Fifth Sunday after Trinity: 1 Corinthians 1:18⁠–⁠25

Antinomianism - when you void the Law. Jesus came not to void the law but to fulfill the law, of which every dot and tittle must be fulfilled. Is God a legalist? On one side? Yes. The law is for the rebellions.

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:2-3 (KJV) I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Do your children know where you came from – Egypt? It is important that they know this - daily - when they rise up, sit down and walk by the way. Put it on the doorposts with the blood of the Lamb. The doors are the things that open in your home - what you allow in. If you don't allow the blood and Word in those doorposts, other things will come in.

Exodus 20:4-5 (KJV) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

What are gods we could bow down to today? Things are given, however, to be used. Augustine - in times past men were stumbled. They fell because of stars, planets, women and wine. It isn't that stars are evil, planets are evil, women or wine are evil, but it's how they are used. Should we abolish women because many men stumble over women? No. But you should not make them idols.

It must be possible to hate the Lord, according to verse 5. We can hate the Lord in our indifference and our over familiarity with Him. Inasmuch as we hate the least of the brethren, the most childish of the brethren, the most immature of the brethren, we hate God.

Luther: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” What does this mean? What is one's God? Answer: Whoever, or whatever we look to for any good thing or for refuge in any need, this is what is meant by God. If you look to reason (the devil's prostitute) to save your life, they become gods. If you look to religious, outward performances they become a god. If you look to the doing without (ascetics) as righteousness, this becomes a god - a punishing god. A lot of people don't really like the party and don't want to go in. They want everything to be reduced down to a stoic existence.

If you look to knowledge, reason or religious things, they become a god in your life; even doing without can become a god. To have a god is to trust and believe in him with all your heart.

How many of you used to trust and believe in yourself - that image? Have you ever heard of the Greek god Narcissus? He looked into the pond and saw an image of himself - the great idol who says, "I am what I do," "I am what I think," "I am a victim." He thinks his reflection is him.

Genesis 2:17 (KJV) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

How many decisions do you make to sin every day and you think you won't die; that the wages of sin don't apply to you anymore? "A man doesn't reap what he sows, does he?" What is fear? "I'm losing my grip."

Genesis 3:5 (KJV) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Religion - sowing fig leaves together to cover something. There is only one covering of any value - the blood of the Lamb.

How are you doing with the commandment that you love the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself? One of you does this. But what can you do about the other one? Nothing - He's already taken care of it. About the best thing I can do is to receive the gift of faith. He died to take away your sin. He hath delivered, doth deliver, and will yet deliver. How many of you forget that from time to time? Hath, doth and will yet - that covers me. What a savior! He will yet save me, heal me, and make me whole.

When you turn inward you can fall into a trap as Narcissus did. He did not really fall in love with himself. He did not really adore himself. Actually, he hated himself because it wasn't him that he saw, it was a reflection. Narcissus looked in the pool and saw something called nothing (an idol). You've been given an entirely different identity. Many people spend their whole life looking into the pool at an image and think that the image is who they are.

C.S. Lewis said that you can't expect a man to like rancid meat. How many of you know about the human heart? You can't expect anyone to like that. How many of you have gotten mad at people rejecting the rancid meat? No. I reject anything less than you being who you are, because I know about you - I read about you in the Bible.

How others perceive us is what we try to measure up to. Paul said that it was a very small thing what the Corinthians thought of him. If you don't have is straight who you are, you could get off in some really weird stuff and this will affect every relationship you have because people won't buy into your image.

No one could ever keep the Mosaic law.

When you look into the living word of Christ - the gospel - you are transformed. You are changed from the same image, from glory to glory.

2 Cor. 3:15-18 (KJV) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. [16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. [17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. [18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Cor. 4:1-6 (KJV) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

What do you believe?

