Galatians 4: Life With the Father God Is a Party

August 28, 2024 • Pastor Mark Machen • Galatians 3:26–29, Galatians 4:1–6, Romans 8:12–17, 1 John 4:16–18, Luke 15:11–31

Discover the true nature of our Abba Father and what it means to be a son or daughter in God’s family. Pastor Mark discusses our true identity in Christ, shaking off the weight of our past—formed by our experiences, pains, and the identities handed to us by the world.  But when you surrender to Jesus, you are not just asking for a better life; you are choosing to die to your old self and be reborn in Him. The Kingdom of God supersedes any identity from your upbringing, career, or social status. The moment you say "yes" to Jesus, you move from darkness to light, becoming a son or daughter of God with a new identity and inheritance. Jesus didn’t come just to make you a better person; He came to transform you into a son or daughter in union with the Father. This revelation shifts you from living out of obligation to living out of love and partnership with God. He is not a distant judge but a loving Father who wants to be in relationship with you. The perfect love of God drives out fear, and understanding how deeply you are loved by Him is the key to overcoming fear and experiencing true freedom. In the story of the prodigal son, we see a Father who was less concerned about what was lost and more concerned about being reunited with His child. No matter how far you’ve strayed, God’s love and favor are always there, waiting for you to return. Your status as a child of the Most High God grants you rights, favor, and the best robe of righteousness—not because of your actions, but because of who you belong to. Embrace your identity in Christ and live in the fullness of His love and grace.

Galatians 3: The Promise and the SEED

August 21, 2024 • Pastor Mark Machen • Deuteronomy 28, Genesis 22:16, Exodus 19:3—20:19, John 3:36, Galatians 3

The modern church often claims we don't need to keep the law because we're under the New Covenant, yet we still cling to self-effort, trying to earn righteousness through our actions, like honoring the Sabbath or tithing out of obligation. In our personal lives, we often ask, "What must I do to receive God's blessings?" We create our own commandments—attending church, fasting, praying, and reading the Bible—believing that these actions will earn us favor. However, true blessing comes not from our efforts but from faith in what Jesus has already accomplished. The Jewish people tried to live perfectly under the law, but Jesus came and leveled the playing field. Now, anyone who puts their faith in Christ is equally qualified to receive the fullness of God's blessing, regardless of their past efforts. For thousands of years, the Jewish people lived under the law, a culture and environment that shaped their entire way of life. God's desire was always for a people who could rule and reign as a kingdom, but this couldn't be accomplished under the law. Jesus came to fulfill God's true purpose, making us a kingdom of priests and a special treasure.  The truth is, God is love, we were born slaves to sin, everyone will be judged, and we cannot save ourselves. We need a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior. Only those who believe in Christ have their judgment removed because He took it all upon Himself. If we reject Him, choosing instead to rely on our own efforts, we remain under God's judgment. Righteousness in God's sight is achieved only by faith, not by behavior. It's not about Jesus plus our efforts equaling blessing; it's just Jesus. The moment we start relying on our actions to earn God's favor, we've fallen from grace. The covenant God made with Abraham and his Seed, Jesus Christ, is unchangeable and cannot be annulled by any law or human agreement. When we are baptized into Christ, we become one with Him. In the Kingdom of God, there is no distinction based on race, gender, or social status. We are all one in Christ. If Christ doesn't see us based on our fleshly identities, why should we? We should love one another as Christ loves us, seeing each other through the spirit rather than the flesh. In Christ, there is true equality—whether free or slave, we are all one in Him.

You Are Loosed

August 7, 2024