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Sons and Daughters of God

January 2, 2015 By Ben

Text: Romans 8:12-30

Date: December 28, 2014

The Big Idea: Because we are loved by God in Christ, we dwell in the most solid and secure place in the world: in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There are two major questions we will answer in this sermon. First, why do we need to be adopted? And secondly, what does it mean to be adopted by God?

1) Why do I need to be adopted?

We need adoption because we were by nature children of wrath. Adoption takes us from being a child wrath to a child of God.

Before we were Christians we were slaves; slaves to sin and the devil. We had the spirit of slavery, we were slaves. As Paul said in verse 2, you did not receive the spirit of slavery and a have been set free by the Spirit of life from the law of sin and death.

Paul uses this language in Galatians also in the context of Christians being sons and daughters of God. Galatians 4:3-7, “In the same way we also, when we were children, we were enslaved to the elemental principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

2) What does it mean to be adopted?

  1. We are led by the Spirit of God. “Christians are led by the Spirit; their entire lives are under the control of the Spirit. Paul is providing us with a definition: a Christian is one who is led by the Spirit. The great life-changing event (regeneration, being “in Christ” as opposed to being “in Adam”) is marked by the Spirit’s leading us to mortify sin and pursue Christlikeness.” (Derek Thomas) What are some practical ways you can implement this in your life? Paul writes in Galatians 5:18 once again about being led by the Spirit. When you are thinking through a decision and want to know if you are led by the Spirit of God, run through these questions:
      • Will this decision help me grow in love?
      • Will this decision increase my joy in God or rob me of it?
      • Do I have peace about the decision?
      • Am I being patient in this process or am I trying to force things to happen?
  2. We have the Spirit of Adoption. We have not received the spirit of slavery but the Spirit of adoption. John Calvin wrote that it would be safe to describe the chief work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as “the Great Adopter.” The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption in us that we might be children of God. By the Spirit we cry, “Abba! Father!” This word cry is an interesting one. It is not a cry of sadness that Paul is talking about, or even a cry of joy. It is a cry of desperation, it is a cry of need, it is a cry for help. Remember that the Spirit is leading us to make us holy, to kill the deeds of the body. Because we are children of God, God is for us and not against us. Being a child of God drives out fear.  It drives out fear because the Spirit of adoption enables us to cry out to our Father.
  3. We are heirs of God. Paul says we are are heirs of God. Think about this in the context of family relationships. If you are an only child and your parents die, you are the sole heir. When they die whatever belongs to them now belongs to you. What belongs to God? God owns everything. There is nothing that God does not own. One day we will share in everything that God owns. We are fellow heirs with Christ which means that every blessing we get as children of God comes to us because we are in Christ. If we are heirs this means there is something to come in the future. We do not currently possess all that will be given to us. Paul says we are fellow heirs with Christ, heirs of God, provided we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him. There is more to come but for now we suffer. But we suffer as those who have hope because we will be glorified with him.
  4. We have security. Our status as a child of God is sure, it is secure. Our Father who began a good work in us will see it to completion. “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” There is so much certainty with God that one day He will glorify His children that Paul can speak of it as a past event. There is nothing that can jeopardize our status as God’s children.

What can separate you from being a child of God? Nothing! Why? Nothing can separate us from the love of God, from being His child, because we are loved by God in Christ Jesus. God’s love for us as His children is based on His love for His Son Jesus. If it were possible for our  Father to stop loving Jesus then we have every right to worry. That can never happen. Because we are loved by God in Christ we are in the most solid and secure place in the world; in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Almighty God,

I am loved with everlasting love, clothed in eternal righteousness, my peace flowing like a river, my comforts many and large, my joy and triumph unutterable, my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation, my sense of justification unclouded.

I have scarce anything to pray for; Jesus smiles upon my soul as a ray of heaven and my supplications are swallowed up in praise.

How sweet is the glorious doctrine of election when based upon your word and wrought inwardly within the soul!

I bless you that you will keep the sinner you have loved, and have engaged that he will not forsake you else I would never get to heaven.

I wrong the work of grace in my heart if I deny my new nature and my eternal life.

If Jesus were not my righteousness and redemption, I would sink into the lowest hell by my misdoings, shortcomings, unbelief, unlove; I Jesus were not by the power of his Spirit my sanctification, there is no sin I should not commit.

O when will I have his mind! When shall I be conformed to his image?

All the good things of life are less than nothing when compared with his love, and with one glimpse of your favor.

All treasures of a million worlds could not make me richer, happier, more contented, for his unsearchable riches are mine.

