This weekend, we are turning a corner in our series. As we have learned, salvation is both a moment and process in the life of every believer. It involves a person going from being spiritually dead to being alive in Christ. But what does that mean? And how does it change the way we celebrate Easter? The title of this weekend’s message is “REGENERATION.”
From God’s perspective, righteousness is the secret to success as a nation. The timeline of history is littered with nations and peoples that have ceased to be, not because of famine, earthquake, pollution, or deforestation, but, because of unrighteousness.
Having laid the foundation for what our mind is and what it means to have the mind of Christ, we now turn our attention to the application. We cannot will ourselves into righteousness. It’s not something we can force, but something we submit to and that God develops within us. The title of the message this weekend is “YIELD.”
In the fifth message in the series on anxiety, Jesus tells us to look at our Heavenly Father’s provision for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. If He can take care of their needs, will He not take care of the needs of His children? Of course He will! Our task is to make sure that we “seek His kingdom and His righteousness.”
Last weekend we saw how anger is a divine emotion displayed by God numerous times in the Old Testament and several times by Jesus in the New Testament. It’s the natural outcome of the coming together of His Holiness and Love.
Unfortunately, we have used anger for all the wrong reasons. Instead of using it to bring righteousness in this world, we use it to satisfy our selfish needs. This weekend we will see how to redirect anger in our personal lives.
This is a very important message especially now when Christians are called to stand firmly and graciously for the truth.
I'll be preaching a message called - "Trust and Obey." Jesus is teaching His disciples that following Him is not a substitute to obeying God. In fact, the standards are higher than that of the Pharisees and the scribes. He will give a series of "You've heard it said...but I say to you."
Ultimately, the only way people can obey such high standards is through the help of the Holy Spirit. He is indispensable to live the Christian Life.
I’ll be honest with you - the final beatitude deals with a subject that I don’t like to think about because I had to experience it growing up. In America people talk about persecution and how good it is for the growth of the church and develops holiness and purity. Ironically, those who go through to it don’t talk about how wonderful it is. In fact, they do whatever they can to avoid it and fight against it.
Persecution is the final beatitude for a reason. It is not something that we should look forward to. It is something we should do all we can to avoid, prolong, and work against. It is not something that God gives an extra something for. If you notice, the reward of persecution is no different than the one for the first beatitude - 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Unfortunately, it is a subject that we in America are having to face in a small degree. The response is not to brace ourselves and prepare for the worst. We need to strive to maintain and increase the presence of Christianity and biblical values in our country and beyond.
All Christians, especially in this generation, need to take a hard look at this beatitude. Although we desire righteousness, we do not hunger and thirst for it. Unfortunately, we are too satisfied with the things of this world and our own complacent Christianity. The Word of God is just something we pop into our lives like a breath mint. It doesn’t fill us but then again we are not seeking to be filled by it. We just want a little Christianity to fool those around us into thinking that we are good enough.
First we will ask – what is true righteousness? Then we will ask – what does it mean to truly hunger and thirst. Finally we will see how this blessing applies in the Christian life and beyond.
In our series on the life of Christ we come now to the Beatitudes. This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout the history of the church. There have been numerous debates about whether or not it is applicable to the believers today. The titles range from “The Secret to the Blessed Life” to “The Blessings of the Christian Life.”
Could it be that we are missing the very essence and purpose of this passage? When we read it carefully we notice that the blessing passages are leading towards Matthew 5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” The Beatitudes were not given to help us in our own personal lives as much as to live a life impacting the world around us.
This is one message that you cannot afford to miss! It will not only challenge us to live a life of blessing but also help us transform the world around us.
We take time off, brave the crowds, and spend our hard earned money to buy presents because we like to see our loved ones happy. We find joy in seeing them excited. So also, God takes delight in seeing us open the two greatest gifts He sent us in His Son Jesus – grace and truth.
This is one message we cannot afford to miss. Many Christians are living in condemnation when they should be walking by grace. Other Christians are living in lies when they should be walking in the truth. Grace lifts us up and truth sets us free.