For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” This is arguably one of the best known of Paul’s verses, this list of the fruit of the Spirit found here in the middle of our passage in Galatians this morning. It’s a list … [Read more...]
Reconcilation
Breaking Down Walls
But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall; that is, the hostility between us. Welcome to the 2nd week of our summer preaching series on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Last week we touched on the historic context of the letter and we noted that many scholars think that it was written while Paul was in prison in Ephesus, in the middle … [Read more...]
Good Friday Part III: The Finish
“When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30) As he hung there on the cross, that torturous Roman instrument of death, the weight of his body bearing down on those nails that pierced his hands and feet, beaten and bloodied, he inhaled and with his final breath said, “It is finished.” I tell you, this small phrase is so vast and so deep that its treasures will never be exhausted. More was said in this one breath than … [Read more...]