GraceUnlimited

If 87- of the Bible is the Old Testament, it is obvious that we should understand the Old Testament- What is the Old Testament- It is a story. It opens with God and His beauty. he is preparing the created order for Jesus. His kingdom is coming. What is the kingdom of God- It showcases the reign of the King. He is also an artist, crafting history with a purpose. The purpose begins in the first two pages of Scripture. God uses kingly language in His creation of mankind and when He gives man his mission. He mandates mankind to rule the world as His ruling agents. Adam starts his king-like responsibility in naming the animals. he also abuses his authority by defying God Himself- He, and thus we, became God's enemies. Can we ever go back home- Yes- We can go back home because God has also provided for that calamity too. God is saving in spite of Satan's war against Him, through man.

This sermon is a shortened version of The Exhausted Addict 1 of 8, produced for television broadcast. It was graciously sponsored by my brother-in-law and sister, Shaun and Jean Schutte.----When you are struggling with an addiction, you will be bombarded with thousands of voices, all telling you what to do. Who are you going to listen to-

This sermon is a shortened version of The Exhausted Addict 3 of 8, produced for television broadcast. It was graciously sponsored by my brother-in-law and sister, Shaun and Jean Schutte.----When you are trapped by a lifestyle that is ruining you, is your enemy the person who confronts you with your sin-

This sermon is a shortened version of The Exhausted Addict 2 of 8, produced for television broadcast. It was graciously sponsored by my brother-in-law and sister, Shaun and Jean Schutte.----When your life is spiralling out of control, and everyone is standing by to watch you fall to your death, who is going to break your fall-

This sermon is a shortened version of The Exhausted Addict 4 of 8, produced for television broadcast. It was graciously sponsored by my brother-in-law and sister, Shaun and Jean Schutte.----How can you know whether you are putting the necessary effort into breaking this life-dominating sin or whether you are simply struggling on aimlessly-

You may have no problem with the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. But as you walk through a cemetery, you either doubt that Christians will, or you at least wonder how it will happen. There are good reasons to believe that people will rise again. The first is that it already happened in Jesus resurrection. It therefore can and will happen again. How do you know it happened- Just as it is in so many areas of our lives, we have to thrust eye-witnesses. And the evidence immense- Then, the fact that Jesus rose from the dead means that the resurrection of His people will take place. Jesus' resurrection is connected to the resurrection of His people. Prove one, you prove the other. Christ's resurrection is the firstfuits. What He has done guarantees the already ripe crop. This is what Scripture declares. It must happen because the Bible says it must. Jesus, too, was convinced of His own resurrection from Scripture. Do you believe it-

It is so easy to systematically destroy relationships with people around us, without even realising it. Rather than blundering on in this destruction, let's consider what God says for our good in relationships. We may fail in loving people enough to rebuke them when they are sinning. Or even failing to receive a rebuke from a friend. We also need to consider whether we should actually rebuke someone or not. When is it wrong- Luke starts by showing that we rebuke for sin, not because our personal preferences have been impacted. You can't rebuke people for things you imagine them to have done. But when there is a sin issue, you could ask yourself whether that person is actually disobeying a principle of Scripture. What principle- Is this sin affecting other people, making it easier for them to sin- Is this bringing dishonour to Christ- There are five steps to follow when you rebuke. Deal with your own sin first. Rebuke for the right reason, with the right attitude. Remember that you are going as God's agent--sin is primarily against God. Use the right approach- don't do surgery with a shotgun. Be prepared for people's angry response and be gracious in return. If you are rebuked, don't rush to justify yourself. Listen and learn. Understand. Thank them and thank God. Evaluate your life before God. Confess your sin to the people you have sinned against. Forgiveness is the correct response to a person's acknowledgement and confession of sin. It is a transaction that actually deals with sin. It makes a promise to no longer hold that sin against the offender. These principles are both indispensable and wonderful. Use them.