This is the 5th message in series, "What do you believe, and why?"
- 1st Message - 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- 2nd Message - Literally, to obey the Great Commission = Matt. 28.18-20 = Make disciples, baptize them and then "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"
- 3rd Message - Practical implication of obeying the Great Commission = Joining the church = The importance of the local, visible, New Testament church = Acts 2.37-41
- Esp. in our last message stressed how within the context of the church Christ’s desire is that we move from being believers to becoming disciples = [Acts 2.42]
And then THREE weeks ago using the occasion of our 189th Anniversary
- Began examing the "Church Articles of Faith" adopted in 1815
- Which demonstrated that they were in word and deed a GOSPEL church
- And we covered the first 4 points of 15 total
- Discussing some of the differences between then and now
- And noting the fact that all the Scripture I will quote / refer to should be considered to be representative, no exhaustive
Points we covered:
1. WE BELIEVE THERE IS BUT ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD; AND THAT THERE ARE THREE PERSONS IN THE GOD-HEAD; THE FATHER, THE SON, THE HOLY GHOST, AND THESE ARE ONE IN NATURE, BEING EQUAL IN POWER AND GLORY.
2. WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT ARE GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD AND ARE THEREFORE HIS WORD AND THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE.
3. WE BELIEVE IN THE ORIGINAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN AND MAN FELL INTO SIN BY HIS OWN FREE WILL ABILITY.
4. WE BELIEVE THE ETERNAL REDEMPTION WHICH CHRIST OBTAINED BY HIS BLOOD IS, SPECIAL AND PARTICULAR, THAT IS, IT WAS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED FOR THE ELECT OF GOD AND THE BODY OF CHRIST.
This week we pick up with point 5
- And we shall read through point 7 = Points 5 - 6 - 7 are inter-related
5. WE BELIEVE THAT EVANGELICAL OR SPIRITUAL LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, AND REPENTANCE ARE FRUITS AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ARE EXPRESSED IN NO ONE EXCEPT THOSE THAT ARE BORN AGAIN.
6. WE BELIEVE SANCTIFICATION IS A WORK OF THE SPIRIT, BEGUN AT REGENERATION AND CARRIED ON UNTIL DEATH; THEREFORE IT IS PROGRESSIVE.
7. WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE THAT IS REDEEMED, REGENERATED, AND JUSTIFIED SHALL PERSEVERE IN GRACE TO GLORY SO THAT NOT ONE OF THEM CAN EVER PERISH, BUT WILL, THROUGH THE GRACE OF CHRIST, BE GLORIFIED IN HEAVEN.
In our contemporary statement of faith, the above statements would be covered in several different doctrinal sections.
- Nevertheless, we still hold to these basic beliefs
- Let us now examine each in turn
5. WE BELIEVE THAT EVANGELICAL OR SPIRITUAL LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, AND REPENTANCE ARE FRUITS AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ARE EXPRESSED IN NO ONE EXCEPT THOSE THAT ARE BORN AGAIN.
I don’t think any of us would have a problem saying that the Holy Spirit gives men certain gifts and it is only by way of the Holy Spirit that we can have His fruit in our life
- And further that those gifts and that fruit is for the believer
- Thus we don’t have so much trouble with "evangelical or Spiritual love, faith, hope"
- But what about repentance?
From our contemporary statement of faith = "Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation"
- A. Salvation, "We believe in salvation by grace through faith ~ the free gift of God, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man, but received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom all true believers have as a present possession in the gift of eternal life - a perfect righteous sonship in the family of God; deliverance and security from all condemnation, and every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and the divine guarantee that they shall never perish. This salvation affects the whole man. Apart from Christ there is no possible salvation."
- And there are any number of proof texts for this belief
> John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
> Acts 4.8-12
> Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
> 1 John 5.10-13
But perhaps the pivotal verses to consider in all of this would be = Eph. 2.8-9
- 8 = "grace through faith"
- 8 = "THAT not of yourselves"
- Whatever "that" is, "it is the gift of God"
- "grace" and "faith" are feminine = "that" is neuter
- That / It = Fact of being saved by grace through faith
- Salvation is a gift, full and free = v.9
- That’s why it is "by grace are ye saved"
- But the vehicle is "THROUGH faith"
> Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- And just what is the repeated and consistent instruction of the Word of God?
