Jesus Christ frees believers from all forms of bondage, especially religion. In Christ we are set free from the ritualistic efforts to be good enough, and are empowered to follow him in love and assurance.
The Law cannot save, and in fact, enslaves us. It points us to the only ONE in whom we find true freedom, Jesus Christ. He fulfilled the Law. To go back to law-keeping, is to re-enslave ourselves!
The promise of God preceded the Covenant of the Law. Abraham was declared righteous through faith. By faith, Jesus Christ accomplishes FOR us what we could NEVER do through the Law.
Living by faith in Christ means depending on His grace. Because of our still present sin nature, and God’s holiness, we cannot please God or justify ourselves through any amount of good works. To attempt to is itself sin and an affront to God. By faith in the gospel, we are empowered by God’s grace, just like Abraham, to live in Christ!
When coming near to God, we must deny ourselves and rely on the finished work of Christ. By dying to ourselves and trusting in Jesus, we are made alive to God. This is what it means to live by faith in Christ.
We are all sinners, and it is impossible that we can ever do enough to outweigh our sin. BUT GOD, has made a way through the righteousness of Christ for us to come near and be fully accepted; by faith alone!
The gospel is the Word and Work of God. Because it’s not the creation of man, but the Creator himself, it is greater and more trustworthy than anything.
Paul knew the power of the gospel. His life was changed by his encounter with the living Christ. The gospel changes lives and brings glory to God.
Only the truth can set you free, but what is true? There is only one truth, the gospel of Jesus as revealed in His Word.
The desire of God is that disciples grow in Christlikeness. He has designed this to happen within a community of believers, as each member does their part to grow the body into maturity. Growing Together in the Mission of God is the outflow of discipleship.
What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Jesus makes certain that the results of faithful discipleship is the completion of His mission. He will glorify himself and present us and all others who are his, as complete and whole in him for all eternity.
As we come before the Lord corporately, the cost of discipleship is no less than everything. As one body, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to Him.
The call to follow Christ is not for the faint of heart. While Christ has paid our sin debt, being his disciple will cost us everything. However, in return, we receive more than we could ever hope or imagine. By taking up our cross and following him through death, we are made more alive than ever before.