Sermon Archive

The Pivot Point: Life in the Spirit

Speaker: Dave Ashcroft 
Scripture Focus: Romans 8:1-11

Dave Ashcroft delivers a sermon focusing on Romans 8:1-11, which he describes as the "pivot point" for transitioning from a past lived for the flesh to a future lived for the Spirit. While Romans 7 illustrates the believer's struggle with sinful nature—doing what one hates despite wanting to do good—Romans 8 offers the solution.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Key Points from the Message

• ✝️ The Two Laws: The speaker compares a believer filled with the Spirit to an emergency vehicle. Just as an ambulance operates under a higher law of public safety that allows it to bypass speed limits, a Christian operates under the law of the Spirit, which frees them from the law of sin and death.
• 📖 The Spirit as an Adapter: Ashcroft uses the analogy of an "adapter" to describe the Holy Spirit; the Spirit connects believers to God's power and revelation, much like an adapter connects a device to a wall socket.
• ✨ The Seal of Ownership: The Holy Spirit is described as a deposit or "seal of ownership" that guarantees the believer's inheritance and acts as evidence that the debt of sin has been paid.
• 🤝 Three Separate Stages: Salvation, water baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit may be three distinct events in a believer's life.

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

SUMMARY

Pastor Ron, preaching in sunny Vanderhoof, British Columbia, explores the concept of living in the "shadows of Christmas" through a rich tapestry of stories, metaphors, and biblical references. He begins with a personal anecdote about his daughter equating a shadow with Jesus, highlighting the theme of divine presence. Pastor Ron delves into the "shadow of a new day," the "shadow of the present day," and the "shadow of promise," emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecies about the Messiah. Using vivid imagery, such as the sunrise symbolizing the dawn of Christ's kingdom and the noon day as God's present presence with us, he references biblical figures like Simeon and prophecies from Isaiah and Micah to show Jesus as the awaited Messiah. Pastor Ron also discusses the cosmic battle between light and darkness, promising further exploration. He concludes with the "shadow of the cross," urging listeners to live in the hope and promise of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.

QUOTES

• ✨

  "I'm kissing Jesus." She equated the shadow with Jesus.

• 📖

  "We are living that promise. We are in the shadow of a new day."

• ✝️

  "When Christ came, the hourglass was turned over. We live in the shadow of promise."

• 🤝

  "Jesus went from a manger to a tomb. Very powerful."

• ✨

  "We're living in the shadow of the last days."

REFERENCES

2 Samuel 7:12
Jeremiah 23:5
Luke 2:10
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 9:2
Micah 5:2
John 1
Psalms 91; 23
Hebrews 10:1; 12:1-2
Jonah's story
Hebrews 11

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Pastor Ron encourages us to embrace the shadows of promise, prophecy, and the cross, living in the hope of Christ's fulfilled kingdom.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• ✨ Embrace the presence of God in everyday life, recognizing His shadows as symbols of divine presence and promise.
• 📖 Reflect on Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, deepening your understanding of God's faithfulness.
• ✝️ Live in the light of Christ’s resurrection, drawing strength and courage from His victory over sin and death.
• 🤝 Acknowledge your unique race set before you, inspired by the heroes of faith who have gone before.
• ✨ Seek comfort and refuge under the shadow of the Almighty, trusting in His protection and peace.
• 📖 Contemplate the journey from manger to cross, seeing it as a powerful symbol of Christ’s sacrificial love.
• ✝️ Engage with Scripture regularly to understand the promises and prophecies that shape our faith.
• 🤝 Share the light of Christ with others, recognizing the urgency of the times in which we live.

BIBLE STUDY NOTES

• ✨ Theological Discussion: Explore the nature of prophecy and its fulfillment in Christ, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.
• 📖 Questions: How do the shadows in our lives reveal God's presence? What prophecies most impact your faith?
• ✝️ Cross-References: Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, Matthew 1:23.
• 🤝 Strong’s Concordance: Examine "shadow" (H6738 - tsel), "promise" (G1860 - epangelia).
• ✨ Historical Background: Understand the cultural significance of Bethlehem and the role of shepherds in first-century Judea.
• 📖 Imaginative Lens: Shadows as metaphors for God's presence and promise; the manger as a symbol of humility and sacrifice.

FURTHER STUDY NOTES

• ✨ Theology: Read C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" for insights on the incarnation and the nature of Christ.
• 📖 Literature: Explore Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" for themes of light and shadow.
• ✝️ Philosophy: Consider G.K. Chesterton's "Orthodoxy" for reflections on paradox and divine mystery.
• 🤝 Cultural Issues: Reflect on the tension between light and darkness in contemporary society.
• ✨ Prayerful Reflection: Meditate on the promises of God, seeking to live in the light of His fulfilled word.

SUMMARY

Special Speaker Jed Griggs explores Hebrews chapter 2, emphasizing the supremacy and majesty of Jesus Christ compared to angels and the old Judaic law. Jed portrays Jesus as co-reigning with God, the heir of all things, and the one who fulfills and surpasses the law given through angels. The sermon challenges believers to grasp the weight of their inheritance in Christ, urging them to live in the fullness of their salvation rather than drifting away. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, such as inheriting salvation and the banquet of God, the Jed warns against neglecting this great salvation, drawing parallels to the parable of the banquet where the unworthy are invited. The message calls for total commitment to Christ, stressing that while salvation is a free gift, it demands everything from the believer, echoing the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels about the cost of discipleship. The imagery of salt losing its saltiness and the metaphor of Esau selling his birthright underscore the dangers of prioritizing worldly desires over eternal inheritance.

