Gospel Living

Jesus replaces false religiosity with true religion. He replaces ritualism with joy (vv. 18–20), and He replaces the old with the new (vv. 21–22). Let’s look at each of these this morning. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YaDwatmjtY Audio: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=331171228442 Notes PDF:  http://playpdf.sa-media.com/media/331171228442/331171228442.pdf Jesus Doesn’t Want Your Traditions | Mark 2:18–22 Shaun Marksbury | Morning Service | 26 March, 2017 I. Introduction A lot of Christians will shy from the word “religion” when describing the Christian faith.  The oft-repeated line is that it’s not a religion, it’s a relationship.  Definitionally, though, Christianity is still a religion.  We believe in and worship God, we have Scripture, we have churches, and we have rules. James even uses the word “religion” when contrasting the true Christian faith to a deceptive one: “If anyone thinks he is religious and ...

11            Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!             Tell among the peoples his deeds! 12           For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;             he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. 13           Be gracious to me, O Lord!             See my affliction from those who hate me,             O you who lift me up from the gates of death, 14           that I may recount all your praises,             that in the gates of the daughter of Zion       ...

From the Grace Gems email yesterday: We really need very little ( James Smith , "The Way to Be Wealthy and Happy!" 1859) "The lions may grow weak and hungry--but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing ." Psalm 34:10 Those who seek the Lord may be sick, or poor, or tried, in a variety of ways; but the Lord will send them supplies , OR give them the grace of contentment , so that they shall not lack any good thing. But how many mistake wishes for needs ! And while the Lord has promised to supply all His people's needs --He has nowhere promised to gratify all their wishes . We really need very little --therefore the apostle says, "If we have food and clothing --we will be content with that!" 1 Timothy 6:8. And again, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 " They shall not lack any good thing ." That...

Most of the time we like to have a lift on Mondays, I know. Sometimes , though, we need honest reflection. This is a good appendix to the short study on pride . It is from the Grace Gems email from last night. If I had my deserts! ( James Smith , "An Antidote" 1857) There are some things that we should never forget: what we were before God called us by His grace; what we might have been--but for His sovereign mercy; what we certainly would be--if left wholly to ourselves. We were . . . rebels against God's government, traitors to His cause, and doomed to an eternal Hell! Everything short of Hell--is mercy! If I had my deserts --I would be in Hell today! I would be feeling its fierce flames, enduring its scorching torments, and horrified by its dreadful inhabitants! I was enmity against God by nature. I would be enmity against God this day--if it were not for His glorious grace. I deserve Hell most justly--and would have been in hell--but for His kind...

Lewis is one of those names that you will hear if you stay in church long enough. It is also one of those names that Evangelicals, at times, put down as "liberal." He was not a theologian by trade, he was a philosopher. As such, there are certain things that appear in his books that even his staunchest defenders would shy away from. But I still like him. A lot. I came across one of his gems while writing a research paper, which in turn led me to run some quick internet searches. One of the results was from Desiring God, where John Piper explains why Lewis has meant so much to him. I found myself saying, "Yes, Yes!" the whole time - Piper articulates the joy that is Lewis like no one else. If you are a Christian who has heard bad things ( true bad things)about C. S. Lewis, and wonder why he has endured at all, read (or watch or listen to) Piper's Feb 2010 message " Lessons from an Inconsolable Soul: Learning from the Mind and Heart of C. S. Lew...

Dr. Jim Rosscup is a professor at The Master's Seminary.  Early in 2008 he lost his wife of 51 years.  In this chapel address, he shares some of the lessons he's learned, and its worth a listen. 45:42 minutes:  Original audio source (12_01_2009 Jim Rosscup.mp3