Join us this Sunday at the 8:30 AM service at Coggin Church for an inspiring message on pride and its absence in faith. Dr. Todd Gray, our pastor, will be delivering a powerful sermon as part of our series on Romans: The Unstoppable Gospel, focusing on the atoning work of Christ. This message emphasizes humility, unity, and following God’s law through faith. Discover how the atoning work of Christ removes all distinction and prejudice among believers, and how faith in Christ establishes the need for God’s law rather than nullifying it. Don’t miss out on this enlightening and thought-provoking service!
In addition to Dr. Todd Gray’s message, we have some exciting news to share. We will be presenting the names of the building team that will lead us through a complete remodel of our church campus in the coming months. This remodel will focus on enhancing safety measures, updating facilities, and creating a better environment for our congregation. Stay tuned for more information and mark your calendars for the upcoming vote to approve the building team. We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter and appreciate your support as we continue to grow as a church family.
I. Introduction
Welcome to the 8:30 AM service at Coggin Church! We are excited to have you join us as we gather together to worship and learn more about the unstoppable Gospel of Romans. In this service, we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Todd Gray, who will be delivering a powerful message on pride and its absence in faith. Through his sermon, we will explore the atoning work of Christ, the importance of humility and unity, and the role of God’s law in our lives. So sit back, relax, and get ready to dive deeper into these important topics!
II. Background
A. About the 8:30 AM Service at Coggin Church
The 8:30 AM service at Coggin Church is a time of early morning worship and teaching. It provides a calm and reflective atmosphere for those who prefer an earlier service time. This service allows individuals and families to start their day off right by centering their hearts and minds on God. It is a place where people of all ages can come together to encounter God’s presence and grow in their faith.
B. Featuring Dr. Todd Gray
Dr. Todd Gray, our esteemed pastor, will be leading the service and delivering the message. With his depth of knowledge and passion for sharing the Word of God, Dr. Gray brings a unique perspective to our understanding of Romans. Through his teaching, he helps us unpack the mysteries of the Gospel and apply its truths to our lives. We are honored to have him guide us on this journey of faith.
C. Topic: Romans: The Unstoppable Gospel
The overarching theme of our current sermon series is Romans: The Unstoppable Gospel. The book of Romans is a treasure trove of theological wisdom and practical guidance for believers. It reveals the power of the Gospel to transform lives and change the course of history. Throughout this series, we will explore the key themes of Romans and discover how they are relevant to our lives today.
D. Focus on the atoning work of Christ
In this particular service, the focus will be on the atoning work of Christ. The concept of atonement is central to our understanding of the Gospel message. It refers to the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross, through which he paid the price for our sins and reconciled us to God. By examining the atoning work of Christ, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the grace and mercy that has been extended to us.
E. Emphasis on humility, unity, and following God’s law through faith
Within the context of the atoning work of Christ, Dr. Gray will also emphasize the importance of humility, unity, and following God’s law through faith. These qualities are essential for believers as they navigate their journey of faith. Humility allows us to acknowledge our need for God and submit to His will. Unity binds believers together as one body, strengthening our witness to the world. And following God’s law through faith empowers us to live lives that please Him.
III. Pride in Faith
A. Understanding pride in a religious context
Pride is a universal human struggle that can manifest in various aspects of life, including faith. In a religious context, pride can be understood as an inflated sense of self-importance or superiority based on one’s religious beliefs or practices. It is a form of arrogance that leads individuals to think they are more righteous or deserving than others.
B. The dangers of pride in faith
Pride in faith can lead to a distorted view of oneself and others. It blinds individuals to their own shortcomings and hinders their ability to grow spiritually. It fosters a judgmental and divisive attitude, causing discord within religious communities. Moreover, pride can cause believers to rely on their own efforts and merits rather than recognizing their dependence on God’s grace.
C. Examples of prideful behavior within religious communities
Pride can manifest in various ways within religious communities. It may appear as self-righteousness, a judgmental attitude towards others, or a refusal to acknowledge and learn from different perspectives. Pride can also manifest as a resistance to change or an unwillingness to submit to God’s authority. These behaviors hinder spiritual growth and undermine the unity and love that should characterize a community of faith.
IV. Pride and the Atoning Work of Christ
A. The significance of the atoning work of Christ
The atoning work of Christ holds immense significance in the Christian faith. It is through His sacrifice on the cross that our sins are forgiven and our relationship with God is restored. The atoning work of Christ demonstrates the depth of God’s love for humanity and His desire to reconcile us to Himself. It is a divine act of grace that we could never accomplish on our own.
B. How the atoning work of Christ challenges pride
The atoning work of Christ challenges pride by humbling us and revealing our need for a Savior. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness and mercy. No one can boast of their own righteousness because it is only through Christ’s atonement that we can be made right with God. The atoning work of Christ strips away the pride that comes from self-reliance and points us to humble dependence on Him.
C. Why boasting and pride should be excluded in light of the atoning work of Christ
The atoning work of Christ provides no room for boasting or pride. It is not by our own efforts or good works that we are saved, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth helps us recognize the futility of pride and redirects our focus towards gratitude and humility. As we contemplate the magnitude of God’s love and sacrifice, boasting and pride become incompatible with the Gospel message.
V. Unity and the Absence of Pride
A. How the atoning work of Christ removes distinction and prejudice among believers
The atoning work of Christ has the power to remove all distinctions and prejudices among believers. It erases the lines that divide us and unites us as one body in Christ. In Christ, there is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. We are all equal recipients of God’s grace and children of the same Heavenly Father. The absence of pride enables us to embrace this unity and celebrate our diversity.
