Wawasee Bible Sermon Audio

Part 2 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom The body of Paul’s letter to the Galatians can be divided into three parts: 1) A defense of Paul’s authority as an Apostle (1:10-2:21), 2) Paul’s defense of the Gospel, and 3) application of the Gospel. As we begin this first section, we see that it’s all grace! Paul exerts his authority to remind the Galatians that salvation is all an act of God’s grace, and that Paul received this gospel not from men but from Jesus himself. Pastor Josh unpacks our identity in Christ as a gift of God’s grace in the Gospel.

Part 1 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom In this new series we're studying the New Testament book of Galatians. Galatians is a letter written by Paul to a handful of churches in the region known as Galatia (part of modern-day Turkey). Paul's tone is direct, even angry, as he confronts their straying from the gospel of grace. Salvation is all an act of Jesus' grace, and our sanctification is also entirely an act of Jesus' grace. None of it is about us, so that we have nothing to boast about except Jesus!. We're all in desperate need of rescue, being more sinful and wicked than we every feared. But thanks to Jesus' grace alone, those who put their trust in Jesus are more accepted and loved by God than they could ever dare to hope!

Part 3 – SERIES: The Pearl Jesus is a master of asking questions. He used them in evangelism strategically with people who were far from God, and we can learn from his example. He used them to learn people’s story, to discover their heart, and to cause them to consider spiritual things. Jesus asked questions to connect with people before he corrected people.

Part 2 – SERIES: The Pearl Luke tells us that “the Son of Man has come eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34). Jesus spent a lot of time with the lost, and his strategy of evangelism often centered around sharing a meal with people. God designed food and meals to be a centerpiece of human relationships. Meals show honor to people. They help relationships to deepen by forcing quantity time (which will often result in quality time). They also reveal the true nature of people as they spend time together. As you think about reaching out to those far from God, who are you inviting to share a meal with you?

Part 1 – SERIES: The Pearl Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls, who, upon finding one pearl of great worth, went and sold all that he had to purchase it. Evangelism is about helping other people score that priceless pearl. It's about helping them find Jesus! We're talking about evangelism for a few weeks using the acronym "PEARL". Pray for your lost friends. Eat with them (spend time with them). Ask questions and get to know them. Reveal your story. Love them tangibly no matter if they ever become a follow of Jesus or not. Join us as we seek to help others discover the Pearl!

Part 7 – SERIES: For the Life of the World What is your salvation actually for? It's for the life of the world. The Church lives out God's Kingdom on earth for the life of the world. Jesus' Kingdom is already present, but not yet fully here. As part of Jesus' Church, we live in the "overlapping of the ages", the "already / not yet". While the Kingdom is present, it's not yet fully realized and it won't be until Jesus' second coming. In the mean time, the Church is sent to live out what is present of Jesus' Kingdom for God's glory, others' good, and our joy! The Church maintains the hope of the "not yet" by living the Kingdom today.

Part 6 – SERIES: For the Life of the World In this series we examine the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" To live as an exile for the life of the world requires you to take time to slow down and behold God's beauty. It requires living a life of wonder and being transformed by God. God creates some things solely for the purpose of beauty. Are taking time to slow down and behold him?

Part 5 – SERIES: For the Life of the World In this new series we examine the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" This week we look at wisdom. Wisdom is "knowledge rightly applied." Wisdom begins with hearing the Word of God, then doing what we know. It's good to pursue knowledge, but it must be applied in wisdom to be of any value. Wisdom, then, moves us to serve others in love, with an active faith. Rightly acquiring and applying knowledge (i.e. wisdom) enables us to increasingly love and serve others.

Part 4 – SERIES: For the Life of the World God uses order and justice to help people flourish. God establishes order for the flourishing of the world. As Christians, we're to work with God to cultivate human flourishing by removing barriers for others. Micah 6:8 tells us to do justice, love mercy (kindness), and walk humbly with God. The start to helping human flourishing and justice on a personal levee is hospitality.

Part 3 – SERIES: For the Life of the World We're exploring the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" This week we look at God's plan as it relates to our work. Work was established for us as part of God's original design. It is a way that we image and imitate God. He gives us work to do for Jesus' Glory, Others' Good, and Our Joy. What is your vocation? Do you see it and know it to be part of God's plan and design?

Part 2 – SERIES: For the Life of the World God's design for the family is to be a gift we offer back to God for the life of the world. We look at God's plan and design to bless and redeem the world through the family of Abraham. God blesses and redeems us (as a family) to be a blessing to the whole world, and his promise to do so is generational in nature. Therefore all of life is investment. What family legacy (biological family and church family) are you leaving?

Part 1 – SERIES: For the Life of the World In this new series we examine the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" How does a Christian live in the world while not being of it? It begins with a new perspective, recognizing that our salvation is a call to live as exiles as we bless the world. We're sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us.

Part 2 – SERIES: Paradox of Power While we are totally inadequate in ourselves, there's a paradox at work in the fact that we are also totally adequate in Christ. Paul discusses a thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians 12, but that God's grace is fully sufficient for him in Christ. We all experience different types of thorns, and they can be useful for our growth and for God's purposes. There is strength in strengthlessness, because God's grace is enough. Your greatest weakness can be your greatest strength in Christ if we respond them them in the right way.

Part 1 – SERIES: Paradox of Power 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 God has more need of our weakness than our strength! The Apostle Paul struggled with anxiety and weakness, and so do we. Will we choose to respond like he did? Are we thankful for our weaknesses or do we grumble and complain? Do we trust God in ALL circumstances or do we doubt His work?

We need Training. A. Learn from the Past. B. Learn in the Present. 1. "Lay aside" 2. "Weight and Sin which ensnares us" 3. Know Your Regiment We need Endurance We need Motivation A. Focus B. Finish

Part 6 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! Every person on the planet longs to know their purpose. We all long and search to answer three big questions: 1) Why do I exist? 2) Does my life matter? 3) What on earth am I here for? The good news is you DO have a purpose and that it can be known.

Part 5 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! One of those needs is for peace. The Bible speaks of two types of peace. Peace with God, and the peace of God. It is utterly impossible to have the peace of God until you have peace with God. We looked at John 14:1-7, and then turned to Philippians 3:12-15 for some strategies on attaining the peace of God.

Part 4 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! One of those needs is for hope. Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 were likely one Psalm originally. They speak directly to our struggle with hopelessness and depression. The writer of these Psalms follows a pattern that we can follow to deal with our depression and begin the journey back to health. 1. He expresses his anguish and gets it all out before the Lord. 2. He remembers God's grace and goodness to him in the past, with a view to the present and future. 3. He preaches a sermon of this grace to himself, "Hope in God!"

Part 3 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! One of those needs is for protection. Psalm 91 reminds us that God’s protection is unassailable. That in his arms there is safety. His protection is 24/7/365, and it’s eternal. In fact, that’s the real promise—eternal protection from God’s wrath through faith in Jesus Christ. He protects us from much in this life, but from his wrath for eternity!

Part 2 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world" in John 8:12. He was declaring, in part, that he brings direction and guidance to any who would look to him. This week we make 4 observations on how Jesus provides guidance and fills our need for direction, looking at Psalm 23:3.