Jul 06

Spirit of God Dwells in You

Romans 8:1-11

The existence outside of God is described as the law of sin and death.  This principle (as in the law of gravity) keeps us condemned in our actions and desires.  We cannot do the righteousness of the law of God because we are bound by the law of sin.  But Romans 8 now brings us to the place of “no condemnation” when we are in Christ Jesus.

In our text this Sunday, the Apostle rejoices in being in Christ, then he takes it further by telling us the Spirit of God is in us.  The Holy Spirit of God is giving us assurance that we are a child of God.  The Holy Spirit also delivers us from the power of the law of sin and death into the glorious liberty that is ours as a child of God. 

Romans 8:1 is the high point of the book of Romans and the rest of the book is telling us what it means to be in Christ and Christ in you.

Pastor Greg

Jun 29

The Fog that Saved America

In August of 1776, in response to the Declaration of Independence, the British moved to take and control New York and the Hudson River.  This would disrupt the trade between the northern and southern colonies.  George Washington with 19,000 troops had to oppose the British with 32,000 troops.  The colonials were defeated at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, and it seemed all his army could do was to wait for annihilation.  In a desperate attempt to escape, the Americans begin using small boats to ferry their troops across Long Island Sound.  There was no moon that Leviticus night, so the British Ships did not see them.  When the Sun began to rise, they still had almost 8,000 troops to evacuate.  A dense fog rose from the water, so thick that one officer said it was hard to discern a man at 6 feet.  When the fog finally lifted, all of Washington’s men, horses, and cannons were gone, and all the British found was an abandoned camp.

George Washington wrote in 1778: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all of this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”

From the founding of Plymouth Colony, through the Revolutionary War, the saving of the Union and abolition of slavery with the Civil War, in most of its history, the United States of American has identified with Israel in the providential working of God in our nation.  No, we did not always allow the better angels of our nature to direct us, just like the Israelites (read the book of Judges).  Yet, we continually return to our message of proclaiming “liberty throughout the land” (Liberty Bell, Leviticus 25:10).

Independence Day is not a religious holiday, but it is a day that we can acknowledge the hand of Providence that has been conspicuous in our history, and our obligations to the God of History to heed our better angels and our mission of “liberty and justice for all.”

In the text for this Sunday, Deuteronomy 10:12-24, we hear the voice of our God calling us to blessing and telling us plainly what is required of us to be a good people and nation.

Pastor Greg

Jun 22

Ending a Senseless War

Romans 7:15-25

One of the easiest ways to defeat is to never realize that you are in a war.  In Romans 7 we see the instructions for us to withstand the onslaught of Satan and sin.  We must realize the danger that is at work to make our lives ineffective and defeated for Jesus Christ.
 Death is Satan’s Chant.  Satan wants us consumed with death—God wants us to be consumed with life, Jesus Christ came that we may have life, and have it “more abundantly.”

The conflict is between the Spirit and the Flesh, or the ways of God and the ways of human.  The victory is not through reform, more rule keeping, more doing.  The victory is living the life of the Crucified One, and not making any provisions for the way of the flesh.

Pastor Greg

Also, next week will be a special Sunday for the Independence Day Celebration.  I hope you all can attend.

Jun 15

What is the hardest word in the English Language?

What do you think is the most difficult word in the English language? Would it be “lachrymose” (causing tears, tearful) or “contumacious” (insubordinate, rebellious) because we use them so rarely? Would it be “hemacytometer” (instrument for counting blood) or “Boanerges” (skilled orator) because they are tricky to spell? 
    I think that, if forced to choose, I’d take a different route, suggesting that the most difficult word in the English language is also one of the shortest, easiest to spell, and most common: “no.”
    We struggle with the “no”.  As toddlers being taught the no to electrical outlets, knobs on stove, running to far ahead of parents in public, or the cleaning chemicals.  As adolescents the “no” to drugs, foolhardy escapades, or playing video games 36 hours straight.  Adults learn “no” partying late before an exam, being reckless with a car, allowing the overdraft fees pile up in our checking account.
    What is the purposes of these “no’s”?  Basic survival!  By disregarding the no’s, by disregarding the nature of the world we live in, our happiness if not survival is at risk.
          In this week’s text, Romans 6:12-23, the Apostle Paul talks to us about “no.”  The “no” that is the difference between life and death, prospering and futility, righteousness and unrighteousness.  The purpose of “no” is not to keep us from enjoying life, but it is to bring us to the “yes” to God, freedom as children of God, and a life that brings joy to ourselves and others.

Pastor Greg