Friday, 10 June 2011

  • FREE AT LAST [2]

    Freed Through Faith

    Galatians 2
    06/08/2011

    INTRO
     * How are you righteous before God?
    * Review: Freed By Grace... God’s pleasure in you is NOT based on your performance for Him
        > that truth is both FREEING & FRUSTRATING
        > we want to please God (2Cor 5:9)
        > BUT If His pleasure in us is not based on our performance for Him, HOW DO WE PLEASE HIM?

    1. Three Pictures...
    * vs 1-10 - A picture of LEGALISM... Right behavior with wrong BELIEF.
        > legalism = working to earn the favor of God... a good thing LINKED to a wrong belief, the belief that doing those things earns God’s favor.
     * vs 11-14 - A picture of HYPOCRISY... Right belief with wrong BEHAVIOR.
        > LOOKUP Acts 10
        > vs 14 = hypocrisy = believing the Gospel but not living in line with it
     * vs 15-21 - A picture of FAITH... Right belief AND right behavior.
        > key word? = FAITH (vs 16, 20)

    2. Faith Alone... vs 15-21
    A. Through faith in Christ Alone, we are ACCEPTED before God.
    * We are justified by faith (vs 16,17,21)
        > Martin Luther: the doctrine of justification by faith alone is “the article upon which the church stands or falls”
        > John Calvin: "it is the hinge upon which everything turns"
        > Charles Spurgeon: “Any church which puts in the place of justification by faith in Christ another method of salvation is a harlot church.”
        > The doctrine of justification by faith alone is the HEART of the gospel.
    * Justification is...
        > ...the GRACIOUS act of God...
            - vs 16c this is something God does (Rom 3:10-12, 23)
        > ...by which God DECLARES …
            - justification is a legal term, a judge declares a verdict. IMPORTANT, justification is an ACT, NOT A PROCESS!
            - you cannot be justified “more” or “less”
        > ...a SINNER …
            - God the judge, dealing with man the guilty criminal (Phil 3:8)
        > ... RIGHTEOUS …
              - that the holy judge of the universe would look on me, a willful rebel, desiring my glory above His, idolatry in my heart, guilty... and say “Not guilty, righteous, innocent, accepted!”
            - but we ARE guilty... how does God do it? (and still be a just judge?)
        > ...solely on the basis of FAITH in Jesus Christ.
             - 2 Cor 5:21 “ He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
            - all the guilt, all the penalty, all the judgment, all the wrath, all the death you deserved, and He poured all that ON CHRIST
            - all the love, all that the Father is pleased with in the Son, His righteousness, His right standing, is poured out ON YOU.
            - thats why to try and ADD something to what Jesus has done is such an insult to the Gospel!

    * Heidelberg Catechism = Question 60 = How are you righteous before God? Answer = Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; so that though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil; notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, but only of mere grace, grants and imputes to me, the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ; even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.


    B. Through faith in Christ, we are ALIVE to God. vs 19-20
    * vs 19-20 NOW, We LIVE by faith. What if faith is not only just the only way we are accepted before God?, what if faith is also the only way we are able to live before God? What if Faith isn’t just a one time decision, what if Faith is central in every facet of our lives?
    * Paul has no room for the idea that once upon a time you pray some prayer and then your life looking the same after that... its not possible! Because we live by faith!
    * vs 20 Dead and Alive? How does this work to be crucified w/ Christ?
        > We die to SIN.
        > We die to OURSELVES. (no easy believism)
        > He COVERS our sin. (Rom 5:9)
        > He CHANGES our lives. (“been crucified” happened in the past with present, ongoing implications)
             - We are not in DEBT to Christ.
            - We are INDWELT by Christ!

    * What if the Christian life is not about you living for Christ? But Christ living for you, & in you, Him working His life out through you moment by moment and day by day. Living by faith every second.


    CONCLUSION
    * How do we live to please God? Not more of me, but more of Christ in me.
    * God’s pleasure in you is based on CHRIST’S performance for you.
        > He is PASSIONATE about YOU!... how do you know?...
        > He has PAID a price for YOU!


    Resources:
    David Platt's Galatians Sermon Series (primary)
    Mark Driscoll's Galatians Sermon Series
    John MacArthur's Galatians Commentary
    Warren Wiersbe's book "Be Free"



Thursday, 09 June 2011

  • FREE AT LAST [1]

