Sep 8, 2019
How God’s Glory and Promises Find Fulfillment in His Son Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians
By: (All)
     The Bible is a library of books about God. He creates the world which immediately turns against Him. But instead of casting sinners away, He seeks them out and offers them pardon, all the while warning them of judgment for those who continue in rebellion.                              But how can a just God also be merciful? How can a perfectly holy Deity interact with sinful man? And how can sins even be forgiven? It’s a mystery, a mystery none of the world religions even pretends to answer. But what has been hidden, even from the prophets, now is revealed through Jesus in the gospel.        We will see that while there are many questions to answer, and many mysteries which have been hidden, they all are answered and resolved in the ONE mystery, which is the revelation of God in Christ: Both Jew and Gentile are now one in Him.        This is the idea of this unique New Testament book. Paul is not correcting errant doctrine, or dealing with division in the church. He is explaining to all churches for all times in all places how Jesus Christ not only is the central figure of human history, but also the only Person who can bridge the moral canyon between repentant sinners and a holy God and span the ethnic/cultural chasm between Jew and Gentile.   Let’s think through how Paul explains this amazing mystery, how it has been revealed, and how it applies to us.  
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  • Sep 8, 2019How God’s Glory and Promises Find Fulfillment in His Son Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians
    Sep 8, 2019
    How God’s Glory and Promises Find Fulfillment in His Son Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians
    By: (All)
         The Bible is a library of books about God. He creates the world which immediately turns against Him. But instead of casting sinners away, He seeks them out and offers them pardon, all the while warning them of judgment for those who continue in rebellion.                              But how can a just God also be merciful? How can a perfectly holy Deity interact with sinful man? And how can sins even be forgiven? It’s a mystery, a mystery none of the world religions even pretends to answer. But what has been hidden, even from the prophets, now is revealed through Jesus in the gospel.        We will see that while there are many questions to answer, and many mysteries which have been hidden, they all are answered and resolved in the ONE mystery, which is the revelation of God in Christ: Both Jew and Gentile are now one in Him.        This is the idea of this unique New Testament book. Paul is not correcting errant doctrine, or dealing with division in the church. He is explaining to all churches for all times in all places how Jesus Christ not only is the central figure of human history, but also the only Person who can bridge the moral canyon between repentant sinners and a holy God and span the ethnic/cultural chasm between Jew and Gentile.   Let’s think through how Paul explains this amazing mystery, how it has been revealed, and how it applies to us.  
  • Sep 1, 2019“You Can’t Share What You Don’t Have”
    Sep 1, 2019
    “You Can’t Share What You Don’t Have”
    By: (All)
    Series: Special 2019
  • Aug 25, 2019Two Kingdoms, Two Ways Or, How can we be in the world, but not of it?
    Aug 25, 2019
    Two Kingdoms, Two Ways Or, How can we be in the world, but not of it?
    By: (All)
    First, let’s make sure we know what is at stake.        Psalm 1:1, 2 speaks of two ways, describing each. . .   Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.   Note the progression from thoughts to behavior to character. Wrong thoughts and deeds are rooted in cynicism (unbelief).        In contrast, verse 2 presents the positive side of the blessed. . .   But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.                      The blessed person thinks and lives by God’s Word, His promises.             His acts are based upon and energized by God’s commandments.                    His character is rooted in truth because He delights in God’s word.
  • Aug 18, 2019The Bottom Line of Law vs. Grace “In summary. . .” Galatians 6:11-18
    Aug 18, 2019
    The Bottom Line of Law vs. Grace “In summary. . .” Galatians 6:11-18
    By: (All)
     Similarly, some in the Galatian churches wanted to live under the Law, but Paul explains that love fulfills the law. But how does that work? Pretend that the break between chapters five and six does not exist, and so our 6:1-10 is really a continuation on what it means to live by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit, and bear the fruit of the Spirit. This passage shows us how to obey Galatians 5:26.                Without the constraints of the Law, can’t we be hurt? Can’t people take advantage of us? Will we still have any boundaries to our emotional vulnerability? Paul assures us that God is watching, and will bring all people to account, and so it is safe for us to let our hearts go out to others, allowing Him to be the judge. Our job is to sow the good seeds of the Spirit, and leave the harvest to Him.   Last week we saw that. . . Freedom from the Law brings love, not lawlessness. . .
  • Aug 11, 2019Free to Risk Loving Others “Live as God’s family!” Galatians 6:1-10
    Aug 11, 2019
    Free to Risk Loving Others “Live as God’s family!” Galatians 6:1-10
    By: (All)
  • Aug 4, 2019New Covenant, not Old Commandments “Keep in step with the Spirit!” Galatians 5:13-26
    Aug 4, 2019
    New Covenant, not Old Commandments “Keep in step with the Spirit!” Galatians 5:13-26
    By: (All)
  • Jul 28, 2019“It is for freedom Christ has set us free!” Galatians 5:1-12
    Jul 28, 2019
    “It is for freedom Christ has set us free!” Galatians 5:1-12
    By: (All)
  • Jul 21, 2019“You are children of the Promise, not slaves of the Law.” Galatians 4:21–31
    Jul 21, 2019
    “You are children of the Promise, not slaves of the Law.” Galatians 4:21–31
    By: (All)
  • Jul 14, 2019A Gospel Grace Reality Check: Or, “Once free from a life of slavery, why would you reapply?” Galatians 4:8-20
    Jul 14, 2019
    A Gospel Grace Reality Check: Or, “Once free from a life of slavery, why would you reapply?” Galatians 4:8-20
    By: (All)
  • Jul 7, 2019Why Sinai? Or, “If the Law can’t save anyone, why did God give it?” Galatians 3:19–4:7
    Jul 7, 2019
    Why Sinai? Or, “If the Law can’t save anyone, why did God give it?” Galatians 3:19–4:7
    By: (All)