1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who *are seeking to be justified by the *Law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we, *through the Spirit, *by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. ( Galatians 5:1-6 Chapter 5 1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. ) 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many *miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' 24 "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and *acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 "And the rain fell and the *floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and [yet] it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 "And the rain fell and the *floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and its collapse was great." Matthew 7:22-27 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. Good Questions about Justification, Works, and Falling Away / Answering Email - Pastor Patrick Hines Response to a thoughtful email from an encouraging listener. Bridwell Heights Presbyterian Church http://www.bridwellheightschurch.org/ BHPC Pulpit Supplemental (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClW5Qzh27Zx7HO2fKkCcR5g Pastor Patrick Hines (PLAYLIST): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzOwqed_gET2vqbY_shSW0MfXtYGSoCnT From church website: We subscribe to the Westminster Standards as our doctrinal statement. It consists of the following documents: The Westminster Confession of Faith The Westminster Larger Catechism The Westminster Shorter Catechism We also believe that Christian Worship is to be regulated and defined by God's Word, the Bible. Our worship services are designed to please and honor the Triune God of the Bible. We place Scripture reading and the preaching of the word of God at the center of worship along with Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These are God's gifts to His church and ought to always be at the center of Christian worship. We are a congregation that loves to sing God's praises, recite His Word back to Him, and actively engage in hearing and learning from God's Word. We embrace and promote a comprehensive Christian world and life view. There is no area of life which is not under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is to God and His law which all people, including governments and civil rulers, will answer. The Word of God embraces and informs the way we view marriage, the family, children, education, politics, worship, law, government, war, the church, missions, evangelism, and worship. In the world today there is a battle of opposing worldviews. There are basically only two positions: God's Word and man's ideas. We stand positively for Biblical truth and negatively against man's ideas which are opposed to Biblical truth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for mankind. Because all men fall short of obeying God's law, all men everywhere are in need of divine grace and salvation from God. This salvation is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for sinners, was buried, rose again, and is alive today seated at God the Father's right hand. We Worship God Together as Families. We offer nursery during morning worship service for newborns and infants but encourage people to keep as many of their children as they can with them for morning worship. The audio of the service is in the nursery via speakers. There is also a crying room with a video screen and audio of the sermon. We offer Sunday school classes for all ages but worship together as families. We do not offer "children's" church. Children need to be in morning worship as soon as possible so they can learn how to participate as active worshipers of God which includes the singing of His praises and listening actively to sermons.