Freedom, Limits, and the Nature of Sin
Sin promises freedom and fulfillment if I will reject God’s limiting commands and design, but this always produces deadly results rather than life, freedom, and flourishing.
Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3
Freedom – Embracing the Limits of Marriage and Sex
Freedom is found in embracing the truth that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and it is the only proper context for human sexual activity.
Genesis 1:28; 2:20-25
Freedom: Embracing Feasting and Fasting
True freedom is found in a proper relationship with food, neither despising nor idolizing it, but rather rejoicing in it as God’s good gift which points to our ultimate need for God Himself.
Genesis 1:29-30; Genesis 2:15-17
Freedom – Embracing the Rhythm of Work and Rest
True freedom embraces the rhythm of work and rest, for body and soul, that God built into creation.
Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:1-3; Genesis 2:15
Embracing the Limits of Body and Soul
True freedom is found in recognizing humanity as including both body and soul, and embracing the inherent identity and limits of both.
Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:7
Quotes Regarding the Nature of Human Freedom
Quotes regarding the dominant understanding of our culture, which denies there is an objective human nature. The dominant belief today is that freedom and fulfillment is found by determining our own reality and nature and embracing our desires, whatever they may be.
The Key to Human Freedom
The key to human freedom is recognizing and embracing our inherent nature as we were created by God, including both the God-given dignity and limits of that nature.
Genesis 1:26-31
Series Outline for Authentic II
“Authentic II” is a study of the letter of Second John. The short letter of Second John is full of big topics, helping to define an authentic Christian faith and life.
Authentic Community
Authentic community requires in person, face to face relationships rather than those mediated by technology.
2 John 12-13
UnAuthentic
Believers must be prepared to resist unauthentic teachings that distort the Person and work of Jesus Christ and thus create a false Gospel.
2 John 7-11
Authentic Love
Authentic love is rooted in the character of God, displayed in the life and death of Christ, described in God’s Law, and is an essential trait of the obedient Christian life.
2 John 1-6
Our Long War Against God’s Image
In our rebellion against God, humanity has consistently demeaned, degraded, and attempted to destroy other humans because they are created in God’s image.
Genesis 4:8-10
Authentic Truth
Authentic truth has been revealed in Jesus Christ, preserved for us in Scripture, is experienced by Christians through the powerful Presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and is displayed in a life of obedience to God.
2 John 1-4
Authentic Blessing
God gives the blessing of grace, mercy, and peace to His people, the Church, through Jesus Christ.
2 John 1:1-3
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
The Scriptures provide satisfaction for the Christian soul.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Series Outline for The Advent
“The Advent” is a 5-teaching series, which was taught to help us celebrate Advent in 2020. Advent is a time to reflect upon the coming of Christ, and how He is the source of true hope, peace, love, and joy.
The Advent of Life in Christ – Christmas Eve 2020
Christ has come that we might experience true, full life, now and eternally.
Romans 5:1-5
The Advent of Joy – The Life of Joy
All people are motivated by the search for joy and happiness, but the route to real joy is through the shadow’s valley and into the wide-open arms of your Lord.
John 15: 9-11
Advent Devotionals Week 4 – Joy
Advent Devotionals Week 4 – Joy
The Advent of Love
God showed His love for us by sending His Son to sacrificially lay down His life for us, and we are to follow His example by laying down our lives for others.
John 15:13; 1 John 4:7-12
Advent Devotionals Week 3 – Love
Advent Devotionals Week 3 – Love
The Advent of Peace – It’s an Inside Job
Peace comes from within through the strength that Christ provides, not from our external circumstances or possessions.
Luke 8:22-25
Advent Devotionals Week 2 – Peace
Advent Devotionals Week 2 – Peace (December 7 – 12, 2020)
The Advent of Hope in Christ
In times of distress we need to expectantly wait upon God, knowing we can have hope because He is the Sovereign God Who has fulfilled all of His promises in Christ.
Isaiah 40
Advent Devotionals Week 1 – Hope
The first week of Advent Devotionals for 2020 on Hope.