Podcasts about through faith in jesus

Today's Promise: Luke 10:20 If you belong to Christ, you never have to fear death. In today's episode, we're looking at one of the greatest promises in all of Scripture. When the disciples returned rejoicing over the miracles they had seen, Jesus reminded them that there was something even more wonderful to celebrate: their eternal home with God. Life on this earth passes quickly, like a vapor on a cold morning, but eternity lasts forever. Through faith in Jesus, your reservation in heaven has already been confirmed. One day, when you close your eyes in death, you will open them in the presence of the Savior who loves you and prepared a place for you. Join me as we reflect on the assurance believers have in Christ and discover why knowing your name is written in heaven is the greatest blessing of all. You can live with confidence, joy, and hope today.

How holy is God? Scripture describes Him as a consuming fire—so pure, righteous, and glorious that no sinful person could stand in His presence apart from His mercy and grace. In Episode 12 of "The Fear of the Lord," Duane Sheriff teaches that understanding God's holiness is essential to understanding both the fear of the Lord and the greatness of salvation through Jesus by distinguishing between tormenting fear (being afraid of God) and godly fear (reverence and worship of God).Through faith in Jesus, we are transformed from children of darkness to children of light and are clothed in Christ's righteousness, enabling us to stand in God's holy presence, not with terror but with confidence. Drawing from Hebrews, Thessalonians, Daniel, and other Scriptures, Duane explains how the same holy fire that brings judgment to unbelief becomes cleansing, refining, and refreshing to those who trust in Christ. The account of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace is an example of how God's presence burns away bondage while preserving His people.Discover what true holiness really means—not an outward religious performance or cultural standard, but a Christ-like character formed within us through the transforming grace of God.Click for FREE offer ➡️https://pastorduane.com/landing/the-fear-of-the-lord

In Genesis 12, God calls Abram into the unknown with a powerful promise-to bless him, make him into a great nation, and use him to bless the world. Abram responded by stepping out in faith, trusting God even when he could not see the full picture ahead. This sermon explores how God's promises require faith-filled obedience and how Abram's journey becomes the foundation of God's redemptive plan. Through faith in Jesus, we are now included in that same promise and invited to live as people who trust God and carry His blessing to others. 

In Romans 6:1-14, we're reminded that freedom is much more than forgiveness—it's freedom from the power of sin itself. Through faith in Jesus, believers are no longer enslaved to their old way of life but are made new through His death and resurrection.Using powerful illustrations from Braveheart, Lazarus' resurrection, and Paul's teaching to the Roman church, this message challenges us to stop making peace with sin and start walking in the victory Christ has already won. If you've ever felt trapped by past struggles, habits, or failures, this sermon offers hope, encouragement, and a call to live in the freedom Jesus provides.

Welcome to Wellspring Church!In this Baptism Sunday message, Pastor Billy Waters reflects on the difference between living in darkness and living in the light of Christ. Using the experience of suddenly losing power and being left in the dark as an illustration, Billy explores how darkness leaves us disoriented, hesitant, anxious, and unsure of where to go. In the same way, spiritual darkness can leave us struggling with fear, discouragement, confusion, and uncertainty about the future.The good news of the gospel is that Jesus does not leave us in darkness. He comes as the Light of the World, revealing who God is and showing us how to live. Billy reminds us that apart from Christ, we stumble through life trying to find our way. But when Jesus shines his light into our hearts, everything changes. What was once hidden becomes clear, and what was once ruled by fear can be marked by confidence and hope.

Pastor Ian Wilson closes out the final week of our teaching series, The Life of Abraham. Abraham's story is not just history, but an invitation for believers today. Through faith in Jesus, we are brought into God's family, meaning the same blessings, purpose, and relationship Abraham experienced are available to us—not through our own performance, but through Christ.   In this message, Pastor Ian explores the following Scriptures: Genesis 24 Genesis 25:7–11 Galatians 3:6–14 Galatians 3:27–29 Galatians 6:9 Hebrews 11:8–9 Hebrews 12:1 Psalm 78:1–8

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260511dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19 The Gift of Life The human body fights to survive. It has been given the precious gift of life, and it does not easily let go of that gift. And so, it fights infection. It develops immunities. It heals when bruised, cut, or broken. In dire situations, it will divert energy and nutrients to the more integral parts of the body. The human body is a remarkable creation of God. Add in medical advancements in technology and the knowledge that the Lord has blessed us with, and the human body can live longer than in generations past. While all of that is true, the body eventually reaches the point where life is almost over. There will come a point for all of us when the body cannot heal itself, and no medical technology or skill will be able to prolong our lives. What then? Is that it? Not at all! No matter how long or short our lives on earth are, no matter how full or empty we make them, there is more to come after life here on earth. And because of Jesus, we can have a much longer and fuller life in heaven. Because of sin, Jesus knew that we all were doomed to a short life on earth followed by an eternity of torment. He didn't want that for us, and so he came here to be our substitute and Savior. Jesus lived a perfect life for us and died an innocent death on the cross so that our sins could be paid for and forgiven. He then rose from the dead to conquer death and open the gates to eternal life in heaven for us. And now he says to you, “Because I live, you also shall live.” Through faith in Jesus, when we leave this world, we will go to a place that is far better. We will live forever in heaven—a place where there will be no more death or pain or suffering. A place where we will never grow old or have our lives come to an end. Prayer: Dear Jesus, because you live, I also will live! Help me look forward to the day when I will be with you forever. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260511dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19 The Gift of Life The human body fights to survive. It has been given the precious gift of life, and it does not easily let go of that gift. And so, it fights infection. It develops immunities. It heals when bruised, cut, or broken. In dire situations, it will divert energy and nutrients to the more integral parts of the body. The human body is a remarkable creation of God. Add in medical advancements in technology and the knowledge that the Lord has blessed us with, and the human body can live longer than in generations past. While all of that is true, the body eventually reaches the point where life is almost over. There will come a point for all of us when the body cannot heal itself, and no medical technology or skill will be able to prolong our lives. What then? Is that it? Not at all! No matter how long or short our lives on earth are, no matter how full or empty we make them, there is more to come after life here on earth. And because of Jesus, we can have a much longer and fuller life in heaven. Because of sin, Jesus knew that we all were doomed to a short life on earth followed by an eternity of torment. He didn't want that for us, and so he came here to be our substitute and Savior. Jesus lived a perfect life for us and died an innocent death on the cross so that our sins could be paid for and forgiven. He then rose from the dead to conquer death and open the gates to eternal life in heaven for us. And now he says to you, “Because I live, you also shall live.” Through faith in Jesus, when we leave this world, we will go to a place that is far better. We will live forever in heaven—a place where there will be no more death or pain or suffering. A place where we will never grow old or have our lives come to an end. Prayer: Dear Jesus, because you live, I also will live! Help me look forward to the day when I will be with you forever. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In the opening message of the Manifest series, Pastor Hazen Stevens brings clarity to a culturally popular idea—manifestation—and contrasts it with the truth of the gospel. While the world teaches that we can generate power from within, Scripture reveals something far greater: we are not called to become gods, but to become temples of the living God.The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force to be activated, but a Person to be received. From Genesis to Revelation, the Spirit is active in creation, redemption, and restoration. Through faith in Jesus, He comes to dwell within us—guiding, teaching, empowering, and transforming us from the inside out.Key Scriptures:John 16:12–15, Genesis 3:4–5, Romans 7:18, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Genesis 1:2, Revelation 22:17, John 7:37–39, John 3:5–8, Luke 3:22, Luke 4:1,14, John 20:22, Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Galatians 5:16,25, Ephesians 5:18, John 14:26, Romans 8:26, 2 Corinthians 3:18Main Points:1. Manifestation is an ancient lie that elevates self over God2. We do not have the power within ourselves to produce true righteousness3. The gospel makes us temples of the Holy Spirit, not self-made sources of power4. The Holy Spirit has always been active in God's work from beginning to end5. The Spirit is received at new birth and flows continually like living water6. Jesus modeled complete dependence on the Holy Spirit7. The Spirit-filled life is ongoing, not a one-time experience8. We are called to live daily as temples, walking in step with the Spirit9. Being filled with the Spirit is a continuous posture of dependence10. The Holy Spirit leads, teaches, comforts, and empowers us11. The invitation is not to create power, but to receive a Person➤ For more, visit www.gatecitybuckhead.com Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iwPmisV42J_F3SX6BZitOhhExgnAUnGJnFPaT-fCNPw/edit?usp=sharing#ManifestSeries #HolySpirit #SpiritFilledLife #NotAManifestation #John16 #PresenceCenteredLife #GateCityBuckhead #ChristianTeaching #SundaySermon #ChristianPodcast

