THE 7 DIMENSIONS OF THE CROSS
OUTLINE
1. THE PASSION OF THE CROSS
2. THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS
3. THE POWER OF THE CROSS
4. THE PATTERN OF THE CROSS
5. THE PRIMACY OF THE CROSS
6. THE PARADOX OF THE CROSS
7. THE POSTULATE OF THE CROSS
THE MESSAGE
1. THE PASSION OF THE CROSS
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The death of Christ on the cross demonstrates the love and the passion of God towards mankind. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We must beleive
with all our hearts how much God loves us when we meditate on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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JOHN 3:16
"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.
1 JOHN 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
ROMANS 5:6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2. THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS
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We must understand the purpose and the meaning of the death of Christ on the cross.He died as our substitute taking the punishment of our sins and making an
atonement for our sins. He appeased the wrath of God against sin by taking it upon Himself as a propitiation.
He reconciled us to God and restored our relationship with God. He paid the ransom for us and redeemed us from the devil. He justified us and not only
forgave our sins but also made us righteous in the sight of God. He adopted us as children in the family of God and made us joint-heirs with Him.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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SUBSTITUTION
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ISAIAH 53:5-6
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are
healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 PETER 3:18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
ATONEMENT
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1 JOHN 2:2
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
HEBREWS 10:8-10
First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required
them to be made).
Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second.
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
HEBREWS 2:17
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and
that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
PROPITIATION
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ROMANS 5:9
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
RECONCILIATION
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ROMANS 5:10-11
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through
his life!
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
COLOSSIANS 1:21-22
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
2 CORINTHIANS 5: 18-20
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
REDEMPTION
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HEBREWS 9:12
He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal
redemption.
MATTHEW 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
JUSTIFICATION
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ROMANS 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
TITUS : 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit,
whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
ADOPTION
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GALATIANS 4:4-5
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
EPHESIANS 1:5
he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
ROMANS 8;15-17
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his
glory.
JOHN 1:12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
3. THE POWER OF THE CROSS
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The death of Christ on the cross has the power to forgive our sins and grant us salvation. By the stripes of Jesus we are healed from our sicknesses and
diseases. Through His death on the cross we are delivered from the scourge of curses and receive the blessings of God. We receive comfort in all our sorrows
because He carried our sorrows and grief on the cross.
We receive the supply of our material needs as He became poor for our sakes so that we can be blessed. As He humbled himself at the cross , He was exalted
above everyone else. In the same way , even as we humble ourselves we will be exalted . We can resist the devil and cause him to flee because Jesus overcame
satan on the cross.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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SIN
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ROMANS 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 JOHN 1:7-9
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
SICKNESS
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MATTHEW 8:16-17
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
1PETER 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
SCOURGE
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GALATIANS 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of
the Spirit.
SORROW
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ISAIAH 53: 4
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, mitten by him, and afflicted.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
SCARCITY
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2 CORINTHIANS 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become
rich.
SHAME
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Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed
him not.
1 PETER 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
ISAIAH 61:7
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double
portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
SATAN
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COLOSSIANS 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
REVELATION 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
JAMES 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 PETER 5:8-9
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
4. THE PATTERN OF THE CROSS
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We must follow the example and the pattern of the cross of Christ in our lives. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ shows clearly that God wants to save us not
destroy us. We must devote our lives to leading people to salvation. The cross teaches us that our sinful fleshly desires must be crucified.We must live a
holy and sanctified life.
The cross of Jesus Christ involved suffering. He suffered spiritually , emotionally and physically. He suffered spiritually when He became sin for us. Jesus
suffered emotionally .His agony in the garden of gethsemane made Him sweat tears of blood. He suffered physically when whipped and crucified with nails with
a crown of thorns pressed into his skull.We should be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.
Jesus sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind.The cross challenges us to give up our selfishness and be willing to sacrifice our welfare for the
benefit of others.We should walk in the humility and obedience that Christ demonstrated on the cross. We must surrender to the will of God.
The cross of Jesus Christ is an example of silence in suffering. Jesus bore his suffering silently. He did not revile and threaten those who made Him to
suffer. Instead He committed all things to God who judges righteously.We must trust in the sovereignity of God and believe that He is in control of our lives
and will make all things work together for good.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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SERVICE
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Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
MARK 16:15-16
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
LUKE 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to
repent.
SANCTIFICATION
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ROMANS 6:5-7
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
GALATIANS 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave himself for me.
SUFFERING
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2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Mark 15:15-25
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers.
They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.
And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!"
Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
It was the third hour when they crucified him.
1 PETER 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
SACRIFICE
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Matthew 20:28 ,
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Luke 23:28
Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.
SUBMISSION
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MATTHEW 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but
as you will."
LUKE 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
SILENCE
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Matthew 27:14
But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge to the great amazement of the governor.
Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he
did not open his mouth.
I Peter 2:22-23
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
SOVEREIGNITY
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JOHN 19:11
"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater
sin."
Acts 4:24-28
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and
everything in them.
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " ’Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you
anointed.
They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
ROMANS 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
5. THE PRIMACY OF THE CROSS
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We must realise the primacy and the importance of the cross of Christ. We must understand the heavy price paid by Christ for our salvation and be careful not
jeopardise it by our sinful actions. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
We must not take part in the Holy communion unworthily and bring judgement upon ourselves. Even the prophets and angels are awestruck by the greatness of the
salvation that has been provided for us through the cross of Christ.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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HEBREWS 2:3
how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
HEBREWS 6:4-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,
if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public
disgrace.
1 PETER 1 :18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your
forefathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
PHILIPPIANS 2:12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear
and trembling,
1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-30
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
1 PETER 1:9-12
for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,
trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories
that would follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached
the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
6. THE PARADOX OF THE CROSS
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The cross of Christ is an amazing paradox of a victory which appeared as a defeat. When Jesus was crucified it looked like a defeat for Jesus but in reality
it was a victory. Jesus won the victory over Satan on the cross. The plan of God to provide redemption to humanity from sin , sickness , curses , demonic
bondage and eternal damnation was successfully fulfilled at the cross.
The rulers of this world did not understand the plan of God. There is great power in the cross to draw the people to Christ. Even in our lives the cross we
carry may appear difficult and painful but it reality it brings great blessings upon our lives. Our sufferings for the sake of Christ brings eternal rewards
for us. But we must be careful not bring needful sufferings in our lives through our own sins and errors.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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1 CORINTHIANS 2:7-8
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
JOHN 12:32-33
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
GENESIS 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
MATTHEW 5: 10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1 PETER 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise,
glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
ROMANS 8:17-18
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his
glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
HEBREWS 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
1 PETER 4:12-16
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 PETER 2:19-20
For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable
before God.
1 PETER 3:14-17
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But
do this with gentleness and respect,
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
7. THE POSTULATE OF THE CROSS
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The cross of Christ presents a postulate and strong argument for our faith. When we see the sacrifice of God who gave His own Son for us, we must be inspired
in our faith that God would surely grant us everything else that we need. We must make our requests to God with faith and assurance and we will receive His
blessings in our life.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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ROMANS 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
MATTHEW 7:5-11
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him!
MARK 11:22-24
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ’Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says
will happen, it will be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
JAMES 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
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