How do we see ourselves in Christ? Have we spiritually grown to view ourselves more and more as God does and not just being His children? In this text, Peter describes believers as “living stones” in Christ being built up as a spiritual house for spiritual roles and purposes. In this sermon, we will look at one of those roles and purposes – being holy priests. Understanding what God has done in us beyond simply saving us produces a greater joy and intimacy with Him and especially as His holy priests in and through Christ.
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Jim Sole
In this message we continue our study of the most personal of letters the Apostle Paul wrote – Philemon. In this letter Paul models the Christian life in fellowship with other believers. We will see in him how we are to relate to one another and the proper actions/attitudes we are to have toward one another.
What is the key to living the Christian life? What sustains us in our suffering? How do we overcome accusations from the devil, the conscience, and world? It isn’t based on what we do, but in remembering and applying who Christ is to us, and who we are in Him. In this section of the Apostle Peter’s letter, he is reminding these suffering saints these truths to encourage and sustain them in a world hostile to Christ and His people.
In this sermon Pastor Jim begins an exploration of the most personal of letter written by the Apostle Paul; Philemon. In this letter we will be exposed to a great model of how to pray for one another and how the Christian life is to be lived with one another; in love and mutual encouragement.
What is the goal of being a Christian? What motivates us to continue on in this life of warfare? The Apostle Peter provides both answers in the opening of chapter two of his letter. In identifying the goal and motivation of the truly born again individual, he unfolds for us the wonderful privileges of conforming to and knowing Christ – the sum of the Christian’s life and experience.
This sermon was given on “Reformation Sunday” 2017, so named in honor of the greatest movement by God since the introduction of Christianity in the 1st century. The Protestant Reformation was the church’s recovery of the absolute authority of Scripture, the centrality of Biblical preaching, and congregational singing. In honor of our heritage from the Reformation, we will celebrate the doctrines that shook the world – Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (God’s Glory alone).