Matthew 16:13-18, Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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This Sunday we continue our new sermon study series, Remember My Chains, from the book of Colossians. This week, the emphasis of the message and worship centers on the Identity of Christ.

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Do a causal search online for the "Identity of Christ" and most of what you will discover skips over the identity of Christ and moves immediately to "finding our identity in Christ." While that is an admirable pursuit, it raises that important question. Do we find our identity in Christ, or is it more important to discover His identity and all the Holy Spirit to imprint that identify on us? After all, "It's Not I, but Christ" living in me that should be our ultimate pursuit.

As we begin this study, we look to the opening fourteen verses of the letter as Paul not only encourages but also sets an example of pray for each other. A lesson we continue to be reminded of as we "fulfill the will of Christ" by accepting the burden of interceding in prayer for one another.

1 Corinthians 2:9... "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

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In the final chapter of the book of Ruth we see the conclusion of this beautiful story of redemption--executed by Boaz, but clearly authored by the Lord God.

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As we see this story of redemption come to a close, we are reminded of our own redemption and how that should affect us in the way we live, the way we think, the choices we make, and the truth we share with others.

Matthew 5:16... In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.

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As we pull back the curtain on Ruth chapter 3, we see the story unfold further. Boaz initially showed kindness and generosity to Ruth and to Naomi, but now this situation calls for a greater commitment. We see the character of Boaz as he doesn't hesitate in his willingness to act as Kinsman Redeemer for them.

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Of course, the parallels to our own redemption are clear. Jesus did not hesitate but willingly offered himself as a redeemer to forgive our sins through His grace and mercy.

John 15:13, This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.

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As we continue in our brief series through the book of Ruth, we pull back the curtain on the second chapter. In this chapter we see the beginnings of a blossoming friendship.

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Of course, the name Ruth itself means "friendship" and gives us a glimpse of how appropriate her name is and the story is that unfolds. It also gives us an modern day lesson of the type of friendship we should exhibit as Christians.

Ruth 1:16-17a... But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried."

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We begin a new series of messages this Sunday. A light in the midst of the time of Judges comes the story of Ruth. Over the next few weeks we will make our way through the narrative of this story.

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At the beginning of Ruth's tale, we see her making the choice to leave behind her people along with their pagan ways to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi. It was not simply a decision to be loyal after the death of her husband, it represented a major life change.

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It's not unlike the choices we face at times in our lives; choices that end up altering the course of our lives. It is why it is so imperative for us to seek God's will in these choices.

Judges 21:25, In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

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As we take our final look at the book of Judges, we are left with potential discouragement. The period of the Judges was a a time of great darkness in the nation of Israel as the people were on the roller coaster ride of sin and idolatry, suffering, and deliverance by God's intervention; only to fall back into that pattern of sin all over again.

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In these final chapters of the book, we see just how far the decay of the sin was reaching. Sadly, it gives us a glimpse of something we are all too familiar with--what effect unrepentant sin has on people and the consequences are for a nation who no longer acknowledges the sovereignty of God.

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It is a sobering reminder of how careful we must be not to fall into the temptations of sin or to even assume we are above falling into the traps of sin. We need to continually fix our eyes, our hearts, and our minds on Jesus Christ.

As we move to the concluding chapters of the book of Judges we find stories that are more disturbing to view and discuss. In this final section, the repeated use of the phrase, "..there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes," emphasized the godlessness of the people even further.

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The responsibility of a king was to be a leader of his people in battle, guiding them in victory over their enemies. The king was also to be a leader of his people by inspiring them to do and the follow what was right.

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The issue for Israel was not that they needed a king like the nations around them--those kings selfishly thirsted for power and wealth and led their people into idolatry and paganism--instead they needed to follow the king they already had. Unfortunately, they swore no allegiance and commitment to the King who had led them in victory over their enemies, providing protection for them, taught them what was right, etc. They were becoming "kings over themselves." Thus, they lived according to the principle of "it's right and just because I say it is right and just."

Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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We said last week, Samson didn't set out to destroy his life and his relationship with God, but over time, the choices he made led to his destruction and fall from grace. The final lesson we can learn from Samson's life, is when we face the consequences of our sin and bad choices, God still does not abandon us--He still longs to see us become and man of God or woman of God that He always intended we could be.

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Samson may have reached rock bottom, but God was still beside him and when humility finally kicked in for him, God was ready to offer grace for the rest of his journey. What we learn is that whatever state of brokenness we may find ourselves in, God still has the incredible grace to repair that brokenness and, through the blood of Jesus Christ, offer us forgiveness for our sin, and reconcile our relationship with Him!

Psalm 10:4, In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

More and more these days, people are driven by emotion. Just a casual drive down Highway 50 gives you a clear picture of people acting and responding on emotion. Often those emotions are anger, frustration, impatience, etc.

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How do we allow "cooler heads to prevail" when faced with circumstances that test our emotions. The answer lies in being grounded spiritually. Being led by Spirit allows us to face negative emotions without losing control. Obviously, it isn't something that happens overnight, but as we commit ourselves to follow Christ, we slowly learn to follow His Spirit rather than our own desires.

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Samson was a man driven by his emotions and those feelings led him to commit acts that satisfied his own desire but didn't submit to God's will and the leading of His Spirit.