Grace Church Of The Bay Area

In life, people wrongly assume that the pursuit of riches will solve their problem of vanity. Job, on the other hand, had it right when he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there” (Job 1:21). Money is not the answer. In this session, Pastor Adam teaches seven limitations of money. And the point is simple: money is limited, but not God. Do not trust in money, but preoccupy yourself with Christ.

Pastor Adam introduces the vanity of life through the eyes of Solomon. He brings us through the mire, showing us, how little things change over time. And then explains the purpose of Ecclesiastes. Listen and learn five simple descriptions of the axiomatic truths about the vanity of life from creation.

Today we look at two types of servants. One of the Apostle Paul, and the other of the Judaizers. Listen and learn as Pastor Roger gives us four basic characteristics of those who focus more on self rather than God. And appeals us to get out of our comfort zone, especially in the area of evangelism.

If the Christian's desire is to truly be like Christ, then he or she is to give to His Church. Today Pastor Chris Chois brings us a message from 2 Corinthians chapter 8. And not only gives us five reasons for giving, but four principles for making giving a practice of our lives. Ultimately, God's desire is not for us to be miserable in our giving, but rather to trust in Him as our Provider.

Life is not so good, because we don't sow good! We must understand that the time we have on earth is short, and should therefore take and create opportunities to do good for the glory of God. For our passage today, Pastor Roger teaches five responsibilities of the Spirit filled believer. He also uses the missionary, William Carey, as our godly example of perseverance in doing good.

The Apostle Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians that God loves a cheerful giver. We are not to give grudgingly or under compulsion. That does not mean, however, that we are excused from giving. Rather, we are to give with the right attitude, realizing that everything we have is from God. And in our passage today, Pastor Roger teaches three factors to help you have the right attitude about money.

In order to bear the burdens of others, the believer must first look to himself and make sure his own walk with the Lord is on track.

This week, Pastor Roger holds a Q&A and answer questions about modesty, cremation, and much more.

Paul says in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." What is included in the understanding of this passage, is that we are to bear one another's burdens. And not only that, as explained in our passage today, we are commanded to do so. It is a privilege and a mandate. Listen and learn as pastor Roger teaches three components of bearing another's burdens.

Jesus asked in Matthew 7:3, "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Should this question Jesus posed keep us from correcting a fellow believer? And if not, then what are the appropriate circumstances, and what is the proper attitude we are to maintain, when correcting a brother or sister? These are some of the questions pastor Roger will answer in the study of our passage today. Listen along as he teaches five elements of restoring a sinning brother or sister.

We now come to the fourth and final part of our series, answering the question, who's in charge? We have seen the works of the flesh, and the death that it produces. We have seen the Fruit of the Spirit, which is produced by Him, and is a result of being alive in Christ. And now the apostle Paul answers the question, so what? Listen and learn as pastor Roger teaches three stages of the Spirit controlled life. May we continually allow the fruit of the Spirit, through our submission to Him, expel the works of the flesh!

Jesus said in John 16:33, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." And Paul teaches in Romans 8:35, "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" His answer was a resounding, no. Today, pastor Alton brings us a message from Mark chapter 4. And he explains that though the storms of life will come, we need not be afraid, because our God is with us, and He is in control.

We have learned about the deeds of the flesh, and now Paul contrasts that with the Fruit of the Spirit. Unlike the deeds of the flesh, which is something that you do or commit, a result of human activity; The fruit of the Spirit is always produced fully and complete—as a single unit and in the life of every believer. You either have it or you don't. And it is achieved through Grace in Christ. Learn as pastor Roger now teaches three attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit. And may we always experience the joy of obedience, over the passing pleasure of sin.

What is the theme of your life? Who is in control? Is your life characterized by the deeds of the sinful flesh, or in the power of the Holy Spirit? Paul now lists 15 deeds of the flesh, which he states is not a complete list. Ultimately, the issue is not whether or not a believer sins, rather what is the practice of their life. It's all about having the right attitude. The right heart produces the right actions. Listen and learn as pastor Roger teaches three attributes of the deeds of the flesh.

In John chapter 16, Jesus explains that He must go away, but will send us the Helper, that is, the Holy Spirit. As believers, we are not left to our own devices. We are not alone. And in this passage, Paul now gives an answer to the problem of the flesh—that we walk by the Spirit. Listen and learn as pastor Roger begins a four part series as he teaches three introductory lessons on life in the Spirit.

Freedom in Christ. Freedom from what exactly? In Christ we are free from the bondage of the law. Christ came to do what we could not. He fulfilled the law, and we are free in Him. Being free, however, isn't a license to sin. No, we are now slaves of Christ, and we are to pursue righteousness. So what does our freedom look like? Listen and learn as pastor Roger gives four characteristics of the believers' freedom in Christ.

Christianity is not represented by the truths of Scripture, but by the whole Truth. All of Scripture. This is what Paul said to the elders at Ephesus in Acts chapter 20, "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." This, however, is part of the destructive nature of false teachers that Paul is now addressing to the Galatians. Learn as pastor Roger teaches six destructive characteristics of false teachers. Ultimately, we as believers are to realize that our confidence is in the Lord, not our works.

Theology is important. And when theology is not based on the Truth of Scripture, one runs the risk of not knowing Christ at all. The Apostle Paul now addresses the issue of the believers in Galatia turning to legalism in the form of circumcision. He goes on to say that if they do, they will be obligated to keep the whole law. We cannot have one foot in the world, and still live for Christ. It's all or nothing. Listen and learn as Pastor Roger teaches five pervasive results of bad theology.

The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthians in verse 1 of chapter 11 to be imitators of him just as he is of Christ. He says the same thing in 4:16, and also in our passage this morning. The truth is, God has also placed godly men and women within the church, and our lives, as an example for us to follow. We as believers are not to pursue the things of the world, but Christ and His Righteousness. Listen and learn as Pastor Alton explains that ultimately, our citizenship is in heaven.

At the end of Galatians chapter four, the Apostle Paul compares legalism, and true spiritual freedom in Christ, to the children of Hagar, and the children of Sarah, which are the children of promise. Listen and learn as Pastor Roger exposit's this thought-provoking passage of Scripture and see how it applies to the believer's life today.