Today let's consider another thought from Pastor Martha's sermon (translated here):
"If we walk independent of the Spirit then we are going to be in sin... The failure to forgive; pride; hypocrisy; adultery; what is there? What is it inside of us that is not allowing us to live in the power of the resurrection? Jesus was raised because He did not sin. He conquered death."
Our pastor noted that Christ is the only One who had a guarantee of resurrection because He was without sin. Our only hope for experiencing new birth is to submit ourselves to the Spirit of Christ. She noted, "If we were united to Christ in His death, then we will be united to Him in His resurrection."
Pastor Martha used some terms that we can reflect on today: That old layer. Chained feet. Chained hands. And she encouraged us to do something simple and practical: Shake yourselves. Shake off the chains.
*Is there an old layer of sin that continues to smother your true purpose?
*Are your feet still chained, destined to take you to places God no longer wants you to be?
*Are your hands still chained, connected to behaviors or systems God has released you from?
We are made new in Christ, and in this new life we have no need to remain in our old sins. The Christ is come! The enemy is destroyed. We have been set free.
The prison doors are opened. The Master has freed every captive. You are free to leave the power of sin... and freed to live by the power of the Spirit.
Showing posts with label Romans 6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans 6. Show all posts
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Free!
On Sunday Pastor Martha shared (paraphrased here): We need to start identifying ourselves as part of the kingdom of God. If we are the sons and daughters of the King, if we were called to Him because we believed in Jesus in faith, then as children we have the right to an inheritance. The inheritance belongs to the children. The word tells us that freedom is the inheritance of the children: our Savior came to make us free.
The kingdom of God is a place where we have freedom.
The freedom to say no. When faced with the pressure to conform to world systems for the sake of economics or expedience, the Christian can draw strength from Jesus. He is the King who has promised to supply all that we need. He is the representation of true love, the love that led Him to give His life for us. His self-less sacrifice has opened the door for us to also "die" with Him; because we are dead to our own selfish desires, we are freed to say no to sin (see Romans 6:5-7).
The freedom to say yes. In Christ Jesus we have the example of what it means to be transformed from death to life. Because He conquered death, we can rest in His resurrection life. As our pastor said, we have not been left alone. Jesus sent His Spirit to work in us. As we say yes to His righteous desires, He equips us to live righteous and holy lives for the sake of His kingdom (see Romans 6:22).
We are children of the King.
We are freed from the grip of sin.
We are free to serve Christ in love.
The kingdom of God is a place where we have freedom.
The freedom to say no. When faced with the pressure to conform to world systems for the sake of economics or expedience, the Christian can draw strength from Jesus. He is the King who has promised to supply all that we need. He is the representation of true love, the love that led Him to give His life for us. His self-less sacrifice has opened the door for us to also "die" with Him; because we are dead to our own selfish desires, we are freed to say no to sin (see Romans 6:5-7).
The freedom to say yes. In Christ Jesus we have the example of what it means to be transformed from death to life. Because He conquered death, we can rest in His resurrection life. As our pastor said, we have not been left alone. Jesus sent His Spirit to work in us. As we say yes to His righteous desires, He equips us to live righteous and holy lives for the sake of His kingdom (see Romans 6:22).
We are children of the King.
We are freed from the grip of sin.
We are free to serve Christ in love.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Keys To Unlock Every Door.
In Sunday's sermon Pastor Martha shared a point that we can reflect on for today (paraphrased here):
The life of Jesus is marked by two impossibilities. The first is the Virgin womb; the second is the empty tomb. In the Virgin womb is a sign that says "No entry"; in the tomb is a sign that says "No Exit".
In the Virgin birth and in the resurrection, Jesus defeated and destroyed the enemy of our souls. Jesus accomplished the impossible. And in this execution of the impossible, we are encouraged to follow our Lord's example. As our pastor shared, "We can't; but God can." How do we accomplish the mighty works of God? The power to do so is available to each one of us: it is the power of the Holy Spirit.
During His earthly ministry and at the time of His ascension, Jesus instructed His disciples to do seemingly impossible things: Heal the sick. Preach the good news. In our time we are called to do the same. But, as our pastor shared, these are things we cannot do unless the Holy Spirit is present and active within us. My prayer is that the Spirit of God has found a welcoming space in our hearts and souls.
Does the Holy Spirit have full access to you? Have you submitted your will to the will of God?
The life of Jesus is marked by two impossibilities. The first is the Virgin womb; the second is the empty tomb. In the Virgin womb is a sign that says "No entry"; in the tomb is a sign that says "No Exit".
In the Virgin birth and in the resurrection, Jesus defeated and destroyed the enemy of our souls. Jesus accomplished the impossible. And in this execution of the impossible, we are encouraged to follow our Lord's example. As our pastor shared, "We can't; but God can." How do we accomplish the mighty works of God? The power to do so is available to each one of us: it is the power of the Holy Spirit.
During His earthly ministry and at the time of His ascension, Jesus instructed His disciples to do seemingly impossible things: Heal the sick. Preach the good news. In our time we are called to do the same. But, as our pastor shared, these are things we cannot do unless the Holy Spirit is present and active within us. My prayer is that the Spirit of God has found a welcoming space in our hearts and souls.
Does the Holy Spirit have full access to you? Have you submitted your will to the will of God?
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Contemplating the New Birth.
In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha spoke on the meaning of Christmas: it is a new birth. She said (paraphrased here):
I have nothing against "Father Christmas", but Jesus was not born in a shopping mall... What is the meaning of Christmas? It does not mean shopping. It does not mean to eat until you have indigestion. It does not mean to drink until you're drunk. It means a new birth.
It is a new birth that brings us hope, peace, and joy. It is a new birth that ushers in the kingdom of God, with Jesus eternally present as its reigning King. It is a new birth that calls God's people to live lives of righteousness, holiness, and joyful service to our King of Kings and Lord of lords.
Pastor Martha read Romans 6:1-14. Let us read it today as a reminder of the life we are privileged to live as beneficiaries of this new birth. The text can be found by clicking here.
Christ was born! Are you a beneficiary of this new birth?
I have nothing against "Father Christmas", but Jesus was not born in a shopping mall... What is the meaning of Christmas? It does not mean shopping. It does not mean to eat until you have indigestion. It does not mean to drink until you're drunk. It means a new birth.
It is a new birth that brings us hope, peace, and joy. It is a new birth that ushers in the kingdom of God, with Jesus eternally present as its reigning King. It is a new birth that calls God's people to live lives of righteousness, holiness, and joyful service to our King of Kings and Lord of lords.
Pastor Martha read Romans 6:1-14. Let us read it today as a reminder of the life we are privileged to live as beneficiaries of this new birth. The text can be found by clicking here.
Christ was born! Are you a beneficiary of this new birth?