    Freed By Grace
    Galatians 1
    06/01/2011

    INTRO
    * consider all the religions of the world, tirelessly, endlessly trying to make peace with God. They have no concept of grace, of a God who makes peace with us. Grace is a revolutionary, radical concept. Our prideful, sinful, rebellious hearts think we can work our way to God. Grace says “No”, you cannot work your way to God & that is why He comes to rescue you. If we miss grace, we miss the whole point of the Bible and of the Gospel
    * Background info...
        > date: AD 50
        > author: Paul
        > theme: Freedom
        > reason: Written to affirm the centrality of Grace in the church, & to counteract legalistic tendencies creeping into the church. Judaizers had infiltrated the church and were false teachers that taught that in order to be saved you had to believe in Christ AND keep all the Jewish rules & regulations (lookup Acts 15:1,8-11)
    * Judaizers were basically LEGALISTS, and what they taught THEN is alive and well TODAY (in a different form). There are tendancies in the church today that CREEP in and try and ADD to the gospel of grace & undercut the foun dation of salvation
    * Each of us are recovering legalists. Secretly we think there is something we can do to be accepted by God. That if we read our bibles & pray God will love us more, & if we don’t He will love us less.


    1. LEGALISM DEFINED...
    A. WORKING IN OUR OWN POWER.
    * Trust in Christ, PLUS...
    * Saved by grace, PLUS living by our own strength
    B. WORKING ACCORDING TO OUR OWN RULES.
     * do “this” to be accepted by God (man made rules)
    * we obey Gods commands, but abandon our man-made rules
    C. WORKING TO EARN GOD’S FAVOR.
    * earning “credits” from God
    * Gods pleasure in you is NOT based on your performance for Him
    * vs 8-9 if ANYONE says the Gospel is anything but GRACE let them be CONDEMNED!
    * Martin Luther: “Wherefore, God assisting me, my forehead shall be more hard than all men’s foreheads.... Yea, I am glad even with all my heart, in this point to seem rebellious and obstinate. And here I confess that I am and ever will be stout and stern, and will not one inch give place to any creature... let this be the conclusion of all that we will suffer our goods to be taken away... Let this be the conclusion of all, that we will suffer our goods to be taken away, our name, our life, and all that we have, but the Gospel, our faith in Jesus Christ, we will never suffer to be wrested from us. Let every Christian here be proud and spare not, except he will deny Christ.”
    * How do we address this performance based mentality that creeps into our hearts and minds?...


    2. LEGALISM DESTROYED...
    A. TRUTH #1 THE GOSPEL IS FREE (vs 3-5)
    * Grace is Paul’s theme... 1:3, 15, 2:9, 21, 5:4, 6:18
    * Grace = Gods unmerited favor. The Gospel is free, salvation is free, mercy is free!
    * Gods pleasure in us is NOT based on our performance for Him, instead Gods pleasure in us is based on His performance on our behalf...
    * vs 4c GOD THE FATHER HAS INITIATED OUR SALVATION
        > vs 13-14 “I, I, I...”
        > vs 15-16 “but when GOD... pleased...”
        > vs 11-12 THE GOSPEL IS NOT INVENTED BY MAN
         > vs 12 THE GOSPEL IS REVEALED BY GOD
    * vs 4a GOD THE SON HAS ACCOMPLISHED OUR SALVATION
        > Christ has done everything necessary for our salvation. The gospel is not about what man can do, its all about what Christ HAS DONE. Jesus Paid it ALL.
        > WE INSULT THE GOSPEL WHEN WE ADD TO GRACE.
         > WE MISUNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL WHEN WE CHEAPEN GRACE
            - Gal 2:14 there is a way of life that is IN LINE w/ the Gospel
            - we don’t suggest that b/c of grace we can live in sin, not a license to sin, not lawlessness
            - Faith produces works
        > WE MAGNIFY THE GOSPEL WHEN WE TRUST IN GRACE

    B. TRUTH #2 THE GOSPEL IS FREEING (vs 4)
     * Rescued from the power & dominion of the world. A gospel of rescue, freedom from bondage
    * We dont get saved and leave grace behind, we live by grace, we pray by grace, we read our Bible by grace
    * BY HIS GRACE, WE ARE FREE FROM SIN IN THIS WORLD
    * BY HIS GRACE, WE ARE FREE TO SHARE WITH THIS WORLD
        > Why was Paul saved?... (vs 16) so that he would be a proclaimer of Grace among the nations!
        > Why are we born in a nation where the Gospel is so readily available? By His grace, to rescue us, and to PROCLAIM it to the nations.


    CONCLUSION
    * if you have been trying to work your way to heaven... if you have been trying to keep all kinds of man made rules to make a way to God... I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, God has made a way to you!
    * God has come to you in the person of Jesus Christ, not based on what you have done, but based on His grace, and he can rescue you and give you peace with God.
    * Grace is not CHEAP, but it is FREE
    * Grace is available in Jesus... ALONE, not Jesus PLUS


    Resources:
    David Platt's Galatians Sermon Series (primary)
    Mark Driscoll's Galatians Sermon Series
    John MacArthur's Galatians Commentary
    Warren Wiersbe's book "Be Free"


Tuesday, 07 June 2011

  • BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES

    I recently finished a teaching series on "What is a Baptist?", also known as the Baptist Distinctives and I taught the following 11 points...