Easter at The Ridge… where do we even start? From powerful baptisms to a message centered on the Lamb's Book of Life, Adam and Pastor Josh dive into the final message from our "Covered" series, unpack Revelation, and share what it all means for us today. Through faith in Jesus, our names are written—secure, known, and forever—and in this episode, they explore that hope, the behind-the-scenes moments, and the truth that changes everything.

Today we gather to acknowledge and celebrate the greatest victory in history. Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus did the impossible. He beat death. This is the victory that has brought people from all backgrounds together, and it is still the victory we are talking about today. This is more than an acknowledgment. God wants to transform our acknowledgment into a celebration. Through faith in Jesus, anyone can experience this victory. The resurrection is not just about eternal life later. It is the happy beginning. It is new life now. The resurrection is not just a past event to remember. It is a current reality to live in. We do not fight for victory. We fight from victory. The victory is still yours. The question is, do you believe this?Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/TSR2SzWM_ZgSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zkLearn more about us at chestnutmountain.orgFollow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 Do You Measure Up? “You must be this tall to go on this ride.” Those were terrible and frustrating words for a young boy to read, especially if his friends and/or cousins were tall enough to get on the roller coaster. It generally did not matter how tall I was. I can remember one summer being just an inch shy of the line, and the ride operator would not make an exception. I would have to wait until I measured up. Getting into heaven is like that. In fact, it is even worse. Jesus himself said that to enter heaven, we would have to be more righteous than the Pharisees of his day. To help understand his point, realize that the Pharisees had added hundreds of their own commands to be obeyed on top of the commands that God gave, and they shunned anyone who couldn't measure up to their rules. It is disheartening, then, to hear Jesus say that not even those self-righteous Pharisees could measure up. Truthfully, no one can. God demands perfection as the entrance requirement for heaven, and nobody can measure up to that. Jesus doesn’t say this because he wants to keep you out of heaven. Rather, he wants you to realize that there is only one way to gain entrance into heaven, and it isn’t through our own efforts. He wants us to see that the only way to heaven is through him. Jesus is the only one who measured up to God’s standard of perfection. He lived a perfect life in our place and achieved righteousness on our behalf. He died in our place on the cross to earn salvation for us. Through faith in Jesus, the standard has been met. He now gives us the ticket to heaven. We don’t need to worry about whether we measure up, because he measured up for us. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for meeting the standard of perfection for me. Grant me confidence that heaven is open to me because of all you did for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 Do You Measure Up? “You must be this tall to go on this ride.” Those were terrible and frustrating words for a young boy to read, especially if his friends and/or cousins were tall enough to get on the roller coaster. It generally did not matter how tall I was. I can remember one summer being just an inch shy of the line, and the ride operator would not make an exception. I would have to wait until I measured up. Getting into heaven is like that. In fact, it is even worse. Jesus himself said that to enter heaven, we would have to be more righteous than the Pharisees of his day. To help understand his point, realize that the Pharisees had added hundreds of their own commands to be obeyed on top of the commands that God gave, and they shunned anyone who couldn't measure up to their rules. It is disheartening, then, to hear Jesus say that not even those self-righteous Pharisees could measure up. Truthfully, no one can. God demands perfection as the entrance requirement for heaven, and nobody can measure up to that. Jesus doesn’t say this because he wants to keep you out of heaven. Rather, he wants you to realize that there is only one way to gain entrance into heaven, and it isn’t through our own efforts. He wants us to see that the only way to heaven is through him. Jesus is the only one who measured up to God’s standard of perfection. He lived a perfect life in our place and achieved righteousness on our behalf. He died in our place on the cross to earn salvation for us. Through faith in Jesus, the standard has been met. He now gives us the ticket to heaven. We don’t need to worry about whether we measure up, because he measured up for us. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for meeting the standard of perfection for me. Grant me confidence that heaven is open to me because of all you did for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 Do You Measure Up? “You must be this tall to go on this ride.” Those were terrible and frustrating words for a young boy to read, especially if his friends and/or cousins were tall enough to get on the roller coaster. It generally did not matter how tall I was. I can remember one summer being just an inch shy of the line, and the ride operator would not make an exception. I would have to wait until I measured up. Getting into heaven is like that. In fact, it is even worse. Jesus himself said that to enter heaven, we would have to be more righteous than the Pharisees of his day. To help understand his point, realize that the Pharisees had added hundreds of their own commands to be obeyed on top of the commands that God gave, and they shunned anyone who couldn't measure up to their rules. It is disheartening, then, to hear Jesus say that not even those self-righteous Pharisees could measure up. Truthfully, no one can. God demands perfection as the entrance requirement for heaven, and nobody can measure up to that. Jesus doesn’t say this because he wants to keep you out of heaven. Rather, he wants you to realize that there is only one way to gain entrance into heaven, and it isn’t through our own efforts. He wants us to see that the only way to heaven is through him. Jesus is the only one who measured up to God’s standard of perfection. He lived a perfect life in our place and achieved righteousness on our behalf. He died in our place on the cross to earn salvation for us. Through faith in Jesus, the standard has been met. He now gives us the ticket to heaven. We don’t need to worry about whether we measure up, because he measured up for us. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for meeting the standard of perfection for me. Grant me confidence that heaven is open to me because of all you did for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260210dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Who Are You? Have you found yourself yet? Many of us are on a quest to find ourselves, or at least were at one time in our lives. We live in a world so full of people, groups, and ideas that we wonder where we fit. And so, we spend much of our lives searching for an identity—looking for a way to define ourselves. There is no shortage of possible answers to the question. Perhaps we define ourselves through our athletic or musical abilities. As our skill and prowess grow, so does our self-esteem. Or maybe we define ourselves by our level of popularity. As our reputation with others increases, so does our own feeling of self-worth. We may define ourselves through our careers. As we climb the ladder of success, we also climb the ladder of value in our own eyes. Have you discovered the problem with all these methods of finding or defining ourselves? Eventually, (hopefully before it is too late), we discover the emptiness of all these things. We will inevitably find others who are more athletically or musically gifted than we are. There will no doubt be something we do or say that will harm our reputation with others. And we will likely have one business failure or another. When all these things happen, our sense of value, identity, and self-worth will be shattered. Then what? Thankfully, God has provided the answer to the question, “Who are you?” Through the work of Jesus as our Savior, God has made us his chosen people. He says that we are his “special possession.” This happened because Jesus came to live and die in our place to take our sins away and to make us right with God. Through faith in Jesus, we now have a new identity. We are God's people. And that is an identity that can never be taken away from us. Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for making me yours through faith in Jesus. Help me to always and only find my identity as your child. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260210dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Who Are You? Have you found yourself yet? Many of us are on a quest to find ourselves, or at least were at one time in our lives. We live in a world so full of people, groups, and ideas that we wonder where we fit. And so, we spend much of our lives searching for an identity—looking for a way to define ourselves. There is no shortage of possible answers to the question. Perhaps we define ourselves through our athletic or musical abilities. As our skill and prowess grow, so does our self-esteem. Or maybe we define ourselves by our level of popularity. As our reputation with others increases, so does our own feeling of self-worth. We may define ourselves through our careers. As we climb the ladder of success, we also climb the ladder of value in our own eyes. Have you discovered the problem with all these methods of finding or defining ourselves? Eventually, (hopefully before it is too late), we discover the emptiness of all these things. We will inevitably find others who are more athletically or musically gifted than we are. There will no doubt be something we do or say that will harm our reputation with others. And we will likely have one business failure or another. When all these things happen, our sense of value, identity, and self-worth will be shattered. Then what? Thankfully, God has provided the answer to the question, “Who are you?” Through the work of Jesus as our Savior, God has made us his chosen people. He says that we are his “special possession.” This happened because Jesus came to live and die in our place to take our sins away and to make us right with God. Through faith in Jesus, we now have a new identity. We are God's people. And that is an identity that can never be taken away from us. Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for making me yours through faith in Jesus. Help me to always and only find my identity as your child. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260210dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Who Are You? Have you found yourself yet? Many of us are on a quest to find ourselves, or at least were at one time in our lives. We live in a world so full of people, groups, and ideas that we wonder where we fit. And so, we spend much of our lives searching for an identity—looking for a way to define ourselves. There is no shortage of possible answers to the question. Perhaps we define ourselves through our athletic or musical abilities. As our skill and prowess grow, so does our self-esteem. Or maybe we define ourselves by our level of popularity. As our reputation with others increases, so does our own feeling of self-worth. We may define ourselves through our careers. As we climb the ladder of success, we also climb the ladder of value in our own eyes. Have you discovered the problem with all these methods of finding or defining ourselves? Eventually, (hopefully before it is too late), we discover the emptiness of all these things. We will inevitably find others who are more athletically or musically gifted than we are. There will no doubt be something we do or say that will harm our reputation with others. And we will likely have one business failure or another. When all these things happen, our sense of value, identity, and self-worth will be shattered. Then what? Thankfully, God has provided the answer to the question, “Who are you?” Through the work of Jesus as our Savior, God has made us his chosen people. He says that we are his “special possession.” This happened because Jesus came to live and die in our place to take our sins away and to make us right with God. Through faith in Jesus, we now have a new identity. We are God's people. And that is an identity that can never be taken away from us. Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for making me yours through faith in Jesus. Help me to always and only find my identity as your child. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Law Taught. This week we will be discussing Ezra 7-10 and Nehemiah 8. Ezra taught God's law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to fulfill the law and gives us power to turn away from sin through His death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey God. The teacher today is Lake.

We proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. — 1 John 1:2 After coming through the Christmas season, we stand today on the verge of a new year. In many homes Christmas decorations are coming down, and Christmas parties are over. Perhaps, like me, you are thinking of the year ahead, imagining and dreaming what God may have in store for you. As we look ahead to the new year and new seasons ahead, we also do well to look back at what God has done for us. Many years after Jesus had brought salvation by dying to pay for our sin and rising to new life for our sake, the apostle John wrote about his own experience as a follower of Christ. We can picture John looking back on what had happened to him when he first encountered Jesus. “The life appeared,” says John, and his words express the wonder and amazement he experienced when the Word of life came to him one day and changed his life (see Luke 5:1-11).Though we have not encountered Jesus in the same way his first disciples, like John, did, we still have an amazing story to tell. We have fellowship with the Father because Jesus, God's Son, has come to make him known. Through faith in Jesus, we experience forgiveness of sin and new life, restoring our relationship with God.Christmas brings us joy for what God has done and offers hope for what lies ahead. May your life, today and in the coming year, be filled with the joy of knowing Christ the Savior. Lord Jesus, as you became one of us so many years ago, stay close now and in the years ahead. Deepen our joy in knowing you. Amen.

“For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors. . . . I am the Lord.” — Leviticus 26:45 In Jesus' parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-24) we read of a young man who leaves home to seek adventures in wild living. Soon, however, his money runs out, and his life begins to unravel.Leviticus pointed God's people to the joy of his presence in their lives. Yet in spite of all God had done to make it possible for them to live with him, God knew they would soon go looking for joy elsewhere. They would find his laws too burdensome, and they would spiral again into sin. The first part of our reading today warned the people that disobedience would lead to punishment and the withholding of God's blessings. God's aim in all this was not to inflict pain but to break down pride and stubbornness.Thankfully, God does not give up on his wayward children. God remembers his covenant promises, and he restores all who repent and ask for forgiveness. Perhaps you too have wandered away, and you have faced the consequences of sin in your own life. Perhaps your relationship with God is a long-past memory, and your present life is a mess.The young man in Jesus' parable returns home, sorry for his wrongdoing, and he is surprised to be welcomed back with joy and grace by his loving father. Through faith in Jesus, we are guaranteed an even greater welcome home to our Father's love! Lord and God, thank you that, because of Jesus, we may come home to our true home with you! We thank and praise you for your kind mercy to us in Christ. Amen.

