9/9/18 -

*We apologize for the technical difficulties in this recording*

In our culture today most churches proclaim Jesus as the core truth for salvation but then quickly add that righteous living is measured by moral law. This view, while common and widely accepted, diminishes the value of the cross and the work of Jesus on it. A Christianity which highly exalts our effort as principle for holy living instead of Jesus as the source for all life and godliness is doomed to fail on a cultural level, personal level, and as it regards sin.

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9/2/18 - Paul concludes Romans with the endorsement of a faithful servant to the church of God, a greeting to old friends and fellow church planters, a reminder to avoid divisive teaching in the body, and the exaltation of a holy God who graciously included the Gentiles in the joy of the gospel.

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8/26/18 - Paul had every reason to boast in himself among the believers as a first century Jew. Paul, however, sought to do nothing more than to make much of Jesus. We as a church in the 21st century would do well to take a lesson from Paul and find our corporate unity strengthened around the proclamation of Jesus rather than being divided over lesser issues.

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The early church wasn’t just divided over personal practices, they were also divided over the question of who was actually acceptable to God. The Jews had long held to the idea that they alone, physical descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of God, were pleasing in his sight. But Christ came not only as a servant to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. To the Jews he came as a fulfillment to God’s promises and to the Gentiles he came to magnify his mercy. In that both Jews and Gentiles can readily be found acceptable to God through faith it is only a small step then to see that we, who are in Christ, should be acceptable to one another.

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8/12/18 - When we differ with fellow believers on issues that have no direct impact on the truth of Jesus as savior, the work of the cross or the empty tomb it is necessary that we defer to one another for the sake of unity and edification. Believers, fully convinced in their own minds, who arrive at different personal convictions and rights must first make it their aim to be like minded about things concerning the gospel. When we aim for unity in Jesus we find that many different nonessential things which previously clouded the gospel dissolve into grace and unity among the believers. Disunity among the church is not a new problem and the solution today is the same as it was in the days of Paul - unconditional affection for Jesus.

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8/5/18 - Some “strong” believers have come to realize the great liberty they have in Christ. Some “weak” believers still abstain from food or venerate one day over another. But this should not cause division in the body of Christ. Whichever side you stand on the aim is to be fully committed to the service of God. We are accountable to none but God as his servants. And we ought not judge the servant of God nor look with contempt on one another. Let us each be fully convinced in our own minds what it means to serve the Lord and let us rest in that.

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7/29/18 - Paul makes two bold and glorious statements at the conclusion of Romans 13. First, that we should love each other; he implies we should view it as a debt we owe to every member of the body. Secondly, Paul emphasizes is the imminent return of Jesus and the importance of looking for that day. When we rightly think on Christ’s return, we find ourselves “awake” and vigilant to clothe ourselves in Christ.

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7/22/18 - Our first and only allegiance is to God as King. Part of honoring and proclaiming God as King is to submit graciously to the authorities he’s put in place. But what do we do when the government denies God or demands that we deny God? This section of Romans 13 and a quick look at the book of Daniel helps to make sense of this sometimes difficult issue.

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7/15/18 - All authority comes from God. No king, no ruler, no regime has ever come to power outside of God’s authority. And whether the ruler we are under is on the side of God’s people or firmly set against them, we rest our hope on the truth that one day Christ will be set up as the eternal King. All other kingdoms will fall and Christ’s government will rise and never be put aside. This is the firm hope of the believer.

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7/8/18 - When we rightly understand God’s mercy isn’t about the roof over our head, the money in the bank, or the job we have but rather about the wonderful cross of Jesus and the empty tomb, the result will be unity and love within the body of Christ. Gone will be the days of pride and competition. Gone will be divisions and love filled with hypocrisy. Rightly focusing on the mercy of God floods our hearts with a deep affection for those within the body and a deep longing for those outside the body.

For service times, community opportunities, sermon videos, and more please visit the456.org!