    B iblical Authority
    A utonomy of the Local Church
    P riesthood of the Believer
    T wo Ordinances: Baptism & The Lords Supper
    I ndividual Soul Liberty
    S aved, Baptized Church Membership
    T wo Offices: Elder (Pastor) & Deacon
    S eperation of Church & State & Security of Salvation

    I think this list is both biblical & helpful, however I recently read something by Baptist historian Walter B. Shurden that I think really boils it down even more to the 4 core issues that differentiate a Baptist church. They are entitled "The Four Freedoms"...

    THE FOUR FREEDOMS

    SOUL freedom: the soul is competent before God, and capable of making decisions in matters of faith without coercion or compulsion by any larger religious or civil body

    BIBLE freedom: the individual is free to interpret the Bible for himself or herself, using the best tools of scholarship and biblical study available to the individual

    CHURCH freedom: freedom of the local church from outside interference, whether government or civilian (subject only to the law where it does not interfere with the religious teachings and practices of the church)

    RELIGIOUS freedom: the individual is free to choose whether to practice their religion, another religion, or no religion; Separation of church and state is often called the "civil corollary" of religious freedom

Thursday, 30 September 2010

  • RETURNING TO THE LORD [REVIVAL 1]

     

    Returning to the Lord
    (Personal Revival #1)
    Hosea 6:1-3
    9/29/10  Awana

    ref:  Book "Downpour" by James MacDonald (and sermon series)

    INTRO
      *  Def. "Revival" = God, gladly at the center of my life, experienced and enjoyed... to be dissatisfied w/ anything less than a genuine, personal, passionate experience w/ God
      * Illustration:  at our shop we have to recalibrate equipment/machines periodically.  Revival is when Christians periodically need recalibrated, re-centered on Christ.
      *  read Hosea 3:1-3
          >  Hosea preached for approx 80 years.  Isaiah & Micah were his contemporaries
          >  1st, largest, and most theologically complete of the minor prophets
          >  theme: Gods love for His people when their hearts are far from Him
          >  ministered in the northern Kingdom of Israel.  The people were prosperous, wayward, self-indulgent, & idolatrous
          >  Hosea was commanded by God to marry a women named Gomer, who later became a prostitute.  Hosea's faithful love for his unfaithful wife became a picture of Gods love for His unfaithful people
          >  Hosea pleads for change of heart and direction to avoid judgment and experience restoration and revival


    1.  THE INVITATION TO REVIVAL

      a.  Let Us RETURN To The Lord  (vs 1)
        *  "come" - come, return, you dont have to stay where you are!  things can change!  doubt can become faith, discouragement can become joy, defeat can become victory
        *  "let us" - your not alone... you may wonder if you are alone or if anyone cares, we do!
        *  "return" - used over 1000 x's in OT. repentance, turning is a crisis. 
            >  Hosea 5:4,  7:10,  11:5,  14:1-2
        *  returning to the Lord is...
            >  recognizing... recognize your going the wrong way.  recognize sin for the rupulsive thing that it is.  God has to shine his light on your mind
            >  repenting... I'm wrong, I'm sorry, I have no excuse,
            >  returning (leaving)... I dont want this sin, I am leaving it behind, I want what God wants for me
        *  remember... we dont fix ourselves in order to come to God, we come to God to get fixed.  (Illustration: You dont need to take a shower before you take a bath)
        *  Christianity is seen as a PROCESS.  see Col 2:6.  You NEED to have a periodic CRISIS, a turning, a returning, repentance.
        *  When was the last time you experienced a real spiritual CRISIS?...A deep, heartfelt  rekindling of passion over His Word?... a deep heart ache over lost souls?... over a struggle w/ sin?... over your ministry?

      b.  Let Us PURSUE The Lord  (vs 3)
        *  "let us strive to know" = let us pursue the Lord
        *  knowledge of the Lord is...
            >  facts about God... Gods resume, who He is, what He has done
            >  a heart understanding of the facts... impacts you at the core of your being
            >  experience w/ God... God is everywhere & always working
            >  blessings from God... a heart awareness that every good thing is from God
        *  "strive" = not just "know", but to press on to know, notice the intentional pursuit.  intense, active, passionate... WAKE UP & GO AFTER THE LORD!
        *  Illustration:  a wake up experience like a car accident... it wakes us up and makes us think about how much time we have here on earth... pursue the Lord!


