Building Christian Harmony The Paradox of Christian Freedom

PARADOX: Statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory but in reality is not.

When I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:10

He who believes in me has everlasting life Jn 6:47 Set your mind on things above, for you died and your life is now hidden in Christ. Col 3:3

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. Gal 3:23-25

As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patiend, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph 4:1-3

ABOVE ALL ELSE… Jesus is Lord. Jesus is the Head of this Body. In Him we find our purpose. In Him we seek unity. We are here to please God and no one else, not even ourselves.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4: 23-24

The new standards 1.God is the focus of our worship. 2.Worship involves heart and mind. 3.The “truth” is in Jesus.

“I didn’t get anything out of worship today.”

Contemporary vs. Traditional: consider the music.

Every style of worship music was, at one time, new and controversial.

It’s not the style of the music, it’s the attitude of the singer.

Bear with one another in love.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 5: 19-20

Principles of Christian freedom #1 – The purpose for our freedom is to glorify God

Principles of Christian freedom 1.Purpose: glorify God Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him. --Col 3: 17 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God Cor 10:31

Principles of Christian freedom 1.Purpose: glorify God The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the sinful nature. –Gal 5: Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. --Romans 9: 10

Principles of Christian freedom 1.Purpose: glorify God 2.Actions affecting others should always be for their edification.

Principles of Christian freedom 1.Purpose: glorify God 2.Actions affecting others should always be for their edification. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. ---Rom 14: 19-21

Principles of Christian freedom 1.Purpose: glorify God 2.Actions affecting others should always be for their edification. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me/” -- Romans 15: 1-3

Building Christian Harmony The Paradox of Christian Freedom