S73P5 – A simple Gospel: good news for more than us

Mark 16:14-16 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the…

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S73P4 – A simple Gospel: life’s foundation

Eph. 6:14-15 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. During my time in the world, I encountered one issue which resurfaced over and over.  No matter how much…

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S73P3 – A simple Gospel: advancing through trial

Phil. 1:12-14 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by…

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Compassion first

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-dz5k9-ed4037 It can be hard to give the new people in our lives the benefit of the doubt.  When we encounter someone who is less than pleasant, whether lost or saved, we may think we first must understand the person before we can find a reason to extend grace for that behavior.  However, the truth…

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S73P2 – A simple Gospel: must be revealed

Gal. 1:11-12 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Like most kids, there was a stark difference between the…

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S73P1 – A simple Gospel: already sufficient

1 Cor. 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. The first time I was asked to share a message at church, my first concern was how well I would do.  Being…

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S72P9 – A friend of God: appreciative of the change

Rom. 5:9-10 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his…

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S72P8 – A friend of God: by faith

Jam. 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and…

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S72P7 – A friend of God: not self-exalting

Luke 14:8-11 When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with…

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S72P6 – A friend of God: no friend of the world

Jam. 4:4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Before becoming a Christian, I had stepped foot in a number of churches for weddings and other events.  When I think of…

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