Paul reminds us that the law was never meant to replace God’s covenant, but to point us to Christ. Through faith in Jesus, we are no longer slaves under the law but sons and daughters-heirs of the promise given to Abraham.

How good are you at solving problems? Most of us can figure out everyday challenges pretty well. But there's one problem we can't fix on our own: we are broken people, weighed down by the reality of sin. No matter how hard we try to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, we can't escape it in our own strength.The good news is that God didn't leave us there. Out of love, He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the debt we could never pay and to offer us new life. Through faith in Jesus, we find redemption and the only way to the Father. And that's an invitation extended to you. Message Delivered: 9/7/25

The Gospel1. God is righteous and perfect.“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” (Romans 1:18)“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)2. Because God is righteous, He must judge sin.“For He will render to each one according to his works.” (Romans 2:6)“The Lord is a God of justice.” (Isaiah 30:18)3. All people have sinned and deserve judgment.“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)4. The payment for sin is death.“For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a)“But as for the cowardly, the faithless… their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)5. Jesus, fully God and fully man, died the death we deserve.“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1, 14)“…and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:24–26)6. Through faith in Jesus, God forgives sin and declares us righteous.“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)“…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)7. By faith, we receive eternal life with God.“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)“We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Through faith in Jesus, we have been redeemed from darkness and brought in the very family of God. We have a new identity; God calls us His children. By Pastor Shawn Lyons. 

Is singleness a gift or a flaw to be fixed? In this heartfelt devotional, Vivian Bricker invites us to rethink cultural and even church-based assumptions about being single. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 7:7 and Colossians 2:10, she reminds us that single Christians are not lacking—they are complete in Christ. Whether by choice, circumstance, or calling, singleness offers a unique opportunity to deepen our devotion to God and grow spiritually without distraction. Vivian speaks candidly from personal experience, addressing the pain, pressure, and purpose of singleness in a culture that often misunderstands it. If you’ve ever felt overlooked or “less than” because of your relationship status, this reflection will affirm your value and remind you that you are fully known and fully loved. Highlights (What You’ll Learn) Why singleness is not a flaw—but a God-given gift (1 Corinthians 7:7) The emotional challenges of being a single Christian in a relationship-centered world How Colossians 2:10 affirms that we are already complete through Christ Common misconceptions about single believers—and why they need to change Encouragement to embrace this season (or life calling) with purpose, dignity, and joy

Disciples of Jesus have been and are continuing to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Through faith in Jesus we enter His kingdom, and by His divine power we become more like Him!--Sermon by Pastor Nate Click--New to Heritage? Want to get more involved? Looking for a Group or Ministry Team? Let us know at https://heritage.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/6/responses/new--Stay Connected:Website: http://www.hbcmonroe.orgHeritage Facebook: /heritagebaptistchurchmonroe

Through faith in Jesus, you get credit for all the fruit that he produced in his entire, perfect life. Also through faith in Jesus, God does something to your heart. He puts down a layer of good, fresh soil, where things can begin to grow that could never grow before… The post Good Soil and Fruit appeared first on Intown Lutheran Church.

Sunday, 29 June 2025   Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11   “Amen! I say to you, not he has risen in ‘born of women' greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the kingdom of the heavens, he is greater than he” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus cited a portion of Malachi 3:1, indicating that John was the first messenger being referred to in that prophecy, being the one sent before the Messiah to prepare His way. Now, still referring to John, He continues with, “Amen! I say to you.”   Jesus is making an emphatic declaration concerning John. It will be a point that those around Him would hear and find amazing and yet satisfying, even if they didn't fully understand what He was speaking of. Having said this, He continues with, “not he has risen in ‘born of women' greater than John the Baptist.”   The term “born of women” is a way of identifying humanity. All humans since the creation of Adam and Eve have been born of a woman. As such, Jesus is referring to this common human nature. It is reminiscent of the words of Job –   “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. 2 He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” Job 14:1, 2   The “he has” in Jesus' words and the “Man” in Job's words refer to both men and women. The masculine stands for both in such statements. Therefore, it is not limited to men but is inclusive of all of humanity.   No person born to the stream of humanity is to be considered greater than John. Whether the subject is a king, a conqueror, a prophet, Abraham, Moses, David, or anyone else.   Jesus has already said that John is the subject of the prophecies referring to the one who would come as the precursor to the Messiah. Because he is that person, his role made the purpose of his life on par with or greater than any other. Despite this, Jesus continues, saying, “but the least in the kingdom of the heavens, he is greater than he.   The term “kingdom of the heavens” refers to a point in the future of the time of Jesus' words. There was a time coming that would divide human history in a way that nothing else had before. However, the timing of the event is not the only factor in determining who is a part of this kingdom. Rather, it is a necessary part of it.   John is living at a point in time when the kingdom being referred to has not yet arrived. Although unstated, it can be inferred that John is not going to live long enough for that kingdom to be ushered in.   As has been seen elsewhere already in Matthew, the idea of the kingdom holds various connotations. However, Jesus is referring at this time to the appointment of the Messiah King. This can be deduced by piecing together various thoughts presented in Scripture. Psalm 2 says –   “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6   To set a king implies a kingdom. However, Psalm 2 continues with –   “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'” Psalm 2:7   Paul says of Jesus that He is “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). The appointment of the King corresponds to the proclamation of the Sonship.   The resurrection provides the forum in which that proclamation is made. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the moment at which the times referred to above are divided. From that point, the kingdom of the heavens referred to in this verse is enacted.   Jesus' point is that the privileges associated with those alive after His resurrection are greater than those who came prior to that moment. It is these privileges that allow it to be said in reference to John that “the least in the kingdom of the heavens, he is greater than he.”   Life application: As noted, entrance into the kingdom of the heavens is not merely conditioned on being alive after the resurrection. Rather, that is a necessary condition of it. John died prior to that day, and his life falls under a different dispensation of time, one that only anticipated the coming kingdom.   Although the gospels refer to the kingdom an enormous number of times in comparison to the epistles, it is because of the various meanings of the term. In the epistles, Paul in particular refers to the kingdom, noting that it is something that believers are promised.   Through faith in Jesus, entrance into that kingdom is assured. The meaning is that we are already subjects of that kingdom, even if our state in it is not yet fully realized. Someday, those things promised to His saints will come. May that day be soon –   “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14   Lord God, how good it is to know that we have an eternal hope because of what You have done for us through Jesus Christ. Praises to You forever and ever for what You have done. May the day be soon when we stand in the light of our Savior and rejoice in the fullness of Your goodness. Yes, speed the Day, O God. Amen.  

On Easter Sunday, we wrapped up our Miracles of Jesus series with the most powerful miracle of all—the resurrection of Jesus.

Through faith in Jesus, we become partakers of eternal life and unending hope! By Pastor Shawn Lyons.

Through faith in Jesus, we are friends of God.

