The Word of God (2026 first Sunday Series)
1. January 4, 2026 - The Power of the Word of God (Murray)
2. February 1, 2026 - The History of the Word of God (Zach)
3. March 1, 2026 - From Reading to Relationship: Tools for Loving the Word of God (Zach)
4. April 5, 2026 - The Unchanging Nature of the Word of God (Clint)
5. May 3, 2026 - The Beauty of the Word of God (Nathan)
6. June 7, 2026 - Jesus, God's Word (Logan)
7. July 26, 2026 - The perfect Law of Liberty (Murray)
The Perfect Law of Liberty (James 1:25)
Read James 1:21-25 – Like following a good recipe. If you use the right ingredients, in the right proportions, in the right cooking pan, at the right temperature, and for the right amount time > what you bake will turn out good. Beth taught me how to make a berry cobbler recently and I did try to follow her recipe and her instructions and it came out good! But this recipe also gives us countless freedoms and liberties. Some translations call the Law of Liberty, the perfect Law of Freedom (HCS)!
- Notice John 8:31-32
- Let us read Romans 6:8-23
A few examples of the freedoms we have being a disciple of Jesus Christ (and there are many more!)
- Freedom from having to come up with some new religious idea to please men. We are to hear and do what Jesus and the Holy Spirit have revealed in the Bible (Matthew 7:21, 24, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we hear and do, we also share and proclaim the gospel.
- Freedom from the hypocrisy, partiality, and discord we see in the world around us (Acts 10:34-35, James 3:13-18). We can be open, sincere, and kind; not feeling we need to put on a show.
- Freedom from pursuing a life of sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:22).
- Freedom from holding grudges (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 5:23-24, 6:14-15, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13). A disciple of Christ forgives and does not hold grudges. We are free from all those negative feelings that come from holding grudges and can be open and kind to all people.
- Freedom from the pressure of gaining and storing up treasures on earth, and rather store up treasures in Heaven (Luke 12:15-21, Matthew 6:19-21, 24, 1 Timothy 6:18-19).
- Freedom from the stress and constant worry about our country and world events (Daniel 7:13-14, Ephesians 1:20-23, Philippians 2:9-11, Matthew 6:33-34, Hebrews 12:28).
- Freedom from the uncertainty of our walk with the Lord (Ephesians 4-14-16). We can have complete and total trust that following Jesus will always work out for the best (Romans 8:28).
- Freedom from the eternal consequence that sin can bring (James 1:12-15).
There is much freedom by following the Perfect Law of Liberty; the Perfect Law of Freedom! We keep his commandments because we love Him and trust that they are for our good (Deuteronomy 6:24, John 14:15, James 1:25). By doing this we gain much freedom and liberty (Romans 6:1-7)!
Baptism is part of being converted. It starts at baptism, but conversion means that we empty ourselves to the Lord and let Him transform every part of our lives!
If you want to start your journey today; please let that be known. If you have gotten off track, we can help you.