THROUGH FAITH
Justification comes to us through faith(Romans 5:1)
We are not justified because of faith, or on account of our faith. We are justified THROUGH faith. Faith is the channel by which the righteousness of God comes to us (Ephesians 2:8)
Where does faith come from?
-It is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
-It comes by hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17)
Faith is not blind. It is belief in Christ (Acts 20:21); Ephesians 1:15)
It is belief in who, He is, and what He alone is able to do (Matthew 8:5-10)
Faith incorporates trust and belief(Romans 4:20,21)
In faith we receive Christ (John 1:12)
“Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in gospel. [Shorter Catechism]
“Paul does not see faith as a mere intellectual adherence to certain doctrines. Faith for Paul is a warm personal trust in a living Saviour. Faith is a transforming attitude. When a man believes, his whole personality is affected. The entire Christian life accordingly is a life of faith, or, as Paul puts it, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2nd Corinthians 5:7) [Leon Morris]
David Dickson, once the Professor of Divinity in Edinburgh, being asked, when on his deathbed, how he found himself, answered. “ I have taken my good deeds and bad deeds, and thrown them together in a heap, and fled from them both to Christ, and in Him I have peace.”
YOU HAVE BEEN JOINED TO CHRIST
One of the most glorious features of salvation is that we now have union with Christ.
Before we were saved, we were ‘without Christ’ (Ephesian 2:12)
Now we are “in Christ (Ephesian 1:1)
The apostle Paul delighted to speak of being ‘in Christ’ he uses the phrase nine or more times in Ephesians 1:1-14
What does it mean to be “in Christ’?
-It means that Christ is our Head, our Representative.
In Adam we were guilty and condemned : in Christ we are justified and pardoned (Romans 5:12-21)
-It means that we have a living, vital, organic union with Christ (John 15:4,5)
In Christ
-we have all spiritual blessings (Ephesian 1:3)
-we are chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
-we are loved by God (Romans 8:39)
-we are brought night to God (Ephesians 2:13)
-we are complete (Colossians 2:10)
-we are created anew (Ephesians 2:10)
-we are all one (Galatians 3:28)
-even death cannot sever this union (1 Thesalonian 4:14-16)
“All these blessings that we enjoy become ours because we are joined to Christ. We can therefore claim that what has happened to Christ has happened to us. This is the marvel and the mystery of our salvation... The Son of God came down from heaven to earth ; he took upon Him human nature, He joined human nature unto himself, he shared human nature; and as the result of His work we human beings share His life and are in Him, and are participators in all the benefits that come from Him.” [D.M. Lloyd – Jones]
ASSURANCE
God wants you to be sure of your salvation (Hebrews 10:22)
Assurance comes through the Scriptures (I John 5:13)
Assurance comes through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16)
The Scriptures tell you that if you are a Christian you will
-love righteousness and hate sin (John 3:20,21)
-love other Christians (1 John 3:14)
-love the things of God (1 John 2:3:5)
-love the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:7)
-wants to see others saved (Romans 10:1)
Being a Christian does not mean that you are sinless (1 John 1:8-10) You will still sin, but the difference now is that you will hate it and daily seek God’s forgiveness (Psalm 51).
If these things are true of you, no matter how faintly, these are the marks of grace. You are being led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14)
The Holy Spirit witnesses inwardly(Romans 8:16)
This the Spirit does by telling us directly, and giving us experiences of God’s great love to us (Romans 5:5)
It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to discern the marks of grace, and who pours into our hearts God’s fatherly love.
You can be a Christian without having assurance. But God wants you to have assurance, so pray earnestly for it. Be satisfied with nothing less than full assurance. Do not let Satan rob you of this.
“Such is Satan’s envy and enmity against a Christian’s joy and comfort, that he cannot but act to the utmost of his line to keep poor souls in doubt and darkness. Satan knows ..that assurance is that which will make men strong to do exploits, to shake his tottering kingdom about his ears; and therefore he is very studios and industrious to keep souls off from assurance, as he was to cast Adam out of paradise.” [Thomas Brooks]
YOU CANNOT LOOSE YOUR SALVATION
You are now beginning to appreciate something of the wonder of what God has done for you. But is it too good to last? Take heart, read John 10:28,29
You cannot lose your salvation because
-Christ has given you eternal life.
-Christ has said you shall never perish
-you are held in the hand of ALMIGHTY GOD
-you have been GIVEN by God the Father to Jesus.
In other words, God has saved you, and not you yourself (John 6:37, 44,65).
God began the work of salvation; God will complete it (Philippians 1:6)
Read Psalm 23, and note that because the Lord is your Shepherd certain other things follow as a consequence. All lead to the great climax:” and I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOR EVER.”
