Jesus says in John 12:32 32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."
We know this was a statement made by the Lord Jesus speaking of His impending death on the cross. Which would make possible the drawing of all men to Himself. For man found himself in a horrific position of being separated from God because of sin. In Jesus being lifted up on the cross in death for the sins of the world He became the bridge for man to be no longer separated from God but to be restored back to a place of eternal relationship for all who would accept Him into their lives as Lord and Savior. “If I am Lifted Up”
I believe that to be the setting of this verse, but I believe this statement has a far reaching meaning to all who have a personal relationship with Him. Found in this verse is a profound deep meaning of Lifting Jesus Up by all who know Him personally. When we as believers lift up Jesus to a lost, dying, and sin sick world they are drawn to Him. So they can be forgiven, and restored back to the God the Father. So how do you and I lift up Jesus?
#1. In Word- in the study of the word of God, how can we live for or tell others about this Jesus who saves lost sinners from the penalty, the power and the presence of sin, if we ourselves are not in the word of God. We must lift up Jesus in our personal lives so we can help others lift Him up in their lives.
#2. In Worship- When we attend a worship service what is our purpose for gathering together. So make it a social time, some make it a time to sooth their conscious, some come because they have been coming for years and it is just what they do. But listen when we come to a place to worship, wherever that may be our purpose is to lift up Jesus.
#3. In Witness- When we have been in the word and we have worshiped then we are ready to lift up Jesus in witness- we are to tell the world that Jesus Christ is the answer to all of eternity. Most people think the only person who has to witness to the world are those who are in ministry. We have been given the commission and the power to tell the world that Jesus saves. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
Question: Are you lifting Jesus Up?
Hal Hatten
Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church
Obituaries
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Kenneth Earl Prather
A memorial gathering for Mr. Kenneth Earl Prather of Bogue Chitto will be at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, February 5, 2025,…
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James "Jim" Williams, Jr.
The funeral service for James “Jim” Williams, Jr. will be 11 a.m., Monday, February 3, at Riverwood Family with burial…
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Elaina Lee Wilson
Elaina Lee Wilson, 66, of Brookhaven, passed away January 27, 2025, at her residence. She was born in San Diego,…
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Todd Lee Fennell
Todd Lee Fennell, 49, of Hazlehurst, died January 28, 2025. He was born in Hattiesburg, MS, April 11, 1975, to…
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Clyde Monroe Lofton
The funeral service for Clyde Monroe Lofton will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 1st, at Riverwood Family, with burial in…
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Willie Earline Deloach
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Timothy Edward Waldrop
A memorial service for Timothy Edward Waldrop will be held at Noon, on Friday, January 31, at Riverwood Family. A…
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Sherri Michelle Bankston
The funeral service for Sherri Michelle Bankston will be 10 a.m., Friday, January 31st, at Wellman Baptist Church with burial…
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Vickey Ann Williams
The funeral service for Vickey Ann Williams will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 29th at Riverwood Family with burial in…
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Laura Marie Barksdale
A memorial service will be held for Laura Marie Barksdale at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, at Union Hall…
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James Calvin Kimble, Sr.
Mr. James Calvin Kimble, Sr., 87, of Brookhaven, MS, passed from this life January 24, 2025, at King’s Daughters Medical…
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April Dawn Nowell
April Dawn Nowell, 49, of Monticello, MS, died January 22, 2025, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Pearl, MS,…
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Brenda "Bean" Gail Strittman Whittington
Brenda Gail Strittman Whittington (Bean), 73, was born February 16, 1951, to James Rufus and Mildred Burkhalter Strittman. Mrs. Whittington…
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Charles Edwin McCall
The funeral service for Charles Edwin McCall will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 24th, at Riverwood Family with burial in…
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Randy Ray Peets
A memorial gathering will be held for Randy Ray Peets from 9-11 am, Monday January 20th, at Riverwood Family with…
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John Ray Pounds
The funeral service for John Ray Pounds will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2025, at Riverwood Family. The…
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Tony Louis Stuart
The funeral service for Tony Louis Stuart will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2024, at Riverwood Family. The…
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Roy Rogers Roberts
The funeral for Roy Rogers Roberts will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 17, at Riverwood Family with burial in Gum…
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James Pressley Mason
The funeral service for James Pressley Mason (aka “Poppa Bear”) will be 3 p.m., Thursday, January 16, at Riverwood Family…
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Judith Gail "Judy" Davis
The funeral service for Judith Gail “Judy” Davis will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 16th, at Riverwood Family with…
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