Law vs. Spirit: Two Ways to Live
In Sunday's message from Romans 7:1-6, The New Way, we discussed the difference between living by the law vs. living by the Spirit. Here is a summary of the comparison.
Here is the audio from this past Sunday's message from Romans 7:1-6, The New Way.
(download)
This is the Creekstone message from Jan. 29, "Substantial Healing," from Romans 6:15-23.
What if there were a decision to be made that would affect every other decision you make today? There is. Find out more from this past Sunday's message from Romans 6:12-14, "The Daily Decision."
Here is the audio and the notes for yesterday's Creekstone message. If you are a regular, then you know that what we are learning in Romans 6 is juicy red meat (or for you veggies, a massive salad). So, if you have missed a message or two, get caught up in one of two ways: (1) visit iTunes (just search "Creekstone Church") for our podcasts or (2) go to the Creekstone website. Have a great week, and I hope to see you Sunday!
There are essentially two ways to live: under law or under grace. Look at the list below and (now be honest) decide which describes your life.
I am living under law if:
I am living under grace if:
If you are like me and tend to live most of your life under law, how can we really live under grace and experience the life-changing influence and power of the gospel? It is possible. Find out this Sunday at Creekstone. :)
In case you missed it, here is the sermon audio (including notes) from the message this past Sunday on Romans 5:20-6:4. Here we begin making a transition from understanding the grace-foundations of our justification to experiencing the grace-dynamics of our sanctification. So we are at a hinge in the letter of Romans—a hinge that will make union with Jesus all the more significant and glorious. The Christian life really is ALL of grace, from what God does for us to what he does in us.
A note in The Reformation Study Bible on Romans 6:1-14 says, “So great was [Paul’s] emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin that his preaching had been accused of antinomian tendencies, or ignoring the ethical requirements of the law.” He knew that his preaching of grace would lead religous folks to begin asking the inevitable question, "If we are saved by sheer grace, then why not sin so that grace can abound all the more?" Other questions that are connected include these: What motive is there for living a new life? What power is available for change, if there is one at all? Should I see or expect a change in my life after I experience the revolutionary status alteration of the gospel (a fancy way of talking about justification).
This Sunday as we enter Romans 6, we are going to deal with these inevitable questions, finding that there is an inextricable connection between what God does for us (in justification) and what God does in us(through sanctification). This is going to lead us into a greater understanding of the gospel with many practical implications such as: (1) what should "living a new life" look like, (2) why do I see so little change in my life, and (3) how can I change?
So as you can see, we are transitioning from the foundation of our new position secured for us to the power of Jesus lived through us. This is exciting, practical and helpful stuff! The main passage we'll be looking at is Romans 5:20-6:4. Read ahead if you are able so that you can come hungry for more gospel, more grace, more Jesus.
In my study today for Sunday's message, I came across a statement in The Reformation Study Bible that I found helpful for those of us entrusted with preaching and teaching. Concerning Romans 6:1-14, the study note says, “So great was [Paul’s] emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin that his preaching had been accused of antinomian tendencies, or ignoring the ethical requirements of the law.” In view of that statement, if my preaching does not evoke a similar charge, I may not be preaching the true gospel of free grace. What a joy, blessing and honor it would be to have even this one thing in common with the apostle. So preachers, let's seek this accusation and be glad that we finally have begun to shine enough light on the cross that our teaching becomes well distinguished from any form of religious moralism. Yet let us also not become proud of the accusations, lest we fail to show how God's work for us in justification provides the new grace-compelled motive and Spirit-fueled power for God's work in us through sanctification. After all, saving and enabling grace are both the work of God and magnify the glory of God.
Here are the notes for this week's Creekstone Christmas sermon on Romans 5:12-19, "Letting Hope Out of the Box." The audio is on the Creekstone website here and on iTunes. Hope to see those of you in town for our Christmas Eve service on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at the High School. NOTE: We are not having a morning service this Sunday, Dec. 25 (so be sure to join us on Saturday night!).