Narcissistic self-centered world - He did not really love himself, he ended up hating himself. If you have an image of yourself, you are rejecting who you really are. Narcissus had a love affair that seemed perfect. There wasn't a conflict - no difference of opinions. He had perfect harmony between himself and his beloved - they were one. This reminds me of Frank and the Tragedian. Frank and his image were one. Frank was getting his instruction from his image. He took on an image that helped him save his life. When he wanted to avoid suffering, pain and discomfort he would run up into the attic and his sisters fell for it. Narcissus could never be challenged. That kind of image is always right. Narcissus turned to stone.

Read the story of Frank again. The image began to take over Frank - it had no incentive to change. It likes its own interpretation. It is an idol that dooms both of them, Frank and the tragedian. When Frank dies, his image dies with him.

Some have heard Jesus say that he came to bring peace, and they settle for their comfort zone.

Thou shalt have no other gods: The great god is SELF today - whatever you give your heart and trust in. Where do you see people run to in time of need? You all have food and clothing, what could you need? Do you have heart-felt needs? There is no pressure in the spiritual realm. If you believe God it is settled. Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Have you repented from dead works?

You are called to get into works - not you, but Christ. These are not your good works and not my good works, but His. We were created for them in Christ Jesus. Good works are those to be done in the fear of God and inspired by the Holy Ghost - and feared to be mortal sins. There is a mixture. But then, Christ in you, in the midst of the congregation, does the singing. Now Christ has been broken. He's not limited to one body. Christ - in and among you.

Where do you go, then, in times of need? Bitterness, separation, hatred, coveting? Do you run to your family - your mother - the old familiar things? Maybe "they" were right all along.

If you're not serving the lord with gladness, what are you doing?

Luther: What the world practices is nothing but false worship and idolatry. Everyone has set up for himself some god he looks to for help and comfort. What the Greeks were worshiping is health, wealth and happiness. This sounds good to me - what's wrong with that? This is a pretty popular gospel today. Their trust was false and misdirected. Today, we can do the same thing. We can call it Jesus, today.

Oswald Chambers - what affect does your theology have on your wife and children? Does it reconcile you to your neighbor or does it cause division? Reconciliation through the cross - this is what reconciles.

1 Cor. 1:17 (KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Where you run to is your god? Do you run to reason or blame? You can, but that ends up nowhere. We've been called to preach. If you have an idol, whether you call Narcissus or self the center. Your world is shrunken. It settles around your needs and what others are or aren't doing for you. Who is he talking to? Are you willing to give it up?

What are some things women don't want to give up? Contrariness. Some women have to have the last word - they are contentious.

Proverbs 14:1 (KJV) Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Only by pride comes contention and the woman who pulls her house down is proud. She has no mediator. She is at odds with God and man. Her whole world settles around climbing - being as good as them. I'm the woman, the soul. There is one of me. The Church is the woman. Now she can be from below, Hagar - the law woman. "You never do enough to satisfy me." "You're not man enough to satisfy me." This is the Jezebel spirit. She wants to rule and has no mediator. She always has to have the last word, whether she vocalizes it or not. She hates reproof. She hates the word “NO!” She has never heard the word “NO!” If you say no, she is offended and will go away listening to voices. If things get in her away, like a prophetic word, she plots to kill it because she will have no mediator. She will prophesy, but with the wrong spirit behind her speech. She pulls down her house with her contrariness. "I don't have to agree with that. I have freedom to say no. My opinion is just as valid. I've just go to be a little higher up the ladder than them or him." This ends in resentment and evil thinking. The older sister hates the party. "You never give me..."

Narcissus hated himself and was reduced down to an image - a tragic image going around, like Soliari, complaining of what God did and didn't do for him.

Do you believe the Father has given you everything and He is yours? Why aren't you celebrating? You don't hate the party, do you? Do you have a mediator or do you have to be right and have the last word? The last word is Christ crucified. This is the end of the argument.

1 Cor. 1:17 (KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Corinth was known for things other than culture. They, like the Greeks, had an identity in being wise. God resists this. He hides things from the wise and gives them to babes. Paul rejoiced in this.

