Instructions on Three Religious Practices

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 29, 2015

Matthew 6:1-4

 

ESV
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your…

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Walking In The Spirit: Kindness

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 25, 2015

Galatians 5:22-26


ESV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

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The Spiritual Law of God: Love

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 22, 2015

Matthew 5:43-48



ESV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your…

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Walking In The Spirit: Longsuffering

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 19, 2015

  1. The Fruit of the Spirit is Longsuffering:

As with the other characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit, the “first cause” of the Christian’s ability to be longsuffering is God.

In the “new birth” we are made partakers of the divine nature; we become possessors of the Spirit of God. 

Peter writes: (2 Peter 1:3): “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,…

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The Spiritual Law of God: Vengeance

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 15, 2015

Sermon outline:

1.    The scribes and Pharisees misrepresented the law of God to the people of Israel, much in the same way that many today, under the name of Christianity, misrepresent…

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Walking in the Spirit: Peace

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 11, 2015

Galatians 5:16-26



ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife,…

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Uncover All of Your Sins Before God

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 08, 2015

Proverbs 28:13



ESV
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

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Walking In The Spirit: Joy

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 04, 2015

Galatians 5:16-26



ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife,…

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The Spiritual Law of God: Divorce, & Oaths

By: James Downing | Posted: Mar 01, 2015

Matthew 5:31-37


ESV
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at…

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Walking in the Spirit: Love

By: James Downing | Posted: Feb 25, 2015

Galatians 5:16-26

 

ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality,…

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