Hill Country Bible Church Dripping Springs Sermons

Paul had devoted his life to knowing the Law. After his conversion to Christianity, he was highly qualified to share the Gospel as a part of God's continuing story in Scripture. He shows the glory from Moses bringing the Law is exceeded by the glory of the ministry of the Gospel through the Holy Spirit.

People following Jesus must live authentic lives. Otherwise, observations about our faith can lead to false expectations about Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Paul shares his authenticity with four marks of the faith. They are about our attitudes, not our temperaments or personalities.

God’s instruction for faithful confrontation, personal repentance and corporate forgiveness gives testimony to the Holy Spirit’s work within the church. We should always have a readiness to extend true, God-honoring forgiveness.

A God-honoring approach to resolving misunderstandings requires that we first examine our motivation. It should not be a defensive reaction nor an attempt to inflict punishment. If done correctly, it will show the Holy Spirit’s work in His church.

The way we deal with suffering is a visible indication of the influence of God’s grace and peace in our lives. Rather than question why Christians suffer, we are called to rely on God’s strengthening (comfort) to have a restful spirit despite suffering.

If the penalty for our sin has been cancelled in Christ, then why must we keep confessing our sin? Declaring our penalty as paid, affirms our faith in Jesus’ redeeming work. Living a life of confession leads us to experience the joy of our standing in Christ. Confession wages war on sin and gives glory to God.

Regular confession of sin to each other is important. Sadly, it is infrequent in today’s church. Evidence suggests we are hiding sin from each other to the demise of our spiritual health. The church should be a safe place to experience grace.

Lent, the season leading up to the celebration of Easter, is a time for personal and church-wide repentance and confession. Psalm 51 serves as an apex of confession where David, a man after God’s own heart, confesses his sin and transgression.

Jesus’s followers know they need God’s forgiveness and know they are completely forgiven in Christ. There is a rich joy (blessing) in experiencing this forgiveness.

Through God’s grace we can approach Him without fear. Thus, we go to Him able to confess our sins with genuine repentance.

2 Peter 1:1-8 We talk a lot about grace but tend to stop short of where grace is taking us. Grace is not meant to make us comfortable where we are but grow us in great knowledge and relationship with our Father. 1. Real grace will bring relationship 2. Real grace will bring repentance 3. Real grace will bring revelation 4. Real grace will bring reward

The world would have us believe that improving “just one thing” would make life perfect. That is an illusion. Rather than being controlled by our circumstances Jesus’ disciples can find true joy by resting in God’s grace.

We experience God’s power in our weakness. To do that we must put aside our pride and reliance on earthly credentials. Then our approach to ministry can be like Paul’s; to elevate Christ and a dependence on the Gospel in our lives.

Grace is fully understood when it is experienced. It involves more than receiving God’s grace. A fuller understanding comes when we give grace to others. When that seems impossible, we’re reminded God’s grace is greater than any grace we’re asked to show to others.

Authentic confession begins with a foundation of faith based on grace. In turn, we can be vulnerable before God and others without fear from the guilt of our sin.

To live a life of confession is to live in affirmation of the truth in Scripture. It is a declaration that life is centered on Jesus. Anything else is at odds with reality.

All week the culture stresses the importance of self. Our gathering on Sunday dispels that lie and replaces it with a right perspective for the week ahead. Grounded in the Gospel, we gather to celebrate access to our Creator.

God's Word is the foundation for our ethics, morals and view of salvation. We can submit to God by learning, with others, from His Word, the Bible.

We participate in Biblical community for the well-being of others. In turn, we are blessed by others doing the same. This is God's design and shows how He works through His people

We do not like to wait, especially in our instant gratification culture. We can be tempted to avoid circumstances by working detours or just avoid problems altogether. Despite our impatience, God waits for us. Once we turn and trust Him, He shows us a better way.

In the midst of waiting, we may lack perspective on what God is doing. However, Scripture can remind us that we do know the ultimate outcome. God will accomplish what He intends. We can wait with confidence.

We long for the Christmas promise of “peace on earth”. However, the realities and turmoil of life make this seem elusive. God’s word reminds us that we have the option to wait confidently, trusting in His promises and power.

The Christmas story began 400 years after the last of God’s Old Testament prophets, Malachi, warned Israel about turning away from God. During that time, God was silent. However, He never stopped carrying out His plan.

When we view God through a human perspective, we get a flawed view. That flawed view impacts how we relate to Him, particularly when we consider His forgiveness. We struggle because we think He forgives like we do.

An unchanging theme throughout all Scripture is that God is drawn tot eh vulnerable and marginalized. God chooses to use His power to defend the weak. The heart of God is for the vulnerable. (Psalm 68:5-6). God calls us to minister to the vulnerable (James 1:27)