1 Cor. 1:17-18 (KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Are you preaching the cross and not trying to explain it abstractly? It is foolishness, then, that you preach. How many of you want to be wise in your own eyes?

1 Cor. 1:19 (KJV) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

The prudent are stingy. They are wise - the know how to hide their money (their life).

1 Cor. 1:20 (KJV) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Scribes spent their entire lives writing scriptures out. Religious wisdom.

1 Cor. 1:21-23 (KJV) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

When you preach the cross of Jesus, you are saying that all your moralisms, liberalisms and attempts to be good as forms of righteousness have been a waste these last 10, 30, 40 years. Greeks are interested in wisdom and might win the next argument.

God has decided to appear as foolishness in His Word.

1 Cor. 1:24-25 (KJV) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Cor. 1:26-31 (KJV) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

You stand complete in Him. He is able to make you stand complete. No charge can be brought against you, in Him.

1 Cor. 2:1-2 (KJV) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. [2] For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I've determined to know nothing. Have you determined that? If so, then your theology will have an affect on your wife and children. You are called to pick up your cross, but you don't have to. You're saved and you get to pick up your cross. This will end up in reconciling your neighbor, your wife, or whoever.

Look at what destroys people around you. Do you have to have the last word? Look at families around you. It is a hard thing to go to the cross when you know you're right. But who knows he's right? Pride is on his way up the ladder.

Where God Meets Man: He warns against self-defilement (seeing yourself after the flesh and continually saying how bad you are because this ultimately ends up as an excuse. "Well, I'm totally depraved - there are two of me, so what can you expect." Theological name-calling. The idea is to put the old Adam to death by beating him with a tongue lashing. Even some of our old hymns do that. There is one of me who is wretched (Romans 7). We don't want to run down man anymore. There is always that argument with Pelagius.

The Church from the beginning has resisted this call. Why? Pelagius became a moral reformer. Legalism - anything you could do to add to the cross ends up making the cross of none effect.

Galatians 5:2-4 (KJV) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. [3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

What would be a good example of a law you keep and demand that others keep? If you're still judging others under that law, there has to be some criteria that you set up in your mind that gives you a perspective - something you're doing that others aren't doing. You make distinctions: You and sinners.

James: Faith that worketh by love.

Galatians 5:2-11 (KJV) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. [3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. [5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. [6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. [7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. [11] And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

What do you think Paul is saying here? What is the offensiveness, the scandal of the cross? There is nothing left to do. He has already done it. It sounds foolish to Greeks. The righteousness of God which is by faith is what we're talking about. We don't run to an idol when under pressure, we trust him. If you live under any law at all, you have to fulfill the whole law. Nothing can still the Voice of the law except a greater voice - the voice of the gospel.

The following are things I typed while Don was reading from On Being a Theologian of the Cross. They are not exact quotes. Please read Thesis 25-28 for exact wording.

The theology of the cross is our way - the law is not our way.

“I am the way the truth and the life,” is what Jesus said. One does not get what Jesus has to offer merely by acceptance or theories about the cross - this is spectator theology. One must himself go through the cross. Most theologies are detours around the cross. (Abstractions that avoid the daily cross.)

A lot of the established church today is into meeting needs. These churches find a righteousness in giving food and things to people. There is nothing wrong to this, but they have found a righteousness in it and that is wrong.

The theology of the cross insists that one must go through it, for the cross and the resurrection are the way. The cross must be preached so that it brings about in us as well, a death and new life. Daily I have to be brought to an end to where I no longer have to have the last word with my husband. There is no need anymore because He is the last word. On the cross Jesus was not playing theological games but was dying. For Him too, there was no way out. He was crucified under the law. The voice of the law - the preaching of the cross, puts the old Adam to death. Even using the cross can be a theology of glory. There was no way out for Jesus, how can there be a way out for us. The law accuses. The voice of the law is never still. The cross makes us face the truth and destroys the old Adam.

One day, you young people, and this will become very personal to you, you will look to the cross and see Him whom you pierced.

