Audio:
Jesus calls us to be salt and light; to preserve and add flavor, to lighten the darkness. How do we lay that over Paul’s admonishments to the Church at Corinth in what it means to follow a crucified Lord?
Freedom From Religion: Weakness Is The Way
Audio:
The world tells us that people who are productive, self-sufficient, powerful, have the best resume, and are liked by all are the "blessed ones." But in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), Jesus turns this way of thinking on its head. The shocking reality is that God's favor and blessing comes to failures! Weakness is the way.
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 2:1-12
Psalm 27:4-6, 8
Matthew 5:2-16
Freedom From Religion: Starting With Moses
Audio:
This message introduced a new teaching series based on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), called "Freedom From Religion." The primary goal of this series is to confront the idea that morality saves us. Jesus Christ, and His work on our behalf, are our sole grounds of our hope. As Jesus prepares to deliver His most famous teaching, we'll see that His coming, and His message, signal a fundamental change in how God and His people relate, from the Old Covenant (obey and you will be blessed) to the New Covenant (you are blessed because Jesus has secured God's blessing for you).
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Psalm 32:1-2, 5
Matthew 4:23-5:2
New Creation People
Audio:
Paul tells us the love of Christ compels us, so that we no longer live for ourselves but for him who gave his life for us. Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee teaching, proclaiming the good news and healing every affliction. People were drawn to him as he brought true good news into their lives. How can we be heralds like Jesus, bearers of his good news in our day and age?
Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Matthew 4:23-25