Paul is giving basic and fundamental truths about how we develop, maintain, and model a personal, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father... God is faithful, even when we are not.

The heart of our relationship with God is having an authentic relationship with Jesus.... Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and each other requires we spend time together. That is the target for 5th Sundays!

Paul is attempting to have the early church understand that our heart condition is more important than the law... It's our heart that connects us with the Lord, not the law. When our heart condition is right, we will keep the law!

Paul is giving basic and fundamental truths about how we develop, maintain and model a personal, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father... This relationship is a dynamic relationship just like our earthly relationships. The choices we make have an impact in our relationships.

Paul is teaching on real life issues that had a significant impact on the early church... These issues are still impacting the church 2,000 years later.... Having a personal, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father is the key!

Paul is mentoring these young believers... They are dealing with a number of issues they had never experienced before... The goal was for them and us to become healthy, mature believers!

Paul wrote most of the New Testament letters to the early churches... He emphasized the death of Jesus on the cross that fulfilled the required sacrifice for all our sins. The goal was for us to have a relationship with the Father!

God established laws and boundaries for our benefit... Within the boundaries God sets, we also find His grace.

There are many benefits to reading the Bible. In the Bible, God says, "Ask for wisdom and I will give it liberally." Are you seeking the wisdom?

There are many things that can enslave us. If you've been dealing with something for years and decades, that is a bondage! Jesus came to set you free from every type of bondage.

Obedience to the Lord should not be viewed as a religious duty or exercise Obedience to the Lord should be understood that it is a result of our relationship with Him. His boundaries and instruction are for our benefit and demonstrate we have an authentic relationship with Him.

Relationships are built on trust... Our trust in God is demonstrated through our obedience to Him... Can God trust you to obey Him?

Obedience  to the Lord is vital to the ministry we have been called to.

We've been given the privilege and opportunity  to teach and minister in India 3 times…

We get to be a part of this TRANSFORMATION  God  is doing in our live and the lives of others!

There are several important things we participate in as followers of christ. We take communion together. 

As Pastor Christine taught last week, water baptism is the outward demonstration of our inward commitment and heart change when we invite Jesus into our life. 

Another important element is spending time together in community and developing healthy relationships. 

Today, we will have water baptisms and fellowship time.

Water Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. It says, "I have decided to follow JESUS." It means, 'I am being transformed'.

We see the difference between leaves disconnected for a short time and leaves that remain connected... Apart from God, our spiritual lives are lifeless... No fruit... Our physical lives are lacking too... Being connected to God we are restored to life. Jesus came to restore us back to God and : Will we live for all eternity with God or separated from Him.

God created us to be in an eternal relationship with Him. 

We are spiritual beings encased in a physical body. 

One day the physical shell will die, yet our spirit will live for eternity.

The question is:  Will we live for all eternity with God or be separated for all eternity from Him?

Adam and Eve’s disobedience tainted the spiritual DNA of all humanity It is not our fault, however, it is our problem But as one man, Adam, brought sin and death to all; one man, JESUS, brought righteousness and life to all who receive…

Understanding that we need spiritual transformation is only the beginning This morning we will look at what some of the results of this transformation are...

I believe the Lord is birthing a new thing. This series transformed... Will be important for our preparation as we move forward into the transitions on the horizon. Are you ready? Now is our time to get prepared...