law and grace – Page 23

Guests on the Gospel of Grace Podcast

March 14, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

This week, Mike and Joel were the guests on a podcast by Timothy Virge called "The Gospel of Grace Podcast." We had a great time talking about a variety of things, centered around the good news of God's love and grace.

Don’t Tell Them Jesus Loves Them

March 11, 2019 by Michael Wilson

Growing up in the late 80’s, one of my favorite singers was Steve Camp. One of his songs from that era has been on my mind lately. One line in that song simply says, “Don’t tell them Jesus loves them ‘til you’re ready to love them too.” One problem that I have with the American, [...]

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693. Children of Inheritance – Not Slaves Under the Law

March 10, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Continuing on our current thread that "the law is not of faith." The Apostle Paul continues to explain and reveal the significant differences between law and faith in Galatians Chapter 4. Those who had formerly been under the law of Moses were described as slaves held in bondage. Jesus was born of a woman under that same system of law in order to redeem those who were under the law. This would result in the slaves becoming children... heirs of the promise. Paul would continue to show that most people who want to live by the law have no idea what the law says and requires (they had the impossible task of doing all of it). The child of slavery came through Hagar, symbolizing the Old Covenant at Mt. Sinai where the law was given - it gave birth to spiritual bondage. But the child of promise came through Sarah, symbolizing the freedom of grace and faith found in the New Covenant. Both Jew and Gentile believers are now children of the free woman.

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692. A Life of Faith Apart from the Law

March 3, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Faith. Grace. Righteousness. Forgiveness. Life. Salvation. These are gifts we’ve been delivered into since God established a New Covenant where both Jew and Gentile have been invited into the covenant - Christ Jesus is that covenant that has been given and established after the cross. These things were not attainable for those Jews living under the religious system of the Mosaic law from the Old Covenant. Their efforts at trying to abide by the many commandments fell far short of the requirement. The new way came by an oath or a promise. The premise of most Christian church doctrines tragically resembles a train-wreck where law and faith have crashed head-on, leaving people in a state of anxiety, pain, fear and bondage. Our program this week covers many of the differences between the law of works compared to the ministry of faith and grace… and why we should avoid the mixture.

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691. “The Law Is Not of Faith” (Galatians 3:12)

February 24, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

We frequently find them blended into the doctrines and sermons of Church Incorporated… selected portions of commandments from the law which came by way of Moses. Not the entire law, mind you. Each religious brand will pick and choose what they think should be applied and what should be left off the list. The problem? There shouldn’t be a list. The entire written code of the letter from the Old Covenant was wiped out and came to an end. It was replaced with a better option that arrived when Jesus was manifested - it’s called faith. Paul was explaining to the Galatians they needed to make one of two choices… attempting to follow and live by the works of the law (the flesh) or to live by faith in Jesus Christ.

Before faith came, the Jews were held as prisoners under the law. The Mosaic law was a tutor or guardian which was meant to eventually lead them to the custody of Jesus Christ. When faith (Christ) came, there was no longer the need for the guardian because us who are in Christ Jesus became children of God by faith. The law and commandments are not based upon the faith that was provided for us within a new and better covenant.

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Relax – It. Is. All. About. Jesus.

February 20, 2019 by Sandra

Do you know what one of the coolest things about the grace-life is? It’s that you come to realize it’s not about you. You suddenly see it as clear as day – oh my goodness, This Is All About Jesus! And when you see it, glorious results follow. As you may know, the Branson Women […]

689. Guaranteed to Fail: Working at Becoming More Like Jesus

February 10, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Anyone who has spent much time in the church world has probably heard that the primary goal for the Christian is to work at becoming more like Jesus. It sounds logical, doesn’t it? Sermons tend to shine from such a message with a typical backdrop of people shouting “Amen!” But seldom will you find a consistent model on exactly what it means to become more like Jesus through what we do, although most will have their preconceived ideas or assumptions. The general idea religion presents is that we gradually and progressively improve by our works and lifestyle choices. We’re told that improved morality will make us more like Christ. This approach has believers turning the gospel inside out as we work to achieve the impossible. It will benefit us to realize we’ve been born of God and have received an inheritance that has already made us like Jesus - completely righteous and holy just as He is - even while we’re in this world. These qualities we have inherited as children are gifts provided by grace, not our attempts to improve the flesh through human effort.

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Fear Factor

February 8, 2019 by kingdomlife

Today, fear seems to be a normal part of life. Every day, people face fears of every kind. It’s as if fear has become man’s ever-present companion.

Words that describe our society today are:

fearful
anxious
dreadful
fretful
apprehensive.

We are continually anxious about the soaring crime rate, the failing economy, wars and rumors of wars, and social, political and racial tensions.

These fears leave us feeling out of control, and our hearts fail us because of fear.

