Every Evangelical Christian knows Ephesians 2:8-9 perhaps even "by heart." It is a major guidepost of our faith. We are saved by grace through faith. It is not about what we have done but it is about what Christ has done for us. The First Century church also had this understanding, but where the confusion lay was "What about after salvation? Doesn't the believer have to behave in certain ways in order to please God? Doesn't the OT law prescribe that behavior?"

The Apostle Paul spent a good deal of ink discussing this dilemma. He concludes from his own experience with God, and from the OT, and from the words of Jesus himself; it is all by grace. After all, Abraham was justified before the law existed. Paul goes so far as to argue that observance of the law after salvation can become an impediment to following the life of the Spirit.

Out text this week is one of Paul's theological arguments to prove that what began as a work of the Spirit in us must be completed in that same vein. Some were advocating that the law was necessary to somehow complete the work of transformation begun at salvation. Paul is adamantly opposed to the idea and states emphatically that what was begun by the Spirit must be completed by the Spirit. To please God is to live by the Spirit and not by the law. To live by the law would only prove ourselves to be lawbreakers.

How deeply does grace penetrate our lives? Do we get a pass into heaven by grace but need to follow the law in order to please the Lord? Do we make it into heaven on a technicality but with God holding his nose as we walk by? What does the transformation that is pleasing to God look like? What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? These are all questions prompted by our text.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Discuss "heart reasons" and "head reasons" for following Jesus. What convinced you to become a follower of Jesus? Did your mind follow your heart? Not everybody is wired the same way.

2. Why is it so tempting to follow the rules in order to be a "good Christian?" Why does this not work according to Paul? How does the Church perpetuate this kind of thinking? What is the cure?

3. How do we change? How do we become fit for heaven? To put it another way: how do we become the kind of people that belong in heaven?

4. How do we stay tuned to the Spirit? What practical things can you put in place that help you tune in to His presence and power?

5. How will you know when your behavior is out of step with the Spirit?

Every Evangelical Christian knows Ephesians 2:8-9 perhaps even "by heart." It is a major guidepost of our faith. We are saved by grace through faith. It is not about what we have done but it is about what Christ has done for us. The First Century church also had this understanding, but where the confusion lay was "What about after salvation? Doesn't the believer have to behave in certain ways in order to please God? Doesn't the OT law prescribe that behavior?"

The Apostle Paul spent a good deal of ink discussing this dilemma. He concludes from his own experience with God, and from the OT, and from the words of Jesus himself; it is all by grace. After all, Abraham was justified before the law existed. Paul goes so far as to argue that observance of the law after salvation can become an impediment to following the life of the Spirit.

Out text this week is one of Paul's theological arguments to prove that what began as a work of the Spirit in us must be completed in that same vein. Some were advocating that the law was necessary to somehow complete the work of transformation begun at salvation. Paul is adamantly opposed to the idea and states emphatically that what was begun by the Spirit must be completed by the Spirit. To please God is to live by the Spirit and not by the law. To live by the law would only prove ourselves to be lawbreakers.

How deeply does grace penetrate our lives? Do we get a pass into heaven by grace but need to follow the law in order to please the Lord? Do we make it into heaven on a technicality but with God holding his nose as we walk by? What does the transformation that is pleasing to God look like? What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? These are all questions prompted by our text.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Discuss "heart reasons" and "head reasons" for following Jesus. What convinced you to become a follower of Jesus? Did your mind follow your heart? Not everybody is wired the same way.

2. Why is it so tempting to follow the rules in order to be a "good Christian?" Why does this not work according to Paul? How does the Church perpetuate this kind of thinking? What is the cure?

3. How do we change? How do we become fit for heaven? To put it another way: how do we become the kind of people that belong in heaven?

4. How do we stay tuned to the Spirit? What practical things can you put in place that help you tune in to His presence and power?

5. How will you know when your behavior is out of step with the Spirit?

Week #2 of the "Grace Initiative" reminds us of the transforming power of God's Grace. We examine a fascinating encounter Jesus had with an adulterous woman and a group of legalistic, self-righteous, rock throwing, religious leaders. Through this story, we learn that righteousness is not built on the foundation of law, but rather grace - exhibited by a God who stoops. Our city, schools, places of work, neighborhoods are filled with people, who, like the adulterous woman, are broken, wounded, far from God, living a life of sin. Do we have a responsibility to these people? Absolutely! Jesus prayed in John 17 "Father just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them."

