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The Christian Life
Pressing Forward Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” At the beginning of each new year, we often see it as a time of opportunity to renew the goals and priorities in our lives. A time for fresh starts and getting back on course. It takes a strong commitment and a plan to be successful in staying the course. As Christians, our goals change when we believe in Jesus and put our trust in Him and the life He calls us to. Scripture describes our goal as putting off the old sinful life and practices and to put on acts of righteousness as imitators of Jesus. (Ephesians 4:22-24) Paul, the writer of Philippians, starts off by confirming two important facts in v12. First, it is Christ who had claimed him, not vice versa. This is why Jesus told His disciples “you did not choose me but I chose you”. (John 15:16) Secondly, his call to action. In the latter part of that verse (John 15:16) Jesus says “and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit”. Christians are not passive but active in response to Christ. Paul’s “straining toward what is ahead” also has in sight the rewards (prize) of God’s calling on him. “no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" the things God has prepared for those who love Him“. (1 Corinthians 2:9) Heaven, for all eternity, far exceeds anything our senses can comprehend. “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) Paul reminds us that those things lost to us for following Christ are as nothing compared to the gain in knowing Christ. Most of us today haven’t experienced loss of freedom, being stoned, shipwrecked, whipped, imprisoned, and left for dead as Paul did for following Jesus. Paul says it is nothing by comparison to the gain we will receive and to keep pressing forward at all cost. “Therefore, my dear friends, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him”. (Philippians 2:12-13 NLT) Not to work for salvation but to work out our salvation, is to be actively and continually renewing our mind and behavior through following God’s word. Amazingly, God supplies the desire and ability to do this. (v13) The terms fear and trembling envision guarded reverence for God as the infinitely wise and powerful creator. Not resting on past achievements nor giving up because of failures, but pressing onward for the one who claims us and what lies ahead! Come! Colby Reeves – member Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, Al evangelchurchpca.org
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The Christian Life
Evangel Church PCA Is our eye on eternity? Luke 16:1-8,11 He said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light… So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?” We easily forget that we are but stewards of God’s possessions. In this story, the steward, having lost his position, quickly responds in acts of charity that will benefit his present life. Christians (sons of light) should learn from this example to be as resourceful (shrewd), in preparation for the next world, just as they (sons of this world) do in hopes of this world. The commendation comes for the steward making the most of his situation. So we must ask, will Jesus commend us for making the most of our resources concerning eternity? “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) Many would see their assets as deserving confirmation by God rather than tools to do God’s work in which they will give an account. The parables of the ten minas (Luke 19:11-27) and the ten talents (Matthew 25:14-30) confirm this. “As long as it is day (life), we must do the works of him who sent me. Night (death) is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) Our day is now, to do his works. The time is coming when it’s too late. This is one of the primary reasons Jesus established his Church, for His people to come together in ministry to continue His work. As Christians, by focusing on Jesus and His instructions, not only will we be faithful stewards now but also be keeping an eye on eternity and investing wisely in our future. Come! Colby Reeves – member Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, Al evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
Persevere in the Faith Jude 1 (excerpts) 3 “Dear friends, I wanted very much to write to you concerning the salvation we share. Instead, I must write to urge you to fight for the faith delivered once and for all to God's holy people. 4 Godless people have slipped in among you. They turn the grace of our God into unrestrained immorality and deny our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Judgment was passed against them a long time ago. 7 In the same way, Sodom and Gomorrah and neighboring towns practiced immoral sexual relations and pursued other sexual urges. By undergoing the punishment of eternal fire, they serve as a warning. 17 But you, dear friends, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, 'In the end time scoffers will come living according to their own ungodly desires.' 19 These people create divisions. Since they don't have the Spirit, they are worldly. 20 But you, dear friends: build each other up on the foundation of your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep each other in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will give you eternal life.” These verses confirm the imperative to hold on to and fight for a life of morality and that those who teach otherwise are godless and worldly. Those who teach that since your sins are forgiven you no longer need to worry about keeping God’s commands simply prove they do not have the Holy Spirit and are denying what Jesus taught. In reality, the purpose of the gospel and the giving of the Holy Spirit is to promote holiness. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) is just one example of God’s judgment against those who disregard God’s warnings and practice immorality. The scripture makes clear that our salvation is through Christ alone, not Christ plus good works or a moral life. