THE NEW WAY OF LIVING We don’t serve God by following a checklist, but by living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Legalism does not please God as it only reveals our unrighteousness and prideful hearts. This “new way” of living is not about effort or earning, but believing and receiving. Those who have
LOVE SHOWN IS GREATER THAN LOVE SPOKEN Yes, love demonstrated is greater than love spoken. Yet, God has done both through Christ Jesus. He is the Logos, the greatest and fullest communication of God and God’s love to us. He is love in the flesh. He is Love come down from heaven to become one
IS YOUR RECORD CLEARED? Paul quoted David’s psalm (Psa. 32:1-2) to support his explanation about how being made right with God is not by works, but by faith alone. When we place our faith in Christ and receive forgiveness and salvation, His blood not only covers our sin, it washes it away. Our “record” is
TRANSITIONING FROM PORTABLE TO PERMANENT David made preparations for the Temple to be built in Jerusalem. He gathered the materials for the building and gave his son, Solomon instructions for its construction. He instructed the Levites on how to transition from their former ministry of carrying and setting up the portable Tabernacle, to the new
SEEKING THE APPLAUSE OF THE ONE Paul explained that the sign of circumcision was not sufficient to please God without the accompanying evidence of a changed heart. And a heart changed by the Holy Spirit always seeks the approval of God rather than men. For the one who is born again wants what the Father
WHO ARE WE O LORD THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT US THIS FAR? When David told the prophet Nathan of his desire to build a house for the Lord, the word of the Lord came to Nathan during the night saying that He was instead going to build a house for David. The Lord spoke of
PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS EVERY DAY TO EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE. David gave this song of thanksgiving to the Levites to sing on the day they brought the Ark into Jerusalem. In these two verses, he commanded his people to proclaim the good news that God saves to the nations. Notice some of the details of his
SPIRITUALLY ENCOURAGING GET-TOGETHERS This is what “get-togethers” should accomplish–– mutual encouragement of our faith. By the way, thanks to all for the birthday greetings today. You’ve encouraged me. I look forward to encouraging you back, when we get-together again! PRAYER: Lord, help us to always share our spiritual gifts with one another, so that
DAVID: THE SONG-WRITING, STONE-SLINGING MAN OF GOD David was God’s man, but he was also a man’s man. There was something about his heart that the Lord would anoint him king. And something about his manner that made men of action want to follow him. He was an amalgamation of such eclectic talent and passion,
PAUL’S THREE ENCOURAGING FAITH STATEMENTS The ship taking Paul to Rome for his appeal to Caesar was caught up in a great storm and in danger of sinking. But God sent an angel to encourage Paul that although they would suffer shipwreck, no one on board would drown. All would be saved. Paul encouraged the