LBC Sermons & Messages

Text: Galatians 6:1-10

One must keep in mind Galatians as a whole when reading this last chapter of the book. The theme of Galatians is true Christian Liberty which is the ability to serve and please a perfect and holy God not a free pass to do what one would like. He also says along the journey, we will fall. All of us are subject to falling and will at some time, therefore, Paul now gives us some insight on restoration.

First, we must be restorable. None of us are perfect and we have to face the reality that one day and maybe many days, we will need the grace of God to restore us. We all make choices that make us disobedient to the Father and when we do, we are in need of restoration. We must be honest with ourselves, we must see where we really are, and we must see our depravity. We need God!

Secondly, we must be a restorer at times. We need to keep in mind that restoration is always the ends. We do not proclaim God’s truths just to make people uncomfortable. We proclaim God’s truths to exhort each other to be more Christ-like.

Notice Paul says, “ye which are spiritual…” Perfection is not a prerequisite but spirituality is. We must be living the repenter’s life to restore such an one. We also must restore with the Word of God, John 17:17, 8:32; Heb. 4:12. For it is the Word of God that is quick and powerful.

Notice also that you and I have the ability to be restorers. No matter what is going on around us and what others choose to do or not do, God can strengthen us to be restorers. The prophets of old all felt alone and many times were as God called them to stand in the midst of a people that hated them and God. But they stood and God blessed. Joshua put it this way and said, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Daniel also purposed in his heart no matter what everyone else was doing.

So, let us be the restorers that God wants us to be. Let us do it in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we fall into the snares of the Devil. Let us do it all to be the spotless bride that Christ is proud of and desires to use to reach this world.

Led of the Spirit
Text: Galatians 5:13-26

Have you ever tried to dig in the sand before? When the sand is hot and dry it is possible but very frustrating. You take out a scoop of sand to only have it fall in on itself. It seems like it takes three to four scoops just to take out one scoop’s worth of sand.

Our life and sin can be the same way. We know what we should and should not do and when we try to live righteously in our own power it is the same way. Galatians tells us several times here to walk in the Spirit and then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Also, when we try to get rid of sin, we usually fail to put something godly in its place. When we have sinned for a while and then we stop, there is a void and it needs to be filled with something biblical or else we will fall right back into it.

When reading this passage, please keep I John 2 in mind. This passage also reminds us that we need to walk in the spirit for we are in a spiritual warfare. Then, we are told that Satan attacks us in three areas, (a) the lust of the flesh or physical desires, (b) the lust of the eyes or the lust of the mind, and (c) the pride of life or the desire to live the way I want to with no regard to God and His Word.

So today, let us do a little exercise to help us be victorious in our Christian walk. First, write down the seventeen works of the flesh. If you are human, you struggle with probably several of these. You may even have struggles with them for a long time and have not had the victory over them. Do you see any patterns in this list?

Then, I want you to make a list of the works of the Spirit and number the list. There are nine items in this list. Now, I want you to go down the list of the flesh and put the corresponding number of the Spirit next to it and the corresponding letter from I John. Many overlap so use the one that makes the most sense to you. For example, Adultery I believe is a 1a. If we know what to fill the holes with and exactly how to pray we can come up with a battle plan and be victorious. If you struggle with adultery, you know that this is an attack on the lust of the flesh. This will help in accountability tactics and also alerts you to Satan’s trip wires in the flesh. Be aware that Satan will try to get you into compromising situations and do not let it happen. Also, the corresponding work of the Spirit is agape love so now you can pray more pointed, you can memorize scripture about true love, and you can meditate on what true love is. So, allow God to use His Word to (a) open your eyes, (b) give you wisdom and then (c) to give you the victory.

Text: Galatians 5:13-26

Here Is Galatians, Paul gives us a little more insight on the liberty that we each have in Christ. You have probably heard someone say that they could do something because of Christian liberty. Christian liberty does not mean that you and I can do what we want to but rather that we now have the ability to serve the Father in a pleasing manner through our Lord Jesus Christ. No where in scripture do you find liberty as a free pass to serve self but rather on the contrary.

In the beginning of chapter 5, Paul tells us to stand fast or firm in the liberty we have in Christ. Once again, it is totally and completely in Christ and not in self. If Christ is our example and liberty is founded in Christ’s selfless gift of salvation then why is Christian liberty treated as a free pass to do what we like?

Romans 8 and James 1:22-f.f. both teach us that liberty is for service to God. Liberty in Christ is the ability to live to the Spirit over the flesh. Apart from Christ, we are enslaved to our own selfish desires and the flesh. In Christ we are new creatures that can live to God the Father through the Spirit.

