The ordinance of Baptism is the sign of being in the New Covenant of Christ and therefore having been crucified with Him and raised with Him. This calls us to live out our Baptism as those who have been made new creatures. 

The Christian life is one of conflict on every level--from our own sin to the struggle of loving others to the battle against the wickedness of the world. Christians must be involved in all of it.

Throughout history, wicked kings and rulers have sought to overthrow God and Christ. This futile practice continues today; however, the Lord Jesus Christ reigns on the throne with all authority in heaven and on earth. This sermon exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, whose kingdom will remain unshaken.

The Christian attitude during times of persecution should be one of rejoicing. However, Christians must first prepare to suffer persecution for the faith. This week's sermon exhorts believers to prepare for persecution. 

Continuing with the example of Abraham, Paul points out that faith necessarily reveals itself in our lives in our obedience to God, and because faith is from God, it must endure to the end. 

Paul makes clear in Romans 4 that any reliance on obedience to the law to make us right with God is hopeless. God's law increases our knowledge of sin and brings wrath. It is only through faith that one can be reconciled to God.

Do our works have anything to do with making us right with God? In Romans 4, Paul uses Abraham and his faith as an example to demonstrate that God saves His people by grace alone.

Introduction

1. What Is Progressive Christianity?
   1. “Progressive Christianity is an open, intelligent and collaborative approach to the Christian tradition and the life and teachings of Jesus that creates a pathway into an authentic and relevant religious experience.”

(ProgressiveChristianity.org)

1. Progressive Christianity - Focuses on Feelings, Pragmatism, Personal Happiness, Social Justice, Care for the Poor and Oppressed, Environmental Causes, Acceptance of Diversity, Keeping Up with Culture
2. Progressive Christianity - is not overly concerned with core Christian beliefs, but uses Christian terminology, redefines doctrines or at least, understates them
   1. Biblical authority - inspiration - sufficiency
   2. The substitutionary atonement of Christ (seen as unnecessary. . . “Cosmic child abuse”)
   3. Original Sin - Deny the sin nature
   4. Miracles - Downplayed, ignored   
3. Progressive Christianity is sympathetic to or fully affirms . . .
   1. LGBTQ+ - Relationships, “Marriage”, etc. - (side A & B)
   2. Universalism - Eventually every person will be saved
   3. Social Justice
   4. Perennialism - All religions share similar truths - key is to practice yours faithfully
4. Naming Names
   1. Hard Core
      1. Jim Wallis
      2. Richard Rohr
      3. Marcus Borg
      4. Peter Enns
      5. Rachel Held Evans
      6. Rob Bell
      7. John Dominic Crossan
      8. Nadia Bolz-Weber
      9. Kristin Kobes Du Mez
      10. Brian McLaren
      11. Brian Zahnd
      12. N.T. Wright
   2. Use Extreme Caution
      1. Tim Keller
      2. Matt Chandler
      3. David Platt
      4. Jen Wilkin
      5. Jen Hatmaker
      6. Russell Moore
      7. Beth Moore
      8. David French
      9. Julie Roys
      10. Karen Swallow Prior

“Discernment is not a matter of telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it’s telling the difference between right and almost right.” C.H. Spurgeon

1. Scriptures to Know
   1. Romans 16:17-18
   2. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
   3. 2 Peter 2:1-3
   4. 1 John 4:1
   5. Jude 1:4
   6. Ephesians 5:6-13
   7. 2 John 1:7-11