It is possible to construct theologies, even theologies about the cross, to void the cross. This "I" must be put to death so that the new "I" can be put in its place. The old Adam cannot be cured. The cross is his death. If you would be raised with Him, you must die with Him. You can't have it in theory - you have to try it. There is nothing to do about the death involved, but to die to it. He does not leave us as spectators. He puts us to an end - daily.

How are you doing with loving your neighbor? Love suffers long. (1 Cor 13)

Of course, this is all possible. For when the old Adam is put to death we are raised in Christ. In Christ the voice is stopped - the voice that continuously condemns and accuses. In Christ - this voice stops. Aren't you glad? You can come to Him today, again, afresh, and be delivered from any attempt to have any righteousness according to the law.

In Christ the law has no further hold and has nothing left to say. All this is possible in this life only by faith and hope. We are not yet one with Christ completely. In this life the old Adam is still with us and is still alive. Daily the old Adam has to be drowned. One realizes that he cannot live today on yesterday's faith. You should be hungry. Faith has to be renewed every day. The voice sounds new and countless ways every day.

Wouldn't you like to be free of the voice of the law? Stand free - don't get hung up with the yoke of bondage again, like those stupid Galatians. Faith has to be renewed every day. We are not warring with flesh and blood, but perhaps with ancestral spirits that have shaped the way you think.

The Theologian of the cross knows that the only way to face such problems is to go to the cross again, daily, and the old Adam be daily drowned in repentance and the new man arise to live before God.

How can I say I have no need of any one member of the Body? How could I only need attractive members, those who are always in agreement with me, those who never get angry or discouraged?

Faith in the gospel needs to be renewed each day. The gift is new life. If one looks at the cross, life under the law ends because new life in Christ has begun. Jesus has satisfied the wrath of God - he bore the curse of the law.

Galatians 5:11 (KJV) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Why was Paul persecuted? All the religious spirits are saying you have to do something. Jesus never went out evangelizing. Why did people come to him? They wanted bread and fish, sometimes, until in John 6 he told them what they had to eat (eat my body and drink my blood). Jesus went around with his friends and they were weird. Are you his friend? He's the friend of sinners.

Galatians 5:13-14 (KJV) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Have you fulfilled all the Law? All the law is fulfilled in one word and that word is Christ. He is the one who drives the verbs, as Tom Baker said.

I am the Lord your God and you shall have no other gods... I am, the Lord your God so there is no reason for you to try to do anything to earn my love. If I give Mozart a gift and not you, I have my reasons. Just receive your gift - sit back and enjoy the music. I have other things in mind for you.

God gave us an inheritance. He gave us life and we did the same thing as the younger brother. We lusted and coveted for all the wrong things.

One of the best things you could hear, but not as a license, is “Today is the day winners get together (the Super Bowl).” Probably the best part of the game is when all the losers get together and pray - the giants get together and pray.

The older brother refused to lose he/she had to have the last word - would not have a mediator.

All the law is fulfilled in the one word - love/serve one another. Use your liberty to love/serve one another. Love suffers long.

2 Cor. 1:5-10 (KJV) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. [6] And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. [7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. [8] For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: [9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

As you are partakers of the suffering... This is why some are not consoled (comfort, encouraged). They are escaping the sufferings. You could be partakers of Christ's sufferings. Paul suffered the loss of all things so that he could know Jesus in the fellowship if his sufferings.

He who loves his brother (the love of God perfected in him) has assurance, comfort and encouragement.

Col. 1:24 (KJV) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Are you filling up the afflictions of Christ? Don't look to yourself but Christ.

1 Cor. 13:4 (KJV) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

We have fulfilled everything through Him, since He was made ours through faith. "I am the Lord thy God” and there is no longer a need for you to have idols. Will you, through faith, receive it?

The theologian of the cross will not back off when challenged, he drives it home. If you tell me that Christ fulfills all and all, and through Him I do also, to the theologian of glory this sounds hyperbolic at best and at worst dangerous. What will happen to our moral earnestness when people get wind through faith that everything has been fulfilled in Christ? The temptation then is to fall back on the law.

