Grace Baptist Church of Second Life's Podcast

Michael Boyd

God is already at work around you., he pursues a loving relationship with Nd invites you to join him. These messages are weekly messages from Grace Baptist Church of Second Life/ A Virtual church which ministers online. read less
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Episodes

fri nihjt ible studt matt 9
5d ago
fri nihjt ible studt matt 9
9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing[a] their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Jesus Calls Matthew 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus[b] reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” A Question About Fasting 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast,[c] but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly[d] the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
MATTHEW 8
Aug 31 2024
MATTHEW 8
8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper[a] came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus[b] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” The Faith of a Centurion 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,[c] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel[d] have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
SHARE THE WORD
Aug 29 2024
SHARE THE WORD
LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live The Work of Jesus… The strategy of Jesus on earth revolved around two main aspects: John 19:30—A message of redemption. John 17:4—A method of reproduction. In John 17, Jesus never mentions the miracles he performed or the multitudes to whom he preached, but over 40 times he mentions the men whom God had given him out of the world! Jesus’ strategy depended on a few disciples’ faithfulness to advance the message of redemption by following His method of reproduction. The urgent need… If we do not reproduce ourselves in disciple-making, then we will do a pitiful job of advancing the message of redemption. The urgent question… Will we be faithful to obey His plan? The Foundation of Disciple-Making… God is glorified in the completion of the Incarnation. God is glorified in the continuation of the Incarnation. The First Component of Disciple-Making: SHARE THE WORD… Our confidence in sharing the Word is grounded in God’s sovereignty, not our savvy. He gives us the people. He gives us the words. He gives us the authority. When we share the Word, we share eternal life, not religious laws. If we share laws… • We need to have programs. • We need to memorize presentations. • We need to organize projects. If we share life… We need only to know a Person Sharing the Word is designed to humble us and honor Christ. The Comforting Truths: Christ is exalted through our weakness. People are saved through our witness. The Challenging Question: Will we live so that Christ receives glory in others? So What Now… Do you know the Word? Will you share the Word?
Two Simple Words
Aug 22 2024
Two Simple Words
Two Simple Words LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live Who’s the “Me” that’s being followed here? The Savior The Messiah, The Promised One Jesus does not need your acceptance. We need him. Matthew 4:13–14: 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled Follow To follow Jesus means to live with radical abandonment for His glory. Follow Me means leaving behind For all who follow Jesus, comfort and certainty in this world are no longer your concern Abandon all Our possessions, Our position. Our Safety Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Consider the cost of discipleship. We have found Someone Who is worth losing everything for To live with joyful dependence on His grace. To live with faithful adherence to His person. To live with total trust in His authority. How To live with urgent obedience to His mission. Consider the cost of non-discipleship. We miss out on the abundance, and the joy, and the peace, and the satisfaction, and the power that Jesus has promised to all who will leave behind, let go of amll things and cling to Him GRACE BAPTIST OF SECOND LIFE GRACE BAPTIST PODCAST HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com
Don't Waste your life part 2
Aug 18 2024
Don't Waste your life part 2
Don’t Waste Your Life – Part 2 LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live Philippians 3:1—14 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and may be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. I. Four Characteristics in Philippians 3:1—14 1.They treasure Christ above everything this world has to offer. 2. They trust in Christ to provide everything they could ever need. 3. They pursue Christ with obsessive passion. 4. They look forward to the prize of his praise. II. They trust in Christ to provide everything they could ever need. Philippians 3:9–10 9 and be found in him, not having fa righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, His righteousness covers all of our sin 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,1 in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for pall the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:22–28 His power guarantees our resurrection His satisfaction transcends our suffering. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If our goal is to minimize suffering and maximize comforts We will never come to the point where we treasure Christ like He desires to be treasured, We will never fulfill the Great Commission III.. Pursuing Christ with obsessive passion Zealous in running after Christ. I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race, complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of his grace.” Acts 20:24 I have finished the course; I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 A fresh understanding of the degree to which Christ has followed hard after us. IV. They look forward to the prize of his praise. The prize of running after Christ is taking others along with me and introducing them to Christ Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. This Christian life was intended, but to be lived for the sake of others V. We Are Distracted We have given ourselves to good things. He is longing for the day when you and I will stand before Him complete Grace Baptist Church of Second Life GRACE BAPTIST PODCAST HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com
Friday night bible study  MATT 4
Aug 3 2024
Friday night bible study MATT 4