QUOTES

• ✨ "Jesus Christ is so much bigger and greater and more amazing and more powerful and more worthy than anything you can possibly imagine."
• 📖 "Don't sell your birthright for anything in this world because it lasts that long."
• ✝️ "If you've heard God's voice...and you walk away, you're like the guy who thought he could build a tower and didn't have enough to do it."
• 🤝 "It is free, but it will cost you everything and it will gain you more than you can imagine."
• ✨ "The rewards for this are eternal life things in heaven that we can't even dream about."

REFERENCES

• ✨ Hebrews 1–2
• 📖 Matthew 5:5; 19:28–29
• ✝️ Revelation 21
• 🤝 Luke 14:12–35
• 📖 Psalms 8

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Embrace the fullness of salvation in Christ, prioritizing eternal inheritance over fleeting worldly desires.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• ✨ Reflect on the majesty of Christ, allowing it to reshape your understanding of salvation.
• 📖 Prioritize your relationship with God above all earthly attachments, valuing eternal over temporal.
• ✝️ Consider the cost of discipleship, willingly surrendering all to gain everything in Christ.
• 🤝 Regularly engage with Scripture, ensuring you do not drift from the truth of the Gospel.
• ✨ Let your life be distinct and transformative, like salt, influencing those around you with Christ's love.

BIBLE STUDY NOTES

• Theological Discussion: Jesus as both divine and human, fulfilling the law and prophets (Hebrews 1–2).
• Questions: How does understanding Jesus' supremacy impact your daily life? What does it mean to inherit salvation?
• Cross-References: Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:1–7, Luke 14:12–35.
• Strong’s Concordance: salvation (G4991), inheritance (G2817).
• Historical Background: Jewish respect for angels and the Mosaic law context.
• Imaginative Lens: The banquet imagery illustrates God's invitation to all, reflecting the joy of salvation and community with God.

Summary

In this week's message, Pastor Ron reflects on Ephesians 1, emphasizing the profound spiritual blessings believers receive through Christ. He invites us to recognize our dual citizenship: earthly and heavenly. Pastor Ron highlights that salvation and spiritual blessings are not earned but are gracious gifts from God, underscoring themes of grace, peace, and divine sovereignty. Using vivid imagery like a feast and the metaphor of being chosen by God, he illustrates the richness of divine grace. Pastor Ron warns against misunderstanding blessings as rewards for actions, instead presenting them as inherent to a life in Christ. He encourages us to trust God's heart even when His plan is unclear, emphasizing that grace precedes peace, and the Holy Spirit aids in our journey toward holiness. His message aims to inspire confidence in God's eternal promises and the assurance of salvation.

Quotes

• 📖 "Bring your spiritual appetite to this message. Come hungry, spiritually hungry to be fed by God's word."
• 📖 "Grace and peace summarize the essence of the gospel."
• 📖 "We bring nothing to the table. Our salvation is wholly and solely on Jesus Christ."
• 📖 "When you can't trust God's plan, trust God's heart."
• 📖 "Never forget the price that was paid for our sins. It's free and given but the cost is not free."

References

• ✨ Ephesians 1
• ✨ Romans 3:23
• ✨ 1 John 1:9
• ✨ Oswald Chambers
• ✨ Paul Tripp
• ✨ Hymn: "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul"

One-Sentence Takeaway

Embrace the unearned grace of God, trusting His heart, and live in the assurance of His eternal promises.

Recommendations

• ✝️ Approach God with spiritual hunger, eager to be nourished by His word.
• ✝️ Recognize grace as the foundation for experiencing true peace in your life.
• ✝️ Trust God's heart when His plan seems unclear, knowing His sovereignty is at work.
• ✝️ Regularly reflect on the cost of your salvation to deepen your gratitude and humility.
• ✝️ Embrace your dual citizenship as both an earthly and heavenly being, living out your heavenly identity.

Bible Study Notes

• Theological Point: Salvation is by grace (G5485), not merit (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Literary Discussion: Paul's greeting in Ephesians reflects deep theological truths beyond a simple salutation.
• Questions: How does understanding grace change your perspective on life challenges? In what ways do you experience peace (G1515) through grace?
• Cross-References: Romans 5:1-2; John 14:27.
• Historical Background: Ephesus was a major city with diverse religious practices; understanding dual citizenship would have been relevant.
• Imaginative Lens: The metaphor of a feast symbolizes the abundance of God's blessings, inviting believers to partake with gratitude and humility.

Further Study Notes

• 🤝 Theological Works: "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, exploring the essence of Christian faith.
• 🤝 Literature: "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis, examining choices between heaven and hell.
• 🤝 Philosophy: "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis, discussing the eternal significance of glory.
• 🤝 Cultural Issues: Consider the tension between earthly and heavenly citizenship in today's globalized world.
• 🤝 Prayerful Reflection: Meditate on the unearned grace of God and how it transforms your daily interactions and decisions.