In Galatians 5 we are told that our liberty should be used to serve others. In I Cor. 8 and I Pet. 2:16, this concept is repeated. It is interesting that the word used for serving is exactly that. It means to be enslaved to. Isn’t that an oxymoron? We are told to use our liberty to be enslaved. I do not know about you but that is not a very compelling case for Christian living. I like the idea that I can do what I want not the idea that I am to be enslaved to others. So, how does this all work together?

First, Paul reminds us of the words of Christ, “love thy neighbor as thyself.” It is all about putting others first, Luke 10:25-f.f., Phil 2:3. However, the key is found in verse 16 and touched upon in previous passages and that is walking in the Spirit. When we walk according to the flesh, we will fulfill the deeds of the flesh and serve self. When we walk according to the Spirit, the flesh is dead and we live to God the Father. Only through Christ do we completely have this ability. So, this week, are you going to use your liberty for self or for others as Christ did?

Text: Joshua 4:1-7

One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River. When they went over to the other side and the Lord had them take boulders and make a landmark so they would remember what the Lord did and then they would teach their children. It was Edmund Burke who said, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” I know this may sound deep but when we do not remember, we forget. This is why we have Memorial Day. If we forget the past and the payment of those who have gone on before us, we will forget it and then we will revert back to it.

Today, I want to call our attention to three aspects of God and ask that we dwell on them this week and not forget who God is. First, let us remember His holiness or His righteousness or His being set apart, Ps. 97:9-f.f.; Lev. 11:44, 45; I Peter 1:16. God is perfect. He is pure to the point that we cannot understand. This makes Him set apart and holy. This is why there had to be a satisfaction of wrath for law breaking. This is why God deserves all praise, glory, and our absolute best. Not only is God perfectly holy, but He then calls us to follow Him, Ex. 19, II Cor. 6:17, Jude. When God calls He enables, Phil. 4:13, II Peter 1:3. God wants us to be a called out people different from the world and holy unto Him and we can do it.

Second, we need to remember God’s Eternality, Ps. 102:11, 12. If God had a beginning or was created or evolved, then He would not be God and worthy of our lives. God has always been and will always be. In Gen. 15 He tells Abraham that He is Yehovah or the eternal, Self existing One. We cannot truly understand this in our finite minds but God just is. He needs no one or no thing He is all in all. Later in Ex. 3 He tells Moses that he is Hayah which means to exist or come to pass. God is Yehovah, therefore, he can do what He pleases and God is able to perform what He wants. If God calls, he empowers, Matt. 28, Acts 1:8.

Last, we must remember the payment that God made for us. God is holy and eternal and needs no one or no thing, yet He chooses to bring us into a relationship with Him through the pain and suffering of the cross, Luke 22:15-22. How unworthy are we? Each of us has broken God’s Law and we are doomed to an eternity in Hell, yet Christ came down to take our punishment and shame. He did this so we may be made in His image and likeness and brought into a loving relationship with Him. Let me ask you, what are you doing with it? God went through all this for you and what are you and I doing with it? If we do not remember who God is and what He has done, then we will squander our gifts. God help us to remember who You are and what You have done. Help us to teach those around us so they may know.

Text: Galatians 5:1-12

Let’s continue with Paul’s discussion about living in liberty. Once again, if we choose to live according to the law as a means to please the Father then we choose to bind ourselves. The law is a contradiction of liberty in Christ and a forfeiture of the blessings found in Christ. Through liberty in Christ we can now serve God and please Him accomplishing whatever God calls us to do.

Paul commends the churches of Galatia because they started well, vs. 6-9. They received the truth and ran with it. However, it was only a matter of time before they chose to lay aside the truth for a lie. We need to remember that Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, I Peter 5:8, and he is an angel of light, II Cor. 11:14. He is crafty and has a plan to destroy us all, Eph. 6:11. He takes the truth and alters it just a little at a time and before you know it, what we think is truth is no longer truth at all. Paul tells the churches in chapter 1 that he is surprised at how fast they were removed from the truth. Let me ask you, what are you standing on? Is it truth based in the Word of God or is it a series of lies? Did you used to stand upon truth and now have fallen through the craftiness of the Devil? Let me encourage you to dig in, get strong in the Lord, and stand firm upon the truth so you can live in liberty.

Paul also challenges them because they so easily were led astray, vs. 9. Truth is convicting especially for the believers. So, we try to water it down and misconstrue scripture to fit our needs instead of transforming our lives to coincide with the Word. It does not take much. If I made brownies and brought them in, who would share them with me if I told you the truth that when I was turkey hunting yesterday, I picked up some turkey droppings to study them to see what they were eating and a couple fell into the batter. It was only a little and I stirred it around good to make sure that it did not stay in one lump. That would be silly because now the whole thing is contaminated. One man fell from truth, Gen. 3 by believing truth that was twisted just a bit and now we all pay. Once again, are you living in liberty or lies, I Thess. 5:21, 22?