The law can be that you're a victim which is an identity.

Luther: Wherefore let this be your standard rule, whenever Holy Scripture commands that good works be done, it is not you who are to do them, because you cannot. But rest from all your works, become dead and buried, and permit God to work in you.

Col. 3:5-6 (KJV) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: [6] For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

This is all idolatry.

THESIS 26: Only works that are truly good. Faith doesn't have to be prompted into doing good works. I refuse to prompt you. Why? Because in faith, they are already done. This seems to be a preposterous claim, that Christ who creates faith has fulfilled all things. The announcement is made that because the Christ who has fulfilled all things dwells in the person of faith, everything has already been done. The cross takes away the possibility of doing something. The point is precisely the power to do good comes out of this wild claim that everything has already been done. The language has to break out into preaching when we look at ourselves and see no sign of good works. Never mind our fears and anxieties. You're looking at the wrong place. Look to Christ - he's done it all.

Faith says, Believe it and everything is already done.

THESIS 27: The real operative power in all works that can be called good is Christ. This Christ dwells in us, by faith. Actually be imitators of God. Christ lives in us through faith and moves in us to do good works. He becomes the doer' the operator. For the works that he does are the fulfillments of the commands of God given to us through faith. Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Every act of Christ is an instruction for us, indeed a motivation. Christ's work is the complete fulfillment of the commands of God. Christ is the operator - the believer is the one operated on. The work, thus produced, is pleasing to God not in and of itself, but by virtue of the operator - Christ. It no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you. It is the grace of the operator - Christ. Christ operates, the one doing the operating, and believers receive this through faith. Christ is the operator in us. This is how it all works.

When God gets all the glory, religion won't and that is why this is hated.

Galatians 5:13-14 (KJV) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Christ has become our Jubilee - our continuous 50th year (being daily washed and cleansed of all debts - sins.

People must have been using their liberty as an occasion to the flesh. But we are to use our liberty to love and serve one another.

Thesis 28: The love of God that lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools, weaklings in order to make them good, righteous and strong. The Love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. You don't have to rely on human love that loves people who are useful, wise and strong in order to use them.

Who do you love? Well, you don't have to worry about it. Who does Christ love? Sinners (me), fools (me) weaklings (me).

The love of God flows forth and bestows good. The love of man avoids sinners and evil persons. But Christ says he came not for the righteous but for sinners.

What good did Jesus see in any of us as he hung on the cross? The Father did not see any of us, He only saw his son. He is one who bestows good on the bad and needy (me).

Trying to be good makes the cross of none effect. When we're dead, He became all our righteousness and goodness, and we are complete in Him.

THIS IS GOOD NEWS! But what is the good news? There is nothing left to do. What are you going to do with a god who loves you that much? Not what you used to do. He becomes the operator - the activator - and it is He who works the good works in you, which you were created for. Now that you're free in Christ, you're free to love and serve one another. "Well, I'd like to but that person over there is not too useful, is foolish, and a weakling." Beware of that - having the upper seat and having to have the last word, even though it may not be vocalized. There is no meekness in that, or rest either. Why shouldn't everyone else have the last word? Jesus let us have the last word – “Crucify Him!” Now He lives in you. No point in beating down old Adam today. He's had enough. Why not now, enjoy creation? When you see someone doing something good in creation, thank the Lord.

We are called to have dominion over the earth. You could start by not littering. You could start by taking care of the realm, the kingdom, God has given you - your home, if you're a child - your room, etc. If you are faithful with what God has given you, you'll bring it into the civil realm, have a vocation.

Try and remember that you have been created in Christ Jesus for good works. Good works follow those who believe but they are not our works, but are the works of Christ - the life of God who lives in you to will and work of his good pleasure. Believe and it is already done. Whatever flows out of that will be Christ. You have been given a well of living water springing up in you - the gospel - this foolish news - this foolish and absurd news. This is our story.

AMEN!