As Christians, it's vital that we understand this truth: our relationship with God is not based on our works, but in the finished work of Christ. Through faith in Jesus and what He has accomplished on our behalf, His righteousness becomes our righteousness. God chose freely before we were ever born to send His son to do this for us. God Himself chose to give us this life-transforming gift of grace! As we continually embrace Him, our lives will become more and more a reflection of His amazing grace.

Through faith in Jesus, we can live forever in the presence of God.

All of us have an aversion to judgment. We don't like the thought of being judged by other people, so we typically don't go looking for it. In fact, we do everything that we can to avoid being judged by others. If we are that averse to judgment from classmates, co-workers, or family members, than how much more fear ought we have of Judgment Day, when God will judge the living and the dead? The Bible reveals to us a little bit about Judgment Day, enough that we can picture it - standing before Jesus, who has authority to judge. So, a worthwhile question to ask is: How does my Judge view me? Should I be terrified of this? On our own... Yes! Absolutely! But, you are not on your own. God sent his Son Jesus for this very purpose. Through faith in Jesus, you will be judged not on the basis of your own works, but on what Jesus has done FOR YOU! Knowing this allows us to say and mean, "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" If you enjoy these sermons, please SUBSCRIBE! This causes others to have the opportunity to see this content. Thank you!

In the Messiah Galatians 2:11-21 by William Klock We're all familiar with the image of the two masks, side-by-side, representing tragedy and comedy—one face frowning and the other smiling.  The image represents the theatre, whether it's on playbills, or carved on the outside of a building, or use to mark the location of a theatre on a map.  That image is something that goes all the way back to ancient Greece.  Back then all the actors were men, there was no makeup, and many people sat far enough away that it was hard to see who was who.  So that the audience would know who was on stage and what they were about, the actors held masks in front of their faces—a bit larger than life and with exaggerated features and expressions.  The Greeks had a name for this sort of acting and it's come straight into English: hypocrites—hypocrite, hypocrisy.  By St. Paul's day the word had evolved beyond describing actual actors in a play.  It still did, but it commonly referred to someone who was playing a deceitful game of false pretences and pretending to be someone they really weren't. As we move on in Galatians 2, Paul levels this charge at Peter.  Not very long before Paul got word of what was going on in the Galatian churches and wrote this letter, Peter had travelled up to Antioch from Jerusalem.  This was a church of both Jews and gentiles and hat may be why Peter visited.  As we saw last week, Peter and Paul had agreed that Peter had been sent to the Jews and Paul to the gentiles, so here's Peter going to visit the Jews in Antioch. You would think after what had happened when Paul visited Jerusalem, after he stood firm against the “circumcision party” and found that he and Peter were ultimately in agreement with each other, you would think this visit to Antioch by Peter would have gone smoothly, but it did not.  Look at what Paul write in Galatians 2:11-14. But when Cephas [again, that's Peter's Greek name just like Paul is Saul's Greek name] came to Antioch, I stood up to him face to face.  He was in the wrong.  Before certain persons came from James, Peter was eating with the gentiles.  But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcision people.  The rest of the Jews did the same, joining him in this play-acting.  Even Barnabas was carried along by their sham.  But when I saw that they weren't walking straight down the line of gospel truth, I said to Cephas in front of them all: “If you're a Jew, but you've been living like a gentile, how can you force gentiles to become Jews?”   This issue of Jews and gentiles just wouldn't go away.  Paul thought it was settled after his visit to Jerusalem, but then it happened again when Peter came to visit in Antioch, and now, like a cancer, it's spread to the churches in Galatia.  No doubt, the agitators in Galatia had already told the churches there their version of what had happened in Antioch, so now Paul tells them what really happened. Before all this, Jewish and gentile believers in Antioch—and Galatia, for that matter—gathered as one people to worship, to pray, and maybe most importantly, to eat the Lord's Supper.  It helps to remember that in those early days, the Lord's Supper was part of or at least attached to an actual meal where the people would fellowship with each other.  This gathering together, this eating together was a profound living out of the power of the gospel.  When Jesus died and rose again, he dealt with sin and that put everyone, Jew and gentile alike, on an even footing.  There was no longer clean and unclean, just and sinner: all in Jesus were clean and just.  And this bringing together of the two peoples, it was God's new creation made visible in the life of the early church—a powerful witness of the gospel itself. We might not think much of it, but it was a big deal.  Jews had been raised, steeped in observance of the law.  Gentiles were sinners and their food was unclean—even their fellowship was unclean.  Think of Peter and his vision in Acts of the sheet let down from heaven full of unclean animals and the Lord telling him to eat.  Revulsion had been instilled in Peter from his birth.  There was a massive “ick” factor.  Our culture, in contrast, has become so accepting of everything that there's not much left we can compare it to, but maybe you can think of the current conspiracy theories about Klaus Schwab telling everyone to “Eat ze bugs”.  It gets people worked up, because of the deeply ingrained revulsion we have in our culture to eating bugs.  It would have been something like that for Jews to fellowship with, to eat with gentiles. On the other end of things, the gentiles knew full well about those Jewish weirdos and their over-the-top purity laws.  Jews were everywhere spread through the Greco-Roman world, so the pagans encountered them regularly in daily life and in business and were well aware of the revulsion they had to eating with them.  So, that the early Jesus people were not only gathering together to worship and pray, but also gathering together around the same table to share bread and wine.  It was a really big deal.  It got everyone's attention. And so Peter came to visit Antioch and, Paul says, he worshipped and he prayed and he came to the Lord's Table with his gentile brothers and sisters.  Everything was fine.  And then the cancer that Paul thought had been stomped out in Jerusalem, the cancer came to Antioch.  Certain people from James came.  Paul doesn't elaborate on what that means, since the Galatians probably knew who those people were.  Maybe they were sent by James.  Probably they came and claimed authority from James that they didn't really have.  Whatever the case, they carried the cancer with them.  Paul calls them “circumcision people”.  They had some connection with the pseudo-family members who had been smuggled into the meeting in Jerusalem and who had insisted that Titus be circumcised.  And Peter caved into their pressure.  He “drew back” and “separated himself” and then when the other Jews in Antioch saw Peter do that, they followed suit.  Even Barnabas.  We get a sense of Paul's shock and dismay that even his partner Barnabas whom he knew knew better, even he went along with this sham.  This is where Paul uses that play-acting term.  Peter and Barnabas and the other Jews acted like hypocrites.  They knew better.  But under pressure from these agitators they withdrew and gathered separately.  They put up masks to placate the agitators and in doing that—not realising what they'd done—they become the people-pleasers so despised by their tradition.  They were gospel people, but to keep the peace they held up anti-gospel masks in front of their faces. Paul knew that this wasn't the real Peter—or the real Barnabas for that matter. They knew better.  Peter had known this for years before Paul had.  The real Peter behind the mask, the real Peter knew in his bones that the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection created one family in which Jews and gentiles stood on equal footing in the Messiah.  This new reality wasn't easy for Jews steeped for a lifetime in torah to adjust to.  There was a massive “ick” factor to overcome.  But the gospel is a powerful thing and so is God's Spirit and adjust they had.  And now, inexplicably to Paul, Peter and the others were dividing what Jesus had made one. Paul says that they weren't walking the straight line of gospel truth.  The word is orthopodeo—where we get our word “orthodpaedic”.  The gospel draws a straight line and they should have been walking it, but they weren't.  So Paul says to Peter, “Look here, you're a Jew, but you've been living like a gentile.”  He means that Peter's been eating with gentile believers and that almost certainly also means that Peter's been eating gentile food that was off-limits to Jews.  “So then,” Paul asks, “How can you force gentiles to become Jews.” Peter probably would have answered that, no, he wasn't trying to force anyone to be a Jew.  They could each just do their own thing.  But that brings up images of the temple, where Jews could enter the temple court, while gentiles were stuck outside in the Court of the Gentiles—they weren't really members of the community, of God's people.  That's why Paul is so insistent here.  There is one people—and Peter knew this and Paul knew—there is one people in Jesus the Messiah, not two.  In the Messiah.  This new community is defined not by ethnicity or ethnic markers but messianically by faith in Jesus and nothing else.  If we're going to divide it up again, well, what's the point?  To do so undermines the gospel itself and we might as well just throw in the towel. So beginning at verse 15 Paul lays out the argument he gave Peter, because it's this same gospel-killing cancer that has infected the Galatian churches.  They need to hear it too.  So Paul writes in verse 15: We are Jews by birth, not “gentile sinners”. For Jews there were two groups of people on this earth: the just or righteous—the Greek word carries both those meanings—and sinners.  Jews were the just, the righteous, chosen by God and marked out by obedience to the torah.  Everyone else was a sinner and this is why they kept themselves separate.  But, Paul goes on: But we know that a person is not declared “righteous” by works of the [Jewish] law, but through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah.   So God had chosen the Jewish people and then gave them his law so that be living it, they'd be set apart.  It's what marked them out as different from gentile sinners.  And they expected that one day, the Lord would send his Messiah and the Messiah would vanquish the gentile sinners and lead the righteous into God's new age.  But instead—and this was what Paul had to work through after meeting the risen Jesus—instead, the Messiah came and sinners crucified him.  That wasn't how anyone thought the whole Messiah thing would go.  Ordinarily, being crucified would mean Jesus wasn't really the Messiah.  Other men claimed to be the Messiah, they were killed, and that was the end of their messianic claims.  But then God raised Jesus from death.  