Recovering Redemption
The Right Notes (4 of 5)
October 12, 2014 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A Story
B Review of Last 3 Sermons
I The Pronouncement of Justification
A Biblical truths of solid spiritual ground:
1 Justification (legal term)
a CSI, NCSI, Nancy Grace, movies... we want the bad guy to get what’s coming to him.
aa We want justice & the gospel gives it to us in the most unbelievable way.
bb The hudge’s gavel has came down, seen all the evidence against us — innocent.
cc Didn’t God see all the things we did in the dark, filmed for some kind of play back later?
b The judge hasn’t declared us innocent on behavior, or what we’ve done, but on the sacrifice/substitutiary death of Jesus.
aa We’re still lawbreakers, we keep breaking in, try to fight it... even after we’re saved.
bb The good news is that Jesus has came to us, died in our place - The judge gave us credit for Jesus’ innocence/righteous/perfection.
c We’re not justified in theory, spiritual delusion, false hopes, cross our fingers & be careful.
aa We know Jesus died, but He rose again!!
bb His resurrection is proof of His promise to conquer death is done.
cc We don’t deserve it, but the gospel is so good... but wait... there’s more.
dd The moment we’re justified something else happens simultaneously - Justification - plus.
2 New Identity
a Justification we can “grasp” but a new identity?
aa Romans 8:15-17 (NASB) 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
(He’s not only our judge... also our father.)
bb Fatherhood is the weirdest thing: The moment that newborn is put in your arms... You know it’s all over. Done nothing... you know you’d give your life (or take another) to protect this kid.
cc They’re ours, special, brought pure joy... we parents never get over that.
c God hasn’t given us a break/ blind eye - He’s adopted us/new identity.
aa Some of you had poor excuses as fathers or no father at all - He wanted nothing to do with you.
bb Your heavenly Father is the father our own dads would’ve been if it had not been for the sin that messed him up - the sin that messes us all up.
cc The best daddy’s in the world can never love the way our heavenly father does. (King, Creator, Judge... Daddy.)
dd Romans 8:16 (NASB) 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
B If He is our father, why do we feel so unloved?
1 I believe it’s because our Spirit is looking the other way from God’s Spirit, & His leading.
a We can’t even expect to feel like one of His children if our hearts really don’t want to be.
aa Not perfection, flawlessness– our hearts lean in the direction of obedience/trust.
bb Proverbs 24:16 (NASB) 16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
We fall, face plant, crawling forward, get up.
b If you have no real desire to follow God it’s a fair question to ask, “you didn’t actually put your trust in Him.”
aa We’re not all His children - only those who’ve been redeemed by His gospel and are adopted.
bb Being in sin/rebellion doesn’t settle well with you – Spirit of adoption pulling you close.
cc He will never forsake/abandon us; Loves us, given us His name, new identity.
2 He’s our father and judge. (Justified / Adopted)
a We’re ready now to face whatever comes our way... even sin!
aa Justified
bb Adopted
b These two truths/realities clear the way for us to stand tall!
TS When Christ captured your heart you were immediately justified/adopted - one time for all time, anchored in 10 full trucks of concrete - not moved by anybody/anything... Positional instantaneous holiness... wants to manifest holiness for us. (Fridays at 5 holiness, hanging with your friends, all by yourself holiness) - Sanctification
II The process of sanctification
A Sanctification is the other side of the saddle of justification. (Justification is instantaneous, sanctification is a process)
1 Justification is all on God - Sanctification is something He does with us
a Sanctification is only for the justified, adopted children.
b It’s not something we lean back on, but rather we lean into it.
c God does it in us, with us. (Partnership)
2 Going in God’s direction doesn’t happen automatically.
a Work, sacrifice... but it’s worth it.
b Without it we’re never going to change, stay in the same ol rut.
B Sanctification consists of two elements.
1 Vivification (quicken, animate; vivid = Hi- def)
a This is what happens to us spiritually when we “seal” or “set our minds” on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth... marinating on the fact our souls are “hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:1-3 (NASB) 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
aa 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB) 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
We have the authority to take our thoughts captive, monitor what we think about.
bb Romans 12:2 (NASB) 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
b Vivification is changing the way we think, considering our new reality, love/gratitude/affection towards Jesus.
aa His world takes charge of your mind, making sure your thoughts are chasing Jesus.
bb The mind trained on Jesus always comes home.
2 Mortification (vivification is the miracle grow, mortification is pulling weeds)
a You do little good without the other.
aa Blast Bible, Joy FM, Books, Sermons into your spiritual spoil, but if you don’t clear our the thorns, thistles - you’ll never be happy with what grows in your life.
bb There are things in our life we’ve gotta put to death.
Colossians 3:5 (NASB) 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Taken out back & popped in the dome, double tapped.
cc Too graphic? Violent? I think we’ve been too polite/accommodating to the violations/invaders that intrude on our spiritual freedom.
b The only good sin, is dead sin. (Yanked out)
Colossians 3:5,8 (NASB) 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
bb The more mature, the more sanctification comes into play. (Certain hobbies/habits) Even though they’re not morally wrong, are still detrimental to your heart.
Conclusion
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
