Bluewater Bay Community Church - Weekly Teachings by Erik Momsen

Weekly Teachings by Erik Momsen

Belonging

Erik Momsen

All people belong to someone or something. Humanity believes the myth of freedom, but we are slaves. Be it to a tyrannical leader or poverty or on the other extreme self imposed slavery to money, substances or our emotions. Most people are unhappy or at least dissatisfied most of the time.

Cain was told: "sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you." (Genesis 3:7) He did not heed the warning and soon after killed his brother. He did not know or believe that we either belong to sin or to God.

The story of the Exodus from Egypt is the story of escape from slavery and sin to the worship and service of the Living God.

"CALLED TO BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST" - ROMANS 1

I AM WHO I BELONG TO

Our names sometimes tell us who we belong to. "Momsen" means "son of Mom", "Pederson" means "son of Peder". "Benjamin" means "son of Jamin". Also the names "hooker, drunkard, swindler" tells us we belong to sin.

Romans, probably the greatest letter in the New Testament, starts:

Vs 1. "Paul, a servant ... an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."
- describes who he belongs to and then what he does.

Vs 5. "to call people from among all the gentiles to obedience that comes from faith."
- who he belongs to leads to what he does.
- the "call to belong" goes out to ALL.
- called to faith that leads to obedience.

Vs 6. "And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ."
Vs 7. "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints."
- people are loved by God - those who respond can receive this Love.
- called to be holy and set apart for God.

WHO HE IS LEADS TO GREAT DEEDS

Vs 9. "God whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel ... "
- "God whom I serve" = speaks of who he belongs to.
- the strength of his belonging leads to complete commitment.
- he serves with a goal in mind - called to a task.
- heartfelt commitment leads to action.

Vs 13. "... in order that I might have a harvest among you just as I have among the other gentiles."
- the primary function of the believer is to witness.

Vs 14. "I am obligated to both Greeks and non-Greeks."
- "a debtor am I."
- because he has received the gospel he must pass it on.

Vs 16. "I am not ashamed ... "
- ashamed of who I am, of telling and living it.

Vs 16 b. "because it is the power of God for the salvation ..."
- deliver or set free, take out of a situation.

Vs 17. " ... a righteousness that is by faith."
- declared not guilty because of the relationship with God which is based on our belief in the work of Jesus.

We belong to the FATHER because of the SON'S work.
We belong to the FAMILY of the FATHER & SON.
We have an obligation to those who BELONG to SIN.

We who still struggle with the after-effects of sin and those who belong to sin work it out of our systems in FELLOWSHIP = BELONGING = DISCIPLESHIP.

Three basics of our faith:
1. Salvation (out of sin into the Family).
2. Prayer (out of relationship with sin into relationship with the Father).
3. Discipleship (growing and learning with brothers).

Date Added: 2000-07-21

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