Text: Galatians 5:1-12

Paul finishes up talking about Christian liberty. He makes a couple of points that are worth repeating. One, it is only through Christ. It is not through keeping of the law, good works, baptism, etc. but through the completed work of Christ. Second, it is this liberty that brings us into good standing with the heavenly Father. It is this liberty that profits us and nothing else. All else is vain and in our own power.

Paul then goes on in verses 2-5 to tell us that the works of the law are a contradiction to liberty in Christ and a forfeiture of the blessings of true liberty. You and I can live in liberty and please the Father or we can choose to live to the law. The law tends to death and guilt and liberty tends to life and blessings. Seems to be a simple choice and yet so hard.

In verses 6-9 we see the fall from grace. We will discuss this section in part this week and finish up next week. In verse 7, Paul tells them that they started well. If you have directions from Londonderry, NH to Portland, ME and you start from Detroit, MI you will not find your destination, you will get frustrated, and you will waste great resources. You have to start from the correct point to follow the directions. The same is true in our Christian walk.

You have to start in Christ. The law convicts us and pushes us into the loving arms of the Savior. There is nothing you and I can do to gain favor with the Father apart from Christ. You cannot use liberty to please the Father and enjoy Him if you start elsewhere.

The second thing that all believers must do to start well is follow Christ in baptism. Matthew 3 gives us insight on baptism. It does not save us but it puts us in good standing with the Father because it is an answer of a good conscience, I Peter 3. Our natural, immoral conscience is made good through Christ and then it exhorts us to baptism. It shows what God has done to us through the work of Christ. If we do not follow God’s command and our new conscience in Christ, we are in direct rebellion to God and our relationship with Him is diminished. It is impossible to live in the liberty of Christ while in rebellion. Are you starting well?

Text: Proverbs 31:10-f.f., I Peter 3:1-6

Happy Mother’s Day! Today we will look at Proverbs and I Peter and glean principles that will help us all live more godly lives. This passage is known as the virtuous woman but the principles can be learned and used by all of us. The key is that the virtuous woman lived a life that reflected Jesus Christ. The principles of her life are the same principles that Christ lived by.

First, in vs. 10-12, 23 we see that she was industrious to her husband. She serves her husband and he can place his trust in her. This is possible because she is unselfish and puts her husband first. Phil. 2:3 tells us to esteem others better than self. Christ lived his life completely for others. This world would be transformed if we could live our lives for others and not ourselves.

Secondly, the virtuous woman takes pain and pleasure in the duties of her place, vs. 13, 15, 17, 18, 27. She understands how God designed her, her role, and her God. Rom. 12 teaches us that we are all part of a body and each of us has different roles and responsibilities. We should glorify God in the station to which he calls us. Christ understood this and he even took joy in the duty that God the Father gave Him, Heb. 12.

Next, she was able to make a profit. She was not just satisfied with doing a job, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24. She did her best to honor her husband and her God. Gal. tells us to do all to the glory of God. Where ever God puts us, we must remember that we serve the Almighty. Christ pleased the Father and always gave Him the Glory.

Continuing on, the virtuous woman also takes care of her family, 15, 27. She was willing to serve her family no matter what. Today, we tend to give up when we face opposition or hardship. Christ endured to the end and now lives on high. What will you do when the going gets tough?

Next, she was charitable, discreet and obliging, vs. 20, 25, 26. If we do not have charity, we have nothing at all, I Cor. 13. We see her heart was one of genuine love for God and we must remember that our hearts will determine our service. Discreet and obliging also describes the life of our Lord. He never fought back out of control. He was not loud and obnoxious but rather was meek and always in control. Will you and I have the strength to be the Christians God wants us to be no matter what happens?

Lastly, we see the virtuous woman’s crowning jewel, fear of the Lord, 30. She revered the Lord and loved Him. Prov. 1:7, 9:10 teach us that knowledge and wisdom comes only from fear of the Lord. If we want to serve God, serve others, and remember our station than we must fear the Lord. We must remember that He is God Almighty and we are not. We must remember that He loves us all the way and we are to love others the same. We must give our hearts to the Lord and allow Him to live through us. Will you and I be the virtuous Christians that God deserves?

Text: Galatians 5:1-12

In 1775 a man by the name of Patrick Henry stood before the Virginia House of Burgesses and made a case for liberty. Thomas Jefferson on the other hand, was trying to get them to speak peace and work it out. However, Henry’s speech to action filled with passion was the one that swayed the vote that day. He ended his case for freedom shouting the famous line, “Give me Liberty or give me death.” He would rather die than be held in bondage by anyone or any government.

Today in Galatians 5, Paul goes back to the theme of the book, Liberty. Without true Liberty from God through Christ, the only future we have to look forward to is death. In the first verse, Paul reminds us and challenges us that we are enfranchised into liberty, we are indebted to Christ who paid for our liberty, and because of liberty we are obligated to serve.

