Justification by Faith - a survey

How does God grow the Church

Justification by Faith

message #3

{Intro}

Scripture reveals that mankind is separated from God as a result of sin. They are under judgment because of their sin which must be punished (Jn. 3:18). God provided the means of forgiveness through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7-8). Jesus, who is the sinless Son of God, gave Himself as an offering for sin (Gal. 4:4-5; 1 Tim. 1:15; 2:3-6). He took our sin upon Himself and received the God the Father's wrath for our sin while He was on the cross (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Jesus' sacrifice satisfied the Father's righteous requirement (Rom. 3:21-26). R.A. Torrey stated the following in a message entitled, The Great Attraction: The Uplifted Christ,

First, Christ crucified draws all men unto Himself because Christ crucified meets the first, the deepest, the greatest and most fundamental need of man. What is man's first, greatest, deepest, most fundamental need? A Savior? A Savior from what? First of all, and underlying all else, a Savior from the guilt of sin. Every man of every race has sinned. As Paul put it "There is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:22-23) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, at this point, nor is there any difference between English and German at this point, there is no difference between American and Japanese at this point, no difference between the European and Asian, no difference between the American and the African. "There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Every man of every race is a sinner, "there is no difference" at this point. And every man shall have to answer for his sin to the infinitely holy God who rules this universe. Therefore, all men need an atoning Savior who can by His atoning death make propitiation for, and so cover up, our sins-thus reconciling us to this holy God, delivering us from His awful wrath, and bringing us out into the glorious sunlight of His favor. And Jesus lifted up is the only atoning Savior in the universe. He who alone was at the same time God and man, He alone can make atonement for sin. He has made it, has made a perfect atonement, and God has accepted His atonement and, testified to His acceptance of His atonement by raising Him from the dead. The Lord Jesus actually meets our need. He actually meets every man's first, greatest, deepest, most fundamental need, and He alone.

{Message}

Scripture teaches that through Christ's sacrifice, justification was made available (Col. 1:19-23). This justification is received by faith in Christ's sacrifice (Rom. 5:1-2; Tit. 3:4-7). When one trusts in Christ's sacrifice by faith he is declared righteous (justified) by God (Rom. 5:8-11). At that moment the individual receives Christ's righteousness (Rom. 3:21-16). Faith in Christ's sacrifice results in the individual being accepted by God and receiving forgiveness of sins (Col. 2:13-14; Tit. 2:11-14).

This means that for one to attempt to earn God's forgiveness (eternal salvation) is to reject God redemptive plan. Christ's sacrifice is the means of justification and restoration (redemption) (Heb. 9:12-28). Faith is the means of receiving this forgiveness and redemption (Gal. 2:16; Heb. 1:3). Faith in Christ's sacrifice results in receiving God's righteousness (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 3:21-26). A person receiving righteousness from God by faith is the only way for a person to be justified in the presence of God (1 Cor. 1:8-9; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Rom. 8:28-39). When one believes in Christ's sacrifice he is justified and receives forgiveness of sins, which he can never forfeit (Heb. 7:24-27; 10:10-18).

Scripture teaches that no man is justified by good works (Rom. 3:19-20, 28). No man is made righteous by being a good person or doing good things (Gal. 2:16; 3:22). In fact, Scripture teaches that no one is righteous (Rom. 3:10-18). Man's good works are described as a “filthy garment” (Isa. 64:6). Therefore, man is in need of righteousness. Scripture teaches that righteousness is available through faith in Christ's sacrifice (Gal. 3:10-14). Righteousness is received by faith (Rom. 3:21-26).

God justifies men by grace, not because of merit. You and I had no merit. Everything was against us. Demerit was ours, and no merit did we have to plead. But now God says in grace, “I am ready to take up that man and save him, if he will but receive and confess my Son as his Lord.” It is so hard for people to understand this. Men always seem to get the idea that they must do something in order to merit God's favor. It would not be grace if it were merited. Grace is unmerited favor, and it is favor for those who have merited the very opposite. That is grace. ~ H.A. Ironside

This biblical teaching has been under attack from the very moment it was revealed (1 Cor. 1:18). Sinful man has set out to establish his own righteousness apart from faith in Christ's sacrifice (Rom. 9:30-32). This pride results in rejecting justification by faith (Rom. 1:18-23). The truth is that sinful man has no righteousness of his own and is incapable of reconciling himself to God. When one accepts Christ's sacrifice by faith for the forgiveness of sins, he receives Christ's righteousness (Gal. 2:16). Can you fathom that a born-again Christian possesses the righteousness of Christ and he received it by faith? Wow! A man is accepted by God and declared righteous through faith in Christ alone (1 Pet. 2:22, 24-25)! This is the only means of being justified with God (Heb. 1:1-4; 7:26-27).

