Paul sums things up by telling Christians to live a life of love. I. What does that look like? II. Why do it? III. Where do we get the ability to do that?

How should a Christian live? What shape does a life take that gets the Gospel? I. Principles. II. Specifics. III. The Main Thing.I'm indebted to Dr. Derek Thomas for his outline of this text, and his particular help with what it means to grieve the Holy Spirit.

How are Christians to live: Who commands us? What does God command? Why does He command it?

How we grow up spiritually: By being equipped. By taking responsibility. By fleeing the dangers of immaturity. By being confronted with truth in love.I leaned on the help of my former seminary professor Dr. Ligon Duncan, and colleagues Rev. Les Newsom and Rev. Ricky Jones for some of this material.

The giftsThe costThe uniquenessThe purpose

Context: doctrine and livingWhat Paul assumes: intimacyWhat Paul urges: bearing with one another in loveHow do we do this?: living with an eye on our calling

I'd like to acknowledge my seminary professor Dr. Derek Thomas for his influence on this sermon through his profound teaching.

The ordinary family of JesusThe extraordinary conception of JesusThe true humanity of JesusI borrowed liberally from my former pastors and seminary professors Drs. Ligon Duncan and Derek Thomas (may they live long and prosper!), along with Donald Macleod's wonderful chapter The Incarnation in A Faith to Live By. Many thanks to these men for their faithful service.