As we take the second step in our new series "Sanctification," an in-depth look at living our Christian faith, it's important to recognize the difference between Justification and Sanctification. Pastor Krause lays out the differences with the message "Justification is Not Equal to Sanctification."
Gifts Are Meant to Be Enjoyed!
Gifts are pretty amazing! It's great simply to open up the gift and see what's inside. But there's a second part. A gift is meant to be taken hold of and enjoyed!
1) When Jesus rose on Easter Sunday, He brought us the greatest gift. Like any gift, it's meant to be enjoyed!
2) We've embarked on a special new series called "Sanctification" which is all about taking hold of and living in the reality of the gift we've been given!
3) Naturally we were all born spiritually dead, unable to fulfill our intended purpose or live according to God's design.
4) Through faith in Christ, we are declared right with God. Simply because God delights in us, He has given us the gift of life! (Justification).
5) Every gift is meant to be enjoyed. God made us alive and prepared good works for us to do so that we can take hold of this gift and really live! (Sanctification)
Good Enough!
We often don't feel good enough. If left to ourselves, we wouldn't be. But God has completely changed everything for us!
1) If we're honest, we don't deserve to be glorified as an incredible people or Christians. None of us are good enough on our own.
2) The devil knows how to tempt each of us. We all have our weaknesses.
3) But God has taken us and is remodeling us, together with all the saints, into the most beautiful temple!
4) The love God has for us is beyond measure!
5) Through faith in Jesus you are now part of the family of God. You are good enough! You are a saint!
You? Holy?
If we were to look at God, we know we'd see One who is holy. But what does God see when He looks at us? This weekend we got to see ourselves from God's perspective as we studied Ephesians 3:14-19, as we continue our "Nagging Questions" sermon series.
Not Just What, But How
Vicious. Whether it's campaign ads, social media posts or even things we say face to face, so often the words we say and hear can be downright cruel. But God gives us a better way.
1) Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all. But there are times where we are called to speak up.
2) When we speak up, it's not just about what we say but how we say it. It's not just what comes out of our mouths but out of our hearts.
3) When we speak lovingly to others, we are blessed as well!
4) Thank God He doesn't just speak truth to us, but His love!
5) Imagine how God could be glorified this week if we were to speak His truth in love to those around us!
Words -
I'm sure you have heard all the cliches: "you have two ears and one mouth, think before you speak, open mouth and insert foot here", etc. Why are there so many sayings about the words that come out of our mouths?
This weekend we studied a close companion to the nagging question we tackled last weekend, however this week we focused more on how we say something rather than what it is we say as we studied Ephesians 4:15.
There are some pretty big claims in God's Word - that anything is possible for those who believe and that if we ask anything according to His will, He'll do it. These claims seem so big that sometimes they can be hard to believe. So let's embrace the power of God with a study of Ephesians 3:20-21.
Big things through you! Yes, YOU!
God makes some pretty bold statements in His Word about what He can accomplish through us! So wrestle with the power of God and what it might look for God to do big things through us as we study Ephesians 3:20-21!
Do you know where you are?
Check out the view!
Imagine you've been given a weekend get-a-way at a beachfront home on the ocean. But when you're there, you just hang out inside and watch tv because that's what you normally do. Pretty lame, eh? Talk about missing out on an opportunity! Well, this weekend we wrap up the Easter season with a study of Ephesians 2:4-7 to help us take advantage of what we've been given, life that is "Above and Beyond."