The elder also preached the realities of sin and judgment, but he did so in order to call unbelievers to come into the kingdom through Christ, so that they can be forgiven of their sins and have peace with God and the resultant joy. I am so thankful for Christ-centered sermons!

Our pastor teaches that there is no way we are able to live up to the moral demands of Jesus(and the New Testament) out of our own power. So far so good. The only way we can do that is through the empowerment of the Spirit. So we must somehow let Jesus “flow” through us so that those moral demands can be met.

Is this how it’s really supposed to work? Does this fit with the Gospel? Is this what the “in Christ” relationship is all about? Cause it’s about to drive me crazy. If I do not have the power to choose to love my wife as I should(and I don’t) then how do I have the power to “step aside” and let Jesus’ power flow through me?

This is a major focal point of what our pastor teaches and it comes up almost every Sunday. I’ve labeled it “Spirit Enabled Moralism” and I just need to know if he is off base or I’m a lousy Christian.

St. John Chrysostom’s Easter sermon says things very close to what iMonk has said:

“Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
“You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Praise God that when we were YET sinners, Jesus died for us. And although we are STILL sinners, Jesus died for us and forgives and restores.

As an aside, I felt tremendous joy recently listening to “For Unto Us a Child is Born” from Handel’s Messiah. The typical gloom in my life disappeared, at least for a time.

For those who need some joy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpHs7LFIsA