Grace that Brings Salvation

Soul Salvation

Sunday 03/10/19

Series: Walking the Talk

Message – Grace that Brings Salvation

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Grace that Brings Salvation

The sufferings/afflictions of Christ

Last week we learned about the purpose of ministry and of Christ having laid hold on us is to FULLY FORM CHRIST in us.

Then we discussed the fact that Christ in us is BOTH:

  1. A current reality as a seed –

2Cor. 13:1-5, HCSB “(1) This is the third time I am coming to you. On the testimony of two or three witnesses every word will be confirmed. (2) I gave warning, and I give warning–as when I was present the second time, so now while I am absent–to those who sinned before and to all the rest: if I come again, I will not be lenient, (3) since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you. (4) In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power. (5) Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not recognize for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless you fail the test.”

2Cor. 12:21,  “(21) lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.”

1Jn. 3:8-9, HCSB “(8) The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works. (9) Everyone who has been born of God does not produce sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to produce sin, because he has been born of God.” (also carries the notion of wanton habitual action)

2. A future hope – when Christ is fully matured in you which is why it is called a HOPE.

But we know that if Christ being fully formed in us is a HOPE then faith is going to be involved!

Remember what are the three that remain?

Faith, Hope & Love.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.”

The Weymouth translation says it this way,

Heb 11:1, “Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see.”

Now let’s turn to Romans 5 to see

Rom. 5:1-11, HCSB “(1) Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

Now that chapter goes on to draw a cohesive line between the Glory being revealed in us (or Christ being FORMED in us) and suffering, but we will get there later.

This week we are looking at the Role Faith plays in the Salvation of the Soul.

This is a SOLID and WELL FOUNDED Christian doctrine which again is all but completely missing in the teaching of the modern church.

Faith is NOT just FOR salvation from the penalty of sin!

The Faith the Bible talks about is an ONGOING ACT OF TRUST IN Christ FOR continued release from sin itself.

The Grace of God did not come to teach us that if we confess Jesus as Lord we will be saved regardless of whether our lives and actions live out His Lordship. NO! NO! NO!!!!!

Salvation is FROM sin and TO Him!

Titus 2:11-15, HCSB “(11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching (by influence) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) Who gave Himself for us, THAT He might redeem us FROM every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (15) Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

Remember the words of Jesus to His disciples just before His trial in the garden…John 15:16,  “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain…”

Or what Paul told to the saints in Ephesus – Eph. 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Let’s spend some time looking up a few examples which you can later read in their specific context, but they will offer great support for the fact that God expects the investment He made in us to produce good works in this life

Examples:

Acts 9:36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.”

Eph. 2:10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

1Tim. 2:10but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

1Tim. 5:10  “well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.”

1Tim. 5:25Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”

1Tim. 6:18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”

Titus 2:7in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,”

Titus 2:14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Titus 3:8This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

Titus 3:14And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”

Heb. 10:24And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,”

1Pet. 2:12  “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

How are these good works accomplished in us?

If we by good works are denying ungodliness and worldly lusts that involves suffering and trust through opposition!

1Peter 4:1&2, “(1) Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same resolve–because the One who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin– (2) in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.”

So let’s return to Php. 3 beginning in verse 7 and see wrap up our lesson for today before communion…

Php 3:7-21, NKJV “(7) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. (8) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (9) and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

This is where most Christians fall off to the left of right. This righteousness is not just the one imputed to me and part of my new birth – my new nature my renewed spirit… But a life changed. This becomes clear by what he says next…

“(10) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (11) if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Now here he is either speaking about the rapture or he’s talking about the salvation of the Soul. There is no intelligent third option and the context makes it clear of which he speaks.

“(12) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. (16) Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (17) Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (18) For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame–who set their mind on earthly things. (20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

1Peter 1:3-25, HCSB “(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (5) who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials (7) so that the genuineness of your faith–more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (8) You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, (9) because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (10) Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. (11) They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. (12) It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you concerning things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things. (13) Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (14) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance (15) but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; (16) for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. (17) And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in reverence during this time of temporary residence. (18) For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. (20) He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the times for you (21) who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (22) By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (23) since you have been born again–not of perishable seed but of imperishable–through the living and enduring word of God. (24) For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower drops off, (25) but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.”

We will continue from here next week.

Blessings! 

 

I hope this message will bless you richly…not because I taught it, but because it reveals Christ. He alone is our blessing and if in any way – whether big or small, 100% accurate or even just partially so – I have revealed our great God and Savior to you in a relationally knowable way, then this was time well spent on both our parts.

We at Living Grace Fellowship encourage you to place your trust in Jesus Christ, deliberately choosing Him and bowing the knee to Him as your Master and Lord, so as to come to realize Him as your Savior.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. The fact that you exist… that you are His creation, says you were in His heart, you are His delight!

If you do not know Him, please reach out to us. Give us a call at the number located on every page of this website or use our ‘Contact Us‘ page. We would be deeply honored, if you gave us the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Neither money nor attendance at our church will EVER be mentioned.

If you HAVE been spiritually fed by this ministry and WANT to give, we truly appreciate that and you may do so here, but please understand that all the outreaches of this ministry are FREE for you and anyone to enjoy at no cost.

Blessings!

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!