    2.  THE PATHWAY TO REVIVAL

      a.  from PAIN to PURPOSE (vs 1)
        *  "torn" = like torn by animals
        *  "He" = behind the hurt in your life, is God.  God is creating a crisis to call us back. 
        *  In our church we could share testimonies of thanksgiving to God for how He has used PAIN to bring PURPOSE.  A CRISIS to get us on the path to revival.
        *  see Hos 5:14-15
        *  WHY? that He may HEAL us.  no healing - no returning!  To cause you to SEEK and search for Him.

      b..from DEATH to LIFE (vs 1-2)
        *  "wounded" = to strike down, sometimes means death, rock bottom
        *  just as a Dr. must wound to heal, as a bone is sometimes broken to be set
            >  illustration:  cutting through the sternum to get to the heart for surgery
            >  Job 5:17-18
            >  God would rather see us anywhere than living in rebelling and resistance to His will for us.
        *  "two days" = not Christs resurrection but YOURS.  God know you are in the fire but its for a SPECIFIED amount of time and NOT a moment longer!
        *  REMINDER: you cant be revived w/o first being "vived"... you cant have renewed life if you've never had life... Jn 5:24 (Have you been converted?)
        *  Will you let life's PAINS bring you to Gods PURPOSES?  or will God have to TEAR that SIN from your life?


    3.  THE EXPERIENCE OF REVIVAL

       a.  Its AVAILABLE! (vs 3)
        *  "going out" = troops, marching out to battle, His work is CERTAIN
        *  He is NOT reluctant, He is willing, nothing can stop Him!!
        *  "He... He... He,,," = God is doing it
        *  You CANNOT bring revival to your town, church, or home... BUT you can bring it to your OWN HEART... today?

      b.  Its ABUNDANT!
        *  when revival come to the heart, its not a sprinkle but a downpour!  its a flood!
        *  I have been praying for revival for me, and for you!


    CONCLUSION
      *  "Revival" = God, gladly at the center of my life, experienced and enjoyed... to be dissatisfied w/ anything less than a genuine, personal, passionate experience w/ God
      *  In the coming weeks, we are going to search the Scriptures to see...
          >  God on the Throne (Holiness)
          >  Sin in the Mirror (Brokeness)
          >  Self in the Dirt (Repentance)
          >  Christ on the Cross (Grace)
          >  Spirit in Control (Power)

Tuesday, 27 July 2010

  • Casual Dress?


    I had a weird email exchange with someone last week and it left me a little discouraged. The subject matter was if he could "recommend our church" to people that might be coming to my area.  We have virtually the same doctrinal statement (Baptistic, Calvinistic, etc.) and we admire many of the same preachers and ministries (John MacArthur, John Piper, Shepherds Conference, 9 Marks, etc.), and we have very similar philosophies of ministry (emphasis on expositional preaching, emphasis the local church & discipleship, not "emergent", not "charismatic", not "seeker driven", etc.).  BUT, at the end of the day he would not recommend our church because our website mentions that casual dress is "OK" and we stress a come as you are attitude.

    Don't get me wrong, among our church people and in our youth group we teach about "appropriate" and "modest" dress.  We believe the Bible teaches us to be modest and we think common sense and an appreciation for Who we worship would require that we dress appropriately.  I mean, I wouldn't come to church in a bathing suit, nor would I attend in a tuxedo.  Both say "look at me" instead of looking to Christ.  But I digress...

    So how big a deal is "casual dress" to church?  Could you recommend or attend a church that was doctrinally and philosophically sound but lacked a clear "dress code"?  Do you think some kind of "church dress code" can be found in the New Testament?  Should we police the front door and turn away those dressed "inappropriately" or those who lack the proper "reverence"?  I guess at the end of the day, is this person (who I respect greatly by the way) taking the issue of dress and blowing it way out of proportion, OR am I the one who is way too lax and not giving this issue the weight that it deserves?

    Just Curious...

    eek
    Phil. 3:10

    PS: this is the part of my church webpage mentioning dress... http://www.calvarybyesville.org/sunday.htm

     

     

GOSPEL...

Here at EEK_71 we are very passionate about the Gospel message of the Bible. The good news is that God is our holy Creator and righteous Judge. He created us to worship Him and enjoy Him forever, BUT we have all sinned, both in Adam as our representative, and in our own individual actions. We therefore deserve the judgment of death (spiritual separation from God in hell). We are in fact, already spiritually dead, completely helpless in our sinful state and in need of God to impart spiritual life to us and rescue us from the penalty of sin. God sent His Son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to be punished in our place. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty of our sins. God’s forgiveness and the gift of eternal life are neither earned nor deserved, but rather it is available to men by God's grace alone, through faith alone. If we would have Christ's perfect righteousness credited to us, and the penalty of our sins accounted to Him, then we must respond by turning from our sin and trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Please consider contacting me to discuss the Gospel today!.

Remember... In this life believers are promised trials, temptations, and persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Christians don’t come to Jesus for an easy life, we come to Him to be made right with God, for forgiveness, and eternal life. We know God loves us NOT because life becomes easier, BUT because He demonstrated that love for us on the cross.

ARCHIVES...

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