This summer I will be preaching a new sermon series on the ten commandments. Some may tempted to say, "Preacher, we don't need to know about the ten commandments, we are under grace." It is true that we now live in the age of grace, but God has not done away with the law. In fact, I argue that grace cannot exist apart from the law. The law was never intended to save anyone. The fact is it can't. However, it serves three purposes: 1) to remind us that God's people are different than others in the world, 2) to show us our sinfulness, and 3) to help reveal how the solution to our condition would come through a Savior.
A man in our church asked me awhile ago "Why is our church not growing like it should?" That is a great question, even if it was asked with the wrong motive. My reply to the question today is the same as it was that day. Sin. Our soft feelings in regard to sin keep God from being able to use us to our full redemptive potential. This side of heaven we will never be sinless. However, God expects us to deal with our sin and not "sweep it under the rug." Until sin is dealt with individually and corporately, God's power cannot fully operate through His Church.
Does this mean that churches that are growing are in God's will and those that are not are out of His will? Certainly NOT! There are plenty of "churches" today that are growing crowds and making big names for themselves. However, the power of God is absent. There are small congregations that God is actively moving and doing great things yet they are not "busting at the seams." We need to remember that God never commands His Church to attract a crowd, but rather to make disciples. If a church is doing that, it is working well. If it is not, then there is something wrong.
The Ten Commandments, as well as biblical Law as a whole, was never intended to be an all-inclusive listing of behavioral expectations for holiness. Rather, it is intended to provide some general principles that can guide God's people in living lives that honor and please the Lord. We are spending these two months talking about the big 10 because they help us gain an understanding of what it means to be the Church. We are called to be different, not like the world. We are not saved by keeping the commandments, but strive to keep the commandments because we have been saved by God's amazing grace.
I hope you will join us every Sunday morning in June and July for this sermon series. It just might change your life and your church! If you cannot be present with us for service, check out the sermons on our website, www.calvary-fwb.com or on iTunes (search Calvary Free Will Baptist Church and you will find our feed.)
A man in our church asked me awhile ago "Why is our church not growing like it should?" That is a great question, even if it was asked with the wrong motive. My reply to the question today is the same as it was that day. Sin. Our soft feelings in regard to sin keep God from being able to use us to our full redemptive potential. This side of heaven we will never be sinless. However, God expects us to deal with our sin and not "sweep it under the rug." Until sin is dealt with individually and corporately, God's power cannot fully operate through His Church.
Does this mean that churches that are growing are in God's will and those that are not are out of His will? Certainly NOT! There are plenty of "churches" today that are growing crowds and making big names for themselves. However, the power of God is absent. There are small congregations that God is actively moving and doing great things yet they are not "busting at the seams." We need to remember that God never commands His Church to attract a crowd, but rather to make disciples. If a church is doing that, it is working well. If it is not, then there is something wrong.
The Ten Commandments, as well as biblical Law as a whole, was never intended to be an all-inclusive listing of behavioral expectations for holiness. Rather, it is intended to provide some general principles that can guide God's people in living lives that honor and please the Lord. We are spending these two months talking about the big 10 because they help us gain an understanding of what it means to be the Church. We are called to be different, not like the world. We are not saved by keeping the commandments, but strive to keep the commandments because we have been saved by God's amazing grace.
I hope you will join us every Sunday morning in June and July for this sermon series. It just might change your life and your church! If you cannot be present with us for service, check out the sermons on our website, www.calvary-fwb.com or on iTunes (search Calvary Free Will Baptist Church and you will find our feed.)
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