The Lord Jesus Christ was absolutely without offense. He was the holy son of God, but He looked upon us poor sinners in our deep need and He took our place in judgment. He went to the cross and He bore what our sins deserved. He poured out His life in the shedding of His precious blood, and when we receive Him we can say that He has washed out our sins in His precious blood. He had no sins of His own for which to die. He was there for our sins.

~ H.A. Ironside

This subject is so vitally important that it bears summarizing: an individual receives forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ's sacrifice; as a result of faith in Christ's sacrifice God declares that person righteous, imparting to them Christ's righteousness.

{Conclusion}

So your acceptance with God is entirely based on faith in Christ's sacrifice (Eph. 2:1-10). Your approval with God is not based on how you live. God has accepted you through faith in Christ's sacrifice. You are incapable of earning God's approval. You are incapable of repaying God's grace. Rest in the fact that you are justified with God by faith in Christ's sacrifice. You are accepted by God in Christ. Do not fall into the performance trap! This is when you seek to earn God's approval through a laundry list of actions. Some seek to give a lot of money, time, study, evangelism, teaching, etc...all in an effort to earn God's approval. The reality is that justification by faith results in a personal being approved by God in Christ and it has nothing to do with your performance. Through faith in Christ you have as much of God's approval as you can ever possibly possess. Wow, that is something awesome. So get out of the performance trap! You can only be justified by faith in Christ.

There is another trap that is equally as dangerous, which is the debtor's ethic. The debtor's ethic is a subtle poison. The idea is one reported to be motivated by gratitude. It goes something like this, “Christ has done so much for me, so I am going to do...for Him.” If one is not careful, the Christian life becomes an unending process of attempting to repay God for His grace through Christ. A believer can never repay God for His grace through Christ. A believer can never repay God for His grace period, so stop trying! God never intended for us to repay Him! Salvation is by grace and we receive it through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). As believers we are forever indebted to God's grace. In fact, as we live and glorify God, that is a result of His grace, not our own efforts (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12-13; Jn. 3:21). Our obedience to God, our love for Him, our spiritual growth, our spiritual fruit, they are all the result of God's grace in our lives! Some believers think that salvation is by grace through faith, but that spiritual maturity is entirely a personal effort (Gal. 3:2-3). All of the Christian life: positional sanctification, progressive sanctification, and final sanctification are all a result of God's grace at work in our lives (Rom. 8:28-30).

This subject is so vitally important that it bears summarizing: an individual receives forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ's sacrifice; as a result of faith in Christ's sacrifice God declares that person righteous, imparting to them Christ's righteousness.

How does God grow the Church? - message #3 - Justification by Faith

Justification by Faith

Romans 3:21-26

{Intro}

This message is an exposition of the central passage on justification by faith. Justification by faith is crucial to an accurate understanding of Christianity and Scripture. The Protestant Reformation began because of the widespread false teaching concerning how one receives eternal salvation. Men rose up to defend Scripture's teaching of justification by faith. During that time Catholicism taught that men were justified by works. The Reformers boldly proclaimed justification by faith. Their battle cry was, Soli fide, Sola gratia, Sole deo gloria “by faith alone, by grace alone, to God alone by the glory.” Paul writes to teach the Romans that God has provided His righteousness for all who place their faith in Christ's payment for sins on the cross.

In this passage we are going to see 5 key truths that support the doctrine of justification by faith.

{Message}

#1 – Righteousness isn't received through human effort (21)

This is the first key truth of justification by faith. God's righteousness has nothing to do with the Law or good works. The Law reveals guilt, not righteousness (cf. v. 20). God's righteousness was foretold by the O.T. (cf. Gen. 15:6; Ps. 32:1-2; Hab. 2:4).

#2 – God's righteousness is received through faith in Christ's payment for sin (22)

God's righteousness is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone who places his faith in Christ receives God's righteousness. This doesn't not refer to simply believing that Jesus existed or exists. It refers to faith in Christ's payment for sin.

#3 – Everyone is able to receive God's righteousness through faith in Christ's payment on the cross (23-24)

No one is excluded from receiving God's righteousness through faith in Christ because everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's standard. This means that no one is too good and no one is too bad to be saved through faith in Christ.

Everyone who places his faith in Jesus Christ is declared righteous (justified) free of charge (as a gift). This salvation is made available by God's grace (the unmerited favor of God). This righteousness (justification) is available only through the redemption that Christ provided on the cross. Redemption was a ransom payment given to free a slave. In this case Christ's payment provided a release from guilt, judgment, and sin's power.

#4 – Christ's payment on the cross satisfied God's wrath (25)

God provided Christ as a propitiatory sacrifice for sin. Christ's death (shed blood) satisfied God's the Father's wrath. Christ being the sinless Son of God was the perfect offering needed to pay for all of mankind's sin. Every person who accepts Christ's payment for sin by faith receives forgiveness of sin and receives God's righteousness credited to his account.

