Podcast Deleted

GRC Sunday Morning Service
Guest: Carl Kerby of Reasons for Hope Ministry
RFORH.com

As the Apostle Paul bids farewell to the church at Ephesus, we see how much he loved the believers there and how much they loved him in return. That is the essence of ministry, Pastor Mat explains: truly love Jesus and you will love His people.

What should we do when a believer we know falls into sin? If we are not to ignore or excuse those overtaken with sin, what then are we to do? As we continue in Galatians 6, Pastor Jin looks at this question. We will also learn what it means for us to sow to the Spirit.

If you were sick for most of your life - in pain, unable to function - would you want to be made well? Some people really don't, because they've given up all hope. Among many infirm people at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus singles out one man, not just to heal his body but more importantly to build his faith. Do we want to be made well? Not just physically, but spiritually, eternally? Pastor Jin take use through this event in John 5.

In this letter to the churches, the Apostle John presents an invitation for us to enter into a glorious relationship. He invites us to have fellowship with God and His people. What does that mean? How do we develop a living, breathing, loving relationship with God? How do we know we have it?

Believers in Christ don't always feel like walking in the Spirit. Why? Because of the trials we might face; because of the spiritual battles that we may have to fight. How do we overcome the temptation to give in? How do we keep Jesus on the throne of our hearts? Pastor Mat gives the answers from these verses containing the Apostle Paul's teaching on the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit.

In the first part of Galatians 5, Pastor Mat talks about two dangers in the Christian life that can make our relationship with Jesus fall out of balance. We'll also look at what it means when Scripture says we are walking in the flesh and what it means to be walking in the Spirit. Once again, finding the right path comes down to our individual relationships with Jesus.

Why does God seem to be attracted to desperation? That's a question Pastor Mat looks at in John 4, where we read about the healing of a nobleman's son. Although faith is important, we see that it's not up to us to hold on to God; He holds on to us. Jesus always does what He says He will do. However, when God does a work in our lives, it's not just for us. Who else, then?

Did you know that one evidence of true salvation is being chastened by the Lord? The author of Hebrews tells us that the Lord chastens - or disciplines - those whom He loves, who are His children. We don't always like it of course, but Pastor Jin points out that we don't have to like it for it to be good for us. Okay - so how should we respond to God's chastening? And how do we get to the point where He only has to tell us once?

We must either relate to God through the Law or through the Spirit. But since Scripture tells us that we can never be justified by the works of the Law, Pastor Mat points out that a true relationship with God can only be realized through the Spirit and our faith in Jesus Christ. Paul illustrates the choice we have to make by reminding us about Abraham's two sons: one born of the flesh, and one born of Promise.