Simple thoughts on faith, church and discipleship
Austin is one of the fastest growing and dynamic cities in the US. It is a place of great opportunity and great need. How can the church love this city in a way that points to the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel?
What keeps us from loving the church? Is it necessary to be part of a church to be a Christian? Why does church matter?
"If I ever reach Heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had thought to meet there; and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there." - John Newton
Faithfulness to God leaks into relationships with people. The way we love God has to spill into the way we treat the people that He has made. The Golden Rule of Jesus isn't hard to understand, but it does prove quite difficult to apply.
God's people need God's power to fulfill God's purpose.
"And what does your anxiety do? It does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; but, oh, it empties today of its strength. It does not make you escape the evil, it makes you unfit to cope with it when it comes. It does not bless tomorrow, and it robs today. For every day has its own burden. Sufficient for each day is the evil which properly belongs to it. Do not add tomorrow's to today's. Do not drag the future into the present. The present has enough to do with its own proper concerns." - Alexander Maclaren
What is the point of fasting? It reminds us of dependence. It teaches us self-denial. It's part of a lifestyle of devotion. It makes us patient with delay.
What does it mean to pray, "Your Kingdom Come?"
This sermon was preached at the Downtown PM service at The Austin Stone. Audio and video from the sermon are available here. Matthew 5:38-42 – “Cheek Turning, Tunic Giving, Two Mile Going Grace” Intro: Evening, if you have your bibles, Matthew 5:38 is where we will be. Continuing in our study of The Gospel According to... Continue Reading →
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