The Right Notes Series

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.