CTK Weekly
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Sunday's Sermon
Continue Sunday's Conversation
Big Idea
Don't confuse moral reformation with gospel transformation.
Think of it like flowers for your spouse. The command hasn't changed, bring flowers, but the relationship of the person to the command has changed. The legalist brings them out of guilt and anxiety; the irreligious refuses to conform; the gospel brings them...
Read the full reflection -->
This week's practice
Stand firm
Throughout this week, pay attention to the things that promise you a fuller life: success, approval, comfort, control, possessions, relationships, achievement, even your own morality.
When you notice yourself thinking, "If only I had this..." or "If only that were different, then my life would finally be full," stop and ask:
What is this promising me that only Jesus can give?
Then practice repentance and faith:
Repent: Jesus, I have looked to this for life instead of you. You are right, and I am not.
Believe: Jesus, you have set me free. Life under your good reign is the life I was created for.
Stand firm: Choose one concrete act of obedience that reflects trust in Jesus rather than the rival promise.
At the end of each day, share with someone one rival promise you noticed and one way Jesus invited you to live differently.
Throughout this week, pay attention to the things that promise you a fuller life: success, approval, comfort, control, possessions, relationships, achievement, even your own morality.
When you notice yourself thinking, "If only I had this..." or "If only that were different, then my life would finally be full," stop and ask:
What is this promising me that only Jesus can give?
Then practice repentance and faith:
Repent: Jesus, I have looked to this for life instead of you. You are right, and I am not.
Believe: Jesus, you have set me free. Life under your good reign is the life I was created for.
Stand firm: Choose one concrete act of obedience that reflects trust in Jesus rather than the rival promise.
At the end of each day, share with someone one rival promise you noticed and one way Jesus invited you to live differently.
Dinnertime Devotions
Five simple conversations to help your family continue Sunday's discussion around the dinner table.
Monday
Read
Galatians 5:1
5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Reflect
Freedom is something Jesus gives us, not something we create for ourselves. We often think freedom means getting to do whatever we want. Like young Simba in the Lion King, "Free to do it all my way!" The Bible gives us a much bigger - and better - picture of freedom than complete autonomy. Paul says that Jesus has set us free.
Free from what? Jesus frees us from trying to find life apart from God. We don't have to prove that we're good enough. We don't have to make everyone like us. We don't have to have the best things, win every argument or match. We don't have to get everything we want in order for our lives to be the fullest they could possibly be. Jesus has already given us something better: life with God in his kingdom.
That's why Paul tells us to "stand firm." Jesus has already set us free. We don't need to go looking somewhere else for the life only he can give.
Discuss
Jesus, thank you for setting us free. Help us trust that the life you give us is better than anything else we could chase after. Teach us to stand firm in your freedom. Amen.
Galatians 5:1
5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Reflect
Freedom is something Jesus gives us, not something we create for ourselves. We often think freedom means getting to do whatever we want. Like young Simba in the Lion King, "Free to do it all my way!" The Bible gives us a much bigger - and better - picture of freedom than complete autonomy. Paul says that Jesus has set us free.
Free from what? Jesus frees us from trying to find life apart from God. We don't have to prove that we're good enough. We don't have to make everyone like us. We don't have to have the best things, win every argument or match. We don't have to get everything we want in order for our lives to be the fullest they could possibly be. Jesus has already given us something better: life with God in his kingdom.
That's why Paul tells us to "stand firm." Jesus has already set us free. We don't need to go looking somewhere else for the life only he can give.
Discuss
- When you hear the word freedom, what do you think it means?
- What are some things people think they need in order to have a good life?
- What does Paul say Jesus has done for us?
Jesus, thank you for setting us free. Help us trust that the life you give us is better than anything else we could chase after. Teach us to stand firm in your freedom. Amen.
Tuesday
Read
Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Reflect
Have you ever tried really hard to impress someone? Maybe you wanted a teacher, coach, friend, or coworker to think well of you. It can be exhausting to feel like you always have something to prove.
Paul says that's not how life with God works. What a relief! God sent Jesus to redeem us so that we could become his sons and daughters. If you belong to Jesus, you don't obey God so that he'll finally decide to love you. Or approve of you. Or even be happy with you. You are free to obey God because you are already loved.
That changes our obedience. We can tell the truth when we've done something wrong. We can ask forgiveness without making excuses. We can serve without needing everyone to notice. We can obey God because we love and trust him, and we know that he knows best what we need.
Discuss
Father, thank you that through Jesus you have made us your children. Forgive us for trying to prove ourselves to you and to others. Help us obey you freely because we know that we are loved. Amen.
Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Reflect
Have you ever tried really hard to impress someone? Maybe you wanted a teacher, coach, friend, or coworker to think well of you. It can be exhausting to feel like you always have something to prove.
Paul says that's not how life with God works. What a relief! God sent Jesus to redeem us so that we could become his sons and daughters. If you belong to Jesus, you don't obey God so that he'll finally decide to love you. Or approve of you. Or even be happy with you. You are free to obey God because you are already loved.
