Legalism
Luke 11:37-54 Doing the minimum required by law does not make you just, nor do outward appearances that gain you attention make you loving. The pure sacrifice of Christ on the cross provided an unattainable justice for the unjust and unconditional love for the unlovable.
I.W.G. Experiencing His Grace
Exodus 34:6-7 Intimacy with God is life’s most satisfying reality. Nothing can rob you of intimacy with God, except idolatry. Anything that captures your heart and imagination more than God is an idol. Idolatry is always the reason we ever do anything wrong. Idolatry isn’t one sin among many but the root of all of our sins. Idolatry is the sin beneath the sin. How do we…
Power to Change
Luke 11:14-32 One of the biggest obstacles to people coming to Christianity is that they think that they already know what it is all about. Non-Christians will typically hear gospel presentations as appeals to moralism unless we show them the stunning difference. Christianity isn’t a morally restrained will (moralism) but a supernaturally transformed heart (Gospel).
I.W.G. Praising His Glory
Acts 16:25-26 When you start your prayer with your list of problems the more anxious and burdened you may feel. But if you start your prayer with praise—thinking and thanking God for how great and good He is—when you get to your problems they feel much smaller as you put them in God’s hands.
Anxiety
Luke 10:38-11:13 Does your life portray the love, joy and peace that you proclaim anyone can experience through the Gospel? There are plenty of good reasons in our modern world to be anxious, but as a Christian you have even better reasons not to be anxious.
I.W.G. Seeking His Face
Eph3:14-19 There are many pleasures, gifts and character-forming benefits that can only happen through an experience of God’s presence and reality. We must not settle for an informed mind without an engaged heart. What kind of experience should be expected and how should it be sought?
Irresistible Grace
Luke 10:25-37 You are more flawed than you think & the world is more fallen than most want to admit but God’s Grace is greater than we deserve or could ever dream. We celebrate the intoxicating joy of God’s Irresistible Grace most fully when we grieve our sin and the brokenness of this world most deeply.
I.W.G. Communing with God
Intimacy with God is an enchanted reality in a disenchanted world. Intimacy with God is the end to which both creation & redemption are the means. It is the goal of both our theology and spiritual disciplines. The definition of Christianity!
Contagious
Luke 10:1-24 Is your love for Jesus contagious? To the degree you live in the reality of His love for you, is to the degree your love for Him will be contagious (1John4:19; 1Pet2:9). Your contagious love for Him is the best way to put on display His amazing love for you (Matt5:16).
I.W.G Encountering God
Matthew 28:16-20 Intimacy with God involves conversation with God. However, conversations can remain mere exchanges of information that do not lead to true personal encounter and relationship (insincere & shallow). We don’t just want to know about God, but to know God, to seek his face and presence.