay off my car loan!” Pay off his car loan? He can now buy an entire auto assembly plant!

…

Completeness in Christ: We Don’t Need “More”Read More »

Completeness in Christ: We Don’t Need “More” Read More »

The Myth of the Christian “Sinner”

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One of the most common, unbiblical myths in Christianity is the Myth of the Christian “Sinner”. Almost universally and everywhere I hear (or read of) Christians referring to themselves as “sinners”. A common sentiment is the well-worn phrase, “I’m just a sinner like everyone else”. Or, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace”.

Yet Christians — those that are truly born again by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ — are never called “sinners” even once in the entire Bible. Such a belief that Christians are called “sinners” is not only patently unbiblical, it is unhealthy and downright dangerous to the cause of righteousness, both personal and in the church.

Now at the outset let me say that I am not saying Christians never sin. They can and do sin, sadly and opposed to God’s will.

What I am saying is that you will not find even one verse in the Bible that calls Christians “sinners”. Not a single one. So what are they called? “Saints”. More on that later. …

The Myth of the Christian “Sinner”Read More »

The Myth of the Christian “Sinner” Read More »

Looking to JESUS The Author & Finisher of Your Faith

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In four critical places in the Bible we read the towering truth:

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH
(Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38)

It doesn’t say (as most Christians think) that “the just shall live by try”, or “struggle” or “striving”. It says FAITH.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

The antithesis of this is the ultimate definition of sin, found in Romans 14:23b:

for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Yet how often in Christian circles do we hear endless sermons about US, our performance, our failures, our sins, how we are falling short. Most sermons end with the dreaded “application”, where the focus is completely on us and “what we have to do”. …

Looking to JESUS The Author & Finisher of Your FaithRead More »

Looking to JESUS The Author & Finisher of Your Faith Read More »

He Loved Me Then, He Definitely Loves Me Now!

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Most Christians struggle with whether God really loves them, especially after they have sinned and failed. It’s important to understand that the Bible clearly teaches that God’s love is beyond ourselves, our performance, our righteousness — even our existence.

Have you noticed that some of the Bible’s greatest passages on the love of God express it in the past tense?

John 3:16 (NKJV)

[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. …

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He Loved Me Then, He Definitely Loves Me Now! Read More »

Hebrews Pt 14: All Based on God’s Faithfulness (Hebrews 6, pt 3)

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How is that so many Christians either think they can “lose their salvation” or have doubts about the future? Often, it’s because they base their Christian life on their own performance (up and down), rather than on God Himself, His faithfulness and His performance for us.

In this podcast, our study of Hebrews continues in Hebrews 6:13-20. We learn:

  • The basis of our triumphant faith: God HIMSELF and HIS faithfulness!
  • How God gives us strong encouragement through His promise and oath.
  • As result of God’s faithfulness and performance we have: stability, safety and access into the most holy Presence of God!

 

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