One moment of communion with him, one view of his grace, is ineffable, inestimable.

But O God,I could not long after your presence if I did not know the sweetness of it; And such I could not know except by your Spirit in my heart, nor love you at all unless you did elect me, call me, adopt me, save my.

I praise you for your grace.

(From the Valley of Vision)

Filed Under: Sermons

The Significance of the Lord’s Supper

December 13, 2014 By Ben

This sermon was delivered by one of our elders, Todd Strouse. 

Text: Luke 22:14-20

Date: November 30, 2014

The Big Idea: The Lord’s Supper Symbolizes for us several Gospel truths.

“I have EARNESTLY DESIRED to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” – Jesus

  1. It is symbolic of the death of Christ. (Verses 19-20)
  2. It is symbolic of our participation in the benefits of His death. (Verse 19)
  3. It is symbolic of our faith in Christ. (1 Corinthians 11)
  4. It is symbolic of our unity as Believers. (1 Corinthians 10:17)
  5. It is symbolic of what is to come. (Matthew 26:29)

The Significance of The Lord's Supper

Filed Under: Sermons

The Strength of Wisdom

November 24, 2014 By Craig Wilson

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:19-29

Date: November 23, 2014

The Big Idea: Biblical wisdom is the learned skill of applying biblical truth and biblical principles to life in a fallen world. 

THE STRENGTH OF WISDOM

There is great strength to be found in wisdom. How much strength? The strength of wisdom is better than ten rulers – ten leaders of a city that has a balanced budget, clean streets, parks for the kids to play in, and streets that are safe to walk after dark. One person with biblical wisdom is far better than ten leaders who lack biblical wisdom.

Do you want to set yourself apart in this world?  Do you want to truly stand out from the mass of humanity? Then become biblically wise. Make it a priority to acquire God’s wisdom. There is strength and great distinction in wisdom.

But don’t confuse intelligence with wisdom. This world is filled with men and women of great intelligence, yet they no nothing of biblical wisdom. Intelligence and knowledge will take you far in this life, but only that far. Apart from acquiring Biblical wisdom, no one will ever be able to comprehend the very important truth about our human condition, and our need for a Savior!

This passage also tells us how to respond to what others say about us. Wisdom gives us the strength to:

  • Properly respond when others demean us. (Verse 21)
  • Be discerning in what we should listen to and what we should ignore.
  • Keep matters in perspective. (Verse 22)
  • Not eavesdrop.

Before you talk about another person, ask:

  • Would I say this if that person could hear me say it?
  • And, if so, is this the way in which I would say it?
  • Am I saying this for the glory of God and for the love of my brother or sister?
  • Or am I only saying it to vent my own frustration?

Finally we would do well to remember the Apostle’s Paul words to Titus, “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:2, ESV)

THE SEARCH FOR WISDOM

“All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?” (Ecclesiastes 7:23–24, ESV)

“All this” refers to all that he has been pursuing as described in the opening verses of the book. In 1:13 the Preacher says, “and I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13, ESV)

Despite all of his seeking and all of his searching, the Preacher has to admit that the wisdom he seeks is not easy to come by. This sentiment takes on full weight when we remember who said these words. These are the words of the wisest man to have ever lived. These are the words of Solomon, who asked God for wisdom and God granted him what he desired. Yet, despite the great wisdom that he had, there were still many questions that he could not answer.

Unanswered questions should not keep us from living life to the fullest, taking risks when required, and continually moving forward in life.  Don’t let unanswered questions in life keep you from getting the most out of life, or getting the most out of your relationship with God. Not knowing all the answers about the way God works shouldn’t keep you from enjoying Him and experiencing Him. Take what God has revealed about Himself and act on that knowledge.

Don’t let unanswered questions in life keep you from getting the most out of life

God has given us two coping mechanisms, if you will, when it comes to wrestling with unanswered questions about how He operates.  One is faith ,or trust. Based upon what we do know of Him, we can trust Him in the areas where our knowledge is lacking. The second mechanism is prayer.  Use prayer to take your questions to God and listen for His responses in His Word. There are plenty of things in life that we don’t have all the answers to, yet we still can find enjoyment in them.

What should we do when we hit a dead end in our quest for wisdom? When we recognize that there are going to be questions in life we can’t answer?

The wrong thing to do would be to blame God for what you perceive to be injustice.

The right thing to do is to admit reality. To admit that there are questions only God can answer and that in His wisdom He has decided to withhold those answers from us. First, we admit what we don’t know and, second, we believe that God does know and trust He is working all things for good.