Praise God for the truth of Psalm 37:23-29)
What from Christ the soul can sever,
Bound by everlasting bands?
Once in Him, in Him for ever,
Thus the eternal covenant stands,
None shall pluck thee
From the Strength of Israel’s hands
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38, 39)
BELONGING TO A CHURCH
The word ‘church’ is used in Scripture in two ways:
-the whole church, at all times, in all places (Colossians 1:18)
-the local church, at a particular place (1 Corinthians 1:2)
When you are converted you become a member of the true church, the body of Christ, but you need also to link up with a local church. Why?
-because you need the teaching and ministry (Acts 2:42)
-because you need the fellowship (Acts 2:42-46)
You may find help and encouragement from Christian groups outside the Church, eg. Christian organizations at school, university or work. “These are good, but they are not a substitute for the church. The church is not instituted by man, but is God’s provision for His people (Ephesians 5:25; 4:11-12)
A Christian should belong to a local church – worship there, work there, have a fellowship there. This does not mean he never goes to any other church, but he “belongs” in one place, If this does not take place, then the following scriptures are impossible to fulfil(Hebrews 13:17; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:3; Hebrews 10:24, 25)
Do not be what Spurgeon called “birds of passage which nest nowhere”. Do not drift from church to church. Belong!
Which Church?Unfortunately, today, all churches are not alike, You need a church that will help you grow as a Christian. You need a church that is seeking to order its life and ministry according to Scripture. You never find in New Testament Churches whist drives, jumbles sales or dances. You do find
-Bible teaching (Acts 2:42)
-prayer meetings (Acts 4:23-31)
-evangelism (Acts 11:20,21)
Find a good church. Worship there, Become a member there. Pray for its ministry. Make your friends there. Take your friends there.
WORSHIP
“Worship is to feel in the heart a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder, and to express it in some appropriate manner. Worship is awesome wonder and overpowering love in the presence of God.” [AW Tozer]
All Christian go to Church every Sunday if at all possible.
We go to Church to worship God
-because of God’s command (Hebrews 10:25)
-because of Christ’s example (Luke 4:16)
-because we want to go (Psalm 122:1)
Worship is the chief end of man. Man was created to worship God. Sin made that impossible. But your sin has been dealt with. You can now enjoy the greatest privilege known to man. You can worship God. There are no substitute for worship. It is the highest delight of heaven and earth.
We worship God
-because of who He is (Psalm 99:5; 96:8,9)
-because of what He has done for us (Revelation 5:11-14)
Worship is, of course, not confined to a building, or to a Sunday. It is the continual privilege of the people of God.
"What are the factors that you will find present in worship?
Boundless confidence-you cannot worship a Being you cannot trust (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Administration-appreciation of the excellency of God (Psalm8)
Fascination – entranced with no God is : the magnitude and splendour of almighty God (Isaiah 40)
Adoration – to love God with all power within us (Psalm 116) [A.W. TOZER]
HEARING THE WORD PREACHED
The preaching and exposition of scriptures is the God ordained means
-for spreading the gospel (1 Corintian 1:21)
-for instructing His people (Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 4:2;1:11)
To hear the Word preached is not enough (Hebrews 4:2)
If it is to profit you
-you must listen (Mark 4:24)
-you must obey (Luke 8:21; Psalm 119:9)
How can you get then most out of a sermon?
-follow the preaching with an open bible (Acts 8:27-35)
-listen to a man who expounds the bible (Nehemiah 8:8)
-have a due reverence for the World (Nehemiah 8:5)
-listen to attentively (Nehemiah 8:3)
-let the Word deal with you (Nehemiah 8:9)
-do not be too occupied with your watch (Nehemiah 8:3)
-if you do not understand, ask afterward (Acts 8:3.4)
Pray for those who preach the Word (Ephesians 6:19)
Pray that they may have the Holy Sprits power and authority (1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 2:4)
Pray for the success of the Word (Acts 4:29,30)
“I warn then everyone who loves his soul to be jealous as to the preaching he regularly hears and the place of worship he regularly attends. He who deliberately settles down under a ministry which is unsound is a very unwise man. If false doctrine is preached in a church a man who loves his soul is not right in going to that church.” [JC Ryle]
“The most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching : and as it is the greatest and most urgent need in the Church, it is obviously the greatest need of the world. [DM Lloyd-Jones]
THE LORD SUPPER
There are two ordinances. These are symbolical rites in which the spiritual meaning of our salvation is enshrined. The ‘word’ preaches to the ear, and the ‘ordinances’ preaches to the eye. The two ordinances are (a) the Lord’s Supper, and (b) Baptism.