> Mark 1.14-15 >>> Luke 24.46-48 >>> Acts 3.17-20 >>> Acts 17.30-31
So truly = WE BELIEVE THAT EVANGELICAL OR SPIRITUAL LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, AND REPENTANCE ...or any other...FRUITS AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ARE EXPRESSED IN NO ONE EXCEPT THOSE THAT ARE BORN AGAIN.
And once we are born again
- We can and should begin enjoying the fruit of the Spirit
> FOR FURTHER PERSONAL STUDY = Gal. 5.13-26 = John 15
Further, as we say today under, "Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit"
- "We believe in the Person of the HOLY SPIRIT, Who is the Third person of the Triune Godhead; and the divine Agent of revelation and redemption. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement."
> By the Word of God
> 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
And what a wonderful study it would make if we had the time now
- Though we have looked at the blessings of the Spirit-filled life in the past
- "(The Holy Ghost) regenerates, indwells, baptizes, imparts gifts and talents for the work of the ministry, guides in God’s Will, teaches us the Word of God, sanctifies to be separate from the world unto Himself, and fills the believer who daily surrenders to Him."
> Perhaps the most representative proof text for this = John 16.7-15
And then let us consider point = WE BELIEVE SANCTIFICATION IS A WORK OF THE SPIRIT, BEGUN AT REGENERATION AND CARRIED ON UNTIL DEATH; THEREFORE IT IS PROGRESSIVE.
In our current Statement of Faith, "Other Beliefs, and our stand on issues of this day (akin to an appendix)" = "C. Sanctification"
- "We believe that Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in each person’s life, in three parts or phases."
- "1. Upon Salvation, the Holy Spirit sets the believer aside for God’s service forever."
> Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]...14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
> 1 Peter 1:1 ¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
"2. The second part is daily, where we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. This phrase is in the Greek present tense, meaning it is a continual process. This is the day to day work of the Spirit as we are yielded to Him, to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives."
> Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
> John 17:17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
> Ps. 19.7-11
> Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
> 2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.
FINALLY, "3. The third and final phase occurs when Christ Jesus appears (rapture) and we are made perfect and sinless. This is called complete sanctification."
> Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
> 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you: 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
> 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].
And finally tonight, point 7 = WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE THAT IS REDEEMED, REGENERATED, AND JUSTIFIED SHALL PERSEVERE IN GRACE TO GLORY SO THAT NOT ONE OF THEM CAN EVER PERISH, BUT WILL, THROUGH THE GRACE OF CHRIST, BE GLORIFIED IN HEAVEN."
Today this comes under, "Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation"
- "C. Eternal Security" = "We believe that when a person has truly been born again, and are redeemed, they are also are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. The old adage is, ’Once saved, always saved.’"
> John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
> John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned...
HOWEVER today we state that "once saved always saved" is not a license to sin
- "We also believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh."
> Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
> Galatians 5:13 ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
CONCLUSION
Let’s breifly review with an eye to be challenged / confirmed...as the need is for you
- Especially with regard to our main theme
- Knowing what you believe and why you believe it = TO DEFEND IT
- Phil. 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
- Phil. 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
- 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
INVITATION
5. WE BELIEVE THAT EVANGELICAL OR SPIRITUAL LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, AND REPENTANCE ARE FRUITS AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ARE EXPRESSED IN NO ONE EXCEPT THOSE THAT ARE BORN AGAIN.
> Are you co-operating with the Holy Ghost to express those fruits and gifts?
> Or are there areas and situations which you need to do some repenting about?
6. WE BELIEVE SANCTIFICATION IS A WORK OF THE SPIRIT, BEGUN AT REGENERATION AND CARRIED ON UNTIL DEATH; THEREFORE IT IS PROGRESSIVE.
> "Upon Salvation, the Holy Spirit sets the believer aside for God’s service forever."
> How, where serving God now? = How, where do you need to be?
> "The second part is daily, where we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit...yielded to Him, to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives."
> Are you yielded? = Fruitful?
> "When Jesus appears and we are made perfect and sinless."
> Praying for it? = Working for it? (Witnessing)
7. WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE THAT IS REDEEMED, REGENERATED, AND JUSTIFIED SHALL PERSEVERE IN GRACE TO GLORY SO THAT NOT ONE OF THEM CAN EVER PERISH, BUT WILL, THROUGH THE GRACE OF CHRIST, BE GLORIFIED IN HEAVEN.
> Glad for "once saved always saved" and security it provides?
> Abusing that grace with a license to sin?
WHATEVER THE NEED...Come!
