This Sunday, July 31, is the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost.
This week’s sermon is Walk: Away.
This week’s readings are:
Hebrews
11:17-31 (32-40); 12:1-3
Message: The Spell Is Breaking
I. Living in the “Now-Not-Yet” of Christ’s salvation
II. There is a scene where Edmund is forced to walk with the Witch and a dwarf through slush and mud as the world begins to thaw because the sledge can no longer move. Winter is still there but it is losing its grip.
III. We should
avoid the idea that the winter of sin and death are completely done away with
before Jesus returns, nevertheless …
A. We proclaim
real life in the face of death.
i. “The
light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not (or cannot!) overcome
it.” – John 1:5
B. “He is
not safe, but He is good.”
i. This
is an important lesson about God.
ii. Notice
how knowing God as “not safe” but still “good” can be a comfort in a world that
is in turmoil and conflict.
1. This
is not any easy thing to live with. When we find ourselves confronted with
danger in this life, we can still trust God’s good and gracious will.
2. Romans
8:28
iii. The Psalms
often wrestle with (what Luther called) God’s “hidden will” and His
goodness.
C. Forgiveness
and repentance lead to change in our lives and in the world.
i. “Let
your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father Who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
D. He sends
messengers to proclaim His victory.
i. This
is the mission of the church.
ii. This is key to the work of pastors – proclaiming forgiveness and salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
IV. Living as Saints and Sinners.
A. We are
completely saved, redeemed, holy saints in God’s eyes.
B. We
plainly see that we still sin and wrestle with temptations.
C. This is
the reality of the Christian life: giving us no confidence in ourselves but
urging us to put our confidence in Jesus and His salvation.
D. Romans 7 &
8 deal with this reality.
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