Are we finished with sin?
Are we finished with sin?
In this message, CTCI Director Larry Pons takes us through the book of 1 Peter.
1 Peter 4:1-2 Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Following Christ
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.
Is our victory complete in Jesus as He defeated Sin?
Jesus the Messiah triumphs over and disarms all the powers of evil arrayed against him. Believers are able to share in this victory through faith in Jesus the Messiah. We are free. Jesus made that happen. I have good news. So do you. We all do.
We miss God’s goal (aka sin). Jesus did not. Jesus died to take my place. Jesus rose again, defeating death. Jesus is victorious in all things.
Now that is some amazing news. Jesus defeated sin! Let’s shout it out.
Victory — It is complete in Jesus as He defeated Sin: “Victory in Jesus” is an exciting topic to explore! Just saying those three words brings joy to my heart. As believers, what victory do we have in Jesus? We have victory over sin.
None of us deserve forgiveness, but that is the amazing thing about grace! God loves us so much that He willingly took our sins to Calvary and nailed them to the cross. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- Jesus bore the burdens of my missing God’s goal (aka sin) that day — my sin, and yours — so that we may have victory in Jesus through the blood that He shed on the cross. Jesus is waiting and willing to forgive you of your sins!
- Romans 5:20–21 — The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus the Messiah our Lord.
- 1 John 3:5 — You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
- 1 John 3:8 — The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
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What We Believe
We are an inter-denominational ministry, and our desire is for transformation: a genuine change of heart and lifestyle that flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus.
We believe:
- Jesus is Lord. We exalt the One True God who made us and gave us the Lord Jesus Christ as our salvation. Our goal is to be a people with a heart for obedience to Christ in all things. His work made it possible for us to live – eternally and now – as children of God. Jesus made it possible for us to be rightly related to the Father and to one another. His desire is for us to succeed. We believe a right relationship with Him is the first and most important step.
- The Bible is True. God’s Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12-13), which we take into our minds and spirits and live out through the flesh. When Jesus asked what the greatest commandment was, He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31). The basis for everything we teach is “Life is Relationships.”
- Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit. We desire to walk in and by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit (available to all believers) empowers Christians for living witness and dedicated service.
Learn more here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
To judge or not to judge …
Jesus can be very straightforward and direct.
His suggestion on criticizing and judging others is to not do it if we have the same problem ourselves. Period. End of story. No other advice. In other places He elaborates why but the reason here is pretty compelling.
The issue, however, is not about judging but about hypocrisy. How can we judge if we have the same challenge in our lives? Jesus is clear, we can’t.
We need to focus on our own issues and heart, not others.
Are We Allowing God to Break Our Chains?
Ian Deboer shares an Appeal to Heaven Devotional on God’s forgiveness.
Scripture
Jeremiah 33:8 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
I will purify them from all the iniquity they have committed against me,and I will forgive all the iniquities they have committed against me, rebelling against me.
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Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Is Cursing Really That Big of a Sin?
Here is a great article on a very important question. Is it okay to curse and swear?
Are we missing God’s goal for our lives (aka sin) when we do?
“It’s only when I’m in the moment;” “Some situations you just have to say it;” “My parents cursed in front of me all the time and they were okay with it.”
We all will justify our words when it comes to cursing, cussing, speaking profanity, letting zingers go, whatever it is you call the use of words when we are angry, sad, trying to be funny, or just speaking in regular conversation.
However, what seems like inconsequential words are actually sins, creating gateways for further, more dangerous sins to be committed. From Jesus to the apostles to Moses, cursing is conveyed in the Scriptures as a big deal to God and an indicator of a carnal-minded person.
But how big of a sin is cursing?
Read More Here:
Is Cursing Really That Big of a Sin? – Topical Studies
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Are you a slave to sin?
Kiara Clemonts is an intern in our Heroes Summer Internship program. She shares what she learned about God’s liberating truth in John chapter 8 at our morning devotion time.
If you would like to donate to CTCI please click here.
Check our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
The present “world” war: relationships (3/3) | Jay Fesperman
Recently we visited in a home where there were two small children who, between them, had a roomful of toys of all descriptions. But amazingly, both of them wanted to play the same toy at the same time. That’s an honest childish way of demonstrating the same thing in a more subtle way among “adults”. Failing to confront this type of relation between brothers at an early age, allowing each one of them to “please himself”, sets a pattern for life that will repeat itself over and over again. In all the relations that this “adult” enter, whether family, social, or business, there will be that high “stone wall” that will bring separation and produce very unsatisfactory relationships. That’s the “warfare of the world”. And it’s coming upon the people of God from every direction. Brother vs. brother relations in the world today are open warfare!
The present “world” war: relationships (2/3) | Jay Fesperman
You see, the world’s attitude is “bring pleasure to your SELF. Satisfy the flesh”. The Bible calls that “OUR SINFUL NATURE”. Paul tells the Christians in Rome, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their MINDS SET on what that nature desires. But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their MINDS SET on what the Spirit desires” (emphasis mine). That is visible in the sexual relation between a husband and wife, but we need to see it in simpler ways BEFORE we commit ourselves to one another in marriage. Our lifestyle is established in our more youthful years: “I get out of bed when I want! I eat what I like! I keep me in a condition that pleases ME”. Or you may watch TV as much as the average America. If so, you may have developed a low regard for FATHERHOOD, since this form of “entertainment” is constantly demeaning the male parent and the husband. And this false value continues to color your attitude, even though you are now a Christian, trying to live a life that’s pleasing to the Lord.
The present “world” war: relationships (1/3) | Jay Fesperman
War in El Salvador! War in Afghanistan? War in Lebanon! War in Poland! Terrorism in Belfast! War in Iran! Battles in Zimbabwe! Is there any doubt that the WORLD is in a STATE of WAR? And the tactics of the present warfare are as different as, well. . . , darkness from light! Listen to James swing his “big stick” [in chapter 4:1]: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battles within you?” (emphasis mine). The church is not only facing up to the world’s warfare, but she is having to face up to the battles within. James goes on to say in the verses that follow, . . . “You want something but don’t get it. you kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. . . .” Peter says TO CHRISTIANS, “Dear friends, be STRANGERS in the WORLD. Abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul” (emphasis mine).