There are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The first one listed is love. It’s appearance in the list should tell us something. It is an indication from our Lord that this love is not natural to humans and human behavior, though we like to think so. If you were asked, “Do you know how… Read More »
A Holy Communion
Every Sunday we share in Holy Communion. It is both a reminder and a testimony of why we are saved and the reason we have peace with God. The Lord’s Supper offers the opportunity for each of us to testify to the rulers and authorities of this dark world that we belong to Christ. Eating… Read More »
For Freedom
“It is for freedom that Christ set us free.” If you have faith to believe, you already know what this means. Even if you cannot express it, your soul knows it–through worship and prayer you experience the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom 8:21). To some, being set free for freedom’s sake does… Read More »
Freedom In Christ
What did Paul mean when he wrote, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free” -Gal 5:1? I suppose most English teachers and skilled writers would call that a redundant sentence. I was taught never to use a word in its own definition. Paul’s use of freedom and free might lead some to say… Read More »
The Covenant He Has Made With Us
If I asked, “Do you know who you are in Christ?” I think you all would be able to give accurate answers. One would say, “I’m a new creation.” Another would add, “I have been set free from sin and been made holy and blameless in God’s sight.” Others would chime in, “Free from accusation!”… Read More »
The Christians Relationship To Sin
The Christian’s relationship to sin is like that of a host to a parasite, or a sovereign nation to an invading army. The contrast I wish to draw here is with the unbeliever’s relationship to sin. There is nothing parasitic or foreign about it. The invasion was long-ago successful. Another ruler has set up his… Read More »
Joy To Endure The Cross
The writer of Hebrews encourages us by the Spirit of Christ, saying, “Let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the… Read More »
Make Every Effort
I used to cringe. Every time I read or preached on a certain passage from Hebrews, I would stop short of the final verse. If I went any further, I knew I would wince, closing my eyes and tilting my head back because as if to say, “Ugh, why did you add that last verse?”… Read More »
Soldiers Of The King
I don’t suppose many of you see yourselves as warriors or soldiers, do you? I know that for years, I have not seen myself in that light. But there are several passages in the Bible that speak of the church in this way. We are all involved in a war, whether we want to be… Read More »
Children of Abraham pt. 4
In this final bulletin article about the phrase “God’s chosen people” as it pertains to the nation of Israel, I’m going to highlight some passages and verses that I have not addressed yet. In Ephesians, Paul speaks of a mystery that had been kept hidden (by God) from previous generations, but was being revealed by… Read More »
