Sunday, February 26, 2012

331. The Law Wasn't God's Will - Jesus Was God's Will

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Many Christians think that God's law (including the Ten Commandments) is God's will for mankind, and even more so for Christians themselves. But as we look at what the scriptures reveal about the true purpose of the law, we find quite the opposite!

The law stood opposed to mankind. The reason for this is because the law is good and just and holy, but people, in and of themselves, are not. All the law can do is to condemn. Many think that what was needed was for "bad" people to become "good," and that this could happen by keeping the law. But man's problem wasn't that they were "bad," and in need of becoming "good" - and the law couldn't have helped them anyway! Rather, man's problem was that they were dead to God, and were in need of Life.

The law could provide neither the life nor the righteousness that man lacked and needed. But what the law could not do, God did through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ! The law had a purpose in God's overall plan. But overall, the law wasn't God's will for man. Jesus was (and is) God's will for man!

All of this also ties in with Hebrews 10:26 (the verse about "if we sin willfully... there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins"). This verse needs to be looked at in the context of the entirety of what the writer of Hebrews is saying, and we discuss that as well this week.

Here's this week's GIG-Bite, a quick sample of this week's program.


"Watch" this episode on YouTube.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

330. The 7-Year Niche: Reflecting on 7 Years (Part 2)

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On our 7th anniversary of the Growing in Grace podcast, we continue to reflect on what the podcast has been about. This week both Joel and Kap share some of their favorite foundational points about God's grace and the Gospel.

Here's this week's GIG-Bite, a quick sample of this week's program.


"Watch" this episode on YouTube.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

329. The 7-Year Niche: Reflecting on 7 Years of GIG Podcasts

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Seven years ago we had no idea the Growing in Grace podcasts would have had such a positive impact on so many people around the world. Nor did we think we would still be doing them! We take a look back at how the podcast came together and why it seems to attract some of the most unlikely listeners. Also, what if you only had a few minutes to share the Gospel with someone? Joel tells us a couple of his favorite highlights to start with when you only have a limited amount of time with someone.

Here's this week's GIG-Bite, a quick sample of this week's program.


"Watch" this episode on YouTube.

Sunday, February 05, 2012

328. Comparing (Many) Lambs With the (One) Lamb of God

Download/Play MP3 (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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God commanded the sacrifice of animals and the shedding of the innocent animal's blood under the Law. This was required to provide forgiveness under the old covenant but could only cover sins and not take them away. Therefore these same sacrifices had to be performed over and over again. Yet even though God commanded this through the law, we discover that it was never actually God's will nor did He take pleasure in this.  So why did He command it? To point us to His true will... The one-time sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Here's this week's GIG-Bite, a quick sample of this week's program.


"Watch" this episode on YouTube.
(This is an easy way to listen and to share the podcast with others on Facebook, your blog and other sites.)