Unmerited Favor (Grace) for Barabbas

 

This is the manuscript of the first sermon in an eight sermon series "Beneath the Cross of Jesus” a series of biographical sermons about the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.

The first sermon is about Barabbus a know criminal sentenced to execution on a cross, the cruelest form of punishment inflicted by the Roman government when Jesus of Nazareth was executed on the cross meant of for him.  Jesus was the substitute for Barabbas and he is the substitute for us who were slated for death because of sin.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (‭Matthew 27:15, 26 NIV‬)

Pilate’s Roman justice training in Roman justice made it difficult for him to condem nan innocent man. So, he presented Barabbas to the crowd as an alternative.

Pilate was asking the crowd had to choose between Jesus of Nazareth and Barabbas. The crowd chose Barabbas.

Never has a better thing happened to a man on the day of his expected crucifixion. Jesus of Nazareth probably died on the cross that had been prepared for Barabbas. When the Sabbath came, Jesus was lying in a tomb and Barabbas was sleeping in his own bed. This graphically sets forth a central truth of the gospel, that Christ died for sinners. “Christ died for us.”

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (‭Romans 5:8 NIV‬)

Scripture Reading: 

‭Matthew 27:15-26 NIV‬ [15] Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. [16] At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. [17] So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” [18] For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. [19] While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” [20] But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. [21] “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. [22] “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” [23] “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” [24] When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” [25] All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” [26] Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 

Introduction 

"Beneath the Cross of Jesus” is the theme for a series of biographical sermons about the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross. “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” is also a good theme for these sermons.

Text:

‭Matthew 27:15, 26 NIV‬ [15] Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 

[26] Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 

Pilate’s training in Roman justice made it difficult for him to condemn an innocent man. So, he presented Barabbas to the crowd as an alternative.

The first verse in our text is “Now it was the governor’s 

custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd”

    

Now we we know which man the crowd chose

‭Matthew 27:20-25 NIV‬ 20] But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. [21] “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. [22] “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” [23] “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” [24] When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” [25] All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

Wow!! Never has a better thing happened to a man on the day of his expected crucifixion. Jesus probably died on the cross that had been prepared for Barabbas. When the Sabbath came, Jesus was lying in a tomb and Barabbas was sleeping in his own bed. This graphically sets forth a central truth of the gospel, that Christ died for sinners.  “Christ died for us.”

‭Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

            

I. The unmerited favor Brabbas received was undeserved.  We define grace as unmerited favor.  So we can say that Barabbas received grace.

               

Barabbas deserved to die. Justice had finally caught up with him. ‭He was a well known as someone the Romans wanted to catch and jail. 

Matthew 27:16 NIV‬ [16] At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 

John 18:40 NIV‬ [40] They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising, 

‭Mark 15:7 NIV‬ A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 

But are we not all worthy of death when we are measured by God’s perfect standard of righteousness?

‭Romans 3:10-18 NIV‬ [10] As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” [14] “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] ruin and misery mark their ways, [17] and the way of peace they do not know.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

‭Romans 3:23 NIV‬  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

‭Romans 6:23 NIV‬ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                        

Barabbas had broken the law of man and the law of God. 

He had been a terrorist against the Roman government. He was a devoted member of the Zealots, who were committed to the overthrow of Roman rule. In the process of pursuing this goal, he had broken many of God’s laws. murder, stealing, lying.

               

If Jesus was going to die in place of someone else, certainly he wouldn’t die in place of someone like Barabbas! But in the providence of God, Jesus did take the place of Barabbas so the great truth of the gospel might be revealed.

‭Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

II.  This great favor or grace was completely unexpected 

               

 As Barabbas stayed in his cell awaiting his crucifixion, he never thought to ask someone else to take his place. He simply assumed that his crimes had caught up with him. No one was more surprised than Barabbas with the outcome. He must have received the news of his release with some skepticism. He may even have thought the soldiers were playing a twisted prank on him. But the news was true. Jesus of Nazareth was going to die in his place.

               

Jesus Christ didn’t die for us in response to any appeal on our part. Instead of sinners pleading with him to bear their sins on the cross, they were busy rejecting him.

