We must build upon a solid foundation--the truth of the Gospel. What is truth to you? What you find to be dependable is the thing you’ll rest upon as a source of life. This can be success, friendships, marriage, children, etc. Peter writes to Christians in this passage so that he might leave them with truth. He stirs us up so that we don’t grow cold to the truth. If we lose sight of truth we’ll lose sight of who God says we are and what our value is. Peter tells us to take refuge in what is true. Engage your mind in truth. Truth will set you free from bondages of trying to live by some other value or worth. If the precious promises of God are yours you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus. We are all prone to get discouraged and be forgetful, but we can’t let past failures hinder us from moving forward. Don’t condemn yourself for past sins, but we also can’t forget who we were before the saving power of Jesus transformed us. Be diligent to root out wrong thinking. Reflect on God’s promises and you will find fulfillment. We must humbly admit that we don’t know everything so that we can come to truth. We need to be reminded of what Christ has done for us so that we can see what Christ can do in this world. Remember that in Christ, you are enough, and have value. Nothing in this world will ever be enough. Everything we go to will leave us empty and unfulfilled. We must set all these things aside. We must use truth to counteract the scoffing in our own minds. Trust in what God has already told you. Truth is to be a refuge. Simply take God at His word. Remember the foundation and let this truth shape your life. Be intentional about what is the truth.

We must build upon a solid foundation--the truth of the Gospel. What is truth to you? What you find to be dependable is the thing you’ll rest upon as a source of life. This can be success, friendships, marriage, children, etc. Peter writes to Christians in this passage so that he might leave them with truth. He stirs us up so that we don’t grow cold to the truth. If we lose sight of truth we’ll lose sight of who God says we are and what our value is. Peter tells us to take refuge in what is true. Engage your mind in truth. Truth will set you free from bondages of trying to live by some other value or worth. If the precious promises of God are yours you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus. We are all prone to get discouraged and be forgetful, but we can’t let past failures hinder us from moving forward. Don’t condemn yourself for past sins, but we also can’t forget who we were before the saving power of Jesus transformed us. Be diligent to root out wrong thinking. Reflect on God’s promises and you will find fulfillment. We must humbly admit that we don’t know everything so that we can come to truth. We need to be reminded of what Christ has done for us so that we can see what Christ can do in this world. Remember that in Christ, you are enough, and have value. Nothing in this world will ever be enough. Everything we go to will leave us empty and unfulfilled. We must set all these things aside. We must use truth to counteract the scoffing in our own minds. Trust in what God has already told you. Truth is to be a refuge. Simply take God at His word. Remember the foundation and let this truth shape your life. Be intentional about what is the truth.

The truth of the resurrection is the most important truth in the Christian life. Denying the resurrection is the greatest problem Paul had to address with the Corinthian church because the Christian life hinges on the truth of the resurrection. If Christ is not risen, everything falls apart: ministry is empty and vain; all Christians are liars; faith is futile; we are still in our sins; great cloud of witnesses before us have perished and aren’t saved; hope in Christ doesn’t extend beyond this life and we of all men are the most pitiable. The message of the Gospel is beyond only being morally good--it’s about sinners being forgiven and given new life now and eternally. What does the resurrection mean to you now? The resurrection is not only a future hope of heaven, but has everything to do with our lives now. We share in Jesus’ life--we must participate in Christ’s risen life. We can’t imitate Christ without participating in Christ. In Christ all shall be made alive. The resurrection affirms the redemption of all things. All of creation groans for this redemption. In Christ’s resurrection, the redemption of all things has started. This is a foretaste of what’s to come, so we must walk by faith, not sight. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must work now to reconcile others to God and to each other. Actively participate in this ministry of reconciliation. The resurrection is more than a historical event--it is a participation. If you’re trying in the flesh, you are not participating in the resurrection. If you participate in Christ’s resurrection through faith, you will be raised from the death of sin to newness of life.

