THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:13-20 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15) Is there something in your life that you should change, but don’t? Do you have a habit or behavior that is not good for you, but…
God’s speed limits!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:7-12 “The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12) God’s laws (against murder, adultery, lying, etc) are not bad. The reason they feel so hard is NOT because the laws are bad, but we are. Its not the speed limits fault that I am guilty of…
Motivated by love, now law!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:1-6 “We serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:6) Somehow, through Jesus’ dying, humanity has been set free from Satan, sin, death and hell. Our guilt for our failure to obey God’s Law has been dealt with. We are…
I belong to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7:1-6 “You also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another.” (Romans 7:4) God created us to have is law of love in our hearts. “Sin” rejects the law, but it does not get rid of it. Now it hangs over us, always reminding us…
The most excellent way!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31) When you think of ‘greater gifts’, what comes to mind? Miracles, raising the dead, healing the sick, predicting the future? When I read this chapter, that is NOT the impression I get. Paul…
Doing my part in the body!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) Does this describe any group you belong to? Your club, your group of friends, your family… your church? What Paul is describing here is Spirit-formed, Christ-centered community. He is describing…
Each person is a gift of the Spirit!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) Are there some in the church with the Spirit, and others without? Paul stresses here that…
Take me and use me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:11) It seems that spiritual gifts are different from natural gifts. We are born with gifts or talents, part of the shape that God makes us. But do…
Common blessing, common good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) The Spirit of God shows (manifests) Himself in us in unique ways. My personality, gifts, resources, opportunities, etc. are different from yours. I am shaped differently from you, and you are shaped differently than…
Same Spirit, same Lord, same God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) I love how Paul balances his…