God provided Christ as a propitiatory sacrifice for sin to demonstrate His righteousness. God has previously refrained from fully judging the sin of mankind. This does not mean that the sins committed previously were forgotten nor forgiven before Christ paid for them on the cross. In the case of the O.T. Saints, they were already in heaven because they had trusted by faith in God's promises which they had during their lifetime. Christ's payment on the cross paid for their sins.

#5 – God declares righteous those that place their faith in Christ's payment for sin (26)

Christ's payment for sin on the cross demonstrates God's righteousness. God is just because He has punished sin through Christ. God is also the justifier of every person who places his faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. God declares that person righteous through faith in Christ.

{Conclusion}

Here is a quick review of the 5 key truths that support the doctrine of justification by faith:

#1 – Righteousness isn't received through human effort (21)

#2 – God's righteousness is received through faith in Christ's payment for sin (22)

#3 – Everyone is able to receive God's righteousness through faith in Christ's payment on the cross (23-24)

#4 – Christ's payment on the cross satisfied God's wrath (25)

#5 – God declares righteous those that place their faith in Christ's payment for sin (26)

This is awesome truth. When a person places his faith in Christ's payment for sin on the cross here are two major results: forgiveness of sin; and being declared righteous. Your sins are forgiven and you receive Christ's righteousness credited to your account.

How does God grow the Church? message #2 - the gospel

How does God grow the Church

“The Gospel”

Message #2

Intro:

Last week in our series How does God grow the Church we looked at something that is foundational. The Word of God teaches that “God desires for people to be saved.” In that message we studied three proofs of this reality:

#1 – God didn't create hell for people

#2 – god provided the means of forgiveness

#3 – God desires for every person to repent and be saved

This week we are going to look at “The Gospel.” We are going to investigate how the Word of God describes the gospel. Throughout the history of Christianity there have been many who have declared the gospel to be a fairytale. The word means “good news.” What is the good news? We are going to discover that what one does with the gospel determines his eternal destiny. So what am I saying? I am saying that if one rejects the gospel, he will be eternally separated from God in a place of torment called hell.

Message:

#1 - Man is separated from God because of sin

a – Original sin

When Adam was created he enjoyed unhindered fellowship with God (Gen. 2:15-17, 25). Yet, when he was tempted by Satan he chose to sin against God (3:1-8). At that moment Adam became a sinner. He died spiritually, which caused him to become separated relationally from with God. He also began to die physically (3:17-19).

b – Personal sin

We learn from Scripture that every human being since that time has inherited sin from Adam (Rom. 5:12-14, 17-19). Sin resides within our physical bodies (Rom. 7:14-20). Sin has separated us from God and it needs to be dealt with.

#2 – Sin's penalty is death

a – Physical and spiritual

We understand death as being something that frequently occurs. We don't often think of the original source of death. It is sin. But, sin doesn't just result in physical death, it results in spiritual death. Spiritual death means that we are relationally separated from God. We are considered His enemies because of the sin within us. Scripture teaches us that if people don't receive forgiveness for their sins they will be separated from God eternally (Rom. 6:23). Hell is a place of darkness and torment where people don't experience God's presence and grace. All those whose sins are not forgiven will spend eternity in hell.

#3 – Jesus Christ's payment for sin

a - Death

Since God is holy and just, He has to punish sin (Col. 1:13-14, 19-23). God determined to send His Son Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, to provide forgiveness of sins (Gal. 1:3-5; Eph. 1:3-8). The sins of mankind needed to be punished and only a perfect substitute would be sufficient to satisfy God's holiness (Heb. 7:26-27; 1 Pet. 1:17-21). God the Son took on human flesh and received God the Father's wrath for the sins of mankind on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24-25). Jesus, the sinless one, was punished for man's sins (Col. 2:13-14). Jesus died on the cross for man's sins. Jesus paid the debt that all men ow because of their sin (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Jesus took our place, our punishment (Heb. 9:13-14, 23-26).

b - Resurrection

When Jesus rose from the grave three days later, it showed that God the Father had accepted Jesus' payment for the sins of mankind (1 Cor. 15:12-19). Through Christ's payment forgiveness is available (Heb. 10:10-18).

