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Friday, August 15, 2014
Jeff Lampl

Beginning September 7 . . . . 

I will begin a new series of Messages which are designed to help each of make progress in living out the Gospel of Grace.   

Have you ever found yourself living by guilt or “I should’ so that your life is one big “have to” but the “have to’s” never get done?   Which leaves you in the bondage of guilt and exhaustion?    Have you ever sought achievement and success only to discover that high levels of either are not enough?  You get to the top and find that the top isn’t the great thing you thought it would be?  Do you find your self-worth inextricably bound up in your performance and when your performance sags so does your confidence?  Have you ever feared failing or simply not being good enough?  

There is something more available to every one of us and that something more is Grace.  Grace is much, much more than God’s acceptance and forgiveness. It is a power, a force.   It is a power that motivates, that frees, that creates and which grows us into new persons from the inside out.   It is the power of God available to all who allow themselves to be gripped by it.  It is God Himself making himself available to you.  

This series will begin on September 7 and it will consist of a thorough teaching of the apostle Paul’s letter the churches that he started in Galatia (modern day Turkey).    

I encourage each of you to consider participating in a small group study that will enhance your understanding of, and your ability to live out Grace.   In the coming weeks we will make you aware of groups that you can join.   For now, however, I suggest that many of you consider facilitating a group yourself!    Just ask a few friends to meet with you weekly or bi weekly or twice a month and work your way through any of the following three studies below, or another one that you may be aware of.  Each one is great.    If I or we can help you begin a group just email Mark at mark@clcfamily.net or me at pastorjeff@clcfamily.net and we’ll help you get started!   Here are my three suggestions for your group study.   

          1.   One Way Love by Tullian Tchividjian, a grandson of Billy Graham.  He’s a great
                communicator and teaches Grace in very practical terms. Check out this
                video study here     

                2.   Soul Keeping by John Ortberg, one of the best bible teachers in America.   His
                 teaching on spiritual growth is practical and profound.  You can check out this
                 video study here and here  

                3.   Galatians:  Living in line with the Gospel of Grace by Tim Keller who might
                 right now be the most profound and practical teacher of God’s Grace in America. 
                 I will be organizing my messages pretty much in the same way that Keller
                 organizes this study.   Check out this great Bible study here

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