Grace City Denver

Christians have a complicated relationship with obedience. Those who strive to obey Jesus in everything at all times are often labeled "legalists." Others acts as if obedience is completely optional, since salvation is by grace through faith. Many are neither legalists nor antinomians, but simply pick and choose which commands of Scripture to obey. Who's right? What are we supposed to obey? And how can we do that?

Praying isn't just "talking back to God." And it's not meant to be a rote, mechanical exercise, let alone a good luck charm. Prayer is a conversation where we learn to pour out our gratitude and praise to God, surrender our will to his, and trust him with our needs – no matter how big or small.

Students must hear the words of their teachers in order to learn. In the same way, you must hear the words of Jesus in order to be his apprentice. Knowing God’s Word and being shaped by God’s Word is an absolutely essential practice of following Jesus. This message explores four ways to read the Bible in order to have the well-rounded approach of a true apprentice.

Many Christians today don't realize that Jesus' discipleship model was based upon the rabbinic model of ancient Israel. This makes it very different than sitting in a modern classroom, learning a subject matter from your teacher. There was this element of learning information, but it was much more about becoming like your teacher and being recognized by your imitation of your teacher. Ultimately, it was about replicating the way of your teacher -- which, in the case of Jesus, means teaching his Gospel and life to others.

We are all always being discipled by someone or something. If we are not deliberately following Jesus, we will follow someone else by default. We must choose: what framework, what ways of thinking, what paradigm, will I build my life upon? Jesus and the apostles said the true Way is a communal lifestyle in which we are learning to live in the reality of our new identity in Christ.

In order to follow Jesus, you have to take the first step. He has provided a clear way into relationship and apprenticeship – and there is no other way than his. Being a Christian is not simply believing in God, going to church, or doing good deeds. It's a lifestyle of repentance and faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. To put it differently, being a Christian means turning from sin, learning to think rightly about God, and fully depending on him for life and godliness.

This is perhaps the best-known and most-beloved Psalm in the psalter. It speaks familiar words of comfort and hope to every generation. But there's even more encouragement here when the ancient/pastoral context is better understood.

This Psalm is about the experience of a humble, righteous man who is abandoned by God and abused by men. In the midst of adversity, he continues to cry out to God in faith. Eventually the Lord delivers him, leading generations to praise God for his salvation. Discover why this is called "The Psalm of the Cross."

A companion to Psalm 20, Psalm 21 looks back on the victory that God has given his Anointed. The people asked God for salvation and trusted in the name of the LORD, and the LORD has answered their cry and exalted their King.

This Psalm is a prayer for the king on the eve of battle. The people of God understand that he is their representative -- and that their fate is tied to his. If the Lord rescues and prospers the king, they will be rescued and will prosper. Discover how this Psalm points to our ultimate hope that the Father would accept the sacrifice of his Son, our Messiah, and that we would be blessed in him.