31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a]”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Tommy Nixon's message on Father's Day was about identity, and referred to John 8:31-48. The teachers of Jesus' time questioned Him about who He was. Our identity can be shaped by our past, our family, and what others say about us. We can choose to believe in what others say about us and what the world says about us, or we can choose His Word, where we are loved as children of God, created in His image and never abandoned. Turn to Him. Love others. Christ is eternally trustworthy. His truth stands up in a world of lies created by the father of lies. If you really knew and were to accept these things, how would your life look like living our that truth? To be loosened from the chains of doubt and shame, and experience freedom?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sermon Rewind 6/5/11 - Give Till You Need Jesus
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Tommy Nixon continued the Empire State of Mind series with a sermon from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 about whether we are hindering our relationship with God because of our lack of giving. Our common perceptions of giving are full of arrogance. God’s perceptions of giving are relational. When we think of our relationship with God as a transaction instead of transformational, we build up barriers that hinder our relationship with God. God created us to be in deep relationship with Him without barriers. Giving of our time, talents and treasures is an essential act of affirming who we follow. Every act of giving is a reflection of our faithfulness to God. We should give enough so that it forces us to need Jesus and therefore spend time with Him – that’s all He wants from us! How are you giving of yourself? How does it look?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
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