Okay, here is last week's DARE/Arrow sermon. Very sorry its taken so long. Wanted to post it earlier but had little time + suffered a fever this week. I hope this blesses you!Let's dive into the Word."There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Romans 8:1-2.A side note, Pastor Ben shared that the words in italics were not in the original manuscript, having somehow found its way into later translations of the Bible.What is the law of the Spirit of life? Before I get to that, are you familiar with the old covenant? The law of Moses. Basically, under that law, when we obey it, we are blessed! But if we break it, we are cursed. Some people think that's what Christianity is about, a set of rules you must follow to stay blessed. That's religion. Christianity is a relationship, for now we are under the new covenant! Under the old covenant, God demands that "You do, you do, you do, then I will bless you." Praise God that under His new covenant, He says "I have done, I have done, I have done, you are blessed!" These blessings are free for us believers. "But nothing in this world is free!", you might say. You are right. It cost God a high price indeed. It cost God Jesus, His only begotten Son. By the way, the law of the Spirit of life is not an old testament law, engraved in stone for Moses to carry down Mount Sinai. Just like the royal law of love, the law of liberty and the law of faith, it is written in our hearts, not set in stone outside. Another thing. Realise that the Bible calls the Son of God "Jesus Christ" sometimes and "Christ Jesus" at others? Jesus Christ is the man who walked on this earth, fully God yet fully Man too. Christ Jesus refers to the Son of God now at His Father's right hand, all powerful and favoured. "Christ" is both a title and a surname. It means "anointed". Draw your identity from Christ Jesus today! You will become anointed!BUT DARREN! WHAT IS THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE?I'm getting to that. Haha.Its basically the law of no condemnation. When you believe that Jesus is your Saviour, God can no longer condemn you. In fact, He has NO RIGHT to do so! Past, present and future sins have all been punished in the body of Jesus! What a wonderful law. Jesus even defined it as the light of the world.Have a bad habit? Want to break out of it? Don't use your willpower, use God's. Whenever you screw up and fall into the bad habit again, remind yourself: "There is therefore NO CONDEMNATION for Jesus paid the price for that sin! Don't deny that you screwed up but don't receive the condemnation that comes with it! Step 1: Acknowledge that you fell short. Step 2: Remember that failing once doesn't mean that you will fail in life! As Jesus is, so are we in this world. Is Jesus an A student? He's the been the smartest guy since forever! You are an A student because you have an A Saviour! Don't believe the doctor's negative report. Believe Jesus's report: "By My stripes, You are healed."Don't say no to temptation....No, no, no! I don't mean that you should give in to temptation! More importantly, say YES to Jesus! Focus more on Him that your trials!Oh yes.There is a distinction between correction and condemnation. Correction is dispensed out of love, given to improve you. Example: "Maybe you should change this stanza, it doesn't quite fit with the rest of the poem". Condemnation is dispensed out of a desire to belittle and mock you. Example: "You suck at poetry. Just give it up!". People insult you like that to get a reaction. They are usually insecure and many don't know a loving God that can offer them their security. Sometimes even our loved ones laugh at our dreams. But defy the condemnation.God does not correct us with sickness, diseases and accidents. Let me repeat myself. God does not correct us with sickness, diseases and accidents. Would a dad correct his beloved child by driving his car over her legs and saying: "I'm doing this for your own good, so you learn how dangerous the road is. Now don't play there anymore!"Believers undergo persecution for their belief. But always keep this example in your mind:If my friend is sick, I shall lay my hands on him until he is well. People may call me a fool, so be it. I'd rather be a fool and see God working in my life, than be "rational" as the world defines it and see nothing!
Have that kind of faith! Tug against the Goliath you are facing in your life, not by your own might but by God's! So that when that problem falls, everyone will know there is a God that helped you. For to them, that problem seemed to consume you forever yet now you are free from it!
Christian life is a life of relaxation. The inner condition in your heart is in peace, peace in the knowledge that you need not struggle to be right with God! Jesus was alone at the cross so we never have to be. Economics lesson, people. Start looking to God to fulfill you unlimited demands, for unlike the world, He has unlimited supply!
Don't worry about having too little faith. The Bible declares that even faith the size of a mustard seed can overthrow and mountain in your life.
My friend, when you realise that God is your righteousness and He is always with you, you lose your appetite to sin. It's easy to sin against religion but its certainly not easy to sin against a relationship. Especially one where we are so loved unconditionally!
Relax! True deliverance requires no effort on our part. God's holy light is not to expose our gory, but to reveal Jesus's righteousness in our life! The law of sin and death drags you down like gravity. But praise be to God, the law of the Spirit of life elevates us higher and higher and higher!
I hope this message has blessed you :D Gotta run, have to reach Potong Pasir for CG soon! Bye and God Bless :D
Abba, You love me.
3:55 PM
And for you to click these! *UPDATE* Thanks for the help!
And this button!