The truth of the resurrection is the most important truth in the Christian life. Denying the resurrection is the greatest problem Paul had to address with the Corinthian church because the Christian life hinges on the truth of the resurrection. If Christ is not risen, everything falls apart: ministry is empty and vain; all Christians are liars; faith is futile; we are still in our sins; great cloud of witnesses before us have perished and aren’t saved; hope in Christ doesn’t extend beyond this life and we of all men are the most pitiable. The message of the Gospel is beyond only being morally good--it’s about sinners being forgiven and given new life now and eternally. What does the resurrection mean to you now? The resurrection is not only a future hope of heaven, but has everything to do with our lives now. We share in Jesus’ life--we must participate in Christ’s risen life. We can’t imitate Christ without participating in Christ. In Christ all shall be made alive. The resurrection affirms the redemption of all things. All of creation groans for this redemption. In Christ’s resurrection, the redemption of all things has started. This is a foretaste of what’s to come, so we must walk by faith, not sight. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must work now to reconcile others to God and to each other. Actively participate in this ministry of reconciliation. The resurrection is more than a historical event--it is a participation. If you’re trying in the flesh, you are not participating in the resurrection. If you participate in Christ’s resurrection through faith, you will be raised from the death of sin to newness of life.

This passage takes place during Holy Week. Questions to ask during this week of reflection are: Are you living in the fullness of the Gospel? Is the Gospel redefining you and freeing you? Who are you now and who are you becoming because of the Gospel? Looking at the example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, we see that even in His most tension-filled time, He was free. His love flowed freely even to the men who would soon betray and deny Him because His inner life was filled with God. We can’t discipline ourselves to love others, but we can give and serve them when we are free. When you see your own shortcomings, don’t be gripped with despair. See instead what God can do and the means in which we can continually be changed by the Gospel. Peter’s response to Jesus washing his feet shows his humanity. He may have felt shame, unworthiness, condemnation, or pride during this time. Can you relate to any of these feelings? In order to be free, you must first surrender all to Jesus. The areas that you hesitate to have Jesus clean you are the very areas Jesus wants to free you. Jesus responds to Peter’s objections by telling Peter that he only needs to receive Jesus’ love for him. We may want to attain or earn God’s love, but Jesus only asks us to submit to Him. Jesus doesn’t ask to do anything, but only to be His. Our freedom is only in Christ and in being His. Do you know the depths of Christ’s love for you? Our freedom in Christ frees us to live for Christ. He calls for our participation. We will gain in the end if we give up the very things we fear losing. Once you are free, you can serve others. You will not lose out if you give because Christ will satisfy you.

This passage takes place during Holy Week. Questions to ask during this week of reflection are: Are you living in the fullness of the Gospel? Is the Gospel redefining you and freeing you? Who are you now and who are you becoming because of the Gospel? Looking at the example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, we see that even in His most tension-filled time, He was free. His love flowed freely even to the men who would soon betray and deny Him because His inner life was filled with God. We can’t discipline ourselves to love others, but we can give and serve them when we are free. When you see your own shortcomings, don’t be gripped with despair. See instead what God can do and the means in which we can continually be changed by the Gospel. Peter’s response to Jesus washing his feet shows his humanity. He may have felt shame, unworthiness, condemnation, or pride during this time. Can you relate to any of these feelings? In order to be free, you must first surrender all to Jesus. The areas that you hesitate to have Jesus clean you are the very areas Jesus wants to free you. Jesus responds to Peter’s objections by telling Peter that he only needs to receive Jesus’ love for him. We may want to attain or earn God’s love, but Jesus only asks us to submit to Him. Jesus doesn’t ask to do anything, but only to be His. Our freedom is only in Christ and in being His. Do you know the depths of Christ’s love for you? Our freedom in Christ frees us to live for Christ. He calls for our participation. We will gain in the end if we give up the very things we fear losing. Once you are free, you can serve others. You will not lose out if you give because Christ will satisfy you.

This portion of Scripture opens up with optimism. After Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden, God gave hope sharing that the Seed of Eve would crush the serpent’s head, speaking of Christ. This promise of God begins to unfold with the birth of Cain and then Abel. Although Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a shepherd, there was no difference between honorability of their professions chosen. Similarly, our physical and occupational differences don’t matter. We all have differences, and these differences are for the profit of all. Because our occupations, gifts, and conditions are all different, our sacrifices will also be different. This does not mean that one is better than the other. It is the heart of the offering that God cares about. Don’t compare your calling the that of others. There is nothing wrong with differences--we need each other and our differences! Cain was indifferent about his offering, but Abel brought his best to the Lord. Cain felt resentment and disgrace after God didn’t accept his offering, but instead of examining himself and repenting, he became angry with God. He allowed a root of bitterness to form in his heart. He refused to humble himself before the Lord. God told him there is no justification for his current state of heart. We can’t put the emphasis on outward things--we must self-examine ourselves and see the sin that is lying at the door. Direct your heart towards God and your faith towards the promised Messiah. Your worth is found in Christ, not in your calling, sacrifice, occupation, condition of your life, or spiritual gift, so don’t compare these things with other people’s. Offer your life as a sacrifice to the Lord and you will be accepted!

