Living On Three Levels
Contrary to popular belief, Christian liberty does not say, "I have the freedom to do anything that makes my life better." Instead, Christian liberty says, "I now have the freedom to do whatever Christ wants me to do." So many people get this wrong today. Don't be one of them!
Guarding Stradivarius
Did you know you are a priceless enterprise of God? We are all "under construction" and God wants each of us to treat each other as a work in progress. Stephen calls this the "principle of consideration" and instructs the believer to live it out each day.
Wearing "C" on Your Sleeve
In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul confronts certain factions that had risen in the church at Rome. Some people considered meat that had been offered to idols unclean and others didn't. Also some regarded the Sabbath to be a holy day while others didn't. So who was right in these situations? Which group honored God more? In this message Stephen discloses that it wasn't the side who made the best argument . . . it was the side who gave the most grace.
Adding the Third Crayon
Our Christian liberty should never be used to offend a weaker brother. But does that mean we have to limit our own freedom because of someone else's weakness? This is a big question in our day and age and one that many Christians have neglected to answer Biblically.
Oh Be Careful, Little Feet
Paul did not commend the church at Corinth for being tolerant; he rebuked them for being arrogant! Likewise, Stephen cautions us to be careful with our theology and practice lest we fall into error as well.
For Heaven's Sake, Make up Your Mind!
Does "Christian liberty" mean we have the license to sin? Not on your life! Stephen gives us several guidelines that balance our liberty with God's holiness as he reminds us of our responsibility to our fellow believers.
Food Fights
One of the most difficult discoveries in the Christian life is that life is not always black and white; it is often colored in grey. Many of life's daily questions aren't answered in Scripture . . . at least not directly. So in this message Stephen lays the groundwork for dealing with difficult issues as he investigates the highly explosive topic of Christian liberty.
Family Talk
If an unbelieving friend walked into your church on Sunday, what would he or she discover? A place of joy and love or a place of discontent? Unity in the congregation or cliques and social castes? Stephen warns us that if the local church isn't a place where unbelievers find a reason to believe, it will be a place where they find reasons not to.
Drifting
Confession to God is the key to a connection with God. When we're not confessing . . . we're probably not connecting.
Ordinary Prayers from Ordinary People
It's easy for us to think that God hears only the prayers of the most devout Christians, isn't it? But in this message, Stephen proposes that if God only paid attention to the saintliest of saints . . . none of us would ever be heard! Join him now as he encourages us with the truth that God accepts "Ordinary Prayers from Ordinary People."