Weekly Update – May 16th, 2024
Over the last year, we have been slowly walking through our newly adopted statement on Biblical Sexuality. There are nine points to this statement. This week we will look at point eight. Point one can before found HERE. Point two, HERE. Point three, HERE. Point four, HERE. Point five, HERE. Point six, HERE. Point seven, HERE. Point eight is as follows:
The grace of God in Christ gives both merciful pardon and transforming power. This pardon and power enable a follower of Jesus to put to death sinful desires and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. The grace of God in Christ is sufficient to forgive all sexual sins and to give power for holiness to every believer who feels drawn to sin.
We ought to begin from a proper standpoint. Regardless of what sin we are referring to here, whether sexual sin or otherwise, we are all by nature sinners (Ps. 51:5). Romans 3:23 is clear here when Paul says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All sin causes separation between us and a holy God (Is. 59:2), leading to the rightful punishment of eternal death (Rom. 6:23). The only hope anyone has is for God to intervene by his grace to save us from our sin, through the perfect life and sacrificial death of his son Jesus Christ (Is. 53:5; Rom. 5:15; Eph. 2:5; Col. 2:13-14).
This grace by which God saves us provides the merciful pardon that we need. Apart from this grace, our eternal destiny is set enduring the wrath of God in hell (Matt. 25:46; Jn. 3:36; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:15, 21:8). But thanks be to God, we have victory over sin, in Christ, as we are set free from our rightful punishment and made heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ of eternal life (Jn. 8:36; Rom. 6:7; 8:1, 17; 1 Cor. 15:57). This grace that we receive is sufficient to forgive any sin, including any sexual sin, that we have committed, for there is nothing too great that cannot be cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 1:15-16; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 12:9; 1 Jn. 1:9).
This news gets better though. Not only does the grace of God mercifully pardon us from our sin, but the grace of God provides the power to transform us away from our sin as well (Rom. 6:4-14; Eph. 2:10; 2 Pet. 1:3-4). When God forgives us through Jesus Christ, there is a pronouncement of “not guilty” proclaimed over us. This is called justification (Rom. 3:24). The glorious part of our justification is, yes, that we no are no longer doomed to eternal punishment apart from the presence of God, but now, even greater, we are placed in union with Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-4). This union with Christ not only provides us with the righteousness that God requires of us, but we also receive Christ’s holiness as well (1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:4; Col. 1:22; Heb. 10:14).
Holiness, then, ought to be understood in two ways for us. First, it is, what is called positional. At the point of salvation, through God’s grace, we are no longer seen as sinner but as holy and blameless (1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:13-16). Yet second, not only do we receive a positional holiness, but we now live out a practical holiness. What this means is that not only are we seen as holy before God, but we now pursue holy living before God as well (Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 6:7-8; 2 Thess. 1:7-8).
Therefore, with regard to sexual sin, God’s power within us, through our union with Jesus Christ, enables us to live lives that are progressing away from sin and towards his standard of holiness. There is hope for all who struggle, because now, through Christ, the very power that raised him from the dead is alive and at work in us (Phil. 3:10). Sin, and in particular, sexual sin, doesn’t have to have the final word over any of us. For that is who we were. But now, we have been sanctified (1 Cor. 6:11). And because we have been sanctified, Christ’s power is within us to put on the new self in holiness (Eph. 4:24), be transformed by the renewal of our mind (Rom. 12:2) and live out our calling to holiness (1 Thess. 4:7).
Let us then walk in the holiness to which we have been called. At the same time, let us call others to walk in the holiness of Christ as well. Sin has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, therefore, whether it be a sin struggle that we might have, or if we are counseling someone else through a certain sin, even sexual sin, let us believe that Christ’s power with us can change, and let us pursue this change through faith in Christ.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
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Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
- Psalm 139:4-5
Announcements:
Women’s Brunch + Craft: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson home at 10am on Saturday, May 18th, for a time of food and fellowship. Click HERE for details.
Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.
Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.
Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.
Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 8th-Friday, July 12th from 5:45-8:00pm. More information to come soon.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Youth will continue to meet every week, but all other Wednesday Night Activities will resume on September 4th.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3-pre-k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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