Christian, Your Obedience Truly Pleases God - Nathan Rages

A Christian's obedience, even though it is imperfect (and always *will* be imperfect in this life), is nevertheless *accepted* by God and genuinely *pleasing* to Him ... because of Christ.  This is confirmed by these twenty scriptures that describe various aspects of Christian obedience as pleasing to God or acceptable to God: Romans 12:1, Romans 14:17-18, 2Corinthians 5:9, Galatians 1:10, Ephesians 5:10, Philippians 2:12-13, Philippians 4:18, Colossians 1:10, Colossians 3:20, 1Thessalonians 2:4, 1Thessalonians 4:1, 1Timothy 2:3, 1Timothy 5:4, Hebrews 11:5, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 12:28, Hebrews 13:16, Hebrews 13:20-21, 1Peter 2:5, and 1John 3:21-22.

The sermon then answers some questions that may be raised by this teaching:

1. Doesn’t this somehow conflict with the doctrine of “justification by faith alone”?

2. How can God, whose standard is perfection, be genuinely pleased with my imperfect obedience?

3. Can I achieve God-pleasing obedience in my own strength alone?

4. If God is truly pleased with my current obedience, then what’s my motivation to grow?

How to Pray for Preachers - Nathan Rages

“and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  Eph. 6:19-20

1. Preachers need your prayers (desperately).

2. Preachers need you to pray for *specific* needs.

3. Preachers need *clarity* in their words.

4. Preachers need *boldness* in their content.

Six Parts of a Powerful Prayer Life - Nathan Rages

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” Eph. 6:18

1. Variety: “with all prayer and petition”

2. Frequency: “at all times”

3. Spirituality: “in the Spirit”

4. Alertness: “be on the alert”

5. Perseverance: “with all perseverance”

6. Inclusiveness: “petition for all the saints”

The Sword of the Spirit - Nathan Rages

“And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Eph. 6:17

1. The sword represents God’s Word.

2. The sword is given and empowered by the Spirit.

3. Suggestions for effective sword usage:

     LEARN specific Bible verses.

     UNDERSTAND the meaning of those Bible verses.

     APPLY the words of Scripture authoritatively.

     TRUST the Spirit to powerfully use the Word.

The Helmet of Salvation - Nathan Rages

Eph. 6:17 "and take the helmet of salvation..."

The helmet of salvation is how we Christians think about the fact that we are saved by a wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our salvation includes all three "tenses", and we need to think rightly about each one:

1. Salvation Past.  "I have been saved." Justification.  Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

2. Salvation Present.  "I am now being saved (gradually)." Sanctification.  2Cor. 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

3. Salvation Future.  "I will be saved (perfectly)." Glorification.  Rom. 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

Fall Fellowship Camp Registration is now OPEN

Registration for the Fall Fellowship Camp, October 7-10, 2021 is now OPEN.  See this page for all the details and registration form. 

My Hope for America (on July 4th) - Nathan Rages

Though many Christians feel grave concerns about the moral and spiritual direction of our nation this July 4th, this message gives three reasons for hopeful optimism about our future:

1. We can shine brightly for the Lord, no matter how dark things get (Philippians 2:15). 

2. We can pray to an almighty and merciful God (1Timothy 2:1-2, Acts 4:23-31, and 2Chronicles 7:14).

3. We can imagine God pouring out His Spirit in true revival (Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 64:1-3, and Psalm 44:1,23,26).