Two application questions to consider in light of our text this morning:

(a) How have I experienced God's Grace in my life?

(b) How am I extending God's Grace to others?

Questions For Discussion: (adapted from Max Lucado’s book, Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine)

1. Read 1 John 2:1-2

a. What is it that gives us the power to keep from sinning?

b. On what basis is Jesus our advocate?

2. Read John 8:1-11 and discuss how grace functions in opposition to the law?

3. In this story the Pharisees are 100% right and yet they are so wrong – what does this mean?

4. Read and discuss Romans 5:18-21 (include a reading from The Message). Romans 5:20 (Msg) describes God's grace as "aggressive." How was Jesus' encounter with the adulterous woman an example of aggressive grace? Have you experienced aggressive grace? Have you witnessed it in the lives of others? Explain.

5. What does Jesus' posture (He stooped) tell us about the nature of grace?

6. Jesus prayed in John 17:18 "Father just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them." Who is Jesus referring to? As Jesus was sent, so are we to go – what does this mean?

7. What will you do differently this week, if anything, as a result of this discussion?

Week #2 of the "Grace Initiative" reminds us of the transforming power of God's Grace. We examine a fascinating encounter Jesus had with an adulterous woman and a group of legalistic, self-righteous, rock throwing, religious leaders. Through this story, we learn that righteousness is not built on the foundation of law, but rather grace - exhibited by a God who stoops. Our city, schools, places of work, neighborhoods are filled with people, who, like the adulterous woman, are broken, wounded, far from God, living a life of sin. Do we have a responsibility to these people? Absolutely! Jesus prayed in John 17 "Father just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them."

Two application questions to consider in light of our text this morning:

(a) How have I experienced God's Grace in my life?

(b) How am I extending God's Grace to others?

Questions For Discussion: (adapted from Max Lucado’s book, Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine)

1. Read 1 John 2:1-2

a. What is it that gives us the power to keep from sinning?

b. On what basis is Jesus our advocate?

2. Read John 8:1-11 and discuss how grace functions in opposition to the law?

3. In this story the Pharisees are 100% right and yet they are so wrong – what does this mean?

4. Read and discuss Romans 5:18-21 (include a reading from The Message). Romans 5:20 (Msg) describes God's grace as "aggressive." How was Jesus' encounter with the adulterous woman an example of aggressive grace? Have you experienced aggressive grace? Have you witnessed it in the lives of others? Explain.

5. What does Jesus' posture (He stooped) tell us about the nature of grace?

6. Jesus prayed in John 17:18 "Father just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them." Who is Jesus referring to? As Jesus was sent, so are we to go – what does this mean?

7. What will you do differently this week, if anything, as a result of this discussion?

This week we are beginning our Church Wide Initiative. Each year we focus for six weeks on a topic that everyone involved at CLCC can participate in. This year our overall theme is "The Grace Initiative." We are loosely following Max Lucado's book: Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine. We will look at such areas as: The Hope of Glory; The God Who Stoops; Keep on Believing; Grace is Contagious; Grace Dethrones your Fear; and Grace Guarantees Heaven.

To begin, this week we are looking at a text that tells us that it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This is a uniquely Christian concept. No other religion or philosophy claims that their hero lives in them. Nobody says that Mohammed lives in them or that Buddha lives in them. But we believe that Christ lives in us. In the context of the passage of scripture we are studying, the emphasis is on the "you." Paul does not say "Christ in Us." That is not the point. It could be imagined that Christ could live in Paul. He was a Jew, a rather strict one at that, at least in his early days. But the letter to the Colossians is written to people very unlike Paul. They were Gentiles, people who were clueless about the Old Testament, Jewish history and God's commandments. They had none of the marks that would distinguish them as good raw material for sainthood. Yet the mystery of it is that God in his great mercy had decided to indwell whosoever believed in his dear son John 3:16).