The Lord’s Supper is given three names in the New Testament
-the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42)
-the communion (1 Corinthians 10:16)
the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20)
It was instituted by Jesus (Matthew 26:26-28)
Paul teaches of it (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
The bread and wine symbolize the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. They do not turn into the body and blood: the represent it. The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice: it reminds us of what Christ has already done (1 Corinthians 11:24:25)
It proclaims His death (1 Corinthians 11:26)
It points to a new covenant (Mattews 26:28)
It proclaims the unity of all Christians (1 Corinthians 10:16,17)
It is to be held regularly (Acts 2:46)
It is to be held until Christ comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26)
“The Lord’s Supper is a ordinance, wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment , His death is showed forth: and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.”
BAPTISM
Jesus never baptized anyone. But He was baptized Himself (Matthew 3:13-17) and He did command His disciples to baptize (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16)
Baptism symbolizes
-union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4-6)
-the washing away of sin (Acts 22:16)
Christian differ on the question of baptism:
Some Christiansbelieve that the infant children of believers are eligible. They hold that the covenant God made with Abraham was a spiritual covenant, and that circumcision was the sign and seal of this. Infants shared in the benefits of the covenant and so received the sign and seal.
Therefore, they believe, the children of believers should be baptised, see Colossians 2:11,12. This baptism is usually administered by sprinkling water on the infant.
In the new dispensation baptism is by divine authority substituted for circumcision as the initiatory sign and seal of the covenant of grace.”
Other Christians believe that baptism must follow conversion because in the New Testament it always followed conversion (Acts 8:36-38; 9:17 18; 16:31-33), and was administered only to those who had repented of their sin and come to trust and believe in Christ (Acts 2:37-41). This baptism is therefore known as ‘believers’ baptism’. It is usually administered by immersion in water, in the belief that this alone fulfils the symbolism of baptism, and that the word baptize means to dip or immerse.
Baptism is not essential to salvation, but because Christ commands it, it is essential to obedience.
This is not a the place top argue the differences. There are many books you can read on the subject, but, more importantly, consult your pastor, or the eleders/deacons of your church.
LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
You new faith must show in your life.
Good works do not save (Ephesians 2:8,9), but they are important.
They are the fruit of salvation (James 2:17; Ephesian 2:10).
You will not be sinless and perfect this side of heaven, but you are already indwelt by the Lord
Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:27; Romans 8:10; John 15:4)
Christ must be seen in you. How is this possible? Read Romans 12:1,2.
Your main desire now will be to please God(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Your standard of behaviour is now the Bible (Psalm 119:9, 105).
The world’s standards are so different from God’s standards that many people will not understand your new life (1 Peter 4:3,4)
For example, see what the Christian’s attitude is towards
-work and employers (Ephesians 6:5-7)
-authority (Romans 13:27,28)
-sex (Matthews 5:27,28)
God is pleased and glorified when Christians
-think of others less fortunate than themselves (James 1:27)
-use their talents to help others (Acts 9:36,39)
Read also Matthews 5-8 and Ephesians 4-6.
Such a life needs two things
-the enabling power of Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-14)
-faithfulness on your part (Matthew 25:21)
You are not faithful by being different, or casual, or half-hearted. You must be determined. You must purpose in your heart (Daniel 1:8)
Thus will God be glorified in your life (Matthew 5:16)
BIBLE STUDY (1)
The Bible is a unique book
It is not the word of man (2 Peter 1:20:21)
It is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
All Christians need to feed on God’s Word daily (Matthew 4:4)
New Christian need this especially (1 Peter 2:2)
There are many Bible-reading schemes available today, and they will certainly help you as a new Christian. There are also many excellent commentaries on the books of the Bible. But seek advice from more experienced Christian before you buy any.
Do not confuse Bible reading with Bible Study.Merely reading a dozen or so verses a day is not enough. You need to give time and thought to the Word (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:15).
Endeavour to memorize portions of Scriptures (Psalm 119:11).
“Be prayerful in your reading, but do not think that “prayerful” means “magical”, and that something mysterious is going to “happen” when you read. God’s book has to be studied intelligently and will give its truth to the thoughtful mind.” [EF KEVAN]
“We ought not to measure, censure and understand the Scriptures according to our own natural sense and reason, but we ought diligently by prayer to meditate therein and to search after the same. The Holy Ghost must be the only master to teach us, and let youth and scholar not be ashamed to learn of this tutor.” [Martin Luther]
“For as God alone can properly bear witness to His own words, so these words will not obtain full credit in the hearts of men, until they are sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit…” [John Calvin]
BIBLE STUDY (2)
Bible study should always commence with prayer for the illumination of the Holy Spirit, without whose help we cannot rightly divide the truths that God would have us believe.