In doing that he overturned the charge of false messiah laid against him and proved that Jesus was, in fact, the real deal, the Messiah.  Jesus did, in fact, inaugurate God's new age, his new creation.  So why did he have to die?  That's when Paul—and the others—realised that as much as torah provided both a righteous way of living and a means of atonement when they failed to be 100% obedient—there was more to righteousness that torah could never provide.  The very fact that torah was necessary to set apart God's people, highlights that both Jew and gentile alike are subject to the slavery of sin and death.  So Jesus the Messiah let sin rise up and do its worst at the cross, then rose triumphant over it.  Jesus did something that torah could never but do, but in light of Jesus Paul realised, it was something torah had been pointing to all along. Now, there's an unspoken subtext going on here that we need to understand.  Remember that Messiah mean's God's anointed king—the king.  And for Jews, a king represented his people.  So what was true of a king is also true of his people.  This is why godly kings brought blessing on Israel and wicked kings brought curses and ultimately exile.  A king represents his people.  Paul likes to talk about being “in the Messiah” and when he says that, this is what he's getting at.  We'll need to know this as Paul goes on. So as much as Paul and his fellow Jews had always thought that righteousness came through the law, it turns out that God had something greater in store.  A greater righteousness, true righteousness comes through the faithfulness—through the faithfulness of the Messiah.  Jews had been faithful to torah and to the Lord's covenant and that faithfulness marked them out as the “righteous”, but their faithfulness to God was but a shadow of the loving, gracious, self-giving faithfulness to God that Jesus displayed on the cross.  That's the faithfulness that has created a new people of God, a new and “righteous” or “just” people defined by faith in Jesus.  So Paul goes on: That is why we too believed in the Messiah, Jesus: so that we might be declared “righteous” on the basis of the Messiah's faithfulness, and not on the basis of works of the [Jewish] law.  On that basis, you see, no creature will be declared “righteous”.   Peter and now the Galatians had forgotten what it was all about.  Peter seems just to have wanted to avoid conflict—which we see is a problem in other places in Peter's story, not least at Jesus' trial.  For the Galatians it was likely fear of persecution.  Remember that in the ancient word, “religion” wasn't some nice box you opened up on Sunday, and then closed up the rest of the week.  It wasn't something you did in private.  The gods were everywhere and a part of every aspect of life.  The fastest growing cult of the time was the cult of Caesar and if you weren't part of that, well, you were disloyal and unpatriotic.  Jews had a special exemption from all this pagan stuff, but these gentile converts to Christianity were in a tough spot.  When they became Christians they withdrew from all this paganism.  They stopped going to the temples and offering incense to Caesar and doing all the other little things people did throughout daily life and that got them into trouble.  So since Jesus was the Jewish Messiah and following him was sort of a new way of being Jewish, they claimed the Jewish exemption and pretty soon the “real” Jews were insisting that if they were going to call themselves Jews, they'd better at least by circumcised.  But once they did that and strayed off the straight line of gospel truth, they started to forget what the gospel was all about. So Paul reminds Peter and he reminds the agitators in Galatia: this greater righteousness found in the faithfulness of the Messiah, remember, this is why we believed in him!  In light of Jesus death for sins on the cross—remember?—we realised that in the end, torah won't cut it.  Righteousness is found in the faithfulness of King Jesus.  He goes on in verses 17 and 18: Well, then, if in seeking to be declared righteous in the Messiah, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make the Messiah an agent of sin?   This is the accusation of the agitators and of the “people from James”.  As part of living out the life of the gospel, Paul and Peter have been eating and fellowshipping with gentiles.  The agitators, stuck in the old, pre-Jesus and pre-gospel way of Jewish thinking, for them that makes Peter and Paul and all the others to be “sinners”—because they're disregarding torah and the boundary markers that have always been there.  If eating with gentile believers for the sake of the Messiah makes them sinners, then that would make the Messiah an agent of sin.  Paul's trying to show them how absurd their accusations are.  No, he's saying:   Certainly not!  If I build up once more the things which I tore down, I demonstrate that I am a lawbreaker. They've forgotten that Jesus has changed everything.  Jesus' death has dealt with sin—for both Jew and gentile.  Gentile believers are no longer sinners.  They're clean.  Paul's reminding them that the boundary markers of God's people have changed because of that.  What now counts is being “in the Messiah”.  They're trying to rebuild what the old walls and in doing so they're undermining the very saving gospel in which they've trusted.  It's a senseless thing to do.  It's like calling the police chief to help you bury the body of the guy you just killed.  It's not going to end well for you. So now, finally, we get to Paul's familiar and glorious text about incorporation into Jesus the Messiah.  Look at verse 19: Let me explain it like this: Through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with the Messiah.  I am, however, alive—but it is no longer I; it's the Messiah who lives in me.  And the life I do still live in the flesh, I live within the faithfulness of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   I think the best way to see this is as Paul telling the story of the Messiah's death and resurrection as his own story.  This is what it means to be “in the Messiah”. Notice how Paul doesn't just dismiss the law, torah.  One of the first heresies—and one that pops up perennially in church history—was the teaching of Marcion who dismissed the law and the whole Old Testament as irrelevant.  For Paul, though, you can't have the new covenant without the old.  Torah was building towards Jesus and the cross and the giving of the Spirit all along.  So Paul doesn't just say he died to law—which we might think means the law doesn't matter.  He says that through the law, he died to the law.  In Jesus the law fulfilled its purpose and so in Jesus, Paul is now fully alive to God.  How does that work.  Well, Jesus was crucified and in that he dealt with sin.  Remember, again, that the king represents his people.  So Paul says, he has been—in Greek it's literally—"co-crucified” with the Messiah.  Through faith in Jesus, through identification with the Messiah, Paul has died to sin.  And then he says, “I am—however—alive.”  Of course he is.  If he is in the Messiah, if he has been co-crucified with the Messiah, then he has also been co-raised with the Messiah.  I am alive—but—it is no longer I; it's the Messiah who lives in me. Brothers and Sisters, notice how Jesus has changed Paul's identity.  That's what he's getting at here.  By faith he has been incorporated into the Messiah so that even though he still lives in the flesh—that final day when we will be made completely new still awaits us—but even though Paul still lives in the flesh, because he is in the Messiah, he now lives within the faithfulness of the Messiah—the son of God—and now Paul makes it more personal—not just that the son of God died, but that he loved me and gave himself for me.  This isn't just abstract theology.  Jesus, the son of God, was faithful to fulfil torah, and gave himself not just generally for humanity (although that is true), but he gave himself for Paul—for me—for you—out of love, again for you, for me.  Sometimes we need that reminder.  All the theology, all the explanation, all the argumentation to bring false teaching and false gospels to heel is necessary, but in the midst of all that, never forget that Jesus died for you, for me, because  he loves us—not just that he loves humanity as a whole in some general sense, but that he knows and loves each one of us.  He died for you.  He rose for you.  And he's baptised you into his own Holy Spirit so that you can share in his resurrection life. Paul drives home this very personal aspect of the gospel.  Peter knew this.  The Galatians new this.  And that makes it all the more powerful when he ends his argument saying in verse 21: I don't set aside God's grace.  If “righteousness” comes through the law, then the Messiah died for nothing.”   He's reminded them that in his grace, God sent his son to die for you.  But if you start rebuilding that old wall, if you start acting like “righteousness”—he means membership in the community of God's people—if you start acting like “righteousness” comes through the law and the old boundary markers, then what you're really saying is that Jesus died for nothing.  Whether Jews and gentile would eat together might seem like a small thing, but it wasn't.  Eat separately undercut the very foundation of the gospel.  That's not really an issue for us today—although there are some modern-day groups that do add torah to Jesus.  But Paul would have the same thing to say to anyone today who would divide up the people of God or who would exclude these people or those people based on something added to the gospel.  Our identity, Brothers and Sisters, whatever it was in the past or whoever the world around us tell us we are, our real identity, the identity that matters is in Jesus the Messiah and nothing else.  We have died and now live in Jesus. This is especially relevant to us today in the mist of our post-modern culture.  Our world is rapidly tribalizing over identity: things like race and sex and sexual orientation.  The new thing is creating our own identities contrary to those that God had given us.  In other cases we've turned our sins into identities.  And we find these identities so powerfully defining that we bring them into the church and we hyphenate ourselves.  We're black-Christians or we're white-Christians.  There's an ongoing controversy about those who call themselves gay-Christians.  But Paul reminds us that if we are by faith in the Messiah, we have but one identity.  We have died with the Messiah and while we still live, it is no longer we—whatever our colour or language or sex or past sin—it is the Messiah who lives in us—because he loves each of us so dearly that he gave himself for us.  Brothers and Sisters, that's the straight line of the gospel.  Come to the Tablet this morning.  Eat the bread and drink the wine and be reminded that Jesus died and rose again for you and that in him, you have died and been raised.  His life, his faithfulness, his love and grace and mercy are now your identity.  No more masks, no more play-acting, just Jesus the Messiah. Let's pray again our Collect: Lord, give your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Embracing freedom from the flesh requires prioritizing what's truly important in the midst of tempting moments. Through faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we receive the power to resist the flesh's demands, cultivate self-control, and fix our hearts on eternal things. By surrendering our desires daily, we can experience the transformative power of dying to ourselves and living for God. Daily surrender leads to daily transformation