This portion of Scripture opens up with optimism. After Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden, God gave hope sharing that the Seed of Eve would crush the serpent’s head, speaking of Christ. This promise of God begins to unfold with the birth of Cain and then Abel. Although Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a shepherd, there was no difference between honorability of their professions chosen. Similarly, our physical and occupational differences don’t matter. We all have differences, and these differences are for the profit of all. Because our occupations, gifts, and conditions are all different, our sacrifices will also be different. This does not mean that one is better than the other. It is the heart of the offering that God cares about. Don’t compare your calling the that of others. There is nothing wrong with differences--we need each other and our differences! Cain was indifferent about his offering, but Abel brought his best to the Lord. Cain felt resentment and disgrace after God didn’t accept his offering, but instead of examining himself and repenting, he became angry with God. He allowed a root of bitterness to form in his heart. He refused to humble himself before the Lord. God told him there is no justification for his current state of heart. We can’t put the emphasis on outward things--we must self-examine ourselves and see the sin that is lying at the door. Direct your heart towards God and your faith towards the promised Messiah. Your worth is found in Christ, not in your calling, sacrifice, occupation, condition of your life, or spiritual gift, so don’t compare these things with other people’s. Offer your life as a sacrifice to the Lord and you will be accepted!

This sermon is a call to return to the power of the Gospel. Carry the power of the Gospel in your Christian walk. You may not be where you want to be in life, but don’t be discouraged. Ground your confidence in the promise of God. God is not unjust to forget you. He will not overlook you. Don’t respond to feelings of discouragement with trying harder to get God’s attention. A promise is not earned, it is given. What are you confident in? Promise must be met with faith. A promise doesn’t only mean a change in a present. Set your hope on eternity. Cultivate your focus on Christ. What do you set your purpose in? You can’t go on in the life of faith with someone else’s confidence. The concern is that if your confidence is in some earthly thing, you will give up and quit. We are all prone to this temptation so the writer of the Hebrews encourages us to not give up! Realign your heart to the promise. Assume the future promise as your own. The promise is greater than you. Everything has its greatest fulfillment in Christ. Do you have fears or doubts about the promise? The promise is that Christ died for us, and that we are heirs with Christ. We can have objective hope, not sentimental optimism. It is impossible that God should lie so we can have confidence and strong consolation in what God has promised us. God has promised us life in Christ now, and eternal life. Believe and rest in the promise. Go to the cross for refuge. Let the provision of Christ fill your heart and redefine you. This hope of the promise is greater than our fears and failures. We do not walk alone. Christ is walking with us, and we have fellowship with our brothers and sisters to walk with us.

This sermon is a call to return to the power of the Gospel. Carry the power of the Gospel in your Christian walk. You may not be where you want to be in life, but don’t be discouraged. Ground your confidence in the promise of God. God is not unjust to forget you. He will not overlook you. Don’t respond to feelings of discouragement with trying harder to get God’s attention. A promise is not earned, it is given. What are you confident in? Promise must be met with faith. A promise doesn’t only mean a change in a present. Set your hope on eternity. Cultivate your focus on Christ. What do you set your purpose in? You can’t go on in the life of faith with someone else’s confidence. The concern is that if your confidence is in some earthly thing, you will give up and quit. We are all prone to this temptation so the writer of the Hebrews encourages us to not give up! Realign your heart to the promise. Assume the future promise as your own. The promise is greater than you. Everything has its greatest fulfillment in Christ. Do you have fears or doubts about the promise? The promise is that Christ died for us, and that we are heirs with Christ. We can have objective hope, not sentimental optimism. It is impossible that God should lie so we can have confidence and strong consolation in what God has promised us. God has promised us life in Christ now, and eternal life. Believe and rest in the promise. Go to the cross for refuge. Let the provision of Christ fill your heart and redefine you. This hope of the promise is greater than our fears and failures. We do not walk alone. Christ is walking with us, and we have fellowship with our brothers and sisters to walk with us.