Category: Faith
Subject: Faith
Sermon: The Eternal Purpose of God
Sermon 1 of 9 by Carl Allen.
The eternal purpose of God was fulfilled in Jesus Christ when He came to earth, and shed his atoning blood for all mankind. This atonement is available to all, and is accomplished by those who respond in faith to the gospel of our Lord.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Fairness Goes Both Ways
God is eminently fair. He is both merciful and just. As we acknowledge our salvation is dependent upon His grace, extended in His Son Jesus, we must also note that He rightly requires obedience on our part. That is His right, and it is fair of Him to demand our allegiance.
When rebellious Israel proclaimed God to be unfair in His dealing with them, He replied clearly:
“‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
While God does not enjoy condemning men, He is fair! Those who do not turn from their iniquity (repent) will be condemned for their sins. We must get a “new heart and a new spirit.” For us, that means being born again! (cf. John 3:3-5).
Fairness goes both ways. God is fair in rewarding those who practice righteousness. He is pleased to grant the godly eternal life. And yet, though it saddens Him, it is fair of Him to condemn the ungodly to eternal death.
Sermon: What Did Paul See While Blind?
Saul’s encounter with Jesus in Acts 9, and the events that followed are discussed in this lesson.
Sermon: The Conversion of the Samaritans
Acts 8 records the conversion of the Samaritans, as a result of Philip’s ministry in that region.
Invitation: The Realization of the Christian’s Hope
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The resurrection is the realization of the Christians hope! Because Christ was risen, we have the hope of life after death as well. (1 Corinthians 15)
Sermon: Steps of Salvation
A simple lesson, using a chart for personal work (Slide #2) of the PPTX file. Explains both God’s Part, and Man’s Part in the salvation of any individual.
In the News: Faith vs. Fact?
I recently read at the Washington Post online, a review of the book, Faith vs. Fact (Why Science and Religion are Incompatible) by Jerry A. Coyne. The review itself was written by Jeffrey Schloss, a biologist at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. The book apparently consists of a series of logical arguments designed to pit religion against science, with the author’s assertion that ultimately, religion’s methods “are useless for understanding reality.”
The review is largely complimentary of the book, but Schloss argues that Coyne falls short in some areas in his treatment of the topic. Consider the following quote by Schloss from the article:
“The preface [of Coyne’s book, SC] begins with a quote from Neil deGrasse Tyson: ‘The good thing about science is that it’s true, whether or not you believe in it.’ But this is simply wrong. Facts are true whether or not one believes in them. Science is an impressively reliable but fallible means for ascertaining facts. Indeed, facts are true whether or not science itself believes in them.”
FB: Faith is the Victory
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”(1 John 5:4-5)
Trapped as we are in this body, and this physical universe, it sometimes seems that “the world” has the upper hand. Evil is rampant, danger abounds, and our faith is constantly under attack. In light of this, it is good to know that our relationship with God through His Son gives us the victory.
It is assured. We are promised, based upon our faith, that we have the hope of heaven. May we all Praise God!, and then, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
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Sermon: Grace and Obedience
The texts of Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:14-26 and Luke 17:7-10 are used to describe the relationship of grace and obedience to the salvation of men.
Mining the Scriptures: Romans 1:16-17
Paul was extremely dedicated in the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ (15). The reason for this is stated clearly in our text. God chose to save mankind through the preaching of the gospel message! (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25).
The power of the gospel is found in the fact that it is true! The gospel is the message of Christ’s life, death and resurrection from the dead. The fact that His life was sinless, His death was vicarious, and His resurrection is certain means that belief in Him brings salvation to mankind. The reference to both Jew and Greek indicates that salvation is available to all men, no matter their nationality!
The phrase “from faith to faith” is difficult. Consider the fact that our faith emanates from the revelation of God’s will, referred to as “faith” in scripture (see Acts 6:7; Romans 10:17). The righteous man lives by the dictates of God’s will for him.
Sermon: David’s Mighty Men
Sermon preached by Jonathan Hinds.
Lessons learned from David’s mighty men, as revealed in 1 Chronicles 11.
Sermon: The TRUE Daniel Plan
There is a new diet book out called, The Daniel Plan. It references a passage from Daniel 1:8, where Daniel refused the diet of the king of Babylon. There is a true plan found in the book of Daniel, which if followed, will bring spiritual benefits and health.
Sermon: Stephen’s Defense and Death
In Stephen’s defense, recorded in Acts 7, the preacher convicted his Jewish audience of their sin of rebellion in rejecting the Son of God and His will for man. For this, he was executed. His steadfast faith is a wonderful example for us.
Sermon: A Faithless and Perverse Generation
Just as 2,000 years ago, we today live in the midst of a Faithless and Perverse generation. Our response must be to maintain our faith and purity, and shine as lights in the world.
The Patternists: Am I a Legalist?
The term “legalist” is commonly used by religious people today. It is not a biblical term, so we have to define it either by Webster, or by common usage.
The term is defined as follows by Webster: “an advocate or adherent of moral legalism.” So, to know what a legalist is, we need the definition of legalism. Again, Webster supplies: “strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code.”
Still, to get a full understanding of what a legalist is, perhaps we can gain insight by examining any antonyms (words that mean the opposite). Interestingly, a search of antonyms at the website: synonyms.net supplied only one word as an antonym to legalist. It is “antinomian”. Webster defines the term: “one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.”
It is peculiar that people are given to such extremes. How is it that an acknowledgement of salvation by grace through faith necessitates (in the mind of so many today) a belief that obedience to God’s will is not required?
I believe the following inspired word from Hebrews 5:8-9, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
I also believe what Paul said by inspiration of the Spirit about Christ’s second coming. That He would come, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ“ (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
Does that make me a legalist? If so, I confess I am, as I cast my lot with the Holy Spirit!
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