There is a process we see in Acts 2 that will determine your destiny here on this earth. Through faith in Jesus, your eternal destiny has been determined. When you follow Jesus, there is a process that will determine your earthly destiny. But in order for this process to take place, you must begin.

Through faith in Jesus, we access the blessings of the covenant. Through our relationship with Jesus, we experience the grace of our covenant-keeping God.

The final verses in the book of Romans (Romans 16:25-27) end with a song of praise. In this doxology, Paul reminds readers that the gospel is about Christ alone, and the entirety of Scripture points to him. Through faith in Jesus, God made a way for unrighteous people to become righteous. Although we are disobedient and rebellious, God has reached down into our helplessness and saved us from our sin. The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands a response - there is no room for neutrality. We can turn away, or we can respond by living lives marked by gratitude and praises - lives of doxology. May 19, 2024 Guest speaker: Danny Schillero

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as history's most profound event, offering hope and eternal life. We witness how Mary Magdalene's unwavering faith leads her from despair to encounter the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Despite obstacles and doubts, Mary's experience shows us that in times of hopelessness, turning to Jesus reveals the path forward to hope. Her transformation demonstrates the reality of the resurrection—a truth validated by eyewitnesses and recorded in Scripture. In essence, the resurrection offers not only hope but also personal transformation. Through faith in Jesus, we find meaning and purpose. As we celebrate Easter, let us remember that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a living reality that continues to shape our lives today.

