When we claim we are in Christ but our actions betray that profession, we rightfully get labeled as hypocrites. As believers we've been new-birthed into a life where we are deliberately and progressively putting off, removing, and eliminating the sinful lifestyles of our past.

The Church is not some manmade organization like the Antelope Lodge. The Church is the dwelling place of God the Spirit; it was founded by Christ; He refers to Her as His Bride; He purchased Her with His shed blood.

When the Holy Spirit is at work in a church and genuine love for God and one another is real, that's a pretty sweet fishing spot, the right side of the boat to be casting our nets, the pier from which we want to cast our lines.

Who were those vessels and voices that came into your life at just the right time as He was making you His own? No matter who they were, it's fair to call them laborers. God wants all of us to be one of those.

The essence of the Gospel is this: My sin-disease for His cure! My death-curse for His eternal life! My unworthy standing for His right-standing! Jesus truly did die in our place!

Here's the Good News of Jesus Christ: My disease for His cure! My sin for His righteousness! My curse for His eternal blessing! Now that should definitely produce some fruit!

Sinners did not welcome Jesus because He became "one of them." They welcomed Him as a Great Physician who had a cure for their disease of sin; He was THE Remedy. Without approving of their sin, He met them with mercy and acceptance.

Paul gives hope in Romans 3:23-24: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins." (NLT)

In 1 Corinthians 1:4, the Apostle Paul writes: "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus..." (ESV) What makes Paul's warmhearted greeting so remarkable is that this church had lots of problems.

"With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people."