The Precious Blood of Christ.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV)

     Imagine yourself living in ancient Israel, in the days of the sacrifices and offerings made under the old covenant. Every time you sinned, you went out to the flock or herd, and chose the best you had; a lamb or goat without spot or blemish. Imagine having to do this over and over again. How hard it must have been to have to choose one more lamb because of one more sin committed. I think of my children, and their tendency to name every animal they lay eyes on. How hard it must have been to see the broken hearts of the children as they saw another cute little lamb led to slaughter, because of sin; either yours, or theirs. 

     The point was this: Sin is ugly. It is detested by God; He hates it! But not only does it anger the holy God, it breaks His heart, causing Him to grieve deeply over our rebellion against Him. He wants us to see and understand this. When the children of Israel saw the blood of an innocent lamb being poured out one more time, it was meant to cause them to sorrow over their sin; to understand that their sin grieved God. It was no small matter that God could just cover over, it demanded a sacrifice, for without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

     I have often heard people say that they are glad that we are no longer under the old covenant. They express the sentiment that it would sure be hard to offer those multiple sacrifices over and over again, and it is so much easier now under the new covenant, where we can just go to Jesus for grace. To be sure, none of would want to have to sacrifice a lamb every time we told a lie, thought an impure thought, coveted something, lost our tempers, or sinned in any other way. What an inconvenience that would turn out to be, how heartbreaking to watch another innocent lamb slain, its blood poured out because of something that we did.
     Is it possible that we can take Christ for granted? Do we perhaps assume that it is easier for us under the new covenant? After all, we are not going to pick another innocent lamb each time we sin, we only go to Jesus right? I fear perhaps, that many of us lack that dread of sin, that resolve that we will not sin against God for what it does to Him.
     Our verse today tells us that we were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Should we not be grieved over the fact that Jesus had to bear our sin? He suffered and died for us. He was humiliated and mocked, beaten and crucified, on our account. Just like that spotless lamb was sacrificed under the old covenant, Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins. Once again, imagine what you would feel as the priest cut the throat of a sacrificial lamb, and you watched it die, because of your sin. Now think of Jesus, the Son of God, who bore your sins. He died for you! The Son of God, of far more intrinsic worth, came down and gave Himself as an offering for you, because of your sin. That fact should sink down within each one of us and grieve our hearts that we have sinned against God. We should have that godly sorrow that brings us to repentance, and that fear of the Lord that causes us to turn from evil, lest we bring reproach upon the one who died to save us.
     Yes, it is in a sense easier for us to not have to offer sacrifices as in days of old, but we must ever be mindful of the fact that Jesus gave all for us. He is of far greater worth than all sacrificial lambs; of bulls and goats. In fact it is impossible for the blood of such sacrifices to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). Only Christ was of such infinite worth, that He could offer Himself on our behalf. We should be ever careful that we not "crucify again the Son of God, and put Him to open shame" by our carelessness with sin (Hebrews 6:6). 
     

Ten Shekels and a Shirt (High Quality)

This sermon addresses the error of the humanistic gospel which is presented in much of today's modern church. Beware of making your happiness the chief end of salvation. God is not a means to an end, rather, the purpose of the gospel is to bring us into submission to Him.


Ten Shekels and a Shirt (High Quality)

Faith or Works? (Ephesians 2 Part 8).

     What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
                                                   Romans 4:1-5 NASB


