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Becoming a ‘spiritual’ Christian – audio sermon
The goal of the gospel is that those born again become what the Apostle Paul meant when he described “spiritual” Christians. Although Jesus said one must become like a little child to enter His kingdom, He did not mean that they should stay “babes” forever. In 1 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul rebukes the Corinthian Christians for being just this – carnal, not spiritual, and thus babes in Christ, when in the mind of God, it was expected that they become spiritual. Put simply, a spiritual Christian is one whose new, made-alive spirit in Christ is in control, and brings the whole person into subjection to Christ in them. By…
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The testimony and power of the first Christians – Acts 6,7&8 – audio
The first Christians were without a doubt in the will of God, and He did indeed come through. Stephen the first martyr shows this, as did Philip. Lord bless you!
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The power and dedication of the early church – Acts 4&5 – audio
A number of conditions held in delicate balance were in play in the first century enabling the original church to start with great power. They were in the center of God’s will, guided by the apostles and early leaders, who in turn were guided by the Holy Spirit. God, who does not change, would have us learn from them so as to be as guided in our own right in our day. Lord bless you!
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Justification (and peace and acceptance) by faith – audio sermon
The Bible teaches that Christians are “justified by faith” just as was the first Jewish patriarch, Abraham. Before the law of Moses was written, God declared Abraham righteous for his faith (and resultant obedience) and made a promise of acceptance and blessings to him in which Christians under the New Covenant enter into by faith as well. The Christian life is to be a delicate balance of conditions of heart. Martin Luther once offered his doctor’s cap to whoever could reconcile seemingly contradicting passages from the Epistle of James and Paul’s Romans epistle. James seemed to say “works” were required, and Paul seemed to say they were not required. This…
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The church, God’s eternal will for His people, and Acts chapter 3 – audio
Here we pick up our study of the Book of Acts in chapter three, but with an overview of the all-important second chapter. As covered last week, this is when the Holy Spirit of God was poured out on Pentecost and the church took off in power. Many things pertaining to the church and the will of God are gone over in a relatively random discussion as the Spirit led. Lord bless you!