The words of Scriptures should always be taken in the sense that the writer intended, and therefore in order to interpret Scripture aright we must pay attention to its plain meaning and grammatical construction. Only by doing so can we give evidence of our belief in the Scriptures claim to verbal inspiration and hope to profit thereby.
We must never attempt to interpret a word, sentence, verse or paragraph except in terms of its context.
The infallible rule of the interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself, Each passage of Scriptures must therefore be interpreted in the light of the rest of Scripture, and difficult passages in the light of plainer, clearer passages. We should always remember that, whereas the rule is infallible, our interpretation of it is not.
God does not give us light on everything at once. Unresolved difficulties should be allowed to hinder the consecutive study of Word of God. Make a note of problems that arise in the course of study, consult commentaries, and ask help of older Christians and ministers on these matters.
Bible study cannot be divorced from conduct. God will give us increased light only as we walk in the light we have been given.
“The Bible is a book which, though it is written by men for men, is yet written by God for His own glory. It’s subject matter is God, and how He becomes our God though Jesus Christ… It is therefore a book which must be studied in its own light, and that is the light shed on the words by its Author – God, the Holy Spirit [Hywell R. Jones]
PRAYER
Worship is more than a weekly activity in Church(Daniel 6:10) .
Daily, private prayer is your privilege (Luke 18:1;11:1-13)
See example of Jesus (Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Mark 1 :35)
‘Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies .” [Shorter Catechism]
Prayer is to be
-regular (Colossian 4:2)
-fervent (James 5:16)
-for yourself (Matthew 6:9-13)
-for others (Colossian 1:9)
-expectant (Mark 11:24)
-persistent (Luke 11:5-8)
-with humility and penitence (Luke 18”13,14).
“God by his Holy Spirit approaches us in the secret place of our hearts and then, by that same Holy Spirit, He creates desires in us for Himself. Our new life is a life that comes from God and so needs to sustain itself by God. We cannot therefore have the life of God within us without the experience of prayer”
It is good to have a special time every day to meet with God.
Some Christians prefer the early morning, others the evening. Find a convenient time for yourself.
Jesus in Matthew 6:6 show us the value of private prayer.
But we are also encouraged to meet together for prayer (Matthew 18:19, 20)
The Christians in Acts met often to pray (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:24-31; 12:5).
WITNESS
Having received so great salvation, there is an obligation upon all Christians to tell others of the gospel.
We tell others of the love of God because
-Jesus commands it (Acts 1:8; Mark 5:19)
-we cannot but tell (2 Corinthians 5:14; John 15:27)
-we fear for lost souls (2 Corinthians 5:11).
The Holy Spirit witnesses and convicts men. This is His work (John 16:8-11; 1 John 5:6,9). But He uses us, and provides opportunities for us to tell people of the love of God.
We witness in various ways by
-telling of our experience of Christ (John 4:29,30)
-explaining Scripture (Acts 8:26-35)
-inviting people to hear the gospel preached (Acts 10:24; Luke 5:29)
-the quality of our life (Matthew 5:16)
The witness of our lips must be backed up by the by the witness of our behaviour. People will dismiss all that we say if they do not see the gospel having an effect upon our lives. This is particularly true of relatives and workmates.
Be concerned for individuals.
“If you had one hundred empty bottles before you, and threw a pail of water over them, some would get a little in them, but most would fall outside. If you wish to fill the bottles, the best way is to take each bottle separately and put a vessel full of water to the bottle’s mouth. That is successful personal work.” [CH Spurgeon]
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name
OBEYING GOD
“To obey, in the New Testament usage, means to give earnest attention to the World, to submit to its authority, and to carry out its instructions” [AW Tozer]
Jesus Himself gives a prominence to obedience that we dare not ignore, both in His example and teaching.
To Christ
-obedience was a delight (John 4:34)
-obedience was absolute (Philippians 2:8)
Obedience is essential
-to blessing (Exodus 19:5)
-to belonging to Christ (Mark 3:35)
-to abiding in Christ (John 15:10)
-as proof of salvation (1 John 2:3-5)
Do not wait to be “convicted” about things : if God has commanded something, do it.
Peter opens his first epistle by telling us that we are elected unto obedience (1 Peter 1:2). In verse 14 he comes back to it. There it is again in verse 22. Obedience is the starting-point of the sanctified life.