Fear—the First Fruits of Sin

The first recorded words of man in the Bible were by Adam to God, “I was afraid.”

…and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord …. And the Lord God… said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. —Gen 3:8-10

Sin brought fear into their lives that man was never supposed to feel. We weren’t created to live with fear and dread.

Fear Distorts Our Realities

When we believe the devil’s lies, we allow fear in.

Self-righteousness is a distorted reality. Fear keeps us in bondage to it, so we cannot see life the way it really is. For many, fear has been a constant companion and motivates their every action.

Many are distrusting in their relationships, tormented by thoughts of betrayal and infidelity.
Others worry about everything.

Worry means to choke, to strangle. It’s a feeling of suffocation or to be pressed tightly. We worry about money. We worry about our children.

3. Many are distressed—in fear of losing their jobs or of getting one.
4. Many are anxious and arm themselves and live only aware of violence and crime.
5. Many are angry with the world and themselves and take it out on the ones they love the most.

In most cases, we have lost the sense of normalcy—having our fulfillment in God alone.

The Fear of God

What about the fear of God? The Bible is filled with statements about fearing God.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…. — Proverbs 9:10

For many, fear has been a constant companion and motivates their every action.

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence…. —Proverbs 14:26

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. —Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the LORD tendeth to life…. —Proverbs 19:23

What does the Bible mean by the fear the Lord?

Worshiping God

It means to respond to God with reverence, honor, respect, and awe—to worship God in obedience.

Jesus understood this truth well:

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. — Luke 4:8

God intended for us to be constantly aware of His love and presence.

The Answer to Fear—the Gospel of Peace.

Isaiah said, “Who has believed our report?” The same can be said today.

Fear has been passed from generation to generation, even in the Church, because people find it difficult to believe the report of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Promise of Peace

Every religion in the world today has a promise of peace and the illusion of freedom from fear. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can deliver this reality.

Ending the Reign of Terror.

The first recorded words of the Gospel: “Do not be afraid.”

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. … Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. —Luke 2: 10-14

From the beginning it has been God’s intent to end the devil’s reign of terror and the fear of death.

Jesus has destroyed him who had the power to enslave you to fear and terror.

The Holy Spirit is Trying to Save You From Living a Complicated Life!

February 6, 2019 by Sandra

Believe me when I say “Complicated” used to be my middle name. Sandra Complicated McCollom. I spent the first 34 years of my Christian life over-riding the promptings of the Holy Spirit. This made for one frustrated existence. Because of the way I used to live, I can’t even express how much I enjoy the […]

688. Jesus Often Taught a Ministry of Death and Condemnation

February 3, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

Jesus always had a reason for His methods during His earthly ministry. But much of what He taught was not meant to be considered or received as New Covenant Christianity - yet we can still look back on it and benefit when considered in the proper context. As the Apostle Paul explained to the Galatians, Jesus was born of a woman under the Mosaic law so that He might redeem those who were under that law - the Jews needed to be delivered from that religious system which could only bring death and condemnation. To assume Jesus was usually teaching a new doctrine meant for future Christians has resulted in countless misinterpretations as to how the gospel is defined. Empty religious doctrines of men will scream that we should do our best to keep some of the commandments from that old law which is now obsolete. What’s the problem with this? “The law is not of faith!” Faith in Christ has no relationship with a law of works which can’t bring life.

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Where’s The Love?

February 1, 2019 by Sandra

Do you ever wonder where the love is, among Christians? Sometimes we get caught acting Impatient….Judgmental… Critical….Jealous…..Opinionated…..Negative…. Arrogant….Rude….. and Unforgiving We’ve all done it, but why? Now that I’m living under grace myself I love to deal in real answers when I’m writing or ministering. I don’t want to tell others, “your doing this and […]

687. Confusing the Teachings of Jesus With New Covenant Christianity

January 27, 2019 by Mike Kapler and Joel Brueseke

When you mix peanut butter with chocolate, you might end up with a delicious peanut butter cup. If you take (portions) of the Mosaic law from the Old Covenant God made with Israel and mingle it with the New Covenant of Jesus Christ, you’ll end up with confusion and uncertainty. One of the primary ingredients that has led to this problem within the Christian religion is making the false assumption that the New Covenant began with the birth of Jesus. It pulls people into a misleading belief system that Jesus was usually communicating a new Christian teaching meant to be applied to our lives today. Certainly there were moments when He did look forward to the New Covenant, but His primary purpose while walking the earth as a man was to minister to Israel - those who were under the curse of the law - and to ultimately redeem them from it. Don’t fall into the trap of concluding that much of what Jesus taught was always meant for you personally. If that were true, we’d discover inconsistency with some of the writings from the apostles after the cross… not because they contradicted Jesus, but because two different covenants need to be kept in the proper context.