Look at 

 

‭John 1:11-13 NIV‬ [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The only explanation for Jesus’ action is love. 

‭Romans 5:6-8 NIV‬ [6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He died for us because he wanted to save us from hell.

‭John 3:16-18 NIV‬ [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

III.  This great favor or grace was completely unrestricted.

               

A. All Barabbas had to do was walk out of the jail and he was a free man. Since Jesus was going to die in his place by Pilate’s decree, the Roman law had no claim on him.  His debt to society was paid.

               

It must have taken Barabbas a long time to realize what had really happened. He may have continued to hide every time he saw a Roman soldier coming. He may have expected some word that it was not really true. But it was true! Barabbas had the good fortune to receive unrestricted freedom at the expense of another man.

               

B. Forgiveness through salvation is God’s greatest gift to humanity. It means that God has canceled the entire debt of our sin because Christ paid it.

‭1 Peter 2:24-25 NIV‬ [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” [25] For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

‭Ephesians 1:7-10. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

This means that we can know freedom from condemnation, freedom from guilt, freedom from the stains of sin—all through the death of Jesus Christ.

‭Romans 8:1-2 NIV‬ [1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 

Because of that he could also write  

‭Romans 8:38-39 NIV‬ [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This forgiveness gives us freedom from condemnation, freedom from guilt, freedom from the stains of sin—all through the death of Jesus Christ. This forgiveness Is available to everybody that believes 

‭John 3:16-18 NIV‬ [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

Conclusion

Barabbas gladly walked out of the jail and allowed Jesus to die in his place. I don’t know if Barabbas ever realized the meaning of the substitution, but we have no excuse to neglect its significance today.

Jesus Christ died in our place when He was crucified on the cross. We deserved to be the ones placed on that cross to die because we are the ones who live sinful lives. But Christ took the punishment on Himself in our place—He substituted Himself for us and took what we rightly deserved. 

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, you don’t have to work to be good enough. Christ’s goodness makes you acceptable to God. 

I want to end with this story told by a guy named Bill who was the captain of a transport ship that was part of a convoy going across the Atlantic ocean to Europe during World War II.                

One day an enemy submarine rose in the sea a short distance away. Bill saw a torpedo coming directly toward his transport loaded with hundreds of young men. He had no time to change course. Through the loudspeaker, he shouted, “Boys, this is it!”

               

Nearby was a small escorting destroyer. The captain of the destroyer also saw the submarine and torpedo. Without a moment’s hesitation, he gave the order, “Full speed ahead!” The tiny destroyer eased into the path of the torpedo, taking the full impactof the deadly missile midship. The destroyer blew apart and sank quickly; every man of the crew was lost.

               

Bill was quiet a while, then he said slowly, “You know there is a verse in the Bible that has special meaning for me now. It is, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that aman lay down his life for his friends.’ ”

But we were not Jesus’ friends when he laid down his life for us. We were his enemies.  He took our place on the cross anyway. 

Our Father God, we thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. We love and adore You. Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life on the cross for our sins.  Because of You, we can now stand before You as pure, holy, and justified. We also thank You for sending the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.  Holy Spirit, we thank You for filling us with love, fruit, gifts and power.  We exalt You, our God and King. We praise Your Name forever and ever.

Benediction

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Lord bless you and keep you; [25] the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; [26] the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’

The Danger of Having an Empty Soul

This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church, Sunday April 28, 2024 

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. [45] Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45 )

An empty house is in greater danger than a house fully occupied. Unoccupied property is always in danger because it presents an invitation to burglaries, vandalism and squatters.

Jesus used these known facts about empty houses to illustrate a greater truth: the danger of having an empty soul. When we permit God to fill our hearts and lives, he gives us a great inward security that replaces the fear and anxiety that dwelt there before. When he is permitted to fill our hearts and lives, he enriches us so that we can become givers instead of getters. He enables us to experience a joy that overflows and brings joy to others.

