Amen!

Oct 13, 2020

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

So I live…by trusting in the Son of God, who

Loved me and gave himself for me. I do not

Treat the grace of God as meaningless. For

If keeping the law could make us right with God,

Then there was no need for Christ to die.

Oh, foolish Galatians!…”

- Galatians 2:20-3:1

“If I could believe that God was not angry with me,

I would stand on my head for Joy!”

- Martin Luther

The Apostle Paul clearly defines a “Fool” as someone who has lost sight of the gift they have been given. Paul’s life was defined by the gift he had been given in Jesus. The Apostle never lost his wonder that Jesus, the Second Person of the Godhead, came into human history, lived a life without sin, died on a cross... to forgive my sins and removed God’s anger from my life, that Jesus rose from the dead to conquer death, the devil, and the power sin had over me, and then sent the Holy Spirit into my life to reconnect me personally to the Living God who loves me as a son…as a daughter forever! Wow!

Several months back, I was talking to a couple in our “retirement” community who had been married over 56 years. As I congratulated them, she said,

“You know, we’ve lost that ole spark.”

I said, “So Sparky isn’t what he used to be?”

“No!”, she said, “He isn’t.”

I said, “Is he Faithful?”

“Oh yes!” she replied.

I asked, “Is he Reliable?”

“Of course!!” she answered.

“Is he Steady?” I asked.

“Oh absolutely!” she said.

“Girl!” I said, “the older you get the more Sexy Steady is!”

Can I get an AMEN!

Friends, there are few things more frustrating than to see someone lose sight of the gift they have been given! Last Sunday, in his sermon, Pastor Nate taught us that the Biblical word for “Joy” is “Chará,” which comes from the root word, “Charis,” which is the Greek word for “Grace.”

And “Grace” is a gift we have been given that we have not earned, deserved, or merited. You want more joy in your life? Then, as the Apostle Paul urges the Galatians, let’s start living our lives in light of the Gift we’ve been given.

I’m Forgiven! WOW!

I’m Good with God! WOW!

I’m Still Breathing! WOW!

God’s Not Mad at Me! WOW!

God Loves Me! WOW!

I have a Job! WOW!

I have Purpose! WOW!

I have Friends! WOW!

I have Eternal Life! WOW!

I have a Family! WOW!

I have a Home! WOW!

The Christian life begins and ends with Wonder! When your life is defined by the gift you’ve been given, your heart will be filled with gratitude, with thanksgiving, and with joy!