A PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS

In a message titled, PAUL, A PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS (Philemon vv. 1-3), we began Paul’s smallest letter in the Bible- the book of Philemon. Paul wrote this work during his first Roman imprisonment, along with his letters to the Colossian, Ephesian, and Philippian churches (Col. 4:10; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:13; 2:23-24; Phile 22; Rev. 1:9, etc.).

However, in this heartfelt request, Paul corresponded not to a church but with an individual (i.e. the “you” is singular in verses 4, 6-8, 10-12, 16, 18-21, and 23).… Continue reading

GRACE- PEACE AND MERCY

Grace Mercy and Peace scrabble tiles

Today we finished our series in Galatians with a message titled, GRACE- PEACE AND MERCY (Gal 6:16-18). Who has “peace and mercy” with God? (Gal. 6:16). Judicially, we know it is all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 14:6; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 John 2:2, etc.) to include both Gentile believers (i.e. the “them” of Gal. 6:16) “and… the Israel of God,” that is, also Jewish believers in Galatia (e.g. Gal.… Continue reading

GLORY TO GOD

In our message, GLORY TO GOD (Gal. 6:11-15), Paul grabs the pen from his scribe to end this letter with his “own hand” (Gal. 6:11). Some scholars believe the “large letters” Paul wrote with were because of poor eyesight (Gal. 4:13-15), but it is also probable he wrote with large font (all-caps) in a final attempt to reach the audience he cared about so much.

When does God message us in ALL CAPS? (Gal. 1:6-9; 2:21; 3:1, 3; 4:30; 5:1, 7-8, 13, 16-18, 21, 25; 6:5, 7-9, etc.)… Continue reading

ACCOUNTABILITY, ENDURANCE, AND DOING GOOD

In a message titled, ACCOUNTABILITY, ENDURANCE, AND DOING GOOD (Gal. 6:7-10), the Holy Spirit warns Christians one last time in the book of Galatians about the perils of walking in the flesh. The audience has not changed (Gal 1:2-3; 3:2; 4:14-15, 28, 31; 5:1, 7, 16-21, etc.). Sin is deceitful, and God warns His children here “not [to] be deceived” (Gal. 6:7a). “God is not mocked” (Gal. 6:7a; Rom. 7:18; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:8-9; 1 Cor.… Continue reading

JOHN’S PERSONAL TESTIMONY

In our Easter Sunday sermon titled, JOHN’S PERSONAL TESTIMONY, we see the Apostle John’s eyewitness account as to how he first came to believe Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:1-10). The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is what Easter is all about, and it is also central to the Gospel itself, which states, “…Christ died for our sins… was buried, and… rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor.… Continue reading

JESUS PRESENTS HIMSELF AS KING

In our Palm Sunday sermon titled, JESUS PRESENTS HIMSELF AS KING, we read the Matthew account of that special day when Christ entered Jerusalem before dying for our sins on the cross (Matt. 21:1-11). Prior to this time, Jesus refused to be made Israel’s king (e.g. John 6:15/Matt 14:13; 17:19, etc.), but on this day He orchestrated a public demonstration of His role as “THE KING OF THE JEWS” for all to see (Matt. 27:37; Luke 23:38; Isa 62:11, etc.).… Continue reading

THE CALL TO GIVE

In a message titled, THE CALL TO GIVE (Gal. 6:6), we looked at another way Christians can “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) when it is done with the right heart motive.  In addition to gently helping other believers who are trapped by sin, Christians who “are spiritual” (Gal. 6:1-2) should “provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them” (Gal. 6:6 NLT).  Leaders and missionaries who minister the Word of God, the Bible says, should be highly esteemed in every way to include material sustenance (1 Tim.… Continue reading

THE LAW OF CHRIST

In our March 19th sermon titled, THE LAW OF CHRIST, God summarized His call for Christians to walk in the Spirit before going onto some practical applications of how we can live the life (Gal. 5:24-6:5). Christians, whether we realize it or not, “are Christ’s [and] have crucified the flesh” when we first came to faith in Jesus (Gal. 2:20; 5:24, etc.). This is our identity in Christ, by grace through faith, and it is what we are called to continually “reckon” or consider as true- because it is!… Continue reading

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Last Sunday we looked at a well-known passage on “THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT” (Gal. 5:22-23).  When Christians “walk in the Spirit,” God’s life flows out of us- keeping us free to serve Him (Gal. 5:1, 16-18, 22-23, John 10:10; 15:5, Rom. 5:5, etc.).  “Fruit” here is singular showing us these nine graces reflect who Christ is.  The idea here is to the same extent that there is love, there will be self-control… (2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 1:9, 21; 3:12, etc.).    … Continue reading

THE COST OF FOLLOWING EVIL


Last Sunday, in a message titled, THE COST OF FOLLOWING EVIL (Gal. 5:19-21), we looked at what God says His children can forfeit if we choose to not “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16-17, 21b).  Galatians 5:18 says, “if you are led in the Spirit…” which is conditional (i.e. “if”). Also, the Greek word for “led” here is “agō ” meaning to “guide,” and not “pherō” which means to “drive” or force. … Continue reading