Are You On the Right Side? | Matthew 5:17-20
Matthew 5, verses 17-20 says there is a way to respond to the Law and The Prophets that gets you on the right side of history. However the church has failed this test over and over again, causing division, denominations, factions and parachurch ministries. How can we know if we are on the right side of history? Pastor Robin explains how Jesus’ teaching on the Sermon on the Mount highlights a right and wrong way that the church should not miss.
The Deeds of the Flesh vs the Fruit of the Spirit | Galatians 5:19-23
Talking about SIN and what it looks like is not popular. But yet, God warns us about sin and the damages sin causes many times in His Scripture. In Galatians 5, the Apostle Paul gives us a list of what sin looks like to help us recognize it in our lives, as well as what it looks like when Jesus is living in us.
Freed to Love | Galatians 5:13-15
Freedom in Christ can feel scary to some. If we don’t have the Law, what will keep us from sinning and living a life of selfish pursuits? Paul offers a simple wanting and command as a response. Rather than abusing our freedom and allowing the flesh to bring misery and destruction into our lives and to those around us, we get to use our freedom as an opportunity to serve one another in the love of God.
A Little Law Destroys Grace | Galatians 5:7-12
The Apostle Paul shares some harsh words for those who are hindering the relationship between Jesus and the Galatians. But those harsh words are for the protection of the church, as introducing a little law destroys the freedom and life that grace offers.
Can you lose your salvation? Or are you once saved always saved? | Galatians 5:2-4
Is it possible to lose your salvation? Or are you once saved always saved? When having this discussion, it is important to take into account all of what God’s Word says, not just one or two particular passages. Pastor Ross explains what is at the heart of these questions as it relates to Galatians 5.
Freedom in Christ | Galatians 5:1-4
It was for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free. This is the rallying call of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians that they would resist the temptation to enslave themselves to the Law, but would rather stand firm in the freedom that Christ has purchased for us on the cross.
An Allegory from Hagar and Sarah – Children of Slavery vs Children of Promise | Galatians 4:21-31
Sometimes in Scripture, there is a story behind the story. A deeper spiritual reality that is being played out through people and events in the Old Testament. The apostle Paul reveals one such allegory in Galatians 4 with the story of Hagar, Sarah, and their children who represent two covenants. One of slavery; and one of freedom. The question becomes, who is your mother? And then, what do we do with the one who causes so much trouble?
Hear My Heart | Galatians 4:12-20
Having made a powerful argument over the past chapter and a half as to why all Christians, those of Jewish and Gentile birth, are free from the Law to now live under the Spirit. The Apostle Paul commands them to be free, through an appeal of his heart for them. He contrasts how the Judaizers only want to use them for their own personal glory, while Paul wants to see them grow in their faith with Jesus.
The End of Man’s Religion | Galatians 4:8-11
We are all, by definition, religious people. But not all religions are equal. All of man’s religions are essentially the same – we do our best to earn blessing and favor from the god of our choosing through our sacrifice and adhering to the right rituals and performance. But it only ends up in bondage and failure because those gods cannot provide the fulfillment and contentment that we deserve. In this message, Pastor Ross helps us discover what is the pure and undefiled religion of God that comes from knowing the love God has for you.
The Adoption of Sons | Galatians 4:1-7
Adoption in first century Roman times was very different from how we understand adoption today. Back then, adoption was the time when the father recognized that their son was mature and no longer needed the child guides that they were in bondage to. The Apostle Paul uses that analogy to show that we have graduated from being under bondage to the Law so that we could be sons of God with the Holy Spirit as our new guide.