From Guilt To Glory Rom 3:24-26 #RTTBROS #Nightlight From Guilt To Glory Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:24-26 Paul Chappelle writes about Judge Horace Gray of Boston who would later go on to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court once said to the man who escaped conviction on a technicality: "I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law." God's justice is always perfect and infallible, unlike the flawed justice of man. He sees every sin and wrongdoing, and while His punishment may sometimes be delayed out of His grace to allow for repentance, it is ultimately unavoidable. God's justice, though sometimes slow, is thorough and inescapable. Yet despite being a just God, He is also abounding in love and mercy towards us. So great is His love that He sacrificed His own Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. Through faith in Jesus, His righteousness is imparted to us, making us fully justified and blameless in the eyes of God. When He looks upon those who have placed their trust in Christ, He no longer sees their sin, but only the perfect righteousness of His Son. This incredible gift of justification should fill our hearts with joy and compel us to share this good news with all who will listen. Find joy and peace in the marvelous gift of salvation and justification that God in His mercy has freely given you through faith in Christ. Our Podcast, Blog and YouTube Links https://linktr.ee/rttbros Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

It is often the pain in our own lives or the problems in the world around us that make us feel like God is not close. But the times actually provide a unique opportunity to experience God's presence. For the people of Israel, God most powerfully revealed His presence when things were at there worst. They came to know God as the One who is always with them to guide and protect them. Through faith in Jesus, we can come to know God in the same way, no matter what we face.

It is often the pain in our own lives or the problems in the world around us that make us feel like God is not close. But the times actually provide a unique opportunity to experience God's presence. For the people of Israel, God most powerfully revealed His presence when things were at there worst. They came to know God as the One who is always with them to guide and protect them. Through faith in Jesus, we can come to know God in the same way, no matter what we face.

Help me to continue to make and share great FREE Biblical content everyday by supporting my ministry at | Patreonhttps://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.comEpisode 29: The Peace of God (Mark 11:1-11)Welcome to another episode of "The Gospel of Mark" podcast, today we'll be delving into a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, from the unique perspective of Mark's Gospel.The Triumphal EntryOne of the most iconic images of Jesus is that of Him riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, surrounded by a cheering crowd. This event has come to be known as the Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday, but today, we want to focus on the deeper significance of Jesus choosing to enter Jerusalem in this way.Mark's Unique PerspectiveWhile it's common to associate Jesus riding a donkey with humility and the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, Mark's Gospel takes a somewhat different approach. Unlike other Gospel accounts, Mark doesn't emphasize the Messianic aspects or reference Old Testament scriptures in this context. The Symbolism of the DonkeyIn the ancient world, when a king entered a city riding a horse, it signalled war and conquest. However, if the king entered on a donkey, it symbolized peace. Jesus, in His first coming, rides a donkey, signifying His mission of bringing peace.The Reaction of the CrowdAs Jesus enters Jerusalem, people spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road before Him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" They anticipate a political savior who will free them from Roman rule. However, their perception of salvation differs from the spiritual peace that Jesus offers.Peace with GodWe explore two aspects of peace in the New Testament: peace with God and the peace of God. Through faith in Jesus, we gain peace with God, reconciling us to Him.The Peace of GodThe peace of God goes beyond understanding and guards our hearts and minds. It is acquired by prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, aligning our desires with God's will.Letting Peace RuleWe should let the peace of God rule in our hearts and relationships with others. God values peace so much that He allows for certain exceptions, like divorce in cases of unfaithfulness, to protect our peace.A Transformative MessageIn conclusion, God wants us to experience both peace with Him and the peace of God. Peace isn't the absence of conflict Cast Yourself InCast Yourself In tells the amazing stories of Jesus' extraordinary work in the Muslim...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFurther Discipleship Training Courses Free at;linkedin.com/in/jeremy-mccandless-68353b16Podcast Archive also athttps://www.youtube.com/c/JeremyRMcCandlessThe LIFE Podcast - The Bible Project | FacebookMy Amazon Author Pageamazon.com/author/jeremymccandlessJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Good News for those suffering from anxiety: Jesus Christ has overcome every root of fear and worry that springs up as anxiety.  Through faith in Jesus, your anxiety, and the roots that cause it, can be overcome!  Listen to Fr. Jon to learn more.

The DevilWelcome to another segment of the Foolishness of Preaching. I would like to start off with something kind of funny. One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, before the church service starts, the congregation sit in their pews and talk about their lives and their families. Suddenly, at the altar, Satan appears! Everyone starts screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in their determined efforts to get away from the devil. Soon, everyone is evacuated from the church except for one man, who sits calmly in his pew. This confused Satan a bit. Satan walks up to the man and says, "Hey, don't you know who I am?" The man says, "Yep, sure do." Satan says, "Well, aren't you afraid of me?" The man says, "Nope, sure ain't." Satan, perturbed, says, "And why aren't you afraid of me?" The man says, "Well, I've been married to your sister for 25 years."The devil is a serious topic that deserves respect and caution. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."The devil, also known as Satan, is a real and powerful spiritual being who seeks to deceive, destroy, and separate us from God. In today's sermon, I want to share with you three important truths about the devil and how we can overcome his schemes.First, the devil is a liar and a deceiver. John 8:44 tells us that the devil is the father of lies. He seeks to deceive us into believing that sin is pleasurable and that God's ways are restrictive and burdensome. The devil also tries to convince us that we are alone and hopeless, that God doesn't care about us or that we are unworthy of His love. However, we can overcome the devil's lies by holding onto the truth of God's Word and by prayerfully seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Second, the devil seeks to tempt us into sin. James 1:14 says, "but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." The devil uses our own desires and weaknesses against us, tempting us to give in to sin and disobedience. However, we can resist the devil's temptations by putting on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, and by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to help us overcome.Lastly, the devil is a defeated foe. While he may still have some power and influence in this world, we know that his ultimate defeat has already been secured through Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:15 says, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Through faith in Jesus, we have victory over the devil and can resist his schemes.Now, I want to extend an invitation to each of you. If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. Through faith in Jesus, we have the power to overcome the devil and his schemes.Let us pray together: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the victory we have in Jesus Christ over the powers of darkness. We ask for Your protection and guidance as we face the devil's lies and temptations in this world. For those who have not yet received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, I pray that they would make that life-changing decision today. In Jesus' name, Amen.If you have made the decision to follow Jesus today, please don't leave without speaking with one of our pastors or leaders. They would love to guide you through this important step in your spiritual journey and help you grow in your newfound relationship with Christ.Remember, the devil is a real and powerful spiritual being, but through faith in Jesus, we have the power to overcome his schemes. As 1 Peter 5:8-9 reminds...

Through faith in Jesus, we are eternally declared not guilty of any sin and righteous in the sight of God.

Is there a storm raging in your soul? Teaching Pastor Robert Watson looks at what the Bible says about spiritual warfare. The chaos in our minds comes from the battle for our spirits. Through faith in Jesus and attention to His Word, we can overcome the forces that work to break us down.

Is there a storm raging in your soul? Teaching Pastor Robert Watson looks at what the Bible says about spiritual warfare. The chaos in our minds comes from the battle for our spirits. Through faith in Jesus and attention to His Word, we can overcome the forces that work to break us down.