“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:1, 18).
I am “in Christ.” I was baptized into his death, buried with him that I might be raised to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:3-4). Therefore…
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In discussions of faith, fellowship, and flexibility, 1 Corinthians 8 is a frequent discussion destination.
This sermon—the seventh and final in a series on faith, freedom, and flexibility—uses God’s word to explore the context of 1 Corinthians 8. What will (and won’t) fit within its God-breathed boundaries? What must disciples of Christ be willing to place before their personal rights, opinions, and preferences? It was delivered on June 3, 2012.
____________ The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
_________________ and strips the forests bare,
_________________ and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” (Psa 29:9)
If Jesus wrote us a letter, what would he say? What questions would he ask? And how would we respond?
In November 2011, Jim Jonas of Centreville, VA presented a special series of sermons at Laurel Canyon entitled, “If Jesus Wrote Us a Letter,” a textual study of Revelation 2-3 that included some excellent modern-day application. The entire series is available below, preceded by an introductory lesson I presented to prep us from Revelation 1.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25)
“No one has ever seen God,” John reminds us (John 1:18). Isn’t that what God said in Exodus 33? “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exo 33:20).
Now John adds an exception: “But the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:18).
Do you hear what this text is saying? Do you want to know what God looks like? Look at Jesus.
“No one has ever seen God,” and God in all of his transcendent splendor we still cannot see until the last day. But the Word became flesh; God became a human being with the name of Jesus; and we can see him…
Study Jesus.
The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story
Psalm 29 encourages us to fearfully respect the voice of the LORD.
The LORD could crush every single one of us in an instant using nothing but his voice.
But he doesn’t.
In fact, he graciously invites us to use our voices to ascribe—to credit, to assign, to attribute, or to think of as belonging—certain things to him.
You’ll use your voice a lot throughout the day. That’s OK. Just don’t waste it by neglecting to use it for the very reason it was created.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:1, 18).
I am “in Christ.” I was baptized into his death, buried with him that I might be raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). Therefore…
For those blessed truths, I am thankful.
James doesn’t waste much time getting into the meat of his message. Take a moment, tune everything else out, and read James 1:2-3.
You may not even see it coming. It could arrive today. In the next few hours you might become intimately acquainted with a trial unlike any you have ever faced. If not today, odds are that it won’t be long. It’s not a question of “if” really, but “when.”
Will you be ready? How have you dealt with the trials of your past? Let me encourage you to take James’ challenge seriously. “Count it all joy.” Be mature enough to see the distant goals at the end of the difficult journey. Your faith will be tested. You will react in a certain way. But remember, the painful testing refines doubts and fears into a precious steadfastness that only the veteran of the battle can discover.
Lord, help me to be ready. Grant me wisdom and perspective. Measure the portion I can bear and help me to carry the burden joyfully. Do what you must to ensure that my weaknesses grow to reflect your glory.
I plan on making those words a part of my prayers today. How about you?
