Embedded Files
Is Jesus Really Enough?
Seems like a silly question. And it should, because it is. And yet, for some reason, too many of us too much of the time continue to struggle with it. Doubt it. Qualify it. Try to explain it away. Perhaps there is some comfort in knowing that it is not a new problem. Even the early church, those who lived closest in time to the earthly ministry of Jesus apparently had a hard time getting it as well. You can hear the exasperation in his voice as Paul addresses the church in Galatia "You foolish Galatians!"
There are so many ways, and so many reasons, that we struggle with this, in a world that doubts that God's love really is big enough to motivate us, that God's provision for us really is sufficient, that we really can't add to that or improve on it, and we don't have to use performance anxiety or fear to make us into he kind of people God calls us to be.
But Jesus offers what Paul proclaims, the good news of an amazing love and grace that, when embraced, results in the kind of rich fruit in our lives that no amount of anxiety driven performance could ever produce. Christ in us, the hope of glory. Jesus living His life out in us. Living in response to God's love, not living in an attempt to merit it.
That is what Pastor Jon explores with us this morning. If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for he first time, you can access our sermon library here, or if you prefer, listen to the livestream of the entire service here.
Galatians 3
NIV
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Page updated
Report abuse