Monday, March 29, 2021

The Church's Role in Social Change - Nathan Rages


Why do the Apostle Paul and the other New Testament writers never command slave owners to release their slaves or call for the abolition of slavery?  What does this tell us about the Church's role in addressing and improving social problems?  What is Christ's priority for the work of His Church *corporately* vs. the "good works" that *individual* believers do?  We explore these questions! 

Eph. 6:9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Sunday, March 14, 2021

A Challenge to All Workers - Nathan Rages


Eph. 6:5-8 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 

Exhortations:
1.  Obey your boss consistently and heartily.
2.  Serve Christ *by* serving your boss.
3.  Expect Christ’s rewards.

Likely results:
1.  Assurance of your salvation.
2.  Success in your career.
3.  Opportunities for Christian witness.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

The Discipline and Instruction of the Lord - Nathan Rages


Eph. 6:4  "Fathers, ... bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." 

This sermon discusses these two crucial and complementary parenting activities: discipline and instruction.  Both activities must be done "of the Lord", meaning that Christ-centeredness is essential.  Children are forming their understanding of the Lord Jesus and the Christian life from what they're observing in their parents' daily walk with Christ.