#4 – Repentance and faith

a – Repentance

The Word of God teaches that the appropriate response to the gospel is repentance and faith. The word repentance means “to turn around 180 degrees” or “to change one's mind.” When one hears that he is a sinner and is in need of forgiveness, he should repent of the life he is currently living. There is sorrow involved in repentance (2 Cor. 7:9-10). There is sorrow over how one has lived in sin (Acts 2:37-38; 17:22-31). When this sorrow occurs the individual should seek forgiveness from God.

b – Faith

After one responds to the gospel with repentance, there is a need for faith in the contents of the gospel. The Scriptures always teach that salvation is received by faith (Rom. 5:1-2). When one exercises faith, he is placing his trust in something. Scripture tells us that God the Son took on flesh, received man's punishment for sins, and died on the cross to pay man's penalty (Rom. 3:19-26). When He rose from the dead, that signified that God the Father had accepted Christ's payment for sins. When you place your faith in Christ you are trusting/believing that Jesus' death and resurrection: a) really happened; b) that it saves you from your sins (Rom. 10:1-13).

Conclusion:

So what is necessary for one to be forgiven for his sins and reconciled to God? Repentance of sins and faith in the gospel (Acts 2:37-42). So why doesn't everyone repent and believe the gospel? The sin within people causes them to reject God's offer of salvation. In fact, because of the sin within them they not only refuse to believe the gospel, they ridicule it (1 Cor. 1:18, 22-25).

Is there really only one way to get to heaven? Yes, there is only one way (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:10-12). Many declare this as arrogance. They question how Christianity has the audacity to say that there is only one way to heaven. They propose that there are many different religions and many different ways to heaven.

There is only one true God and He has established one way to get to heaven. Since only He is God and heaven is His domain, He gets to establish the ground rules. He is the one who establishes the requirements for entrance. God has declared that all men must repent of their sins and believe the gospel for the forgiveness of their sins. For those that propose different ways, they have found these answers from some other source, but it is not God. The God of the Bible, has declared that all men must repent of their sins and believe the gospel for the forgiveness of their sins.

Next week we are going to look at the third message in our series How does God grow the Church?, it is entitled, “God uses Christians sharing their faith.”

Genesis 6:11-22

In
the Beginning

Genesis
6:11-22

Intro:

Last
week we studied 6:5-10. We learned of God's anger over the
wickedness of mankin. This resulted in God giving mankind a grace
period of 120 years to repent (6:3). The text tells us that God
regretted creating mankind because of his sinfulness. After the 120
years God promises that He will wipe out man and animals. This
brings to mind God's promise of a Redeemer (3:15). Noah is announced
as being pleasing to God and walking with Him. Noah will be used to
preserve the family line and one of his descendants will be the
Redeemer (Lk. 3:23. 36-38).

This week we
will be introduced to God revealing to Noah His displeasure with the
wickedness of mankind. God has observed how man is living and He
cannot stand their sin any longer. God reveals that He is going to
bring a worldwide flood, which will wipe out mankind and animals.
God is going to judge sin and the only way to avoid that judgment is
to choose God's means of rescue.

Message:

God
examines the earth and describes it as corrupt (11). He also
describes it as being full of violence. The reason for this is the
presence of a sinful nature in mankind. It is interesting to note
that God is described as “looking on the earth” as though He were
an eyewitness to the corruption of humanity. The Hebrew word
translated corrupt
means “to be ruined or rotten.” All of mankind had become
morally rotten (12).

God
addresses Noah, who had been described as “walking with God” and
tells him what He plans to do (13). God has determined to wipe out
mankind because of his wickedness. The earth is described as being
filled with
violence
as a result of man's sin (cf. v. 11). God says that He is going to
wipe out man using the earth. God can only endure unrepentant sin
for so long.

God instructs
Noah to build an ark made of gopher wood (14). This Hebrew word is
only used in one other account to describe what Moses' mother placed
him in to preserve his life (cf. Ex. 2:3, 5). We are unsure of what
type of wood this refers to. Some say it was pine, and others say
cypress. The ark was to contain rooms and the ark was to be covered
with pitch inside and out. The pitch was to ensure that the ark
would be watertight. The ark was to be 450' long, 75' wide, and 45'
hight (15). A cubit equals approximately 18”.

Noah
is to make a window (the word could be translated roof)
for the ark (16). He was to finish the ark to within 18 inches of
the top. This is fine because the water wouldn't get that high. He
was also to make a door in the side of the ark which would allow
people and animals to enter. There were to be three decks on the
ark.

God
emphasizes that He is the one who is brining the flood to judge man's
sin (17). He will destroy everything that has the breath of life in
it (cf. 2:7, 19). Everything on earth will perish, including man and
animals. But God has chosen to establish a covenant with Noah (18).
Noah wouldn't learn the full extent of this covenant until after he
exited the ark (cf. 9:8-17). As a result of God entering into this
covenant with Noah, Noah will enter the ark and be rescued from
judgment. Along with Noah will be his wife, his sons, and the wives
of his sons. They are spared because they are related to Noah. This
is much like Lot being spared because he was related to Abraham (cf.
19:1-29).