That changes our obedience. We can tell the truth when we've done something wrong. We can ask forgiveness without making excuses. We can serve without needing everyone to notice. We can obey God because we love and trust him, and we know that he knows best what we need.
Discuss
- When are you most tempted to prove yourself to other people?
- What's the difference between obeying so that someone will love you and obeying because you know you are loved?
- How might knowing that you have nothing to prove make it easier to admit when you're wrong?
Father, thank you that through Jesus you have made us your children. Forgive us for trying to prove ourselves to you and to others. Help us obey you freely because we know that we are loved. Amen.
Wednesday
Read
John 10:7-11
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Reflect
Jesus said that he came so that his people "may have life and have it abundantly." This is the picture of human flourishing. That doesn't mean that Jesus promises us everything we want. It doesn't mean that we will experience all the material comforts this world has to offer. Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd, and a good shepherd knows what his sheep need and leads them toward what is good.
Jesus knows what we were created for far better than we do!
Sometimes, God's commands can feel like they're keeping us from something good. But what if Jesus actually knows what brings about human flourishing? What if forgiveness is better than holding a grudge? What if generosity is better than always wanting more? What if telling the truth is better than protecting ourselves with a lie?
Following Jesus isn't missing out on the good life. Life with Jesus is the good life for which we were created.
Discuss
Jesus, you are our Good Shepherd. You know what we need and what we were created for. Help us trust you when your way is different from what we want. Lead us into the good life of your kingdom. Amen.
John 10:7-11
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Reflect
Jesus said that he came so that his people "may have life and have it abundantly." This is the picture of human flourishing. That doesn't mean that Jesus promises us everything we want. It doesn't mean that we will experience all the material comforts this world has to offer. Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd, and a good shepherd knows what his sheep need and leads them toward what is good.
Jesus knows what we were created for far better than we do!
Sometimes, God's commands can feel like they're keeping us from something good. But what if Jesus actually knows what brings about human flourishing? What if forgiveness is better than holding a grudge? What if generosity is better than always wanting more? What if telling the truth is better than protecting ourselves with a lie?
Following Jesus isn't missing out on the good life. Life with Jesus is the good life for which we were created.
Discuss
- What are some things people think will make them happy?
- Why might something we really want not actually be good for us?
- What is one command from Jesus that can be difficult to obey? How might that command actually lead us toward a better life?
Jesus, you are our Good Shepherd. You know what we need and what we were created for. Help us trust you when your way is different from what we want. Lead us into the good life of your kingdom. Amen.
Thursday
Read
Matthew 4:17; Matthew 5:43-48
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Reflect
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This was Jesus' proclamation of the gospel - the telling of the good news announcing regime change in the world.
Repentance means more than just saying, "I'm sorry that I did something bad." Jesus was announcing that God's kingdom had arrived. The King was here! That meant people needed to change not only what they did, but the hear behind their allegiance had to actually lead the way.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies. That's a perfect example. We naturally want to hurt people who hurt us, to avoid them, or to make sure they get what they deserve. (Maybe if we're honest, we want them to get beyond what they deserve.) Jesus gives us another way: love them and pray for them.
Repentance means learning to say, "Jesus, you are right, and I am not." We trust that our King knows better than we do what a truly good and beautiful life looks like.
Discuss
King Jesus, forgive us for thinking that we know better than you what will make us happy. Change our hearts and teach us the ways of your kingdom. Help us trust that your way is always good. Amen.
Matthew 4:17; Matthew 5:43-48
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Reflect
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This was Jesus' proclamation of the gospel - the telling of the good news announcing regime change in the world.
Repentance means more than just saying, "I'm sorry that I did something bad." Jesus was announcing that God's kingdom had arrived. The King was here! That meant people needed to change not only what they did, but the hear behind their allegiance had to actually lead the way.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies. That's a perfect example. We naturally want to hurt people who hurt us, to avoid them, or to make sure they get what they deserve. (Maybe if we're honest, we want them to get beyond what they deserve.) Jesus gives us another way: love them and pray for them.
Repentance means learning to say, "Jesus, you are right, and I am not." We trust that our King knows better than we do what a truly good and beautiful life looks like.
Discuss
- Why do you think Jesus connects repentance with the arrival of God's kingdom?
- Why is loving an enemy so difficult?
- Where might you need to say this week, “Jesus, you are right, and I am not”?
King Jesus, forgive us for thinking that we know better than you what will make us happy. Change our hearts and teach us the ways of your kingdom. Help us trust that your way is always good. Amen.
Friday
Read
Galatians 5:1, 13
5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Reflect
We end where we began this week: "For freedom Christ has set us free." Now notice what Paul says later in the chapter in v. 13: "You were called to freedom."
And then he tells us what to do with that freedom: "through love serve one another."