Scripture Reading: ‭

Matthew 12:38-45 NIV‬ [38] Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” [39] He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [41] The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, now something greater than Jonah is here. [42] The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. [43]  “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. [44] Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. [45] Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” 

 Introduction

A new sheriff was elected at a time when the community was being plagued by a lot of burglaries. He encouraged a “neighborhood watch program” and asked the people of the community to be on the lookout for suspicious-looking strangers. The sheriff encouraged neighbors to inform those near them when they would be absent so they could be on alert for any suspicious activity during their absence. At the end of one year, there was a significant decrease in the number of burglaries in that part of the county. 

                  

 An empty house is in greater danger than a house fully occupied. Unoccupied property is always in danger because it presents an invitation to burglaries, vandalism and squatters.

                     

Jesus used these known facts about empty houses to illustrate a greater truth: the danger of having an empty soul. 

Text: ‭

Matthew 12:43-45 NIV‬ [43]  “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. [44] Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. [45] Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” 

When Jesus told this parable He was speaking to his nation, Israel, and to its religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees.  

The evil spirit of idolatry had been removed from the lives of the people of Israel as a result of the pain of the exile. According to many, in fact most of the messages of the prophets of the Old Testament, the Babylonian captivity was a punishment for the Jewish people's idolatry and disobedience to Jehovah.  

After the exile  never again was the nation of Israel tempted by the worship of idols. However at the same time, the people of Israel had neglected to let the true God of love, grace, forgiveness, and helpfulness enter into their hearts and lives. Consequently, they had an empty soul. The nation and the people were experiencing the results of being empty of God and his goodwill for their lives.

                     

Their religion was empty in that it was full of negatives and lacked involvement in outreach.  It was all works.  Do this, don’t do that.   A person can participate in religious activities yet have an empty soul in terms of being filled with the Holy Spirit and His goodness.   

                  

This parable of the empty house should cause us to get a little nervous. It is possible that some of us have not let the Holy Spirit fill our lives in such a manner as to keep the evil demonic spirits away from us. Now I don't believe that a Christian who has been indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation can be possessed by a demonic spirit but we can sure be oppressed and harassed by them and this can happen without us really being aware of it.

I. The Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day were great at emphasizing the negative. 

Their favorite verses began with, “Thou shalt not.” 

‭Exodus 20: 7, 13-17 KJV‬ [7] Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[13] Thou shalt not kill. [14] Thou shalt not commit adultery. [15] Thou shalt not steal. [16] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. [17] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

These are things that Christians and all people, for that matter we shouldn’t do.  However the  danger in emphasizing the negative only, as many believers today who take great satisfaction in their negative goodness, is that they become very pious and self-righteous.  They speak loud and clear about what they have not done and they don't do and announce the love of your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus would assert that negative goodness is not good enough. 

II. There can be a shallow ineffectiveness of reformation. 

                  

Some people have thought they were very religious because they turned over a new leaf and abandoned or renounced a bad lifestyle, which is a good thing, but the 

Parable of the empty house, points out that reform or stopping to do something is not enough and will prove to be ineffective in the long run if you don’t add something to replace what you stopped doing.    Let me repeat that stopping to do something is not enough and will prove to be ineffective in the long run if you don’t add something to replace what you stopped doing.

                  

 A. For example, alcoholics or drug addicts need to do something besides just giving up the use of alcohol or drugs as a form of coping with the pressures of life. 

People who consume alcohol and use drugs illegally, are using them to dull the pain that comes as a result of living. Think about it, they are in reality a substitute for that which only the Spirit of God can do in the life of the individual. 

Here is something that I said at Jeanette’s son Derick eulogy on Thursday 

We need to hear and believe that in the worst of times the Lord can cheer our souls with His presence and with a message that is above and beyond us. The settings for our daily lives and the schedules we follow are all tied up with the choices we've made and the lifestyles we have followed, but we need to recognize that when our hearts are heavy from grief we need to be refreshed; and God is the only one who can do that. His comfort and peace make all the difference in the world. 

                  

B. Lovers of pleasure need to do something more than stop a habit that gives them temporary pleasure but that is detrimental to them. It could be pornography, or gambling, or even shopping.  You need to do something more than just stopping doing it, you need to replace it with something that is not detrimental.

                  

C. Greedy people need to do something more than just quit grabbing for more of the possessions of the world. They need to become like God and become generous givers rather than greedy grabbers.