Noah
is also to bring two of every animal onto the ark with him (19).
They would be preserved in this way from the flood judgment. Since
there would be one male and one female this would ensure the
re-population on the animals on earth. This included birds, land
animals, and creeping animals (20). The animals will come to Noah.
Noah never had to go find the animals. This is contrary to what Bill
Maher said earlier this year in an interview to promote his
documentary Religulous.
He said, “Come on, can we really trust a book that says some 800
year old man went around and found two of every animal on earth to
get them on the ark. Can you really be intelligent and believe that
Noah did that?” First of all, Noah was only about 600 years old
when the flood began. Second of all, the animals came to Noah.

God
instructs Noah to take some of all edible food onto the ark (21).
Remember, that at this time man and animals were still not meat
eaters (cf. 9:1-4). The food that Noah took onto the ark would be
for the people (8 including Noah) and the animals. Noah did
everything that God asked him to do (22). This is a comment on the
kind of man that Noah was (cf. 6:8-9; 7:1).

Conclusion:

Here
are some interesting things to note from the passage:

#1 – God
notices how mankind lives

#2 – God
will eventually judge sin

#3 – God is
holy and righteous

#4 – God is
gracious and merciful

#5 – God
rewards obedience

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Corinthians

4:1-5

Intro:

Last week we studied 3:16-23. We were taught that God will deal harshly with those pastors and believers who destroy the church through false teaching and wicked actions. Paul called the believers to become wise with God's wisdom which begins with salvation through faith in Christ and then growing in wisdom through the knowledge of God's Word. As they do this they will learn that they inherit amazing blessings through Christ and that Christ is in charge of everything.

This week we are going to learn how to accurately view Christian pastors and believers. Also, we will learn one way that we are to react to the ministry of those who lead us. Christianity is based on truth. Therefore, Christians must study the truth of God's Word, so they may know how to live. Paul wrote to Timothy, “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but ^in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in ^the household of God, which is the ^church of ^the living God, the ^pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15 NASB). The Word of God is essential for us to know how to live and conduct ourselves in the church.

Message:

Paul urges the Corinthians to think of Christian leaders as slaves of Christ and stewards/managers of God's divine revelation (1). Even Christian leaders are slaves, not masters. They are appointed as managers of God's truth. Stewards should be trustworthy since they are overseeing their master's interests (2). Christ set forth this principle repeatedly during His earthly ministry (Lk. 12:42-48). This is true even for Christian leaders who are slaves of Christ and managers of God's truth.

Paul is not concerned with the Corinthians examining his life and ministry (3; cf. 9:3). He knows the ultimately man's opinion of him doesn't matter (cf. Prov. 29:25). Paul doesn't know of anything in his life and ministry that is a matter of wrongdoing (4). His conscience is clear. But, Paul's analysis is insufficient (cf. Jer. 17:9). The Lord is the one who examines Paul and Paul answers to Him alone (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Rom. 14:10-12).

Paul urges the Corinthians to stop comparing Christian leaders and their ministries (5). Christ will examine these leaders and their ministries. It is not the responsibility of the Corinthians to be comparing and criticizing leaders. When Christ examines the leaders He will expose hidden things, good and bad (cf. 1 Tim. 5:24-25). Christ will reveal the motives of the leader, good and bad. Then at that time, the leader's praise will come from God, not man (cf. Rom. 2:28-29).

Paul has used himself and Apollos as figurative examples (6; cf. 3:1-4:5). This was to teach the Corinthians not to exceed what Scripture teaches as appropriate. In this case, they weren't supposed to be arrogant and choose one leader over another. They were proudly supporting one leader over another based on personality and outward skills. Paul questions why they think they are better (7). Everything they have they received from God. So they shouldn't be arrogant (cf. Eph. 2:8-9).

Conclusion:

There are three principles that we gain from this passage of Scripture.

#1 – The Corinthians have been taught how to view pastors and leaders properly, as slaves of Christ ans stewards of God's Word. As stewards it is required of them to be trustworthy as they oversee Christ's interests.

#2 – Christ is the one who will examine every pastor and Christian leader. As a result Paul tells the people to stop spending their time thinking they are Jesus by examining/comparing the pastors and leaders.

#3 – Don't go beyond Scriptural standards. This causes a lot of damage to the church.

Genesis 6:5-10

In the Beginning

Genesis 6:5-10

Intro:

A couple of weeks ago we studied 6:1-4. I shared with you the three main interpretations of the passage and what I believe is most likely the accurate interpretation. The sons of God were angels who in a Satanic plot to pollute the human race impregnated human women. This was Satan's plan to foil God's redemptive plan. These disobedient angels were punished by being imprisoned in Tartarus until the Great White Throne Judgment. The Nephilim (“fallen ones”) were giants who were killed by the flood. The offspring of the demonic and human relationships were also killed by the flood. The flood undoes Satan's plot. God's plan will always be accomplished.

