306 East Main Street - Newport, Vermont 05855 - Phone 802-334-5554 Pastor David Lisner

"And He gave some as aposles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelist, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;" Ephesians 4:11-12 (NASB)

The Pastor's Page

Welcome to the “Pastor’s Page!” I am glad that you have taken a few moments of your valuable time to visit our web site. Every two weeks, I will be posting a new message on this page for the purpose of offering a word of encouragement and edification. If you have any questions or comments that pertain to the bimonthly messages or our web site, please send me an e-mail; I welcome your inquiries and input. May the Lord protect, strengthen, and enable you to grow in the love and knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ each day.
   In His love and service,
   Pastor Dave

“The Passion’s Purpose”

By Rev. David W. Lisner

Senior Pastor - Newport Baptist Church

Going to the theater this week to view “The Passion of Christ” has become a vogue endeavor for many across the Northeast Kingdom. Mel Gibson’s film portrays the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ with gruesome accuracy. Yet, the movie leaves its viewers with a looming and imperative question: what was the purpose behind Jesus’ brutal and bloody execution? The Scriptures offer us, a poignant and clear answer:

Humanity has a problem which religion and morality can not fix, its called sin. Our lies and lusts, our anger and apathy, our selfishness and seduction offend and separate us from a holy God, cf. Isaiah 59:2. Paul says, “The wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23). Sin strikes with a fatal sting leaving all of us helpless and hopeless.

Despite our rebellion and state of spiritual impotency, God loves you and me and desires for all men to be saved; in comes Jesus Christ and the reason for His execution, cf. 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus had to bleed and die in our place to absorb and satisfy the wrath of God on our behalf, cf. Romans 3:25. The apostle Paul writes, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9, NIV). The nails were necessary because, “Without the shedding of blood,” the book of Hebrews explains, “there is no forgiveness,” (9:22). “Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt, we could not pay.” Jesus, the Son of the Living God, had your future in mind when the whips tore His back to shreds, He had your name in His heart when the crown of thorns seared His brow, He thought about you as the excruciating pain of the cross intensified with each passing moment. He died to give us life, He rose from the grave to confirm that His sacrifice was sufficient and acceptable; here lies the purpose of Christ’s passion.

And now a choice remains: will you receive in faith the gift He purchased for you? I pray you choose wisely because all eternity rests in this decision! Your relationship with the Lord Jesus can begin today through the following prayer as you receive His gift of eternal life:

Today's Prayer:

Lord, I realize that I have sinned and ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is God’s Son, that He died on the cross and rose from the grave so that my sins would be forgiven. I accept your gift of salvation in faith and ask that you help me follow you, Amen.

“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.” (John 3:16, NIV)

Past Messages from Pastor Dave

Finding a New Focus

Discovering Delight

Discovering Happiness in Obedience

"The Fruit of a New Focus"

“The Passion’s Purpose”