The Law and Grace are often viewed as enemies; the former coming before Jesus. But Jesus isn’t absent in the Law. Yes, even the Law points to Jesus! How can the God of the Old Testament who condoned wholesale killing of other nations be the God of the New Testament where His love and grace are on full display? Why give such a strict set of rules that did not have the power to save? We need to be reminded that the Law came from God. Man used it as ‘works’ to gain righteousness; he used it as his task master and even his god. This was an import and application never in the plans or motives of God when giving His Law to His people. The Old and New are not competing covenants but rather complementary.

Many see the Old Testament merely as “The Law” and the New Testament as “Grace”. We have been mistaken to believe that grace, salvation, and the gospel were first introduced into the world upon the incarnation of Jesus and the four gospel books penned that start our New Testament. However, the gospel of salvation and grace first appeared in the Garden of Eden. As well, the gospel of Abraham was the Gospel of Jesus! Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56) Abraham, lauded for being justified by faith had more than a general belief in God; he had a Messiah-centered faith.

Week Four: Dating God’s Way
a. A historical perspective on dating (modern day concept)
b. The purpose of dating - preparation for marriage
c. Emotional vs. logical reasoning: Keeping your head screwed on straight
when you can’t think that way
d. Guidelines for Christian dating
e. Keeping boundaries for the safety of both

Society views marriage as an open-ended contract that is entered into with self-centered motives and desires. When these felt needs are no longer met, the marriage dissolves. After all, aren’t we supposed to be happy? The way that God would have us view marriage is a self-less, binding covenant between a husband, wife, and God. We will examine what God’s word says about our roles within the marriage covenant and how they affect our relationship and yes, our happiness. Ultimately, a healthy marriage is a reflection of our relationship as the bride to our bridegroom, Jesus Christ!

The Bible makes it very clear that as the people of God we are directed continually to provide for, feed, assist, and preach the gospel to the poor. "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:17-18). Our love for God and our love for others are paramount to our faith and walk in Christ. He additionally puts an even greater importance on the fatherless, the widow, those who do not have a defender, and the poor. When Jesus saw the needy, they were met with great compassion and sacrificial service. The proclamation of the gospel is always hand-in-hand with the demonstration of the Father’s love.

In an account that sounds like a story from some great novel we read 44 action packed verses about the story of the fated ship Paul is sailing and which is finally wrecked on a reef on Malta. In the story we read this storm was huge and went on for days and days. Men were afraid for their lives yet through it all Paul knew he was going to live because an Angel of the Lord had told him he was going to face Caesar. Can you imagine, however, how hard that must have been to continue to believe with the creaking and groaning timbers of the boat straining to hold together as the waves and wind assaulted them and huge waves constantly tried to capsize them? As seasoned sailors fought to keep the ship afloat, fear filling their eyes?
We have all heard the metaphor of the 'storms of life.' Similar to the actual storm Paul endured, these storms can go on for days, weeks and sometimes months and years. Long periods of times where waves and strong winds seem to be trying to destroy us. In this message we will examine the Bible to see how we can be like Paul and have the confidence to weather these 'storms of life' regardless of how long or frightening they may be.

Most Christians will tell you they want to obey the will of God.  We love to say, "I want to do what God wants me to do."  It sounds good doesn't it?  The problem is most of us say that phrase with two fingers crossed behind our backs.  In this account in Acts Paul get some bad news from a prophet about what fate awaited him in Jerusalem.  In the face of much pleading by his fellow travelers and believers for him to not keep his plans to go to Jerusalem he decided to go regardless of the danger.  Luke ends the story by saying those who were trying to get Paul not to go gave up trying to persuade him by simply stating, "The will of the Lord be done!"  It was a statement that they identified that it was God's will that Paul go to Jerusalem and they yielded to that will.  In this message we will examine the concept of yielding to the will of God through faithful obedience and trust.

Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus to say goodbye to them, encourage them and charge them as shepherds since he knew his time was approaching the end. He gave them instructions as overseers of the flock. Paul also reminded them that he has not hesitated to teach publicly (in the temple and temple colonnade) and from house to house. We are passionate about both arenas as well, especially our Life Groups at CWP. We are not a church with life groups; we are a church of life groups…It’s how we do church!  Real discipleship and life change happens in these smaller gatherings. Our vision for every Life Group is to have three dimensions. We will look at those three together.

In Ephesus, Paul asked some disciples, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed (or translated, after you believed)?” Every Christian born of the Spirit “has” the Holy Spirit.  Nevertheless, there is a second general experience with the Holy Spirit, the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” which is not simultaneous with birth in the Spirit but subsequent to it.  Paul placed his hands on them and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (#6 of 6 occurrences in the book of Acts). We will take a look at what the Spirit’s baptism provides for a believer. For two years Paul spoke and it says, “so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” God did extraordinary miracles through Paul; handkerchiefs and aprons that touched him were brought to the sick and they were made well and evil spirits left them!

The Apostle Paul ministered to the Areopagus in Athens in a powerful way. He used what they were already familiar with; pointing to inscriptions on objects of their idol worship and quoting their own poets. This he did to springboard proclamation of the gospel and introduction of THE one true God. Similarly, Jesus pointed to various objects or people that they could see to convey His intended message (such as a tree, birds, grass; a profession or pointing to an individual who gave all they had). These starting points, just as Paul had utilized in our passage from Acts 17; gave Jesus context with people. God enables us to use what people are familiar with to create a launch pad for God’s story in their life! Are you using what you already have?