As one writer said “Knowing the limits of wisdom is part of wisdom.” The more we know, the more we should realize how little we know, and that whatever wisdom we gain comes as a gift from God.

Filed Under: Ecclesiastes

Would You Could You?

November 19, 2014 By Craig Wilson

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:13–18

“Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.”

Date: November 16, 2014

The Big Idea: Avoid the two extremes of being self-righteous or wrapped in your sinful nature by fearing God.

The Preacher begins his message with a command to carefully observe the way God works. Based upon what he sees he calls each one of us to consider the work of God. From all that he has observed he concludes that whatever God has done we are powerless to undo. He states his conclusion in the form of a rhetorical question.  “Who can make straight what he has made crooked?” The answer of course is “no one”.  None has the ability to make straight what God has bent. This is not a call to fatalism but a call to humbly yield ourselves to the will of our sovereign God.

If we have a firm grasp of the sovereignty of God and when we experience the days of prosperity we acknowledge that they are a gift from God and in turn offer the thanksgiving and praise that God deserves. And when the days of adversity come our belief in God’s sovereignty will once again dictate our response.  Knowing that this too is from the hand of God and this too is for our good.

 —

The Preacher also warns us against the insidiousness of self–righteousness.  Self–righteousness is the same as works-righteousness. It’s the righteousness of the hypocrite.  It’s not the righteousness that comes by faith.

But what does he mean when he tells us to not be overly wicked?  Is he saying it’s okay to be just a little wicked as long as we don’t go overboard. The Bible clearly teaches that any sin is too much sin.  His point is that it is very dangerous to give yourself over to sin.  The daily experience of the Christian is one of ongoing battle with sin. All of us sin, but the true Christian sins far more often than they want too.  And that is completely different than willingly giving ourselves totally over to sin.

Pastor Philip Ryken writes; “So there are two dangers. One is a temptation for the religious person — self-righteousness. The other is even more of a temptation for the non-religious person — unrighteousness. Both of these errors will lead to destruction; they may even lead to an untimely death.”

“It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.” (Ecclesiastes 7:18, ESV)

The way to avoid the two dangers of being overly righteous and overly wicked is to follow the Preacher’s counsel of verse 18.  When the Preacher tells us to “take hold of this” and “withhold our hand from that” he has in mind his words of verses 16 – 17.

His point is to avoid those two extremes.  Don’t be self – righteous and don’t give yourself over totally to your sinful nature.

avoid extremes fear God

But how do we avoid these two extremes?  Two powerful words: FEAR GOD!  He says that the one “who fears God shall come our from both of them.”

FEAR GOD is also the theme of Ecclesiastes.

To fear God is to revere God. It is to know that he is God and we are not. It is to hold him in awe for his majestic beauty. It is to have respect for his mighty and awesome power. Having the true and proper fear of God will help us not to be so self-righteous. We will know that God sees us as we really are, and this will teach us not to pretend to be something we are not. The fear of God will also keep us from living a wicked life, because when we understand his holiness, the last thing we will want to do is fall under his judgment.

Filed Under: Ecclesiastes

A Better Way to Live

November 10, 2014 By Craig Wilson

Text: Ecclesiastes 6:10 – 7:14

Date: November 9, 2014

The Big Idea: God is Sovereign and there is nothing to be gained in debating Him. Instead of arguing with God, the wise man will to listen to Him and then choose the better way to live – God’s way to live.

The Preacher points out three characteristics of a better way to live:

  1. Thinking soberly about life and death.
    Through our daily actions, each of us are creating our legacy; we are creating how we will be remembered. (Proverbs 22:1) Are you building the kind of life you want to be remembered for?  Will your children be able to stand beside your casket one day and be proud of the legacy you have left behind?  A sobering question, but it’s a question the wise continually ask themselves.
  2. Preferring the rebuke of the wise rather than the laughter of fools. Tragically many are not open to instruction. They are certainly not open to rebuke – they either don’t want to hear it, or they reject, or they don’t seek it out. They would much rather hear the songs of the fools, which many times glorify a lifestyle that does not honor God and will be of no help on their day of death.
  3. Taking the long-term view of what God is doing. The Preacher encourages us to take a long-term perspective of what God is doing in this world.  The consummation of God’s plan may not take place in our lifetime, but that doesn’t mean that He is not at work. And because He is at work, we not only should be working, we can work knowing that we are working in partnership with Almighty God.

best is yet to come

We need to live each day with the expectation that the best is yet to come.  So many people want to live in the past.  The past may hold some great memories, but the best still lies ahead of each one of us. Live with the expectation that each day is bringing you one step closer to the best day of your life.

Filed Under: Ecclesiastes

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