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 - February 26, 2023
Dominions and Desires - Part 1
All in Christ are liberated from sin, not for sin. They have been justified by grace through faith and are thereby freed from sin’s penalty tomorrow, but not its presence today. They have been united to Christ and have thereby died to sin, but sin has not died to them. Sin’s power remains in the world but not in those united to Christ. In Christ, the shackles of sin are shattered. The Law did not accomplish this liberty. The true Christian is the product of God’s grace, not God’s Law. But liberty from the Law does not mean liberty from the Lord. In this passage we learn that all people live under a lord. Our morals reflect our master. For those in Christ, thanks be to God! His grace has won us to a new dominion, a dominion where grace reigns and new desires grow for God’s glory and our joy.
Scripture References: Romans 6:15-19
