Sermon Outlines - No Turning Back 6-27-2010

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Posted by: Pastor Van Buskirk	6/23/2010 8:47 PM
Galatians 5:1 No Turning Back Lutherans rarely sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” We confess that the unconverted person is powerless to choose Jesus or to follow Him. Only by God’s grace and mercy, through the hearing of the Gospel, does God give faith to people. The Holy Spirit works that faith and lives in them and daily conforms them to the likeness of Christ. The song gets it right when it says, “No turning back.” Galatians 5:1 (ESV) says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Jesus Christ died for you to set you free from the chains of sin, death and the devil and to give you a new life in the Spirit. Unfortunately, our sinful natures, the world and the devil tempt us to return to sinful lifestyles – immorality, greed, hatred, and addictions. But, the Spirit empowers us to resist and reminds us of God’s promises to forgive us when we repent and call upon the name of the Lord. Mature Christians strive to produce “the fruits of the Spirit.” Their lives are characterized by “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” The believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit to resist turning back to sinful lifestyles. The believer can follow Jesus. The song gets another thing right: “The world behind me, the cross before me.” That is how. Focus on the cross of Jesus, what He did for you. Feed on the Word and the Sacraments. Pray. Listen to the “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit urging you to avoid sin and to do loving works that benefit other people. For the joy of having you in heaven, Jesus Christ did not turn back from the shame, suffering and pain of the cross. Follow Him. Live in that joy through the Holy Spirit. No turning back! Amen. Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org
Copyright ©2010 Pastor Van Buskirk
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