April 6, 2008

Life Under the Blessing of God!
- Mike Fritscher, pastor

Colossians 2:13-15

Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,

Romans 3:9-10 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS , NOT EVEN ONE ; 11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Galatians 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

To What or To Whom Are You Living Under?

To the Jew in Moses' day there was a call to Choose Life!

Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;

Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

Joshua 24:15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Colossians 2:11-15 – Under Christ!

1. You Are Alive!

Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved),

Live Under the Blessing of Life, Not the Curse of Death!

Colossians 3:1-6

2. Your Transgressions Are Forgiven!

Live Under the Blessing of Freedom, Not the Curse of Guilt!

Romans 5:20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 32:1-6

Psalm 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

3. Your Debt and Decrees Have Been Removed!

Romans 8:1-11

•  The Law of God Exposes our Sin!

•  It Leads Us To Christ!

Galatians 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. NASU

Zechariah 3:1-11 – The Accuser of the Enemy!

You Are No Longer the Same! 1 Corinthians 6:9

4. God Disarmed Your Enemy! Weaponless!

Live Under the Blessing of Victory, Not the Curse of Defeat!