Of the Law of God: The Moral Law & the Gospel____
Letter from the Pastor 2/18/2025, Part 7 of 7
INTRODUCTION
There is no contradiction between the law of God and the gospel of grace. There is no contradiction between Christians being justified freely and obeying the law of God. In fact, evangelical obedience is the natural product of being justified by grace through faith.
As we conclude our seven-part series on the …
Of the Law of God: The Moral Law & Our Salvation____
Letter from the Pastor 2/4/2025, Part 6 of 7
INTRODUCTION
What is legalism? What makes someone a legalist? Is it legalistic to pay attention to and obey the law of God? These are questions we’ll answer today as we consider the relationship between the moral law of God and our salvation.
Without getting too deep in the weeds, let’s define legalism as an improper …
INTRODUCTION
When I began this series last month, I opened it with a question: What does it mean that Christians are not under the law? Are we no longer obligated to obey the Ten Commandments? The first four parts of this series primarily dealt with the nature of moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws of God given in the Mosaic Covenant.
The final three parts of this series will begin explaining how the moral law of …
Letter from the Pastor 1/14/2025, Part 4 of 7
INTRODUCTION
“When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.” (Deut. 22:8 ESV)
“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” (Deut. 25:4)
“You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a …
Letter from the Pastor 1/8/2025; Part 3 of 7
INTRODUCTION
Are Christians obligated to keep all of the Old Testament laws? What about the dietary or cleanness laws? If we are not obligated, how do we know which of God’s laws we can set aside? Christians have been asking these questions since the days immediately following Christ’s resurrection, and we’ll do our best to answer them in this week’s letter. Today, we discuss what has …
Letter from the Pastor 12/17/2024, Part 1 of 7
What does the Bible teach about the law of God? Many of you memorized the Ten Commandments in Sunday School, or perhaps you’ve seen a popular movie depicting Moses receiving the two tablets of stone on Sinai. You may remember the Psalmist declaring his love for the law of God (Ps. 119:97) or Jesus’ declaration that he came to fulfill the law. (Matt.5:17-18) What does …
INTRODUCTION
As I write this letter, many of you have already cast votes in the 2024 election. I know this because many of you have sent pictures of you and your kids standing in line at the polls. Praise God. This week, I want to exhort you to prayer and preparation for the future. First, prayer.
PRAYER IN TROUBLOUS TIMES
Essentially, the Old Testament book of Habakkuk is the record of one man’s prayers and …
INTRODUCTION
“How’s that working for you?” For decades, this has been a catchphrase for the popular TV counselor known as Dr. Phil which he employs to help people realize their dysfunctional behavior. “How’s that working for you,” forces the individual to self-evaluate; to recognize that their status quo isn’t working at all.
For decades, America has experimented with secularism; the idea that our public life can be governed apart from or uninformed by religion. In …
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever seen a Coexist bumper sticker? They were far more popular 20 years ago but I still see them on occasion. Traditionally, the sticker contains the word “Coexist” in white lettering on a blue background. Upon closer inspection, one notices that the letters in the word “Coexist” are made up of various symbols from world religions. The “C” is made of the crescent moon of Islam, the “O,” a peace sign, “E” …
A famous quote has been (falsely?) attributed to Leon Trotsky: “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.” I’m not here to debate the attribution of the quote. Instead, I want to put a spin on it. You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you. If you are like me, you wish that everything wasn’t so politicized. Why must everything be dragged into politics and …