B. The importance of unity in faith
Unity is a foundational principle in the Christian faith. Jesus Himself prayed for the unity of believers, knowing that it would be a powerful testimony to the world. When we are united in faith and purpose, we reflect the character of Christ and attract others to the Gospel. Unity fosters an environment of love, support, and encouragement, making the Church a place of refuge and belonging for all.
C. Overcoming pride for the sake of unity
Overcoming pride is essential for the sake of unity within the Church. This requires intentional humility, listening to others, and valuing their perspectives and experiences. It means letting go of the need to always be right or have things done our way. By humbling ourselves and prioritizing the greater good of the body of Christ, we can create an environment where unity thrives and the love of God shines through.
VI. Faith and God’s Law
A. Faith in Christ establishes the need for God’s law
Faith in Christ establishes the need for God’s law rather than nullifying it. Our faith in Jesus does not give us license to disregard God’s commands but rather motivates us to follow them. The law reveals God’s standard of righteousness and provides direction for our lives. It serves as a guide to help us navigate the complexities of the world and live in a way that honors God.
B. The role of God’s law in faith
God’s law plays a vital role in our faith journey. It convicts us of sin, shows us our need for a Savior, and points us to Jesus Christ. Through the law, we recognize our inability to save ourselves and are led to place our trust in God’s redeeming work through Christ. The law is not a means of earning salvation but rather a reflection of God’s character and a standard for holy living.
C. How faith in Christ does not nullify God’s law
Faith in Christ does not nullify God’s law but fulfills it. Jesus Himself said that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf. As believers, we are called to honor and uphold God’s law, not as a means of earning salvation, but as an expression of our love and gratitude towards God.
VII. The Impact of Pride on Faith
A. The negative effects of pride in faith
Pride in faith has several negative effects on our spiritual lives. It hinders our ability to receive correction and instruction, leading to stagnation in our growth. It blinds us to our own weaknesses and impedes our willingness to seek help and support from others. Pride fosters an independent spirit that rejects the need for accountability and community, isolating us from the body of Christ.
B. Hindrances to spiritual growth caused by pride
Pride poses significant hindrances to our spiritual growth. It prevents us from humbly acknowledging our limitations and seeking God’s grace and transformation. Pride can cause stagnation, as we become complacent and resistant to change. It stifles our ability to learn and grow from others, hindering our maturity in Christ. To experience true growth and transformation, we must address and overcome the pride within us.
C. How pride hinders humility and unity
Pride is the antithesis of humility and unity. It disrupts the harmony and fellowship of believers, causing divisions and conflicts. Pride prevents us from genuinely empathizing with and serving others, as we become consumed with our own self-interests. True humility requires acknowledging our need for God and others, while pride insists on self-sufficiency. Overcoming pride is necessary to foster a spirit of humility and unity within the Church.
VIII. Overcoming and Avoiding Pride
A. Steps to overcome pride in faith
Overcoming pride in faith requires intentional effort and reliance on God’s grace. Firstly, we must cultivate self-awareness and recognize the presence of pride in our lives. This can be done through self-reflection, prayer, and seeking wise counsel. Secondly, we should cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility, recognizing that everything we have and are is a gift from God. Finally, we must submit ourselves to God’s transforming work through His Word, allowing it to shape our attitudes and actions.
B. Practices to promote humility and unity
Practices that promote humility and unity include cultivating a spirit of gratitude, serving others selflessly, and actively seeking reconciliation and forgiveness. We must strive to build authentic relationships within the Church, embracing diversity and valuing the contributions of others. Humility and unity are fostered through intentional acts of kindness, compassion, and love towards one another.
C. Recognizing the signs of pride and taking corrective action
Recognizing the signs of pride in our lives is a crucial step in taking corrective action. Some indicators include a judgmental attitude towards others, an unwillingness to admit fault or seek forgiveness, and a resistance to receiving feedback or correction. When we identify pride within ourselves, we should humble ourselves before God, repent, and seek His forgiveness and guidance. We can also enlist the support of trusted mentors or accountability partners to help us in our journey of cultivating humility.
IX. Message on Pride
A. Dr. Todd Gray’s powerful message on pride
Dr. Todd Gray’s message on pride was a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride in our faith and the need for humility and unity. He eloquently explored the atoning work of Christ and its transformative effect on our lives. Through biblical insights and personal anecdotes, Dr. Gray challenged us to examine our hearts and confront the pride that hinders our relationship with God and others.
B. Key takeaways from the message
Key takeaways from Dr. Gray’s message include the recognition that pride in faith is harmful, the significance of the atoning work of Christ in challenging pride, and the importance of humility and unity in the Christian life. We were encouraged to overcome pride by cultivating humility, embracing unity, and adhering to God’s law through faith.
C. Applying the message in our daily lives
The message on pride challenges us to take practical steps in applying its truths to our daily lives. It calls us to examine our attitudes, actions, and relationships, identifying areas where pride may be present. We are encouraged to practice humility by valuing others, seeking reconciliation, and prioritizing the needs of others over our own. Additionally, we are called to deepen our understanding and application of God’s law, recognizing its role in guiding our lives and strengthening our faith.
X. Conclusion
As we conclude this comprehensive article, we hope that you have gained a deeper understanding of the role of pride in faith and its impact on our spiritual lives. Through the exploration of the atoning work of Christ, unity, and God’s law, we have discovered the importance of embracing humility and unity, and the need to overcome pride for the sake of our spiritual growth. We are grateful for the powerful message on pride delivered by Dr. Todd Gray and the key insights and takeaways it offered. Let us apply these lessons in our daily lives, seeking to cultivate humility, unity, and a deepening commitment to God’s law. May we strive to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the Gospel and lead others to encounter the grace and love of Jesus Christ.