First Christian Church of Otego

Pastor Barclay continues his sermon series 'Peace With God' in Romans chapter 1

Pastor Barclay kicks off his sermon series titled 'Peace With God'

Those who have their eyes opened to see their true, spiritual condition will love from a pure heart the One who freed them. Not only that, but they will crave what was previously odious to them and will savor the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord. In Christ, our fear and hatred of God become joy and love because, in Christ, the love of God is displayed and magnified.

The good news of Jesus Christ is summarized many times throughout Scripture, but at its core is God taking on flesh, dwelling among us, and dying for the salvation of sinners. This is all according to His own mercy and good pleasure, with the manger representing the fulfillment of this long-awaited promise.

Jesus embodied a life of exile modeled after His own forefathers. Every generation that placed their hope and faith in the promised seed lived lives as strangers and aliens on earth. We will face the same rejection that they did, but we have a hope founded on the promises of God extended to all those who are chosen and called in Christ Jesus.

As we reflect on the birth of Christ, we look forward to His second coming in much the same way the Old Testament saints did to His first. Since we are assured of His coming, we look forward to it with hopeful anticipation evidenced by holy living. Our God will prove Himself faithful as both the Alpha and Omega of all things.

Proper worship begins with a right understanding of who we are, who God is, and what He has done for us. Those who worship the Lord in spirit and truth acknowledge His holiness with reverence and awe and serve Him with joyful fear. Our God is worthy of all praise and prescribes how He ought to be worshipped by His beloved children to His glory and our benefit.

Each of us, as Christians, have a unique role to fill within the church. All of us, however, are called to pursue holy living, fight the good fight of faith, and hold fast to our confession of faith. We do these things knowing that our victory is assured by our immutable Sovereign, and that we will one day enter into His inexpressible joy.

Each of us is called to labor for the sake of the Master rather than for personal gain. Those who carry out this charge in an honorable way are worthy of respect while those who do not are in need of reproof. Whether it be for good or ill, the labor of each person will eventually be made obvious, and the Lord will reward those who faithfully serve Him.