This indwelling presence shapes those in whom he dwells. Grace changes us. But not only that, Grace brings hope. Hope that we have an inheritance with God for eternity. This is the "hope of glory." Glory here is a reference to the fullness of God's presence and power in that place we usually call heaven.

The Apostle Paul went through a lot of hardships to share this message with us. It consumed his life. We should pay attention. The Gospel is more that the understanding that Jesus lived, died and rose again for us. He lives in Us. This is a life changing thought.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 1-4. Paul's teaching in Colossians is that Jesus is preeminent; unlike any other God or philosophy. Why is this important to the Gospel story? Why might this be important to keep in mind today?

2. Slide 8-9. Notice how Paul refers to the Church as the body of Christ. What does he mean when he says he is making up for what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions? How might our (or Paul's) suffering complete Christ's work, not in terms of salvation but in terms of witness to the world?

3. Slide 10-11. Why does Paul call the Gospel a mystery revealed? To whom might it be the most mysterious?

4. Slide 12-15. Who might we not think the right raw material for sainthood? What does this tell us about grace? What might grace and surprise have in common?

5. Slide 16-18. Read 1 Cor. 7:12-14. This is an illustration of the principle that holiness is more contagious than uncleanness. Does that bring hope?

This week we are beginning our Church Wide Initiative. Each year we focus for six weeks on a topic that everyone involved at CLCC can participate in. This year our overall theme is "The Grace Initiative." We are loosely following Max Lucado's book: Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine. We will look at such areas as: The Hope of Glory; The God Who Stoops; Keep on Believing; Grace is Contagious; Grace Dethrones your Fear; and Grace Guarantees Heaven.

To begin, this week we are looking at a text that tells us that it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This is a uniquely Christian concept. No other religion or philosophy claims that their hero lives in them. Nobody says that Mohammed lives in them or that Buddha lives in them. But we believe that Christ lives in us. In the context of the passage of scripture we are studying, the emphasis is on the "you." Paul does not say "Christ in Us." That is not the point. It could be imagined that Christ could live in Paul. He was a Jew, a rather strict one at that, at least in his early days. But the letter to the Colossians is written to people very unlike Paul. They were Gentiles, people who were clueless about the Old Testament, Jewish history and God's commandments. They had none of the marks that would distinguish them as good raw material for sainthood. Yet the mystery of it is that God in his great mercy had decided to indwell whosoever believed in his dear son John 3:16).

This indwelling presence shapes those in whom he dwells. Grace changes us. But not only that, Grace brings hope. Hope that we have an inheritance with God for eternity. This is the "hope of glory." Glory here is a reference to the fullness of God's presence and power in that place we usually call heaven.

The Apostle Paul went through a lot of hardships to share this message with us. It consumed his life. We should pay attention. The Gospel is more that the understanding that Jesus lived, died and rose again for us. He lives in Us. This is a life changing thought.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 1-4. Paul's teaching in Colossians is that Jesus is preeminent; unlike any other God or philosophy. Why is this important to the Gospel story? Why might this be important to keep in mind today?

2. Slide 8-9. Notice how Paul refers to the Church as the body of Christ. What does he mean when he says he is making up for what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions? How might our (or Paul's) suffering complete Christ's work, not in terms of salvation but in terms of witness to the world?

3. Slide 10-11. Why does Paul call the Gospel a mystery revealed? To whom might it be the most mysterious?

4. Slide 12-15. Who might we not think the right raw material for sainthood? What does this tell us about grace? What might grace and surprise have in common?

5. Slide 16-18. Read 1 Cor. 7:12-14. This is an illustration of the principle that holiness is more contagious than uncleanness. Does that bring hope?

In this stand-alone sermon, Pastor Jim describes the Rich Fool's lifestyle as "practical atheism" and warns us of the dangers of filling your barns with self instead of God. We are encouraged to be rich towards God.

In this stand-alone sermon, Pastor Jim describes the Rich Fool's lifestyle as "practical atheism" and warns us of the dangers of filling your barns with self instead of God. We are encouraged to be rich towards God.

Congratulations Earl Cathers on your Ordination. Rev. Ken Russell joins us from district office for this special ordination service and message.

Happy New Year! Pastor Rick gives us insight into what it truly means to live a full life by numbering our days...