The Tie That Binds 1 of 3

Bound by Faith

Romans 5:1-2 NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Objective: To explain, promote and embrace the core values of our faith community, for individual and collective spiritual growth.

Introduction: Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. (Hymn by John Fawcett, 1782) This hymn describes the authentic vibe of our faith community.

Transition: From the Latin fides, faith is when voluntary surrender meets voluntary restraint.

Exposition: Our faith is what allows us to be connected to something much greater than ourselves, because it…

-Defines (made right/justified) Allowing something to define you means that you allow it to shape your identity, influence your behavior, and determine how you see yourself and how others see you.

-Defies (peace) Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.

-Delights (Christ has brought us) Thank God for Jesus!

Conclusion: We, our and us, stresses that we are bound by faith! The tie that binds is as Thomas Aquinas said “An act of the intellect assenting to the truth at the command of the will”.