This week we are going to learn some more about the time leading up to the flood. We are going to learn a lot about God's character from these chapters. The human race is in rebellion against God and He will only allow it for so long. Eventually God must judge sin. He will not allow rebellion to last forever.

Message:

This section begins with God's observation of mankind (5). There have been a lot of people born since Adam sinned and every one of them was born with a sinful nature (cf. 5:3). As time progressed the sin of mankind continued to increase (cf. Rom. 1:18-25). The text informs us that man has a depraved nature (cf. Rom. 3:10-18). After Adam sinned, man's nature was bent toward evil (cf. Rom. 5:12-14, 18-21). This is one of the clearest descriptions of man's sinful nature. When man was created he was sinless (cf. Gen. 1:31; 2:25). All of that has changed. Now everything that man does is tainted with sin (cf. Rom. 8:5-8).

We learn from verse six how God truly feels about man's sin (6). God actually regretted that He created man. This is a very telling statement. Man's sin causes God grief. This is an indication of the person-hood of God, that He has emotion. God is not an impersonal force. He has emotion, intellect, and will. God because He is holy and just must judge sin (7). He decides that because mankind is so wicked that He will end their lives, therefore ending their sin. God also declares that He will kill animals, creeping things, and birds. Animals are morally innocent but fall under the curse placed on creation because of man's sin. They too will die in the flood judgment because of man's sin. God is gracious and merciful but as mentioned before He is also holy and just (cf. Ex. 34:5-7). He is all of these at the same time. God must punish sin (2 Pet. 2:4-9). God's period of grace was coming to an end.

The last verses of this section reveal hope for mankind (8-10). God has promised that one of the woman's descendants would crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). This descendant would undue the consequences of sin. As we learn of God's anger over sin and His coming judgment of wicked man, we are introduced to a dilemma. Where would the descendant come from, if all men are wicked and therefore killed? We receive the answer in verse eight. Out of all the people on earth, Noah is the only one mentioned as being pleasing to God (8). Noah was not sinless, but he did walk with God (9). Noah sought to live his life in dependence upon God. The word “blameless” means “complete, having integrity.” Noah was a man who was consistent in walking with God; he was undivided (cf. Heb. 11:4-7).

Righteous Noah had three sons, who were named Shem, Ham, and Japheth (10). We will learn much more about these three sons very soon. Shem is the oldest, then Japheth, and then Ham being the youngest (cf. Gen. 9:23-27). Noah is the seed who will be used to continue the line from Adam until Christ (cf. Lk. 3:23-38).

Conclusion:

Satan controlled Cain and instigated him to murder Abel (Gen. 4:8). Satan thought that he had thwarted God's redemptive plan, but God produced Seth (4:25-26). Seth becomes the one through whom the Messiah would eventually be born. Satan's demons attempted to pollute the human race to thwart God's redemptive plan (6:1-4). God responds by killing the entire human race except righteous Noah and his family (6:17-22; cf. 1 Pet. 3:18-20). Noah becomes the one through whom the Messiah would eventually be born (Lk. 3:23, 36-38).

God will only put up with sin for so long. Eventually His patience runs out. He is holy and just, therefore He must punish sin. The time in which we live is like the period before the flood. God is giving people an opportunity to repent or be judged (2 Pet. 3:3-10; Matt. 24:36-41). Christ took the punishment for our sins on the cross so that we could be forgiven and saved (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24-25; Col. 1:19-20; 2:13-14).

The Task at Hand

The Task at Hand

Intro:

God is in the process of saving people's souls in this world. He chose before time began to send His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to earth to pay the penalty for man's sin through His death on the cross. After Jesus died for man's sin God raised Him from the dead. Jesus has provided the means of forgiveness for all who will turn from their sins and accept Christ as Savior. Jesus has provided forgiveness of sins and conquered death by resurrecting! This is Good News!

God has also chosen to use those whom He has saved to carry out His mission on earth. We are going to be reminded today what God wants the church to be doing during our time on earth. It is huge! It is something that Jesus has called us to give our lives to do!

Message:

1. 
   
   The Mission (Matt. 28:19-20)
   
   
   

A little less than 2,000 years ago, after Jesus Christ had taken the punishment for man's sin while He was dying on the cross and after He had resurrected from the dead, Jesus spoke some very important parting words. Jesus had gathered the disciples and shared with them their life's mission. As He was sharing the mission with them He reminded them that their mission would be empowered by Him. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. This is important for the disciples to know because their mission will be carried out on earth. Jesus Christ is all-powerful and is going to build His church (Matt. 16:18). There is nothing that will prevent Christ from saving souls.

