Fellowship Church Middlebrook

Jesus & Gender

August 25, 2024 • RD McClenagan • Genesis 1:27

This Sunday, RD continues our series "Jesus &," using Genesis 1:27 to discuss the topic of gender. In this series, we have been exploring two opposing realities: the Kingdom of God, where we submit to God's authority, and the competing kingdom of the self, which emphasizes self-autonomy and self-actualization. Modern perspectives on gender and identity reflect this tension, asserting that identity is self-created and internally defined rather than being received from God. In contrast, the biblical view teaches that our identity is given by God and is rooted in a life surrendered to Him. These competing views on identity affect everyone, not just those who identify as transgender, and we all struggle with these conflicting kingdoms in our hearts. It's crucial to approach this topic with both clarity about biblical teachings and compassion for those navigating these challenges.

SERIES RESOURCES: https://fellowshipknox.org/jesusand
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Jesus & Abortion

August 18, 2024 • Greg Pinkner • Psalm 139:13–16

This Sunday, Greg continues our series "Jesus &," using Psalm 139:13-16 to discuss the sensitive topic of abortion, emphasizing the importance of addressing it from a Christian perspective while avoiding political or policy discussions. Greg stresses that, although the Bible doesn't directly address abortion, principles can be drawn from passages like Psalm 139, which highlights God's intimate involvement in the creation and purpose of each person. He encourages us to approach this complex issue with both compassion and truth, reflecting the character of Christ in our engagement with cultural debates.

SERIES RESOURCES: https://fellowshipknox.org/jesusand
WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

Jesus & Politics

August 11, 2024 • RD McClenagan • Mark 12:13–17

This Sunday, RD continues our series "Jesus &," using Mark 12:13-17 to discuss Politics. We must remember that Jesus is King, and the responsibility for governing ultimately rests on His shoulders. Even in the church, there is a great diversity of opinions, and it is important for us to be humble and charitable when discussing politics. RD outlines a "Kingdom manifesto" for Christians, emphasizing that our primary identity as citizens of God's Kingdom should guide our political engagement. We should be captive to God's word, not the words of political leaders, and be faithfully engaged with the world without being consumed by it.

SERIES RESOURCES: https://fellowshipknox.org/jesusand
WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

Jesus & The Kingdom of God

August 4, 2024 • RD McClenagan • Acts 17

This Sunday, RD begins our series "Jesus &," teaching from Acts 17. The apostle Paul's preaching brought the revolutionary nature of the gospel into focus, particularly through his assertion that "Jesus is the Christ." This proclamation highlighted how the early Christians' commitment to the Kingdom of God positioned them in opposition to existing political and cultural structures, leading to societal upheaval and transformative discussions about authority and allegiance. This passage reflects the central theme of the early church's mission: to declare the reign of God through Christ. In the same way, we must decide who our king is and what we are seeking first in our lives. May we be a people that says, Lord, your Kingdom come, you are our king.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
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Heirs to the Promise

July 28, 2024 • Greg Pinkner • Galatians 3:15–29

This Sunday, Greg teaches from Galatians 3:15-29. He continues last week's discussion, focusing on Paul’s teaching about the law and its limitations in saving us. Salvation has always been based on faith, starting with Abraham, who believed God's promise and was counted as righteous. The law, introduced later through Moses, was not meant to save but to highlight humanity's sinfulness and need for faith in Christ. Paul argues that adherence to the law cannot justify anyone before God, as true righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus. Through faith, we are adopted into God's family, sharing in the inheritance of Christ's Kingdom.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
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The Curse Removed

July 21, 2024 • Greg Pinkner • Galatians 3:10–14

This Sunday, Greg continues in the book of Galatians. Paul's argument in Galatians centers on the false teaching that Gentile Christians must follow Jewish laws to be saved, emphasizing instead that faith in Christ, not the law, justifies believers. Using Abraham as an example, Paul shows that righteousness comes from faith, not adherence to the law, which only highlights human imperfection. Ultimately, Jesus' perfect sacrifice redeems believers, freeing them from the curse of the law and allowing them to receive the Holy Spirit by faith.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
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Further Up and Further In

July 14, 2024 • RD McClenagan • Galatians 3:1–9

This Sunday, we continue on in the book of Galatians. Before we got into the text, RD took some time to help us reset after this past weekend’s events—giving us perspective on the political temperature of our culture and how that fits into our lives as Christ-followers. He then began exploring Galatians 3, continuing our journey into the depths of the Gospel message. The Gospel isn't something new or different; it's the same message we've been immersed in, but we must delve deeper into its truth. Paul's letter to the Galatians reminds us that the Gospel is about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us, urging us to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us continually. We often fall back into relying on our own efforts, but true change comes through surrendering to Christ, who lives within us from the moment we believe. As we face life's challenges, remember that the Holy Spirit goes with us, guiding and empowering us to live out the Gospel every day.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
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The Son of God Who Loved Me

July 7, 2024 • RD McClenagan • Galatians 2:15–21

This Sunday, RD continues from Galatians 2:15, where Paul addresses the historical division between Jews and Gentiles and introduces a radical shift by emphasizing that a person is justified not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. The transformative power of the gospel and the deep, personal love of Christ, is sufficient to sustain us through all challenges, providing hope, security, and a sense of belonging in God's family.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
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June 30, 2024 • RD McClenagan • Galatians 2:11–14

This Sunday, RD looks at how the gospel functions and applies to our lives. We must learn to integrate the gospel's truth into every part of our lives, understanding that it's not just a starting point but a continuous journey. Our challenge is to let the gospel shape us more than anything else, living in its power and applying it to all areas of our lives.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

The Jerusalem Council 

June 23, 2024 • Greg Pinkner • Galatians 2:1–10

This Sunday, Greg introduces the sermon from Galatians Chapter 2, emphasizing this chapter's significance in early Christianity. The Jerusalem Council, described in Acts 15, plays a crucial role in determining the inclusion of Gentiles in the faith without adherence to Jewish laws like circumcision. This decision highlights the gospel's universal accessibility through grace, not works. Paul defends this stance before the apostles, showing that God's acceptance of Gentiles is affirmed through the Holy Spirit's work among them. The Council's decision underscores the gospel's transformative power, which transcends cultural barriers and emphasizes salvation through Christ alone.

WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/