There is no substitute for obedience (1 Samuel 15:22)
Obedience ought not to be a cold, mechanical thing,. It should stem from love of God and communion with Him. Communion and obedience are twins. We are rarely told in Scripture to obey the commands of God: we are told rather –‘obey me’ ‘obey my voice’ (Exodus 19:5; Joshua 24:24; Jeremiah 7:23; Hebrews 5:9)
“The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin. So faith and obedience are for ever joined and each is without value when separated from the other. The trouble with many us today is that we trying to believe without intending to obey.” [AW Tozer]
TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS
You are now a Christian, and yet sin troubles you more than it did before your conversion. You are more aware of sin now than you ever were. (Romans 7:21-25)
Temptation is not sin.To all Christians it is a very real problem. Christ was tempted (Luke 4:1-13)
“Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritual-minded persons endure the same: and in the holiest position we may suffer the darkest temptation.” [CH Spurgeon]
Memorise 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation comes to all Christians-“common to man”
Temptation is not compulsion-“not tempted above that ye are able”
You can say Yes or No – God gives “a way to escape”.
There is a difference between trials and temptations.
The devil tempts you to sin- to disobey God (2 Corinthians 11:3)
But the Devil cannot make you sin.
He could when you were his slave (Romans 6:16)
Christ is now your Lord (Romans 6:6,17,18)
The devil has no claim on you (Romans 6:6,11-14)
God sends trials to test His people (Genesis 22:1; 1 Peter 1: 6,7)
“The trials are not unnatural things, nor obstacles to spiritual growth. They are God’s appointed way forward.” [JA Motyer]
When tempted or tried
-believe that God is faithful and look for the way or escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)
-resist (James 4:7)
-endure and triumph (James 1:12)
-turn the temptation into blessing (James 1:24)
-learn from Luke 4 how Jesus dealt with temptation – He answered with Scripture (vv 7,8, 12)
THE DEVIL
Is the Devil fact or fiction?
It used to be fashionable not to believe in the Devil. People made him out to be a comic figure of mythology in red tights, with horns and a tail. But the Bible knows better . “ The Devil is real – as real as God.
The Devil was once an angel who rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12:20)
His continual work is to oppose God and God’s people (Luke 22:31,32; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Matthew 4:1)
This opposition is sometimes fierce and obvious. He comes at us like a “roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8)
At other times he is more devious, and comes as an ‘angel of light’ (2 Corinthians 11:14)
This second ploy is perhaps the more dangerous. Paul warns us of the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)
The Bible continually warns us of the Devil’s cunning. Note the following terms:
“more subtle” (Genesis 3:1); his devices’ (2 Corinthians 2:11); ‘a liar’ (John 8:44); he “beguiled eve” (2 Corinthians 11:3); “the snare of the devil (1 Timothy 3:7); he “deceiveth the whole world”(Revelation 12:9)
The moment you become a Christian all these wiles are used against you. Never minimize the power of the Devil, but do not exaggerate it either. He is mighty, but not almighty. The almighty God, our Father and Saviour , has given us the means to defeat the Devil (Ephesian 6: 10-20)
Before conversion you were the servant of the Devil (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2,3; 1 John 5:19)
The Devil is the prince of this world (John 12:31)
On the cross Jesus defeated the Devil (Colossians 2:14,15)
You can defeat him too, but only in Christ.
Read James 4:7 and note that you can only resist the Devil effectively when you are firstly submitted to God.
ENJOYING GOD
Christianity was never meant to make your life drab and miserable.
You are meant to have
-abundance of life (John 10:10)
-joy (1 Peter 1:8)
-peace (Romans 5:1)
-contentment (Philippians 4:11)
If all that we have dealt with so far is true, then this joy and peace should also be true of you.
If you are to enjoy God, to enjoy your new Christian life, there is only one way (Philippians 4:4-9)
The way to enjoy God is to give yourself to God (Romans 12:1,2)
The half-hearted compromising Christian is always miserable (Mark 14:66-72)
The dedicated Christian can rejoice even in troubles (Acts 5:40,41)
You have much to rejoice in:
-the incomparable privilege of being a Christian (Philippians 3:7-9)
-God ‘s love to you as an individual (Galatians 2:20)
-God’s promise to keep you (2 Corinthians 4:6-18)
-your inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-9).
You cannot enjoy God from distance. You need to get close to him (Psalm 16:11)
All the gifts of God are for us to enjoy, but the greatest pleasure is to enjoy God Himself.
“Thanks God for little grace, and ask Him for great grace. He has given thee hope, ask for faith : and when He gives thee faith, ask for assurance: and when thou gettest assurance, ask for full assurance; and when thou hast obtained full assurance, ask for enjoyment: and when thou hast enjoyment, ask for glory itself: and He shall surely give it thee in His own appointed season.” [CH Spurgeon]