Instead of engaging is pornograpy, gambling, shopping, or gossiping, Replace it by reading and studying the Bible, praying or volunteering to help the homeless and needy in our communities 

III. The reason you have to replace the old stuff is because evil is aggressive.

Jesus was not only focusing on the depravity of the human heart when he told this parable of the empty house. He was recognizing the malignant aggressiveness of evil and the tendency of evil to return again and again. 

This is the verse that ends the account of Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness after His baptism.  

‭Luke 4:13 NIV‬ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. 

‭Luke 4:13 AMP‬ [13] When the devil had finished every temptation, he [temporarily] left Him until a more opportune time. 

                

A. We need, with the help of God, to drive away and stand against every evil spirit that would oppress and harass us, and God as provided equipment to  do just that

‭Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV‬ [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

               

B. We need to recognize that the evilspirits may come back in another form unless the place from which they were driven is filled with the presence of God. Only God in his fullness can prevent the return of evil into a person’s life.                  

                  

IV. Let God fill your life with good things. 

                  

It is not enough to be merely empty of evil. We must let God fill our hearts and lives with His presence.   We must be filled with the Holy Spirit.  When we ask God to fill us with His Spirit, we are asking Him to control our lives. 

‭Ephesians 5:18 NIV‬ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 

The word the apostle Paul to describe the filling of the Holy Spirit also means “to permeate”, or spread throughout, penetrate, percolate through, extend throughout.

In other words, allow the Holy Spirit to be part of every aspect of your life. He wants to permeate your careers and our ministries. He wants to be a part of everything.

So let the Holy Spirit permeate every area of your life. Let the Holy Spirit fill you and control you. It isn’t about trying harder; it’s about realizing there is power available to help us live the Christian life.

A. The mere absence of evil in your life will not bring you fullness of joy.

                  

B. A heart that is empty of evil and cleansed from sin must be filled if it is to remain clean and experience fullness of joy.

The way to keep the weeds down in a garden is to fill that garden with seeds and plants so the weeds and the grass can be easily controlled and crowded out. 

                  

C. We must let God’s Spirit fill our lives. We must fill our lives with the things of God or the evil spirits will return to plague us.  An empty mind and an empty heart invite disappointment and tragedy. 

‭Philippians 4:8 NIV‬ [8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

Many professing Christians are characterized by a negative form of religion and have let evil spirits come and fill their minds and their lives. Think about the evil spirit of self-righteousness that makes us so unattractive in the eyes of the unsaved people around us. Consider the evil spirit of self-satisfaction that causes us to live dormant and stagnant lives. Consider the evil spirit of selfishness that causes us to not reach out to win others. Consider the evil spirit of apathy that leads to boredom and dissatisfaction with life. Consider the evil spirit of criticism of those who are trying to do the will of God. 

Evil spirits can take many forms and occupy hearts that should be filled with the Spirit of God and with the goodness of God. 

Conclusion

God wants to occupy the house of your soul. He wants to help you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit 

‭Galatians 5:22-23 NIV‬ [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

He wants to help you to love him supremely and to love yourself properly and to love others in a helping and joyful way. 

‭Mark 12:29-31 NIV‬ [29]  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

When we permit God to fill our hearts and lives, he gives us a great inward security that replaces the fear and anxiety that dwelt there before. 

‭1 John 4:16-18 NIV‬ [16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [17] This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. [18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

When we are filled by the Holy Spirit He is permitted to fill our hearts and lives, he enriches us so that we can become givers instead of getters. He enables us to experience a joy that overflows and brings joy to others.

‭1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV‬ [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

       

God wants to help you be what he meant for you to be before Satan came in and disturbed and destroyed the beauty and peace of the Garden of Eden which was paradise. God wants to restore paradise in your heart, and he will do that only through Jesus Christ 

‭John 14:6 NIV‬ [6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to comfort us in our weaknesses. You give us strength when we cannot take another step. Guide us into all truth, remind us of your ways, and give us boldness to testify about what you're doing in our lives. "I pray that we  recognize these blessings that the Spirit brings to us  because of the victory of Jesus. We praise you for your incredible gift of grace and the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit who assures us of your great and abundant blessings"  Amen