     There are two paths set before us in this passage of scripture, one leading to death, the other to life. There are millions of individuals who believe that they can earn salvation. They believe that by doing good deeds, performing religious duties or rituals, or by other similar means, they can impress God. They say, "If I can give up this habit," or, "I'm a good person at heart," or, "I hope my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds." People try to reform their lives, make promises and resolutions, and attempt to justify their actions, all in the hope of gaining heaven.
     Those who attempt salvation by works are defeated before they have even begun. God's standard is perfection, and nobody can measure up to that standard in and of themselves. The bible tells us that if we keep the whole law, yet stumble in one point, we are guilty of all of it (James 2:10). By the time we attempt to work our way to heaven, we have already broken God's law, and are guilty. It is all over, there is no way we can measure up to His standard of perfection. (See also What does God require?)
     We read in Romans 2:19-20, that no one will be justified by the works of the law. In fact, the law convicts us of our sin. It leaves us without excuse, guilty before the holy God we have offended. Imagine for a moment that you succeeded in your efforts to earn God's favor. Imagine God being obligated to you, being required to pay you your wages. Imagine your proud boasting at your success. This will never happen. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of works so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
     The one who is working for his salvation is a selfish individual. He has his best interests at heart. In his efforts to earn salvation, this individual remains seated upon the throne of his life. He is merely using God as a means to his own happiness. He has no desire to lose his life for Christ. To seek salvation for your own personal gain; to merely avoid hell and gain heaven, is in effect to make yourself your own God, and Christ your servant. Works based salvation is nothing more than idolatry. You will never find salvation if you cannot renounce your life.
     God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

     The salvation that comes through faith comes to those who have yielded themselves up to God with a faith that not only trusts, but also submits. This is the kind of faith that is counted as righteousness. These are the ones who have lost their lives for the sake of Christ. They believe God with a faith that works by love, obeying His words from the heart, not to gain His favor, but from a desire to bring Him glory. The one who believes in Christ in this way is the one who finds the works of the law being fulfilled in his life as he follows the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4). This is not salvation by works, it is faith at work in those who believe. The scriptures tell us that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). This is how we live in Christ, by faith.

By Grace Through Faith (Ephesians 2 part 7).

     We have looked at the grace of God, and how He has taken the initiative by sending His Son Jesus to die on our behalf. We have seen that although we do not deserve His goodness and mercy, He offers us salvation nonetheless. I would like to next look at man's response to this great salvation that is offered us in Christ Jesus.

     For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
                                                        Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB

     While we see that our salvation is a gift of God offered to us by His grace, yet we see we receive this gift through faith. It is not an automatic thing. We read in John's gospel that he who believes in Him (Jesus) is not judged, but he who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in God's Son (John 3:18). Mark tells us in his gospel that he who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned (Mark 16:16). So what is faith? It is essential that we have an accurate understanding of what it means to believe in Jesus. Does it mean to believe in the historical facts about Jesus and His life? Does it mean we believe correct doctrine? Perhaps it goes even deeper than this?
     Lets go back to the concept of sin. Sin is rebellion against God. It is called enmity, or hostility toward God (Romans 8:7). Sin flows out of unbelief. One who does not know or understand the claims of God will not fear God, or walk in His ways. It is the same with one who acts in unbelief. He may know of God, he may know that God requires obedience, and he may know that God will punish evildoers, but the fact that such a one persists in disobedience in spite of this knowledge, proves that this individual does not believe in God. He is acting in unbelief. What he has heard and known about God does not matter to him. It is like a man sitting in a burning house. Someone may pound on his door, urging him to flee his burning house, but if he buries his nose in the newspaper, and does not get up and try to flee, he is acting in unbelief. So, what does it matter what we believe about God, if it does not move us to act upon that belief? James tells us that even the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). No doubt they understand all of the historical facts about God, maybe even more than many of us. Yet they are not saved beings! All of the knowledge that they have of God profits them nothing. They are devils bent on doing evil. They know of God's laws, and they know of God's wrath, yet this type of belief profits them nothing.
     The faith that God is looking for is a faith that not only trusts, but also obeys! A man who believes in Christ will be a man who obeys Christ. Correct doctrine, and correct biblical understanding are important, but our faith must lead us to act upon our belief.
     When a man is brought to see the depths of his wickedness he will say like Paul "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) In our desperation to be set free from sin we will flee to Christ, trusting Him not only for pardon, but for deliverance as well. What kind of man would seek pardon while still holding on to his sinful ways? That is no faith at all. 
     Believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again is much more than a mere formula to repeat in the hopes of gaining pardon from sin. To believe in the death and resurrection of Christ is to cease from our self efforts, and flee to Him for pardon, knowing that He is the only way. It is to know and understand that only in Him can the soul find deliverance from sin. The individual who has truly come to the end of himself will turn from his sin (repent) and turn to Christ with a submissive trust, longing to be delivered from sin. Such a one believes that just as Christ died and rose again, so to we also die to sin and are raised to newness of life by the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-10, 8:1-4). Biblical faith also recognizes that as Jesus is alive from the dead, we are called to follow Him. Once again, this is a submissive, trusting faith, that works itself out in loving obedience. "Lord" is not a mere title that we place before a name like we do for doctors or professors. Jesus is Lord, and He is alive. If we believe this from our hearts, we will act upon this belief, and submit ourselves totally to His rule in our lives (Luke 14:25-33).
     Faith is much more than believing things with our minds. It is a continuing, active principal that moves us to act upon what we believe. Faith is our connection to the life and power that flow from Jesus. To trust in Him is to be connected. To disbelieve, is to be unplugged from the life that can only be found in Christ. 