Our liberty is based wholly in Christ and nothing that we can do or say. We have been delivered by Christ. In Romans 8:18-21 Paul uses the same word for liberty and tells us that one day we will be delivered or set at liberty from this present fallen world. II Cor. 3:14-f.f. We see that man has a veil upon his eyes and cannot see the truth but when Christ is revealed, there shall be sight and liberty. We are enfranchised or brought into liberty through the gospel and not of ourselves, for it is a gift of God.

We are also indebted to Christ. There was and is nothing that we can do to gain liberty except cry out to Christ. Gal. 2:16-f.f. Paul reminds us that we have to be crucified in Christ to gain liberty. Eph. 3:1, 4:1; II Tim. 1:8; Philemon 1:1 Paul uses the phrase that he is a “prisoner of Christ.” He knew that he was indebted to Christ for the gift of liberty. We who know Christ are indebted to Him for His work of Love. How is it then that we can so easily turn from Him? How is it that we can so easily live our lives apart from truth and carry on the way that we want too? How can we so easily live as though we are indebted to no one? In Gal. 2 Paul says that he does not frustrate the grace of God. When we choose to live our lives our own way outside of Christ’s liberty, we frustrate His Grace. Are you going to frustrate God this week?

Text: Galatians 5:1-12

Not only are we enfranchised into true Liberty through Christ which makes us indebted to Christ, we are then obligated to serve Christ. Our duty and obligation then is to stand fast in the liberty and be not entangled in this old world. We are to stand firm on the truth and not move one step toward the world and its philosophies. Our duty is to base our entire life upon the Word of God. When we do this, God will reveal Himself in great and miraculous ways and give us supernatural strength.

David comes to mind when he faced the giant, Goliath of Gath. Goliath laughed at this little boy named David but David told him that the very God who he defies shall indeed give David the victory. He was unwavering in the truth, never backed down, and God gave the victory.

Another unwavering man was Job. Job lost everything and everyone in his life. He went through great physical affliction. His wife and acquaintances told him to curse God and die. Yet, when it came down to it, Job responded, “though He slay me, yet will I serve Him.”
Paul himself could have extended his own life if he would have just changed his message a little bit and made it more acceptable to society. All Paul had to do was to recant and then not be so dogmatic about the resurrection of Christ and he could have lived. Yet Paul saw the fact that he was obligated to serve the Christ whom he loved at all costs. He was going to serve God and let God deal with the world. These three men, along with many others, stood firm upon Christ and they did not even have the completed scripture like we do. So, what is our excuse?

In Rom. 7:4-6 Paul reminds us that we are dead to this world and our sin nature and we are to serve Christ in newness of life or in other words in Christ’s liberty. Eph. 4 we are told to walk worthy of our vocation which is being set free from sin to serve the Almighty God. So, what will you and I do, I Cor. 9: 19-f.f. Will we serve God with Christ’s liberty or will we squander it on ourselves? Will we get out of the way and become all things to all men that Christ may win some?

Text: John 20, I Corinthians 15

He is not here for He is Risen just as He said. He Is Alive! Today is Resurrection Sunday, the pinnacle of Christianity and I trust and pray that you will rise with me when the Lord returns.

Today we are going to look at the benefits that God’s children have because of the Resurrection. First, let us talk about the Resurrection itself. Christ appeared to Mary, His disciples on several occasions, a group of more than five hundred and a multitude. There is no need to argue the Resurrection because to deny it would be to deny the fact that thousands of people saw, heard and interacted with Christ after His Resurrection, John 20.

In I Corinthians 15 we see a progression of benefits from the Resurrection. First, through Christ’s Resurrection we have faith and forgiveness, vs. 12-19. If Christ did not rise from the dead, our faith would be in vain or only in ourselves and we would be in our sins. This is all possible because Christ was no ordinary man, He was God Himself proven by the Resurrection, Romans 1:1-4.

Secondly, we have the ability to die to self and live to God, vs. 20-23. Man left to his own devices brings destruction and wrath. That is the best we can hope for on our own, however; Christ brings life and liberty, Ephesians 2:1-7. In our sins we are dead but Christ gives us true Christian liberty which is the ability to live a life that pleases God the Father.

Next, we have victory over death and sin, vs. 24-26. The grave is no longer a concern and sin does not have us enslaved nor does the penalty of sin pose a threat. These have all been destroyed by the blessed resurrection of our great King and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lastly, because we do indeed serve a risen Savior we now have hope, vs. 50-f.f. This world is not my home for I am just a passing through. Praise the Lord, this is not as good as it gets. The child of God has a place reserved for them in Heaven and will one day live with God, I Peter 1:3, 4. One Day if Christ comes before we pass, He will call us home, I Thessalonians 4:16-f.f. Let us live for Christ and not squander the resurrection of our Lord.