15 August 2021
Two-Minute Features | 22 August 2021 | 08 August 2021

We Depend on Jesus Instead, Part 2 (TMF:1680)

Friday, August 20, 2021
Peace to Live By: We Depend on Jesus Instead, Part 2 (TMF:1680) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       This is the same thing as Paul said, when he said, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” We should not live by our fleshy efforts. We have to depend on Jesus to accomplish through us what he wants and desires to accomplish. If we try to come up with our own plans, and do things our own, creative ways, we are living by the flesh. If we try to formulate a way to live from following verses from the Bible, adhering to them faithfully by our own efforts, we’re in trouble. There are a great deal of people and churches operating this way. You see, the greater the legalism we find then, the greater the sin. I know this may be a shock to some of you; I know; I lived for years believing that following rules was how you made for a better, more Spirit-filled life. All legalism does is hide sin, it doesn’t take it away.

We Depend on Jesus Instead, Part 1 (TMF:1679)

Thursday, August 19, 2021
Peace to Live By: We Depend on Jesus Instead, Part 1 (TMF:1679) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Then Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:5-6, ESV). It is by our depending on Jesus, on his power, that we bear much fruit in our own personal lives, and in our own ministry. It is the only way we can bear fruit, as Jesus just said, “for apart from me you can do nothing.” This is the same thing as Paul said, when he said, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” We should not live by our fleshy efforts. We have to depend on Jesus to accomplish through us what he wants and desires to accomplish. If we try to come up with our own plans, and do things our own, creative ways, we are living by the flesh.

Not Living By Our Own Efforts (TMF:1678)

Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Peace to Live By: Not Living By Our Own Efforts (TMF:1678) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       We aren’t supposed to live by our own efforts in keeping a certain set of rules. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4, ESV). You see, a branch cannot bear fruit by trying to bear that fruit itself. It just can’t do it no matter what. It doesn’t have the capacity in and of itself. It is by the branch’s connection to the vine that it can grow and bear fruit. In the same way, it is by our own, personal connections with the Spirit of Jesus that we our in fellowship with him and actually bear fruit. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all” (John 6:63, ESV). The branch doesn’t make a list of rules and regulations in order to bear its fruit. It depends on the nourishment from the vine.

Rules Cannot Make Us Righteous (TMF:1677)

Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Peace to Live By: Rules Cannot Make Us Righteous (TMF:1677) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       What happens when we just try to follow rules we have created from the pages of Scripture? Well, our sin increases. “What? How’s that?” someone might ask. Following rules cannot make us righteous. If you try to make a rule not to do something, you find that all your thinking about is the fact that your not supposed to be doing that sin. The rule actually makes you think more about the sin you’re trying not to do. No, friend, we have to live by God’s grace that enables us not to sin. With God’s grace comes our freedom. God does work in us on our behalf while we depend on him. God is responsible to help us; yet, if we don’t believe, we take the responsibility from him and give it to ourselves, and that is burdensome for us. Let me tell you a little secret, and this is going to cause some blow outs for many of you out there. I’m about to dynamite your whole philosophy of Christian living. We, as Christians, are not supposed to live by trying harder.

Following the Flesh Instead of God (TMF:1676)

Monday, August 16, 2021
Peace to Live By: Following the Flesh Instead of God (TMF:1676) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Paul said, “Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” If we choose to sin, as Christians, over doing what is right, we are giving ourselves over to sin’s power. If we choose to follow our flesh in our lives without the Holy Spirit’s input, we cannot live the life that God wants us to live. Following our flesh is not just following obvious sins outwardly, but following our flesh is also just that—living without God’s power. With our flesh alone, we cannot serve God. We can follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives in conjunction with our knowledge of the Word of God, or we can just follow what we think the Word of God is telling us with no input from the Holy Spirit. Those are the two choices for the Christian. What happens when we just try to follow rules we have created from the pages of Scripture? Well, our sin increases. “What? How’s that?” someone might ask. Following rules cannot make us righteous.