That seems a bit strange, doesn't it? And one friend asked after worship, "Why does Paul say we're called to freedom in Galatians but in Romans he talks about us becoming slaves of God?" That's the turn here. Jesus frees us, and then we're told to serve?
That's because Christian freedom doesn't mean that nobody gets to tell us what to do. Jesus frees us from all the things that control us so that we can finally become the people God created us to be. And free people are able to love. In fact, Galatians 5:13 effectively says, "You were called to freedom...through love, enslave yourselves to one another."
We don't have to win. We don't have to get our way. We don't have to assert our rights.
We are free to love.
So Paul says: Stand firm. Don't go back to the things that promise freedom but make you their servant. Trust Jesus and use the freedom he has given you to love the people around you.
Discuss
Jesus, thank you for setting us free. Keep us from going back to things that promise us life but cannot give it. Help us stand firm in your freedom and use that freedom to love and serve one another. Amen.
Galatians 5:1, 13
5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Reflect
We end where we began this week: "For freedom Christ has set us free." Now notice what Paul says later in the chapter in v. 13: "You were called to freedom."
And then he tells us what to do with that freedom: "through love serve one another."
That seems a bit strange, doesn't it? And one friend asked after worship, "Why does Paul say we're called to freedom in Galatians but in Romans he talks about us becoming slaves of God?" That's the turn here. Jesus frees us, and then we're told to serve?
That's because Christian freedom doesn't mean that nobody gets to tell us what to do. Jesus frees us from all the things that control us so that we can finally become the people God created us to be. And free people are able to love. In fact, Galatians 5:13 effectively says, "You were called to freedom...through love, enslave yourselves to one another."
We don't have to win. We don't have to get our way. We don't have to assert our rights.
We are free to love.
So Paul says: Stand firm. Don't go back to the things that promise freedom but make you their servant. Trust Jesus and use the freedom he has given you to love the people around you.
Discuss
- What is the difference between “I can do whatever I want” and the freedom Jesus gives us?
- How does knowing you have nothing to prove make you freer to serve someone else?
- Who could you freely love or serve this weekend without expecting anything in return?
Jesus, thank you for setting us free. Keep us from going back to things that promise us life but cannot give it. Help us stand firm in your freedom and use that freedom to love and serve one another. Amen.
Scripture + Catechism
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
New City Catechism 34
Q. Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God's Word?
A. Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
A. Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
Prayer @CTK
Pray with CTK this week
Thank Jesus that He has set us free and brought us into the life of His Kingdom. Ask Him to keep us from looking to anything else for the life, security, freedom and flourishing that are found in Him alone, and to form us by His Spirit into people who increasingly reflect the character of our King.
Our Worship
Our Formation
Our Mission
Our Community
Those in Need
Thank Jesus that He has set us free and brought us into the life of His Kingdom. Ask Him to keep us from looking to anything else for the life, security, freedom and flourishing that are found in Him alone, and to form us by His Spirit into people who increasingly reflect the character of our King.
Our Worship
- Pray that our worship would fix our hearts on Jesus and deepen our confidence that life under His good reign is the truly flourishing life.
- Ask the Lord to free us from trying to prove ourselves through our morality, accomplishments, or religious performance, and teach us to rest in what Christ has already accomplished for us.
Our Formation
- Pray that the Spirit would transform us into people who increasingly love what Jesus loves and desire to live according to His Word.
- Ask God to help us receive His commands as invitations to become the people He created us to be.
- Pray that we would learn to obey with nothing to prove, quick to repent when we are wrong, eager to love, and increasingly free from the need to defend ourselves.
Our Mission
- Give thanks for our ministry partners with Isaiah55 in Reynosa, Flourish31 in Belize, RUF International at the University of Texas, TruCare Pregnancy Resource Center, and Jubilee Prison Ministry.
- Pray for the people served through each of these ministries and ask God to make the good news and Kingdom of Jesus tangible through their words, relationships, service, and care.
- Ask the Lord to show each of us where we can participate personally in His mission through serving, giving, praying, encouraging, and building relationships with our ministry partners.
- Pray for wisdom as CTK considers ways we can deepen our partnerships and share more fully in the work God is already doing through these ministries.
Our Community
- Pray that CTK would be a community marked by the freedom of the gospel as people who don't need to win, get our own way, prove ourselves, or assert our rights, but are increasingly free to love and serve one another.
- Ask the Lord to expose the rival promises of success, comfort, approval, control, politics, possessions, or even religion that compete for our allegiance, and teach us to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us.
- Pray that our shared life would give our neighbors a glimpse of the goodness and beauty of life together under the reign of King Jesus.
Those in Need
- Pray for those among us who are discouraged, lonely, grieving, sick, anxious, or carrying burdens that others may not see. Ask Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to draw near and remind them that they are held securely in His care.
- Pray that the freedom Christ has given us would make us increasingly free to notice, love, serve, give, and bear the burdens of those around us.
Blessing
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24