Confession and Repentance
The story of David and Bathsheba reminds us that everyone can fall into...
The story of David and Bathsheba reminds us that everyone can fall into temptation. The more we try to cover up our sin, the more destructive it becomes. But when we confess our sin and recognize our need for a Savior, God’s grace and mercy meets us through the forgiveness we receive when we’re in Christ. The first step is agreeing with God and, through His power, turning away from sin.
God’s holiness is a reflection of His perfect nature. He is the creator and sustainer of all things, eternal, all-powerful and perfectly good in all of His ways. In His holiness, God also calls His people to be set apart as holy - not because of our goodness, but as an act of worship in recognizing His goodness and love toward us.
The Lord’s Supper - or communion - is a sacrament given to the church by Jesus himself for the purposes of remembering his sacrifice and the new covenant his death and resurrection established. 2,000 years later, this regular rhythm of remembrance is an important moment for the gathered church family to look back to remember what Christ has done, look inward to examine our hearts, and look forward to what Christ will do when he returns.
Are we willing to follow some cultural norms for the sake of gaining the opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel with others? The Apostle Paul reminds the church that the way in which Christians interact with one another can communicate many things to the culture around us. He also reminds us of how God’s design for marriage relationships can also point people to Jesus.
What’s the true purpose of the freedom we have in Christ? Having been set free from sin by Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we have many options for how we can spend our time and energy. The Apostle Paul reminds Christ followers that the purpose of our freedom is not for selfish pursuits, but is instead for the purpose of loving and serving others.
Following Jesus isn’t just about church attendance or saying and doing the right things on the outside. Being fully devoted to Jesus is a posture of our heart, soul and mind. The Apostle Paul gives a warning against simply going through the motions of faith without letting it actually transform your heart. The world will present plenty of temptations to pull us away from following Jesus. Are you devoted to him with your whole heart?
What does it look like to ‘live on mission’ for Jesus? The Apostle Paul encourages Christians to make the people around us our focus - learning their stories, joining them in their activities, and becoming a part of their world. As we put our own preferences and pursuits aside and adapt to the people God puts in our path, we’ll find ourselves with incredible opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel.
Would you surrender a right you’re entitled to if it meant someone else would be able to experience the Gospel? The Apostle Paul sets a high bar for how Christians should think about the things we choose to do or not do, always encouraging us to think about the good of others and the good of the Gospel before we consider what benefit we might receive. It’s a call to selfless service.
What does it look like to put others’ needs before our own preferences? Christianity affords a wide variety of freedom, but that freedom comes with a responsibility to think of the people around us first. If something we choose to do will cause someone else to struggle, we’re called to give up that freedom for their good. Following the model of Jesus, we can love and serve others by limiting our own freedom for the cause of the gospel.
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Sermons by: Sunday School
Holiness of God
God’s holiness is a reflection of His perfect nature. He is the creator...