Fear Not!

November 27, 2012 — Craig T. Owens

Christmas is a time of celebration, peace on earth, and goodwill toward men! But have you ever stopped to wonder why the celebration? Yes, it’s the time we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth, and the advent of His ministry on earth. But what’s the real good news about that?

In the Christmas stories recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, there is a recurring phrase—

FEAR NOT!

Fear paralyzes. Fear blinds. Fear immobilizes. Fear exaggerates all that is wrong. Fear obscures all that is right.

Before Jesus comes into our lives, we are slaves to fear. Before Jesus comes into our lives, we aren’t truly alive.

So let the good news of Christmas ring out again—FEAR NOT!

We will be talking about the good news of this Christmas message each Sunday leading up to Christmas. I hope you can join me at Calvary Assembly of God as we learn more about the fear-busting, joyful news that Jesus can set you free.

If you missed any of the messages in this series, check them out here:

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God & Government

November 27, 2012 — Craig T. Owens

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. (Titus 3:1 NLT)

According to this verse I don’t see a conflict between the Church and the State. 

God calls us as Christians to arrange ourselves properly under the government hierarchy. Submission is not blind followership; submission is obeying all moral laws.

God also calls us to show proper respect to the governing officials, and to be ready to lend a hand to them when we can.

The Church is not in competition with the government. Both the governments of men and the Church are instituted by God. There is a proper role for both. There are some things that should be left to the government, and other things that should be left to the Church, and still other things that both should attend to together.

We need wisdom to know which institution should handle which item. In the meantime, may we Christians always be submissive, obedient, respect, and ready to help.

Check out some other thoughts about a biblical view of government here.

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