See also The Nature of Biblical Faith.
     

Salvation (Ephesians 2 Part 6).

     When studying this passage of scripture we often focus upon grace and faith. It is of  equal importance however, that we have a correct understanding of salvation; what it is, and what it accomplishes in our lives.
     Throughout the bible we see the word salvation used in multitudes of passages and contexts. It is used to speak of deliverance from captivity, from enemies, from sickness, from severe trials and temptations, and from sin. The word means deliverance; it is to be delivered from something that afflicts us or binds us. In the New Testament concept of salvation through Christ, it is primarily speaking of deliverance from sin. It is sin that is our downfall. Sin (disobedience, rebellion) is what has ruined our lives. Sin is at the root of all of the troubles and evils we see in this world. It is at the core of the heartaches and miseries we face on this earth. Broken marriages, broken homes, unwanted children, are all consequences of sin, among many other evils that we see around us.  Sin will drag you down, enslave you, and ruin your life, yet there is more. Sin cuts us off from God. Because our sin is an act of defiance against our creator, we find ourselves at odds with Him. We have offended Him, and incurred His wrath. Sin has not only ruined us in this life, but has also ruined our eternal souls. 
     For many of us, we know and understand that we must be forgiven for our sins. We realize that we cannot stand before God in our sin, we have offended Him, and He must forgive us if we are to escape His judgment. Yet many of us fail to understand that forgiveness alone is not enough if we keep on going back to the same sin over and over again. 
     How many of us can relate to this? We feel guilty and ask for forgiveness, only to repeat the cycle of sinning, asking forgiveness, and sinning again, on and on and on. We live in defeat and guilt. The sad truth being, we are still enslaved to sin. We have not been delivered, we have not been set free, we are still dead in trespasses and sins (John 8:34; Romans 6:16; Ephesians 2:1-3). 
     The bible tells us that Jesus came to set men free, and if we are set free, we are free indeed (John 8:36). He came to destroy the work of the Devil, therefore, to be reborn, is to be delivered from the practice of sin (1 John 3:8-9). 
      Lets take a look at some of the verses dealing with predestination and election. This topic has been argued by theologians and denominations for centuries. While men have debated the subject, arguing about the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, they seem to have overlooked the point of these verses. 

     Romans 8:29-30 (NASB),
     For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

     Ephesians 1:4-5 (NASB),
     Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.

