Hi,
I hope all you baby sharks are saved, safe and sane.
Stay encouraged.
We have come a long way.
Stay the course.
Here’s yesterday’s sermon. It was super basic but I think it frames the foundation of our faith pretty good.
Some new tools for your toolbox.
* It covers how we're made right with God (justification), grow in faith (sanctification), and our final unity with God (glorification), while warning against over-complicating faith or misunderstanding grace.
* Think About: Consider the transformative power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Reflect on how accepting Jesus as your Savior (Justification), growing in Him (Sanctification), and anticipating eternal life with Him (Glorification) shapes your daily life and worldview.
* Pray About: Engage in earnest prayer for a deeper connection with Christ and a clearer understanding of His Word. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in discerning the truths of the Gospel and for a renewed zeal in living out your faith.
* Act Upon: Encourage active sharing of the Gospel in your community and beyond. Look for opportunities to witness about Christ’s love and salvation, to serve others in His name, and to be a living example of His grace and truth in a world that needs His hope and light.
* Matthew 11:28-30 - “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”
* 1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified."
* Philippians 3:7-8 - "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
* John 14:6 - "Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’"
* In a world brimming with complexity, I find that as my Philosophy and Mental Models get more nuanced, My theology gets more complex, BUT my faith crystallizes into something simpler. It becomes more about Jesus, about making the main thing the main thing
* Admit (Sinners in need of a Savior): "Lord, have mercy."
* Believe (In Jesus as Savior): "Lord, I believe."
* Confess (Jesus is Lord): "Jesus is Lord."
Justification - Come Down
Justification - is the declaring of a person to be just or righteous. It is a legal term signifying acquittal.
* Definition: The divine act where God declares sinners righteous through Jesus.
* Scripture: Romans 323-24 (NLT)
* [Rom 3:23-24 NLT] 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Reflection: Justification is God's gracious response to our admission of sin and recognition of our need for a savior.
Sanctification - Come Out
* Definition: The lifelong process of being molded into Christ's image.
* [Gal 2:20 NLT] 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
* C.S. Lewis Quote: "Every day, we are being remade into our true selves."
* Reflection: Sanctification is our growth journey, echoing our belief in Christ's transformative power.
* Most Christians repent enough to get forgiven, but not enough to see the Kingdom
* Gifts are free, but maturity is expensive
Glorification - Come Home
* Definition: The completion of salvation when believers are eternally united with God.
* [Rom 8:30 NLT] 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
"Glorification" in Christian faith means the final removal of sin and transformation into holy immortality at Christ's return. It's the culmination of sanctification, where believers gain unhindered access to God and eternal communion with Him. This process, driven by the Holy Spirit, transforms us into Christ's image, preparing us for when we will share in God's glory and holiness eternally.
* Reflection: Glorification is the culmination of our confession, where we find our eternal home.
* The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God- CS Lewis
RECAP
* Admit (Sinners in need of a Savior): "Lord, have mercy."
* Believe (In Jesus as Savior): "Lord, I believe."
* Confess (Jesus is Lord): "Jesus is Lord."
* Justification - Come Down
* Sanctification- Come out
* Glorification- Come Home
I pray that this simple sermon has provided you with a clearer understanding of your path as a follower of Christ. In a world that is often nuanced, tumultuous, and complex, may this message guide you towards navigating life with simplicity and grace. Let our theology grow in depth and complexity, but let our faith remain simple and steadfast. Remember, it is all about Jesus. Make Him the main focus of your life, your motivation, and your 'why.'
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