Acts chapter 15 is probably the most pivotal section in a book loaded with monumental moments. Tension builds as the Jewish Christians wrestle with what is essential for salvation, as multitudes of Gentiles pour into the Jesus movement. Is circumcision required? What about the food laws? Does the Sabbath still need to be honored? This obviously doesn't seem like a big deal to us because we are many years removed from this controversy. However it is still incredibly relevant, because as Christians we still have this tendency of adding on extra requirements for salvation; church attendance, being a good person, and various other religious and cultural traditions. The lesson we all need to learn, and strive to pursue, comes from the apostle Peter as he stands among the church leaders in Jerusalem and gives this powerful charge: " Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. " ~ Acts 15:10-11 Despite this radical message of grace, we still find ways of binding up grace and adding burdens for people seeking new life in Jesus...including ourselves. In this sermon episode we will explore some of those burdens and discover that now, more then ever, we need to live out this message of unbounded grace.