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (in Christ) —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) However, the scripture also makes clear that if we have truly come to Christ, we will experience a transformation (new creature) through the Holy Spirit and our lives will reflect that. “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.” (1 John 3:6) Scripture has warned us to watch out for those who would derail us. The warnings are given so we can see them for what they are and remain faithful to Christ. The importance of prayer, scriptural knowledge, and a strong Church family for support cannot be overemphasized. Though it may seem so at times, you are not alone. Christians throughout the world are standing firm every day as an encouragement to all who follow Christ. Now more than ever, Christians must continue to persevere as we… “keep each other in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will give you eternal life.” Come! Colby Reeves – member Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, Al evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
I Came to Jesus But… “All that the Father gives me will come to me and all who come to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37) We talk a lot about obedience and turning away from our sin to God (repentance), because that’s what Jesus requires and that’s where the challenge lies. Confession and repentance is a daily exercise in faith. It is also a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in us. But though we must battle sin daily, the war is already won for those who have come to Jesus. When He gave His life on the cross for the penalty of sin, all authority over salvation was given to Him. When He says He will in no wise cast out, it is final. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand”. (John 10:28) So the question is, have we come to Jesus? As Christians, we cling to His promises, especially in times of weakness and doubt. We may fear that Jesus didn't really accept us. In this verse, Jesus is assuring His people of the permanent security He offers in coming to Him. When we come to Jesus in sincerity, commitment, and trust, He welcomes us into His loving care and declares under no circumstances will He cast us out. He gives us this assurance knowing fully that our sincerity, commitment, and trust will be broken and flawed because we are sinners. We are commanded to confess our sins for this. Have you confessed today? To quote John Bunyan from his book “Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ”,“His promise stands firm in the midst of all objections and weak faith” “But I am a great sinner, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I am an old sinner, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I am a hard-hearted sinner, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I am a backsliding sinner, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I have served Satan daily, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I have sinned against light, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I have sinned against mercy, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ. But I have no good thing to bring with me, say you. 'I will in no wise cast out,' says Christ.” (JB) Some days our actions serve Satan more than God but we cling to His promises by faith, while the Holy Spirit is working in us to maturity to bear fruit for the Kingdom. In the meantime, Jesus holds us securely until the day we join Him. Yes, some days it feels like coming to Jesus just didn’t work. "Lord, I didn’t do good today." But as we prayerfully confess our sin and recommit, He is ready and faithful to forgive, and will never, ever cast us out! Come! Colby Reeves – member Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, Al evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
What is Truth? “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Eleven of the twelve disciples are credited with being killed because they would not deny Christ. Did the Disciples of Jesus die for a lie? The Christian belief, faith, and trust are grounded in the knowledge that Jesus is truth. Jesus came bearing witness to the truth. The truth about mankind and the truth about God. The truth about life and the truth about death. Jesus says that all who are of the truth (His sheep) will hear His voice (come to Him). The voice of the shepherd is the voice that the sheep trust and follow. (John 10:27-28) This truth brings understanding (light) and reveals the way (Jesus) to real and everlasting life. Jesus is all three. "I am the way, the truth, the life." (John 14:6) Many witnesses testified not only of what they heard but what they saw, touched, and talked to. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” (1 John 1) The unchanging truth they experienced firsthand concerning true life, they proclaimed. Jesus came teaching the unchanging absolute explanation of the way we should live (in righteousness) and the values we should hold (God’s morals). This truth is not an evolving truth or one of many truths but the truth for eternity. The Holiness of God is His moral and ethical perfection, His absolute integrity that sets Him apart from all His creatures. As such, He cannot lie. It is against His nature. “Thou shalt not lie” does not allow for excuses. “God is not a man that he should lie.” (Numbers 23:19) God is not like us. Proverbs 14:12 tells us “There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.” Following our own sensual instincts for entrance to Heaven is self-deception and self-destruction. The reality of truth means falsehoods exist. This is largely denied in our modern society, particularly in the area of right and wrong. The widespread acceptance of homosexuality, rebellion, and all forms of sin that we see openly in our society today is a verbatim fulfillment of what Romans 1 says always happens when a society denies and suppresses the essential connection between God and truth. (Romans 1:18-27) Jesus had answered Pilate’s question before he asked it. When we listen to Jesus, we hear the truth. Jesus is the voice of truth. The day is coming when only the one real truth will count. It is important to remember that in Matthew 11:29, Jesus said that those yoked to Him will find rest and comfort. To accept and submit to the truth of God is to see clearly, to know with certainty, and to find life everlasting. His commandments are Holy, just, and good and filled with His divine love. That’s the truth. Come! Colby Reeves – member Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, Al evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
