We are a forgetful people in a land of distractions. Our minds are easily captivated by trivial and temporary inducements. New things quickly become old. In our mind’s eye even glory tends to fade and warnings tend to wane. It is no wonder that we who are invisibly united to Christ and visibly in and not of this world live in constant need of renewal. And what is true for the Christian is true for the church. This is a series that seeks to renew the mind of the church. Not so much by reviewing what she is called to do as much as what she is called. As with the Christian so with church, her God-given identity defines her. We who are the church are a people for God and none other.
Before we return to the book of Romans, we will be looking at the what scripture says about the Church, in its nature, how she expresses herself in song, and how the church cares and equips for its members.
The messages from this series can be found here:
Manny Pereira - March 1, 2020
The Call of Christ Our Sabbath
Unrest marks our world. It describes life struggling under the consequence of sin. It is holistic. The all-encompassing curse of rebellion leads to exhaustion. Aptly, the physical illustrates the spiritual. It is all designed for man to grope and seek God. But the proud willfully do not see that apart from God all is vanity and a striving after wind. The self-righteous lean on their privileges and labors for peace with God. But such were just denounced by Jesus. They were too proud to perceive Him though they were given the greatest light of His presence. He now gives grace to the “humbled” with some of the most tender and appealing words of invitation that He ever uttered. And what is His invitation but a call to Himself. In this marvelous passage, Christ presents Himself as only God could—the very solution to humanity’s plight. Christ Himself is our Sabbath: our only means of complete devotion to God, our only hope of true and final refreshment, wholeness, wellness, rest, and life. Christ calls all who have been humbled under the weight of sin and its burden to come to Him, to find life in Him, and to live for Him.
Scripture References: Matthew 11:28-30
