Sunday Sermon based in Genesis 31. 

Pastor Phillip takes a deeper look at the interaction between Jacob and Laban after Laban had chased Jacob down and demanded an explanation. Looking at how God will protect us from the ways of the world if we are seeking to do what is right by Him.

We will be blessed when we follow the will of God, and we are not held accountable for what others may have done that we do not know of. God will not go back on His word to us. 

"God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'" - 2 Timothy 2:19

As humans, we want to be known, but we are also terrified of being known...but God knows us, and yet loves us!

GO DEEPER: John 10:14-27

You have been bought at a price. You belong to God.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

GO DEEPER: Romans 6:16-23 - Paul's description of what it means to be a slave to righteousness

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36

Maybe you have experienced freedom. Temporary freedoms from worldly endeavors, but have you experienced true freedom? True freedom only comes when you recognize that you must surrender all to God.

GO DEEPER: Galatians 5:1, 13-19 - Remember the freedom you've been given and do not allow sin to enslave you again.

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." - 1 Peter 1:18-19

Everything costs something. But when someone gives you a gift card, you are out nothing, but they had to pay a price. It is this way with life also. Our sin leaves us with death as the only price to pay...and Jesus offers redemption through His blood. That gift truly is priceless!

GO DEEPER: Galatians 3, 1 Corinthians 6, Romans 5, Titus 2, 1 Peter 1:14-18, Revelation 5:9-10 - Peter, Paul, and John all describe redemption through Christ. 

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28

Sure, you've seen movies with a ransom being requested for the victim of a kidnapping...a steep price being paid for the freedom of the one who is being held captive. Do you know that this is what Christ has done for you? He paid a ransom for your freedom!

GO DEEPER: Hebrews 9:11-28 - The blood of Christ paid the ransom for many

"For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life?" - Romans 5:10

The deception of the world is that people are basically good...but it may have been best told by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, "Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who needs to lay down his arms."

"That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." - Philippians 3:8-9

What is righteousness? Where does it come from? How can we obtain it?

GO DEEPER: Romans 4 - Do we obtain righteousness through works or faith?

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." - Ephesians 1:7

For some, guilt is a burden to carry around. Others keep looking back. We must embrace that God has offered us forgiveness and grace to overcome the struggles of letting go...but we can let go, because He has overcome those burdens and our guilt.

GO DEEPER: Isaiah 43:18-21, 25-26 - God's Merciful Forgiveness

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

Saved, in the Bible, means we have been rescued or delivered. Sometimes salvation is physical...but more often than not, it is spiritual. We need salvation, but we cannot find it on our own; it does not come from anything we will do, but what God has already done for us!

GO DEEPER: John 3:1-21 - Jesus shares with Nicodemus what Salvation is.