Ruling Over Our Sin Pt. 2 In our last article, which can be found here online, we talked about God’s command to rule over our sin found in Genesis 4:7. We continue this month looking at verses that help us understand our part in this. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – Your sin is not unique and enslaves you only if you indulge in it. This is how addictions are born yet God is faithful. He knows your limitations and keeps obedience within your reach. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain, but serves those who will rely on it. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – For the born-again Christian the penalty and dominance of sin have passed away and a new life of repentance has come. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; – 1 John 1:6 - If we say we’re Christians yet do not follow the life he calls us to, we’re simply not followers of Christ. Many call themselves Christians but live no differently than unbelievers. Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. – James 4:7-10 – Leaving the door cracked for sin encourages Satan. Committed resistance defeats Satan. Take action to clean your house, shut the door on sin and flee all immorality. Sin is not to be laughed at and delighted in but mourned over. Those who find joy in sin have no real fear of God or awe of his majesty or dread of his wrath. It is a dangerous condition. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16 - Jesus’ word is spiritual. John 6:63 Following His word keeps us from sinning. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12 – God’s wonderful rewards are worth fighting for both now and for eternity! God does not owe us the grace and mercy he shows us. When our life ends or Jesus returns the days of grace end and judgment will come. Have you taken the sacrificial death of God’s son for granted? Jesus left detailed instructions for living the new life he requires of us. Do our lives reflect dedication to Christ? We must depart the self-centered road the world is traveling on and follow Christ. His is the way, the truth, and the life. Come! Colby Reeves – member Evangel Church PCA, Alabaster Al evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
Ruling Over Our Sin “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In the beginning, Adam trusted and obeyed God. He was pure in thought, word, and deed. He enjoyed the great benefits and joy of a relationship with his Creator. On the day he was tempted and disobeyed God, he ate of the forbidden fruit. Where unending life, love, peace, and security had been, now fear, unrest, and death came. Man became sinful. He was barred from Paradise and separated from God. (Genesis 3) Sin is the great deceiver and destroyer of mankind. Our sin is what separates us from God and from each other. It is active and tempts us daily to ignore God’s good commands and live any way we please, in spite of the consequences. Many times we sacrifice doing right, to satisfy sin. Sin usually takes us farther than we intended to go, keeps us longer than we intended to stay, and costs more than we intended to pay. Romans 6:20-23 tells us we are slaves to sin before coming to Jesus. We are sinful by nature. Most people would freely admit that they are not perfect, which is true, but unfortunately, we’re alright with that. But God is NOT alright with it. He says we must rule over our sin. The implication is that while sin still exists in us, it no longer is to dominate us. Through Christ, we can say NO, and mean it. 1 Corinthians 15:7 “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When you trust in Jesus not only is your sin debt removed but you are given a new nature through the Holy Spirit. You are no longer a slave to sin. The reason Matthew 5:5 says “blessed are the poor in spirit” and “blessed are they that mourn” is because heartfelt grief and sorrow over our sin (new nature) is the necessary motivation empowering us to say no to sin and obey Christ. Our new nature desires righteousness. But what about when we fail? 1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Even when we repent and trust in Jesus, sinful temptations will still come. Heartfelt confession brings forgiveness and, if heartfelt, a willingness to change. Hebrews 12:1 says to “run with endurance”. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we’re told to “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. Sin begins in the mind. Our thoughts must be guarded closely and sin plucked out. In our new nature, we are willing to devise a battle plan to conquer sin and fight for righteousness. Do you have a plan to rule over your sin? Have you committed to Jesus, His Church, and to study His word? Have you committed to prayer? Jesus said “all who come to me I will surely not reject” (John 6:37). Come! Colby Reeves - member Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, AL Evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
