< Back Letters from Paul Series Pt. 5: Freedom in Christ Pastor Nate Brosher Jul 24, 2024 Galatians 5:1-4 NLT - 1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. 1. Regulations of the law ■ The Torah contains a total of 613 laws/commandments or what is called mitzvah. Galatians 5:5 NLT - 5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. 7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. 2. False Teachings 1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV - 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, Galatians 3:10-11, 13-14 NLT - 10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law." 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." ... 13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Galatians 4:4-5 NLT - 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Galatians 3:21-25 NLT - 21 Is there a conflict, then, between God's law and God's promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT - 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. ■ We must recognize there is no good thing in us and that we need a covering to be “right with God” Isaiah 64:6 KJV - 6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. ■ This is the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, we are no longer bound by the law, but are freed through the blood of the lamb! Previous Next

< Back Under Construction Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 27, 2024 Ephesians 2:17-22 NLT - 17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. 1. He’s the potter, we are the clay. Isaiah 64:8 ESV - 8 But now, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Potter – a person who makes objects from clay. What prohibits us from allowing ourselves to be put under construction? ■ Discomfort? ■ Fear of Change? Hebrews 10:11-14 NLT - 11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. - If God is the potter of our lives, why are we trying to get off the wedging board when he is molding us? Hebrews 10:14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. 2. Being Made Holy ■ Holy/sanctified - hagiazō - to separate from profane things and dedicate to God. To purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin Philippians 1:6 NLT - 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Psalm 127:1 ESV - 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Romans 8:31 NLT - 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Isaiah 55:11 NKJV - 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it. Previous Next

< Back Journey Through James Pt. 4: Mountains Chase Radford Mar 20, 2024 Full message notes here: https://estd.craft.me/Lp4roa44RVHj5Q James 1:2–4 (ESV): Testing of Your Faith 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (endurance; perseverance). 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. “…when life goes into meltdown, when our feet are swept out from under us with the perplexing surprises of life, we do not throw in the towel. We return afresh to God. That moment of life implosion, taken to Christ, is where we will finally get traction and power in our Christian lives. Our agony is where God himself lives.” - Dane Ortlund James 5:10-11 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. "If we endure all things patiently and with gladness, thinking on the sufferings of our Blessed Lord, and bearing all for the love of Him: herein is perfect joy." - Francis of Assisi “Ability, strength, and success feel safe. But they are deadly dangerous, creating conceit. Inability, weakness, and failure feel dangerous. But they are safe ground, creating humility. Beyond this, our lowly weakness physically, psychologically, intellectually, educationally, and even spiritually is precisely the catalyst for divine power. Power for what? For calm, for growth, for joy, for communion with God, for evangelistic unction, for our preaching to sing. In short, for fruitfulness in the Christian life. Jesus himself taught, ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (John 12:24).” - Dane Ortlund Romans 8:37–39 (ESV) 37 ...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Previous Next

< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 4) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford May 22, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back The Romans Journey Pt. 6: In Christ Alone Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 26, 2025 Romans 7:14-20 NLT - 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 1. Identifying your problem Hebrews 12:1 ESV - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Weight – ogkos – Whatever is prominent, burdened, encumbrance/dependent upon. Sin – hamartia – To miss the mark, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act. John 15:5 ESV - 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Romans 7:21-25 NLT - 21 I have discovered this principle of life--that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So, you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. 2. In Christ Alone John 1:29 ESV - 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 1John 2:1-2 ESV - 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Propitiation – hilasmos – an appeasing, satisfies divine justice and allows for forgiveness and reconciliation. Romans 3:25 NLT - 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past. Philippians 3:12-14 NLT - 12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Hebrews 12:2 ESV - 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Death could not hold Him! 1Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV - 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - Victory in Jesus! Revelation 12:10-12 NLT - 10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has come at last--salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth--the one who accuses them before our God Day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time." Previous Next

< Back Sabbath Series Pt. 2: The Reason Chase Radford Mar 19, 2025 Full notes here: https://estd.craft.me/BbbuBBIv0yyDb6 Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 5: Obedience and Submission Pastor Nate Brosher May 12, 2024 1 Kings 17:9-16 ESV 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." 12 And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." 13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah. 1. We must trust in God! Have you ever been in a place where you were on the brink of giving up? 1 Samuel 15:22 NLT 22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 2. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience - compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority. Submission - the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person. Are we only serving God with our lips and not our heart? Matthew 15:8-9 NLT 8 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'" Matthew 7:22-23, 26-27 NLT 22 On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.' ... 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." James 4:7-8 NKJV 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. Previous Next

