Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon explores the importance of faith in Christ, challenges false teachings in the church, and encourages a fervent, faith-filled life inspired by Martin Luther.
Good morning, beloved family in Christ. Welcome to this sacred assembly where we gather to seek the face of God, to learn from His word, and to grow in our faith. Isn't it a blessing to be here, to be part of this loving community, to be alive and breathing in the grace of God? Indeed, it is.
Opening Scripture Reading – Today, we gather under the banner of Galatians 3:11, which says, "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" What a profound truth we find in these words! It is faith that justifies us, faith that gives us life. Not our works, not our deeds, but our faith in Christ Jesus.
As we ponder upon this scripture, I am reminded of the words of the great Christian author, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened." So, today, let us climb those stairs of love, look out those windows of hope, and strengthen our faith in the One who loves us most.
As we embark on this sacred assembly, let us focus on three main points drawn from our scripture. Firstly, we will consider the foundation of our faith in Christ. Secondly, we will expose the falsities that have crept into the church. Lastly, we will ignite the fervor of faith as demonstrated by Martin Luther.
As we gather here today, let's remember that our faith is not just a belief, but a relationship. A relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone, the bedrock, the foundation of our faith. Without Him, our faith is like a house built on sand, easily washed away by the tides of life. But with Him, our faith is like a house built on a rock, standing firm against the storms of life.
A. Now, let's look at the first aspect of our faith's foundation in Christ. The scripture tells us that we are justified by faith. Justification is a big word, but it simply means being declared righteous in the sight of God. It's like standing in a courtroom, guilty of all charges, and then the judge declares us not guilty. That's what Jesus does for us. He takes our guilt, our sin, our shame, and He gives us His righteousness. We are justified, not by our works, but by our faith in Jesus Christ.
B. The second aspect of our faith's foundation in Christ is the grace of God. Grace is another big word, but it simply means unmerited favor. It's like receiving a gift that we don't deserve. That's what God does for us. He gives us His grace, His favor, His love, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. We are saved, not by our works, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
C. The third aspect of our faith's foundation in Christ is the love of God. Love is a word that we use a lot, but do we really understand what it means? It's more than just a feeling, it's a choice. It's choosing to put others before ourselves. That's what God did for us. He chose to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. We are loved, not because of who we are, but because of who God is.
D. The fourth aspect of our faith's foundation in Christ is the promise of God. Promise is a word that we often take for granted, but it's a word that holds a lot of weight. It's a commitment, a guarantee, a pledge. That's what God has given us. He has promised us eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. We are promised, not because of what we do, but because of what God has done.
In the heart of Galatians 3:11, we find a truth that shakes the very core of religious tradition ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO