This Sunday, Aug. 22, we studied 1 John 3:4-10 and looked at what John had to say about the relationship between the New Birth and sin. I summarized John's argument in 3 steps. Here they are with the supporting verses.
1. Sin is serious and of the devil.
- vs. 4, "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
- vs. 8a, "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sining from the beginning.
2. Jesus Christ appeared to take away sins and destroy the works of the devil.
- vs. 5, "You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
- vs. 8b, "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
3. Those born of God don't keep on sinning
- vs. 6, "No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him."
- vs. 9, "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
The simple argument John is making, which he spells out in vs. 7 and 10, is, "if you are righteous through the New Birth, you practice righteousness. If you don't, it because you are not born again."
So, I have two things.
Firstly, is this what John's saying in these verses? Am I getting something wrong? If you were to put it in your own words, what would you say is John's point?
Secondly, I would really like to hear the practical, "what does this mean?" questions you have. A couple that I thought of were, "I sin everyday, does that mean I'm not a Christian?" What questions do you have from these verses? I may just include them in my upcoming sermon(s).
Blessing, FBC.
Brian
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
What must I do to be saved?
That's such a great question. It's found several times in several ways or forms in the Bible (Acts 2:37-38; 16:30; John 6:28; Luke 18:18). The answer given could be condensed to "repent and believe the gospel" especially when you link it to Jesus' message, "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15). Not "pray this prayer," "check this box" or "walk this aisle," but "repent and believe the gospel."
If that's the answer, then its pretty important to have a good understanding of what that means. So here are my thoughts from the scriptures. Tell me what you think.
Repent ~ Repentance means to "change your mind" or "turn around." This command is always given in relationship to our sinful course in life. Before we are converted (born again by God) we have a course in life that's in rebellion to God. Unless we "change our mind" or "turn away/around" (this is repentance) from this course, the Bible says we will perish. Repentance is called a "gift of God" (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25) and achieving is a result of his "kindness" (Rom. 2:4). No this for certain: no repentance means no salvation (Acts 2:38).
When God causes us to be born again, we'll see sin the way he sees sin. Not as some petty offense, but as a capital crime against the holiness of God. The New Birth will cause a person to be horrified of our sin. If in your evangelism a person feels ambivalent and even unconcerned with their sin, that's a good indication they haven't been born again. On the contrary, if the burden of their sin weighs upon their conscious, that's a great indication that God is opening their eyes.
Belief ~ The words "believe," "faith" and "trust" are all the same Greek word in the NT. So when John 3:16 says, "whoever believes him will not perish, but have eternal life" you could substitute the words "faith" or "trust" for "believe" if you like. Why is that important? The word "believe" in particular can have a very passive aspect relegated only to the life of the mind. So we hear the command "believe in Jesus" and liken it to "I believe 2+2=4." That kind of belief has little bearing on a person's life.
But "having faith" or better yet, "trusting," has a much more active and urgent feel to 21st century Americans. You don't just "trust" anybody, especially with your life. We "trust" the pizza man to deliver our pizza, but we don't trust him with our kids, family heirlooms or boats. Jesus says, "give me everything. Trust me with your present and eternal life." Many Americans "believe" in God (like they believe 2+2=4), but trust in God with my bank account, with my family; with my soul? NO WAY! We need to make this distinction. So when we are in conversations with people and they say, "I believe in God," we need to come back and say, "Yeah, but you don't believe in God enough to follow his word. To do what he says." Maybe your friend is cheating on her husband. "You don't believe in God enough to repent of the sin of adultery. So you really don't believe in God."
Also, repenting and believing is simply the same activity from different perspectives. Repenting is turning away from sin; believing is turning to Jesus. The same act from different vantage points. So another way we can help someone understand what it means to "believe" is linking it to repentance. If someone refuses to repent of sin, they are also refusing to trust in Jesus.
The Gospel ~ "Gospel" literally means "good news;" the "good news" is the message of Jesus Christ. There are several different ways we can make reference to this good news. The first way is in reference to its "content" and "historical facts" of the message. What are some of those?
Another way to talk about the gospel concerns its "effect." What did Jesus accomplish. Paul says in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it [the gospel] is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Also, he says in 1 Cor. 1:18, "For the word of the cross [that's the gospel] is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." So the gospel isn't just the "content" or "facts," the gospel is also the "power of God."
So, when we charge some to "believe (trust) in the gospel," we're not just say, "trust the facts," we are also saying, "believe/have faith in the power of God in this message."
I'd love to hear your thoughts both on this and the message given today. What's helpful? Also, where do you still feel a little anxious about telling others about God? Let's help each other.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
If that's the answer, then its pretty important to have a good understanding of what that means. So here are my thoughts from the scriptures. Tell me what you think.
Repent ~ Repentance means to "change your mind" or "turn around." This command is always given in relationship to our sinful course in life. Before we are converted (born again by God) we have a course in life that's in rebellion to God. Unless we "change our mind" or "turn away/around" (this is repentance) from this course, the Bible says we will perish. Repentance is called a "gift of God" (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25) and achieving is a result of his "kindness" (Rom. 2:4). No this for certain: no repentance means no salvation (Acts 2:38).
When God causes us to be born again, we'll see sin the way he sees sin. Not as some petty offense, but as a capital crime against the holiness of God. The New Birth will cause a person to be horrified of our sin. If in your evangelism a person feels ambivalent and even unconcerned with their sin, that's a good indication they haven't been born again. On the contrary, if the burden of their sin weighs upon their conscious, that's a great indication that God is opening their eyes.
Belief ~ The words "believe," "faith" and "trust" are all the same Greek word in the NT. So when John 3:16 says, "whoever believes him will not perish, but have eternal life" you could substitute the words "faith" or "trust" for "believe" if you like. Why is that important? The word "believe" in particular can have a very passive aspect relegated only to the life of the mind. So we hear the command "believe in Jesus" and liken it to "I believe 2+2=4." That kind of belief has little bearing on a person's life.
But "having faith" or better yet, "trusting," has a much more active and urgent feel to 21st century Americans. You don't just "trust" anybody, especially with your life. We "trust" the pizza man to deliver our pizza, but we don't trust him with our kids, family heirlooms or boats. Jesus says, "give me everything. Trust me with your present and eternal life." Many Americans "believe" in God (like they believe 2+2=4), but trust in God with my bank account, with my family; with my soul? NO WAY! We need to make this distinction. So when we are in conversations with people and they say, "I believe in God," we need to come back and say, "Yeah, but you don't believe in God enough to follow his word. To do what he says." Maybe your friend is cheating on her husband. "You don't believe in God enough to repent of the sin of adultery. So you really don't believe in God."
Also, repenting and believing is simply the same activity from different perspectives. Repenting is turning away from sin; believing is turning to Jesus. The same act from different vantage points. So another way we can help someone understand what it means to "believe" is linking it to repentance. If someone refuses to repent of sin, they are also refusing to trust in Jesus.
The Gospel ~ "Gospel" literally means "good news;" the "good news" is the message of Jesus Christ. There are several different ways we can make reference to this good news. The first way is in reference to its "content" and "historical facts" of the message. What are some of those?
- Before God works in our lives, we are dead sinners; enemies of God destined for his wrath. God is completely just and right to punish us of our sins.
- God sent his son, Jesus, to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is God in the flesh; he lived the perfect life God accepts and sacrificed himself on the cross for our sins. In that sacrifice, God the Father poured out his wrath on Jesus as Jesus bore the weight and penalty of our sin.
- 3 days after his crucifixion, he was raised from the dead and lives today as the only true king of Kings and lord of Lords. He alone is worthy of all worship praise.
Another way to talk about the gospel concerns its "effect." What did Jesus accomplish. Paul says in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it [the gospel] is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Also, he says in 1 Cor. 1:18, "For the word of the cross [that's the gospel] is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." So the gospel isn't just the "content" or "facts," the gospel is also the "power of God."
So, when we charge some to "believe (trust) in the gospel," we're not just say, "trust the facts," we are also saying, "believe/have faith in the power of God in this message."
I'd love to hear your thoughts both on this and the message given today. What's helpful? Also, where do you still feel a little anxious about telling others about God? Let's help each other.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
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