Choices

One very important reason God wrote the Bible is to help us understand how reality works. And that’s really good because there are many counterfeit explanations of reality. Remember, Satan is the great counterfeiter. Sad to say, we’ve all been fooled by him and his lies. We don’t understand, as well as we might, how reality actually works. But Jesus has come to change that.

So, what’s the nature of reality - how does reality work - when it comes to our making choices? That’s what we’re going to take a look at this morning. And to do that we’re going to use something Paul wrote. Listen.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6.7-9

Adopted

It’s good to ask questions. Being curious is a first step to seeing the wonders of God. So, here’s a good question to consider. Why did Jesus come? There is, as you know, quite a list of good answers to that question. Here’s one that I’d like to help you think about this morning. Jesus has come so that we could be adopted into God’s family. Having received our newest members this morning, I thought it would be good for us to consider this part of the Gospel.

Listen to this from Paul.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4.4-7

What We Celebrate

Next Sunday is Christmas Day. So, today, I want to do a bit more to help you prepare to celebrate Jesus' Advent. What I'm going to do is rehearse the basics of the Gospel. I doubt that I will tell you anything that you haven't heard before. But that's not my goal. All I want to do is remind you of what you already know. But in doing this I hope to help you focus on what the celebrating is to be about and in this way to help you fight against the growing worldliness that tempts Christians these days. This morning's text is Galatians 4.4-7. After I read it we'll take a look at a few of the key thoughts that Paul presents here.