When we refer to freedom in Christ, we don't mean simply going to heaven when you die. Freedom in Christ means coming from death to life. You once were blind, but now you see. You once were lame but now can walk. You once were dead but now are alive!

Throughout his letter to the Galatians, Paul is confronting false teaching. The false teachers have a message. Their message is not Jesus paid it all, but Jesus plus all these things. The false teachers have no confidence in the cross of Christ. When you lose confidence in the cross you substitute confidence in something else. Anything else is worthless.

No doubt there are many concerns that attend us today, but we are mindful that you are aware of all of our concerns. So Father in the quietness of this moment, may we turn our concerns overt to you with full confidence because of your demonstration through the blood of Jesus Christ that you care for us.

Justification is the way to refer to what the death of Christ on the Cross accomplished for those who trust in him. Through Christ, we are justified, that is, pardoned and accepted by God in Christ.

Does your confession take you towards self-reliance and self-justifying, or does your confession take you towards marvelous grace that says, my only comfort in life and death is that I am not my own? Do you boast in your good deeds, or is your boast in your Redeemer? An honest answer to those questions will tell you the road you are traveling.

Paul took his knowledge of the Scripture and saw Jesus as their true fulfillment, and Paul studied and prayed and read the Old Testament as Christian Scripture!

How do we know that truth has come to us? What happens if we encounter what Paul warned in Galatians 1:7, those who come preaching a distorted gospel to trouble you? They will come to you. Sometimes they come knocking on your door. Sometimes it is as subtle as your thinking salvation comes through what you can do or what you will do other than what Christ has done.

How God saves sinners is what makes grace amazing! He initiated salvation. He sought us. He redeemed us by his blood. The gospel only comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Any other message that does not highlight the "It is finished" of the cross is not good news.

Paul faced opponents all through his time as a preacher of the gospel. In this case, some insisted that a Christian must add to the finished work of Christ.

Perhaps abortion is not as ironclad as some think. Christians take the challenge of Judge Reeves. Time on this issue is on our side. We grieve the egregious nature of abortion. We continue to fight for life because God, the supreme authority, has spoken.

He reminds us a day is coming when He will touch ground.

On that day, all of nature will know who it is who wears the crown.

Don't be overly impressed by the veneer of our society. At the same time, don't neglect what God has given to us a a steward to maintain. May we never fall victim to irrational thinking that leads to the accusation that we have our hope set on what is here more than what is coming.

Remember, as you listen to cultural commentary through headlines, news programs, or even television, as you listen to many who will attempt to call for thankfulness without God, remember your reason for thankfulness is Jesus. On Thanksgiving Day, Christian confession takes the high ground and lets the light we have been given shine like a city on a hill.

Don’t panic, instead pursue faithfulness. As you do, do so with confidence in the God who calls, empowers, and sustains. All is according to plan. We might not understand it, we don’t have to understand it, our marching orders are clear. Hold the line. Stay faithful.

God gives his people a ministry of prayer not only to assure us as we live but to hasten the day. Legislation reveals the authorities' heart, but God uses the prayers of his people to turn the tides towards his gospel purposes. God’s ear is towards his people, and he commands us to pray for the world to turn towards him.

Every hope is ours because our destiny is secure. Destiny has been secured by the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus. He who ascended on high is coming again. When he comes he will take himself a bride and he will reign forever. And we will be with him for that long.