Ironbridge Church

There’s a force behind everything in the universe, the great motive behind creation, salvation, and everything that God says and does for his people. Love. The unconditional love of God is the why behind the what of reality. Many people have heard of the love of God, but only when it sinks down to the heart level, is believed and felt, does it give the power to face and conquer any situation in life. There’s nothing sentimental about this love. Love is the work of a brilliant creator. Love is the work of a cosmic king who is victorious in battle. In Christ, you are loved.

Many Christians have a quietness about their faith that is rooted more in fear than in humility. Do you feel like you’re missing something? Something to make you bold in sharing your faith, in trusting God with your life, in taking big steps of faith? The truth is that God has already packed your suitcase. You’re all set. In Christ, you get all of who God is, what he has done in the past, and everything he has promised for your future. If God is for us, who can be against us? In Christ, you have everything you need. And this makes us very bold in the journey of following Jesus.

Every day, people walk through life carrying burdens. Whether it’s anxiety, addiction, anger, or any of the many other things...isn’t it time to change? To go in a new direction? To be free? The good news is that the gospel not only allows us to change but requires it. Weakness is the context for the power of God’s grace. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. And in all circumstances, God is working for our good, to make us more like Christ. In Christ, you can change.

We live in tension. Can you feel it? The tension between what is and what will be, the unimaginable joy and glory that God has promised for our future and the painful suffering of our present. So how do we wait? How do we wait, when all creation suffers, for God to fulfill his promises for us with patience and endurance? The key is hope—and his name is Jesus. No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. In Christ, you have hope.

The foundation of our identity in Christ is our adoption into the family of God. No matter what family you came from or what your mom and dad thought of you— by faith in Jesus, you become an adopted and beloved son or daughter of God. When that truth is hard to believe, the Spirit takes the witness stand for

us and helps us cry, “Abba, Father.” Jesus fulfills our longing to find our true home and our true family. In Christ, you are a child of God.

A key aspect of our identity in Christ is the person of the Holy Spirit. God the Spirit dwells within a Christian, in fact, you can’t be a Christian without the Spirit! However, many Christians have events that mark their life of faith but do not have a daily experience of God’s Spirit. When we make space to listen to the Spirit, he empowers, guides, and frees us to grow, not in the mindset of the flesh, but in the path of righteousness and flourishing life—both in this life and in eternity to come. In Christ, you have the Spirit.

Continuing a study on our identity in Christ, we discover two paths in life with two different ways of thinking: the mindset of the flesh and the mindset of the Spirit. The mindset of the flesh is a way of life that doesn’t lead to life. In fact, it is self-destructive and bound by sin and death. But the mindset of the Spirit leads to flourishing life and peace—and God wants you to flourish. In Christ, you have life.

Who am I? Your identity has an enormous impact on your life. A positive identity can be a source of optimism and strength that helps you reach your full, God-given potential. A negative identity can be an equally powerful force holding you in bondage. The good news of this series is that our true identity is found—and never lost—in Christ. One aspect of this new identity is that in Christ, you are set free from bondage to sin and death. In Christ, you are freed from addiction, fear, anxiety, and seeking the approval of others. In Christ, you are free.

The greatest hindrance to revival in our day may just be the attempt of the people of God to try to accomplish the work of God apart from the power and presence of God. The path to revival is knowing God. We have a God we cannot even begin to fathom, and we have the privilege to come before Him. May we say with Moses, "God, show me Your glory."

We often think the problem is somewhere out there. “They” are the problem, whoever “they” happen to be. Hollywood is too immoral; the media is too liberal; professors are too cynical; millennials are too rebellious. Sure, the world is sinful. But their sin isn’t keeping God from pouring out his blessing. Sin in the church is. What prevents awakening in a community is a community of Christians that harbors secret bitterness, anger, and infidelity. Nothing drives out the presence of the Holy Spirit like unconfessed sin in the church. Revival and awakening always begin when God’s people get serious about their sin.