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Jesus Begins His Ministry 12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[a] Jesus Calls the First Disciples 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”[b] 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Free to Live Gal 5  16-
Aug 1 2024
Free to Live Gal 5 16-
FREE TO LIVE LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOU TUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live Christian freedom means to live by faith through the Spirit in hope with love. I. “With love” We are free from slavery to the law but we are free to the slavery of love. We are free to desire the good of others as much as our own. We are free to care for the needs of others as much as our own. II. “Through the Spirit” Three Aspects of Living by the Spirit Living out the desires of the Spirit 1. Living out the desires of the Spirit We consistently obey the commands of Christ. Christ’s commands are opposed by our sinful nature. Christ’s commands cannot be obeyed in our own power. Christ’s commands are joyfully accomplished by His Spirit. 2. Living under the leadership of the Spirit We are helpless to follow in our power. We are eagerly led by the Spirit’s power. God’s children pursue His Spirit. God’s children are not under the law: Because we are alive by the Spirit. Because we enjoy obedience. 3. Living with the evidence of the Spirit We demonstrate the character of Christ Fruit produced by the Spirit does not command performance. Fruit produced by the Spirit fulfills the Law. Fruit produced by the Spirit proclaims union with Christ. III. Two Avenues of Living by the Spirit Be victorious over the sinful nature. Recognize your heart’s focus. Realize sustaining grace. Belong to Christ! Grace Baptist Church of SL PODCAST HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com
Humility in Christ Phil 2:5-11
Jul 21 2024
Humility in Christ Phil 2:5-11
Humility of Christ LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOU TUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live What does it mean to humble yourself? Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, (James 4:10) He who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:11) 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. What Biblical Humility Is Not: Insecurity But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV) 2. Indecisiveness 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man[a] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[b] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:7-11) 3. Inactivity “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV) “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 ESV) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 ESV) I. Have the same attitude as Jesus (5) v. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, God is directing you to allow the mind of Christ as revealed in the gospel to form and shape you in your relationships with each other. II. The humble obedience of Jesus (6-8) 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. A. He started at the highest place (“equality with God”) B. He traveled to the lowest place (“made himself nothing”) 1) He became a servant 2) He became human 3) He became obedient to death The Steps 1) He became a servant 2) He became human 3) He became obedient to death 4) He suffered the humiliation of the cross III. God’s glorious exaltation of Jesus (9-11) 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. A. God exalted him to the highest place B. God gave him the name that is above every name C. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord D. This all brings glory to God the Father CONCLUSION: 1) There is no task too small to do for Jesus 2) There is no obedience too difficult that God requires. 3) There is no reward so sweet as that which God gives GRACE BAPTIST OF SECOND LIFE PODCAST HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com
Matthew 1   Friday Bible Study
Jul 20 2024
Matthew 1 Friday Bible Study
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,[a] 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,[b] 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos,[c] and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,[d] and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[e] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[f] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Free to Run
Jul 18 2024
Free to Run
Free to Run LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOU TUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live Galatians 5:1–15 Reveals Why Christ Has Set Us Free It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. GALATIANS 5:1-15 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified[a] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,[b] still preach[c] circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Two Enemies of Christian Freedom Legalism :Obey the law and earn favor before God License : Forget about the law altogether. Gospel truth is never intended only to be believed. Gospel truth is always intended to be obeyed. We live by faith. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. (Gal. 1:5 ) 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in[a] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, (Rom. 4:4-5) Christ will be of no value to you. We lose the benefits of Christ, and we gain the burden of the law. We miss the grace of God. We live through the Spirit. We are free to Christ You’re free to experience the beauty and the glory and the joy of the presence of Christ in your life. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3) We live in hope. Paul describes the Christian life as waiting. Freedom is living with eager anticipation for the day when the full realization of the righteousness of Christ is applied in our lives and our salvation is complete. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:24-26) We live with love. In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. (6) Justified by faith alone, but it’s a faith that expresses itself through love. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. ( 1 John 2:9-11). If Christ is in you, then ask Him to produce this kind of love through you We are free from slavery to the law. What Does It Mean To Be Free? It’s the life of freedom by faith through the Spirit in hope with love. Free to serve each other with selfless love. Christian freedom, living by faith, through the Spirit in hope with love. Grace Baptist of Second Life PODCAST HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com