     1Peter 1:2 (NASB),
     Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

     Look at what these verses are telling us. The goal of God in our salvation is to make us holy! His desire is to conform us into the image of His Son. He works in us by His spirit to produce obedience, obedience to Jesus Christ. Yes, we are sprinkled with His blood and forgiven, Yes, we are adopted as sons, yes, we will be glorified with Him someday! Salvation goes beyond forgiveness and going to heaven. God's intent is to transform us, to break the cycle of bondage that we face, and to make us a new creation. Salvation is not one without the other; forgiveness while still bound to sin, but a total deliverance. It can be looked at as a "Divine heart transplant." Our stubborn rebellious hearts are replaced with soft, yielded, obedient hearts (Ezekiel 36:26). This is what is promised in the new covenant. We are now given the power to live as God has desired us to live (Hebrews 10:16-17). In this new life of freedom, we now find fellowship with God possible. Our prayers are not shut out, we can come boldly into His presence, we enjoy intimate communion with God, as Christ is formed in us.
     This was the gospel as presented by Jesus and the Apostles, and is still the gospel we are to proclaim today.
     

Saved by Grace (Ephesians 2 Part 5).

     For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
                                                 Ephesians 2:8 NASB

     Mercy has been defined as not receiving what we deserve, and grace has been defined as receiving what we do not deserve. There is truth to this. As sinners, we deserve punishment for our sin, yet we find the penalty lifted, as we are forgiven in Christ. Instead of spiritual death, we now have life everlasting through Jesus Christ. Again, God's grace flows out of His love for us. We do not deserve it, and cannot earn it. If so, it would not be grace, but an obligation.
     There is more to the grace of God however. His grace goes beyond forgiveness, reaching to the very inner depths of our being. Grace is transforming and empowering. Why would God reach out and take a rebel, and radically transform his life? 
     We read about the grace of God in Titus 2:11-14,

     For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:11-14 NASB).

     It is God's grace that transforms us from sinners to saints. It is by His grace that our lives and conduct are radically transformed. We are changed from selfish beings into selfless beings, no longer pursuing the desires of our flesh, but living for the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2). This is a picture of the grace of God that brings salvation. Again, we do not deserve this. Who are we that God would reach down in grace and not only forgive our enmity against Him, but work in us a surrender to His will and ways? 

Rich in Mercy (Ephesians 2 part 4).

     But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 
                                                 Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB


     We have looked at man's lost condition; the fact that he is dead in sin, a slave to his passions and lusts, an enemy of God, and a child of wrath. Let's take a look now at another aspect of God's character, His love and mercy. 
     We read in our Bibles that God is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). As a holy being, God cannot tolerate sin, and in His absolutely perfect justice, He must punish it. That is a fact, and no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves otherwise, it can be no other way. The very character of God demands it. Yet we also read of God's unwillingness that any should perish. We read of His love, as in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." As our text states, God is rich in mercy, because He loves us with a great love. Even though we have sinned against Him time and time again, He loves us, and has made provision for us, so that we could be saved from our sin.
     All of this flows out of His love. It is love that sent Jesus down to this earth to bear our sins on the cruel cross. We are told that as a demonstration of His love, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Motivated by great love, God has done everything possible to bring us into reconciliation with Himself. He did not wait for us to clean up, to become good enough, or to change our ways. He took the initiative, and sent Jesus to die on our behalf, while we were yet sinners. 
     The Bible tells us that God is rich in mercy. He is generous, and willing to forgive. Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to reconcile us to God. He is willing to clean up our lives, to change us and make us a new creation in Him (2 Cor 5:17). Once again, it is not based upon anything we have done, but on His mercy (Titus 3:5). Do not misunderstand this however. God's love and mercy do not do away with man's responsibility to repent of His sinful ways. As we previously read in 2 Peter 3:9, ...Not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
     There are those who believe that God's love and salvation are universal in the sense that all will be saved in the end regardless of how they conducted themselves in this life. They would have you believe that repentance and obedience do not matter. They go so far as to teach that because of Christ's offering of Himself, you do not need to even believe in Him; everyone gets saved in the end, it is an automatic thing. Watch out for this false teaching! In His love, God has made a way to save us from our sin. That is, not only the guilt, but the power of it over our lives. There is a saying that goes something like this, God, not only loves us enough to forgive our sins, but loves us too much to leave us in them." This is the true picture of the grace and mercy of God. He has reached down to His enemies and offered them pardon, if they will submit themselves to Him.