The specifics of the mission are as follows:

#1 – make disciples of all nations

#2 – baptize them in the name of the Triune God

#3 – teach them all that Christ commanded

Here is what Jesus called the church to do in all simplicity:

#1 – evangelize the lost (Rom. 10:14-17)

#2 – identify them with God

#3 – disciple the believers (Col. 2:6-7; 2 Pet. 3:17-18)

#1 – The church, that is all born-again Christians, are to share the Good News with lost people around them. Proclaim the Good News accurately and God will accomplish what He has determined to do. Remember, Jesus will build His church. Salvation is a work of God. Christians are just messengers.

#2 – God calls those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior to be baptized in the name of the Triune God. This is for the purpose of identification. It is a public statement of accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. A born-again Christian is boldly saying that he is saved by and belongs to Christ.

#3 – God calls upon the church to be involved in discipling believers in truth of God's Word. The purpose is so that all believers will be complete/mature (Col. 1:28-29). God has placed pastors in the church to help this process of discipleship (Eph. 4:11-16). Pastors are given to help equip/train believers for ministry/service (12). As the believers are trained/equipped it is for the goal of building up (strengthening) the body of Christ. This equipping/training takes place until every single believer becomes fully mature (Christlike) (13). The process doesn't end until each believer is in heaven.

The mature believers won't be misled by false teaching because they have been grounded in God's Word (14). The believers are to speak the truth in a loving way, for the purpose of helping each other become spiritually mature (Christlike) (15). Christ has given every born-again Christian at least one spiritual gift which they received at salvation (Rom. 12:3-8). As each Christian serves and cares for one another (“proper working of each individual part”) Jesus uses the believers to strengthen the local church spiritually (1 Cor. 12:4-7, 11, 18) (16). All of this is contingent upon the people being saved.

Pastors must focus their time on equipping/training believers in the local church, so that the believers can care for one another. When the believers are equipped and caring for one another, Christ will strengthen the local church spiritually through the believers ministering to one another. The Word of God emphasizes that this is Christ's plan for strengthening the church.

1 – pastors are given to lead, teach, and equip/train

2 – believers being equipped/trained mature spiritually

3 – mature believers aren't misled by false teaching because they have been trained

4 – mature believers speak the truth in love to other believers to help them mature spiritually

5 – mature believers use their spiritual gift to serve and care for other believers; Jesus uses this serving and caring to strengthen the church spiritually

Here is an example in a local church setting:

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  pastors serve by leading, teaching, and equipping/training
  
  
  
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  deacons serve by helping to care for the church
  
  
  
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  congregation serves one another to strengthen the church, does the ministry
  
  
  

Conclusion:

So what is the mission of the church? Evangelism, identification, and discipleship. Christ carries out His mission through born-again Christians. The most important part of the discipleship process is to make sure that there is a good strategy in place to equip people to serve and live for God. I have been working on a process of equipping/training believers here, so that I am doing and we are doing what Christ has called us to do in His way. It is so essential that the process be in place so that people are being equipped and the church is being cared for by the church. As we fulfill Jesus' desire for us in this way, Jesus will strengthen the church.

Imagine a place where mature Christians are serving/caring for one another. Imagine a place where people are growing spiritually. Imagine a place where believers go out into the world and are sharing the Good News with lost people. Imagine a place where God is opening the eyes of lost people and saving their souls. Imagine a place where those newly saved people are being served/cared for by the church (the believers). Imagine a place where those newly saved people are being equipped/trained and they begin to mature spiritually. Imagine what God will do!

As believers are equipped/trained and mature spiritually, they are to be using their spiritual gift to serve the rest of the church. If the whole church is not serving and caring for one another, the church is weakened. If the pastor is serving and caring for the church by doing the ministry, then the church is weakened because he is doing the wrong thing. It is also against Christ's instructions (Eph. 4:11-16). The pastor needs to be praying and studying the Word of God, so that he can effectively lead the church and equip/train it for ministry. When he is equipping/training the saints to serve/care for one another, then the Word of God says that the church is strengthened. But, a pastor and local church have to have an intentional strategy to equip/train believers for ministry. I am hoping some time soon that I will be able to share this plan with you.

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

1 Corinthians

3:16-23

Intro:

A couple of weeks ago we studied 3:10-15. We learned that Paul laid the gospel-foundation by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in Corinth. Paul then informed the Corinthians that another person was now building on the gospel-foundation. The materials used to build on the gospel-foundation consist of a pastor's teaching and life-example. Paul declared that every pastor's work will be revealed in the presence of Christ when He tests it with fire. A ministry of pure biblical teaching and life-example will survive the fire and result in heavenly reward. A ministry of impure teaching and life-example won't survive the fire and will result in the pastor being snatched from the fire with nothing to show for it. Wow! Can you imagine? It is going to happen. There will be saved pastors and Christians who will stand before Jesus and because of impure living will receive no heavenly reward.

This week we are going to study 3:16-23. In this passage Paul is going to discuss leaders and people who destroy the local church through false teaching and wicked actions. Paul teaches the believers that human leaders are nothing, God is everything! The apostle teaches how not to conduct yourself in a local church.