< Back Sacrificial Living Pt. 1: Consecration Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 12, 2025 2Timothy 4:3-8 NLT - 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 1. What have we made sacred in our lives? Sacred is an adjective used to describe a person or thing worthy of worship or declared holy. Exodus 20:3 ESV - 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. ■ Consecrated – To make or declare sacred. Joshua 3:5 ESV - 5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." ■ qāḏaš - sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate. What are we chasing after? 2. Where are we going? Is your life self-driven or is it Christ-driven? Romans 12:1-2 ESV - 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Are we presenting our bodies a living sacrifice to God or a living sacrifice to this world? 2Timothy 2:20-22 NLT - 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. How desperate are we? Matthew 5:13-16 ESV - 13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 5: Sheltered by God Pastor Nate Brosher May 25, 2025 Act 7:51-60 NLT - 51 "You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One--the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53 You deliberately disobeyed God's law, even though you received it from the hands of angels." 54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. 56 And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!" 57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died. 1. Where are we sheltering ourselves? ■ Shelter – protect or shield from something harmful. - What are we being exposed to? 2Corinthians 6:15-17 NLT - 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. John 15:18-19 NLT - 18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. World – Kosmos – an alternative name for the universe or its nature or order. The Strongs Greek Lexicon – the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ • A culture of greed, selfishness, power and self-centeredness that drives our governments and countries. 2. He is our refuge! Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV - 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "[He is] my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler [And] from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth [shall be your] shield and buckler. - Refuge – maḥăsê – Hope, shelter, trust. - Fortress – māṣûḏ - Defense, strong place. Psalm 121:5-8 NLT - 5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 18:2 NLT - 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Romans 12:2 NLT - 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Previous Next

< Back Spiritual Maturity Pt. 2: Unity Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 14, 2023 Spiritual Maturity Series: Unity Ephesians 4:1-10 NLT 1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people." 9 Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. One Body & One Spirit Body: Soma – The Living Body Spirit: Pneuma - the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his personality and character (the "Holy" Spirit) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his work and power (the Spirit of "Truth") never referred to as a depersonalized force. The Spirit of God will NOT make you do something that is contrary to the word of God, that is called “spiritual immaturity.” 2 Corinthians 12:20 NLT For I am afraid that when I come, I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. The Holy Spirit will NOT tell you to talk about your brother or sister. John 16:12-15 NLT 12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.' The Spirit of Truth will NOT cause you to be a talebearer of everything you know about other people and their issues. Proverbs 26:20 NKJV Where [there is] no wood, the fire goes out; And where [there is] no talebearer, strife ceases. One God, One Father, One Baptism who is over all, and in all, and living through all. John 3:17 – God sent NOT his son into the world to condemn the world, but that world through HIM might be saved. God is NOT the author of Confusion. He is the God of Peace, Love, Longsuffering, Patience, Endurance, Grace, Mercy, Gentleness, Joy, Goodness. One Baptism – death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:7-10 NLT 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people." 9 Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. We all have grace given to us according to the measure of Jesus’ gift . John 16:7 NKJV - As Jesus said , " It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you ." Previous Next

< Back Love Over Knowledge Nathan Brosher May 6, 2026 1Corinthians 8:1-3 NLT - 1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that "we all have knowledge" about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1. Being Right without being Loving 1Corinthians 13:1 ESV - 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love , I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Matthew 5:16 NIV - 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven . “You can win the argument, but you will lose that brother” - unknown author Proverbs 18:19 NKJV - 19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle. 2. Freedom isn’t the Ultimate Goal - Love is. - Freedom is not “I get to do whatever I want!” - Freedom is “I am no longer bound to myself.” Galatians 5:13 NLT - 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Philippians 1:21-22 ESV - 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 3. The Reality of “Weaker” Believers. 1Corinthians 8:4, 9-10 NLT - 4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. ... 9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you--with your "superior knowledge"--eating in the temple of an idol, won't they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? “Comparison is the thief of joy” - Theodore Roosevelt Galatians 6:4 NLT - 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. 4. Sin isn’t just personal; It can be relational 1Corinthians 8:10-13 NLT - 10 For if others see you--with your "superior knowledge"--eating in the temple of an idol, won't they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live--for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble. How you affect others matters deeply. Christ as the Ultimate Example Romans 6:5-8 NLT - 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. Philippians 2:5-8 NLT - 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Jesus didn’t cling to His rights; He surrendered them for the people. And now He calls us to do the same. Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 2: Light of the World Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 11, 2026 Matthew 5:13-16 NLT - 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 1. Are we being salt? Salt - (Halas) - salt with which food is seasoned, and sacrifices are sprinkled, wisdom and grace exhibited in speech. Are we being salt or are we being salty? Salty - (Gen-Z slang dictionary) Being "salty" means being bitter, angry, irritable, or resentful, often over something trivial, a loss, or a slight, like being upset after losing a video game or feeling annoyed by someone's attitude. Colossians 4:6 ESV - 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 2. Are we shining our lights? Matthew 5:14-15 NLT - 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. We are to shine our lights before men. Matthew 5:16 NLT - 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. The aim is not self-promotion . The goal is God-exaltation . Previous Next