SERMON SERIES

In a culture where self-sufficiency is a badge of honor, we can forget how desperately each of us needs to be saved from ourselves and sin. We can easily look past the gift of redemption in favor of self-help or in ignorance. God offers us true freedom in/through/from this world, and also pays the price of that freedom on our behalf. 

What is sin? Sin is anything that separates us from God. Sin is “missing the mark.” Sin is ignoring the will of God. Sin is assuming that we know MORE than God. In this week’s scripture, we will be guided to consider from where sin emerges and what is actually “unclean.” 

Paul’s letter to the church of Rome contains a segment about how hard it is to do the things we want to do… that even though we try, we often fall short of the will of God for us. SO - it is not we who save ourselves, but instead Jesus alone!

As redemption is offered to us, we have the chance to be conduits of redeeming love in our relationships. This week’s scripture can be applied to ALL relationships (marriage/friendships/family/etc.) or used as a general balm for relational strategies for the world. It contains a guide for redemption - “forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.”

Redemption is often relegated to “relationships.” However, finances are often worshipped and treated like relationships. To allow God to redeem our relationship to/with money, we have to refocus on the why of our resources. 

Redemption in our work can be simply restated as “do everything like you are doing it for God.” Redemption in our leisure can be exactly the same. Abundant life is about QUALITY of life that comes from God - whether we are working or resting.