Message:

Paul asks the Corinthian church if they recognize what they are as a local church in the eyes of God (16). The local church (saved people) as a whole is a temple of God. The “you” here is plural so Paul is referring to the church as a whole, not just individual believers as a temple of the Holy Spirit, as he does later (cf. 6:19). God's Spirit dwells in the church as a whole. This is very important to understand for one to be able to comprehend what follows.

Paul has already mentioned two types of workers who build on the gospel-foundation (vv. 12-15). They refer to saved men who build on the gospel-foundation through their teaching and life-example. A man who builds on the gospel-foundation with pure biblical teaching and life-example will receive heavenly reward. A man who builds on the gospel-foundation with impure teaching and life-example won't receive heavenly rewards. Now, Paul describes a third type of worker (17). A person who tears apart the church through false teaching and wicked actions. Paul uses strong language to describe the consequences for such a worker, as someone whom God will destroy. This is very strong language, which indicates that such a person is not born again. This language seems to indicate eternal destruction for this false teacher (cf. Rev. 20:11-15). This worker destroys the church through false teaching and wicked actions. Paul teaches that the temple (“the church as a whole”) is holy and the church is that temple. The church is holy because it has been set apart by God through Christ for His use and glory.

Paul urges his hearers not to deceive themselves (18). In fact, if they think they are wise and it is with worldly wisdom, Paul tells them to become foolish in the eyes of the world. Remember, the world views the gospel as foolish (cf. 1:18-24). They need to be saved through faith in the gospel, so that as a result they may believe the Word of God and become wise with God's wisdom (cf. 2:14-16). In the N.T. when the “world” is mentioned in the majority of cases it refers to the world system, which is under Satan's authority and is opposed to God (Eph. 2:1-3; Jas. 3:13-18). Believers are to reject man's wisdom and to seek God's wisdom (Jas. 1:5; Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:14-18).

God has declared this world's wisdom to be foolish (19). The reason for this is that worldly wisdom is man's wisdom, which is opposed to God (Rom. 8:5-8). Paul quotes Job and declares that God won't be outwitted by men who think they are wise. Then he quotes Psalm 94. Peter states that God knows what the wise of this world think and God declares their thinking to be useless (20). Unregenerate man is unable to please God and his thinking is opposed to God (Rom. 3:10-18).

Paul calls the Corinthian church to no longer spend any time boasting about humans (21). Anyone who truly is wise has received his wisdom from God, so it is God's wisdom. The implication is that they are to boast about God! He informs them that all things belong to the church (21).

All of the truth Christian leaders belong to the entire church, not just certain groups (22). The universe is still the God-given and God-made possession of all believers (2 Cor. 4:15; 1 Jn. 5:19; Rom. 8:18-21). Believers will inherit the earth someday when Christ establishes God's Kingdom on earth (Rev. 21; Dan. 7:22, 27). Believers possess eternal life through Christ (Jn. 14:23; 2 Pet. 1:3-4). Believers have overcome physical and spiritual death through Christ (1 Cor. 15:54-57; Phil. 1:21-24). Believers have overcome all things in the present world through Christ (Rom. 8:37-39). Believers possess the blessings of heaven through Christ (1 Pet. 1:3-4). Through Christ all good and holy things are for the believers' blessing and God's glory (Eph. 1:3; 2:4-8; 2 Pet. 1:3).

Paul has just finished informing the believers that all things belong to them. Now he tells them that the whole church belongs to Christ (23). Born again Christians were placed into a spiritual union with Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:15, 17; Eph. 5:23). The Holy Spirit united them with Christ when they believed the gospel (Eph. 1:13-14, 22-23). Born again Christians belong to Jesus Christ. Paul concludes his argument by declaring the Christ belongs to God. Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Second Person of the divine Trinity. God the Son is in union with God the Father (Jn. 10:30) and God the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14). The argument that Paul makes is that: Christians are in union with one another and they are also in union with Christ (23). Christ is in union with the other two members of the Trinity. All things belong to God, so make a big deal out of God!

Conclusion:

Local churches are visible expressions of Christ's universal church. The Word of God says that anyone who destroys a local church through false teaching and wicked actions will be destroyed by God. This refers to unbelievers who somehow end up being pastors, or teachers, or members of a local church. Their false teaching and wicked actions lead to the tearing apart of the local church. They will be judged by God.

Paul concludes the passage by calling them to seek God's wisdom, which is obtained through salvation by faith in Christ. After accepting Christ as Savior they are able to continually receive more wisdom through the Word of God. We belong to Christ, He is our Lord. We are in spiritual union with Jesus Christ and also all other believers. As a result of belonging to Christ, we belong to God. Therefore, we should glorify God only and above all.