NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022
This Sunday is the Third Sunday After Pentecost. It is also the last Sunday of Pride Month, and it comes on a week before the Fourth of July Weekend. The assigned Epistle text is that part of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Galatia in which he talks about freedom. Verses 1 & 13a reads, “Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again. … You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters…”
I have shared with Covenant more than once how the message of these scriptures tremendously impacted the course of my life. They are a major reason I followed God’s call into pastoral ministry.
It’s exciting & liberating to read these excerpts and learn of the freedom to which God created us and call us too. But not so fast. Listen to all of verse 13, “You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses but serve each other in love.” The text then speaks of the consequences of indulging our selfish impulses. It also shares the blessings of allowing “the fruits of the spirit” be the driving motivation of our actions. In doing so you will be living out the 2nd of the greatest commandments. Paul writes “All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement, ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” (v.14)
Many of you have heard me say, “it’s not all about you!” That is a message Paul is teaching as he shares the results of letting the fruit of the spirit become the prominent and driving motivation in your life. He concludes with these words of wisdom and invitation, “If we live by the Spirit, LET’S FOLLOW THE SPIRIT.” (v.25)
Join us this Sunday for worship IN-PERSON, by Zoom or Facebook Livestream. Or catch us on demand through YouTube as I talk about in my sermon, “WANT REAL FREEDOM? LET’S FOLLOW THE SPIRIT” based on Galatians 5:1, 13-25
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