Apostle Paul making tents in Corinth – bulletin art and coloring page – from Acts 18.
Paid subscribers and donors can copy and download various sizes.
Sunday Shorts: Lay Down
John 10:15 Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)
I’ve sometimes heard and read some post-modern preachers say that Jesus didn’t sacrifice His life on our behalf. They question Christ paying the price of our sins because God’s justice demanded it. They also express the thought that His death was accidental and was never intended to happen. I wonder where they get their notions from and feel as though they’re just parroting something that a seminary teacher, lecturer, or professor once stated. They are fully convinced that they are right and people like me are totally wrong.
I question their ideas because scripture, like today’s highlighted verse, plainly states that Jesus Himself declared He was willing to lay down His life for the sheep; in other words, Christ clearly expressed His readiness to die for His flock, which is not some 19th century theological notion created by revivalist preachers, but is a First century teaching that the Apostle John must have heard directly from the lips of Jesus.
I have known several shepherds in my lifetime and have seen how devoted they are to the wellbeing of their livestock. At this time of year, they are constantly watching over the ewes who are producing lambs and spend many hours tending to their needs at a very vulnerable time for both the ewes and their young. Without that commitment and watchfulness, the sheep would perish, so it’s no wonder then that Jesus talked about being the Good Shepherd to His followers, but He also took His pastoral care a stage further by stating that He would lay down His life for them – that’s not just good shepherding; it’s great shepherding.
There can be no reason for Jesus saying He would lay down His life for His sheep other than sacrificing Himself on their behalf, even on our behalf. It may be theologically fashionable for some folks to reject this notion, but it does not eradicate the fact that Jesus did what He said He would do. He laid down His life on the Cross at Calvary in order to save His sheep and satisfy what God required. Why? Because the sheep, including us, could do nothing to save themselves from the wrath of God.
Point to ponder: Do I believe Jesus laid down His life for my sins? If not, what can I do to save myself? If so, am I willing to accept Christ as my Savior today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, without Your sacrifice, we could never do enough to placate God or be restored to God’s favor, love, and kingdom. Help us to understand and accept that You laid down Your life for every one of us by enabling us to receive You as our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. Amen.
Celtic Art
Over the years, I’ve drawn some Celtic inspired images which can be used in church bulletins, worship screens, and on social media. I’ve also drawn a few coloring pages.
The images below begin with several Pentecost and Communion drawings.
Paid subscribers and donors can copy and download various sizes for use. See the menu for details.
Easter 5B art and coloring pages
Church bulletin art for Easter 5B (28 April) – The True Vine – John 15:1 and Psalm 22.
Paid subscribers and donors may copy and download for use. See menu for details.
Coloring Page
Psalm 22
Narrative Lectionary art: Year 2 Easter 4
Narrative Lectionary art: Year 2 Easter 4 Paul teaching in the synagogue at Thessalonica (Acts 17). Paid Subscribers and donors can copy and download various sizes for use.
Easter 4B additional art – Acts 4 and 1 John 3
Easter 4B additional art – Cornerstone (Acts 4) and 1 John 3.
Paid subscribers and donors can copy and download various sizes for use.
See menu for details about subscriptions and donations.
Easter 4B bulletin art and coloring pages
Easter 4B bulletin art and coloring pages for Psalm 23 and John 10:11-18.
Paid subscribers and donors can copy and download various sizes for use.
See menu for details.
Sunday Shorts: Restored by Love
Luke 24:47 Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (NRSV)
When Jesus came back from the dead, His first message to the disciples was similar to what He initially expressed as He began His ministry. At that original point, He urged people to repent and believe the good news because the Kingdom of God was near (Mark 1:15). After being resurrected, the message that His disciples were now given to proclaim was simple: people were being urged to repent and their forgiveness of sins was to be declared.
This meant that when Jesus died on the Cross things were changed for all of humanity. Whatever debt we owed to God because of our sinful ways was cancelled completely. Before the Cross, people needed to appease God with sacrifices; after the resurrection, we were urged to sacrifice our pride and humbly confess our mistakes in order to be given total forgiveness of our sins.
I don’t know about you, but that divine transaction of my debt being imposed on Jesus when He was nailed to the Cross gives me hope. I’ve done some really bad things in my life that I truly regret and wish never happened. I would be as miserable as sin if I didn’t know Jesus as my Savior, so when He offers me true forgiveness in return for my repentance, I’m ready to take that gift.
Perhaps you’ve been carrying some guilt in your heart and it keeps you awake at night. Maybe you’ve done something foolish that you regret and it torments your mind. Whatever it is, it can be rectified; whatever you’ve done, you can be restored to God’s favor and love. Jesus has completed what was necessary to reconnect all of us to our gracious God – all we simply have to do is repent.
Find a quiet place today and have a quiet time with God. Unburden your soul and let the tears of regret fall from your eyes. There is nothing that you have done that God cannot forgive through Jesus. God already knows what it is, so just allow yourself to be relieved by simply whispering it to God. Repentance will restore you and Jesus will embrace you. Let His power to forgive, renew you; let His ability to love, release you.
Prayer: Lord, You know us completely. You’ve seen all of our mistakes and are totally aware of all the things that bother our consciences. Help us to find some quiet time to be with You alone, to confess our faults, address our sins, and unburden all that we are sinfully and selfishly carrying. Allow us to take the opportunity of the forgiveness, peace, and love that You offer. In Your Holy Name, we humbly confess and pray. Amen.
John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Study eBook: Praying with Jesus
My latest eBook is live on Amazon. It’s called “Praying with Jesus.” The book is a short series of seven studies on the Lord’s Prayer. It would make an ideal summer series for small groups, Sunday school classes, or even individuals.
Each lesson has background notes on the prayer, including some important Hebrew and Greek words. There are also questions to ponder in each section, as well as a short devotion at the end to close the study. Additionally, I’ve added special prayers at the end of the book for a worship service which focuses on the Lord’s Prayer. There is also an added section at the end taken from the Shorter Catechism’s reflections on the Lord’s Prayer. As usual, my artwork is also included in each lesson.
The eBook is now available for 99 cents on Kindle – the reading app is free to download for any device. The eBook is now published electronically all over the world. Some links are given below. Enjoy!
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1C53GR
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1C53GR
Canada https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CW1C53GR
Australia https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CW1C53GR
New Pentecost Art and Coloring pages
Pentecost art which can be used for church bulletins, coloring pages, newsletters, social media, and marketing.
Paid subscribers and donors can download various sizes for use.
Other Pentecost art can be found at this link: Pentecost
Stushie Art 