Dakota Community Church
November 16, 2008
Foundational Truth 5
(Week 6)
Hebrews 5:11-14
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
Introduction and review:
Christians are to grow up spiritually.
Repentance from acts that lead to death.
Faith in God.
Water baptism
Holy Spirit baptism
Laying on of hands (Part One)
Over the last four weeks since we began studying the baptism in the Holy Spirit a kind of subplot to this series has developed with a new addition each week, it is not something I set out to do it has just kind of happened as I have reviewed and prepared for each message. I have another one to add this week and I feel that this is important enough to keep repeating and expanding on for as long as it continues.
We began with Jesus telling the disciples that the baptism would result in them being empowered to “be” His witnesses.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Then we looked at the concept of “walking in the Spirit” or “keeping in step” with the Spirit which would result in the fruit of the Spirit being produced in our lives.
Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Remember trees do not work at producing fruit; fruit is the natural result of being connected to the source. As we keep connected or keep in step, the fruit will just naturally be produced and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is not for our benefit. The apples do not benefit the apple tree, the fruit is for others to partake of and enjoy.
From here we went to what Jesus said would happen upon his return concerning the sheep and the goats.
Matthew 25:34-39
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
"Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
Remember that the sheep and goats are not separated based on what they do as some claim; they are separated based on what they are! Also note that the sheep are unaware of the “deeds” they have performed for Jesus. This is important because many preach that we must do certain things in order to be saved; this is works based righteousness and is not Christianity!
Last week I added to this discussion the passage from Matthew 7 where Jesus tells His listeners that they must enter through the narrow gate and that the way to destruction is broad and crowded. He follows that up with a discourse that has always seemed alarming to me.
Matthew 7:22
Many will say to me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Here we are shocked; or should be shocked, to discover that people who claim to preach, exercise spiritual gifts, and perform miracles in His name are rejected.
Some have read this passage and made the claim that it says we must “do” something to be saved; but remember the “work” of the Father according to Jesus, is to believe in the one whom He has sent. This makes Christianity a Christ based religion NOT a man based religion!
Those who are being rejected in the passage from Matthew above are those who are giving Jesus the list of their accomplishments as the reason they should be saved.
Jesus replies, regardless of what YOU have done I NEVER KNEW YOU. The only way to have yourself removed from being cast in with the “evildoers” is to be born again by the grace of God through faith in Jesus. That is how you come to be “known” by Him and are saved!
Now I want to add to this discussion a further proof that it is an error to believe that Jesus came to establish a “Christian lifestyle” which involves social kindness and good deeds rather than a belief system which involves salvation by faith in Christ.
Matthew 6:1-4
"Be careful not to do your ’acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
This negates the proposal that Jesus was setting up a social gospel that must be “done” and “proclaimed”. The great commission tells us to proclaim the gospel to all men but Jesus clearly teaches that good deeds are to be done secretly. The gospel that we are to be proclaiming is that salvation is not by works or observances rather it is by faith making salvation the free gift of God to all who BELIEVE!
This week we are going to continue to seek to gain a solid understanding of:
Laying on of hands
We saw that the laying on of hands was used in the Old Testament:
For the transference of guilt.
Leviticus 16:20-22
He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head.
The laying on of hands is also done:
For the bestowing of blessing.
You may remember that we looked at this scripture last week and saw that Jesus makes the claim that the Old Testament scriptures “testify about Me”:
John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
I want you to be looking for Jesus in this next reading.
Read Genesis 48
Have any of you noticed that my Dad never comes to church if Chris is away?
Now you know.
1Corinthians 15:45
So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
Haggai 2:1-9
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ’Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ’Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ’and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ’This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: ’In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. ’The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ’The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ’And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
The desired of the nations, the place of peace, the second Adam… the Church.
PowerPoint available (Free of charge) on request dcormie@mts.net
