Being a Christian is hard. It is going to require some very specific tools. Where do they come from? How do we use them? The apostle Paul recognized the need and, while being imprisoned, gave us clear instruction on what we need to do to be successful in the world we are placed.

We continue in our study of the complete armor of God. In this message, we discover the power that comes from having a firm understanding of the peace that comes from the gospel. When the storms around us rage, we can count on the peace of God to get us through.

The expectations of Biblical Holiness are great. And, if a person is not careful, they can become overwhelming. We can become so overwhelmed that we look for an alternative or a way out. There is another danger also. We can become so focused on grace, misunderstanding its purpose, that we begin to worship a spineless God. How do we find balance?

Being someone’s child carries with it many implications. There is an unbreakable bond. A commitment that is second to none other. There is also discipline and guidance. As Christians, it is critical that we explore the implications of being a child of God if we are going to really understand our position in Christ.

Throughout the Bible, we see a cyclical pattern of behavior. When people have a Reliance on God, they prosper. After a time, they begin to take responsibility for their prosperity, losing interest in following God, and they fall away. When they become weary, they begin again to seek, finding their way back to God. Repentance happens, God forgives and restoration takes place. How can we break this cycle? Can this cycle be broken? Can we just have a relationship where we seek, find, and prosper in Him? Yes, according to Paul, if we cease to live in the realm of the flesh and begin living in the realm of the Spirit.

Mark 16:15-16 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Often times, things of the Bible are misunderstood. Either we don’t fully understand the context of the things that we read or we try to lay our 21st century understanding of culture and expectations oner the top of ancient cultures. One such misunderstanding is the Great Commission.

Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the...