There are three things to emphasize as we look at and unpack this letter, the allegiance to our King often means we cannot acquiesce to our culture, knowing our faith helps us hold fast to the truth and refute error when we encounter it and responding with repentance is always important for those who follow Jesus.
The next 7 messages from Revelation will cover the 7 churches individually. Up first is the Church of Ephesus. They received compliments and had 3 good things going for them; they worked hard, refused to give up and didn’t tolerate false teachers, but Ephesus also received a criticism related to rekindling their love for one another, and Ephesus received a caution, namely repent!
We’ve reached the end of Hosea, and God concludes this book not with judgment but with grace. And that grace comes in the form of an invitation to return to Him. This turning away from false gods to the one, true God is picked up in the New Testament with the idea of repentance.
This week we’re right back in the thick of the mire. The people have once again, as expected perhaps, spurned God’s grace and love as they continue to run back to those gods who give no grace. As hard as it may be to come to this recurring theme of rebellion time and again, it is necessary because we tend to be Good-News-forgetful people. We need to hear the truth that we all are sinners in need of a Savior, and we need to hear it again and again and again.
(Luke 19:1-10/Leviticus 25:8-13)
The Kingdom of God is a mystery. It is here now but not in its fulness. We are welcome to live in it now and point to our coming King by living with Jesus as our king right where we are.
God is a gracious father who longs to be in relationship with His children
Bad people, good people, and religious people all need the gospel for a common reason.
(Romans 1:18-32/Genesis 1:1-31)(Length 23:18/Size 8.00MB)