Easter: The Cornerstone of Christian Faith Easter stands as the pinnacle of the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead following His crucifixion, an act of divine sacrifice for humanity's sins. The Prophecy and Fulfillment of Easter The anticipation of Easter traces back to Genesis 3, which speaks of one who will come to "crush the serpent's head," signifying victory over sin and death. Isaiah 53:5 further clarifies this promise, stating, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide detailed accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, forming the cornerstone of the Christian gospel. The Human Condition and the Gospel Message The necessity of living without sin to dwell with God is underscored by Romans 3:23, highlighting humanity's universal shortfall in achieving divine glory due to sin. Romans 6:23 explains the consequences of sin as death, emphasizing the severity of violating God's commands, whether through actions, words, or thoughts. Yet, the Gospel offers hope through Romans 6:23b and Matthew 20:28, presenting eternal life as a gift attainable through Jesus Christ's sacrificial death and sinless life. The Path to Salvation Salvation is promised to those who openly profess "Jesus is Lord" and hold a heartfelt belief in His resurrection, as stated in Romans 10:9. This act of faith not only cleanses us from sin through Christ's sacrifice but also clothes us in His righteousness, ensuring our passage to eternal life. Easter: A Celebration of Resurrection and Life Easter symbolizes the triumph over death, mirroring Jesus' resurrection as a beacon of hope for believers. It assures us of our own resurrection and eternal life if we faithfully follow Jesus. Join Us in Learning and Worship Evangel Church PCA extends a warm invitation to explore the profound meaning of Easter and the pathway to eternal life through our Bible studies, led by our dedicated Pastors and Elders. All are welcome to join us in this journey of faith. Visit Us: Evangel Church PCA 423 Thompson Rd., Alabaster, AL 35007 Tel: 205-664-0889 Sunday School: 9 AM | Worship Service: 10:15 AM Learn More The Christian Life
How Does God Become My Father? Sermon on the Mount by M. Lloyd-Jones The profound question, "How does God become my Father?" finds its answer within the Scriptures. As stated in John 1:11-12, Christ's arrival was met with rejection by His own. However, those who embraced Him were granted the authority to become children of God. This transformative process, known as being 'born again,' involves receiving a new life and nature, aligning with the holy essence of our Heavenly Father. Without this new, holy nature—given only by God—we remain distant from Him and His promises. Acknowledging our sins and the redemption offered through Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the pathway to becoming God's children and recognizing Him as our Father. This spiritual journey is likened to a captivating story: A man, adept at tightrope walking, decided to stretch a cable across Niagara Falls. A crowd gathered, filled with anticipation and doubt, to witness his endeavor across the formidable waterfall. Successfully navigating the tightrope to and fro, he then posed a challenge: Would anyone trust him enough to be carried across on his back? Amidst the crowd's silence, one individual stepped forward, placing his trust in the performer. This act of faith allowed him to be safely transported across the natural divide. This narrative mirrors our relationship with God. Christ has bridged the ultimate divide—death itself—through His resurrection. He invites us to place our trust in Him for our salvation, offering safe passage from death to eternal life. Have you placed your trust in Christ for your salvation? He awaits your faith, ready to welcome you. Rev. Grady Simpson At Evangel Church, we provide a range of Bible studies led by our Pastors and Elders, dedicated to deepening your understanding of placing trust in Jesus. We warmly invite everyone interested in exploring their faith further. Visit Us: Evangel Church PCA 423 Thompson Rd., Alabaster, AL 35007 Tel: 205-664-0889 Learn More THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Why do we celebrate Christmas? In chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis, we have the pleasant view of the holiness and happiness of our first parents, Adam and Eve. We see the grace and favor of God and the peace and beauty of the whole creation, all good, very good; but in chapter 3 the scene changes. We have here an account of the sin and misery of our first parents, the wrath and curse of God against them, the peace of the creation disturbed, and its beauty stained and soiled, all bad, very bad. Our Creator gave but one command to preserve our innocence. "Do not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you do you will surely die." Innocent Eve was deceived and tempted to doubt God by Satan through the serpent. She and Adam yielded to that temptation, that is they willfully sinned against God. Their innocence was lost and their sin nature born. Judgment was pronounced: Banishment from the Garden of Eden now and eventual death. This was a sentence against them and their offspring, all humanity, or "the Fall" of man. This is the condition we're born into, slaves to sin and bound to death--lovers of the world and its values and not lovers of God. A child does not have to be taught disobedience. It's in the DNA. Genesis 3:15 tells us that though the world now is Satan's domain there will be one to come, a Savior. Through Him God will restore hatred (enmity) of evil (the world) and love for Him in His people. God initially provided the system of animal sacrifice to show the cost of sin, which is death and how His people would be saved, through the death of another. It is said that at the annual Passover in Jerusalem blood flowed like a river from the sacrifices made for so much sin, but they were only temporary substitutes allowed until the real sacrifice came. In the Gospels of the New Testament, we're told of that coming. Jesus came in obedience to God's plan to pay a sin debt He did not owe. As God the Son, He broke no commands and gave His life as a ransom for all who would repent and follow Him, promising His Holy Spirit to enable them. God accepted His payment by raising Him from the dead and restoring Him to Heaven, and you also will be raised from the dead and restored to heaven if you follow Him. At Christmas we celebrate the fulfilling of God's promise in the birth of Jesus, the gift of Eternal life (Matthew 1-2). It requires our willingness to turn from sinning and live as He teaches in faith (Mark 1:15). Repent and trust in Jesus sincerely, and He will give you His spirit to live this new life and seal your future in heaven. Come! Colby Reeves - Evangel Member Evangel Church PCA evangelchurchpca.org |
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