Monday, November 11, 2024

Laying Aside Guile

 



1 PETER 2:1-2

SUBJECT: GROWTH THROUGH PERSEVERANCE

THEME: because God is always in control and our hope is in Christ, we are admonished to never despair or backslide due to difficult and unfair circumstances. We should rather strive to grow spiritually and persevere in practical righteousness. We must lay aside wrong attitudes because they hinder our spiritual appetite and growth.

INTRODUCTION: How should I conduct myself when life seems to fall apart?  What does God expect of us when things are unkind, unfair, and filled with unwanted pressures? 1 Peter 1:6-7, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Pursuing the will of God despite our pressures is God’s answer, but how do we do that?

1) There is a tendency to quite living for God resorting to the world’s way of handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments. In such times we need to refocus ourselves and adjust our perspective to live more completely up to God’s expectations in the realm of our emotional life. 

2)  Instead of becoming cold towards God in our trials, we must maintain a correct attitude and spirit toward Him and others. Sometimes it is very easy to put on a smile and go through the motions, but to be real in our spirit, attitude, and heart is a different matter. Trials can be real opportunities to grow spiritually but we will have to be especially attentive to the purpose of living for God during these hard times.

When you come to the point of quitting draw on God’s strength, you’ll build endurance in your life.

MESSAGE: 

STRIVE TO GROW IN THE LORD BY LAYING ASIDE HARMFUL ATTITUDES  1Pet. 2:1

There is a great temptation to take on non-Christian attitudes and to assume a hostile spirit when difficulties come our way.  Sometimes extreme adjustments, out of the ordinary pressures, and unfamiliar challenges can generate negative energies that will eventuate into hostility, irritability, and shortness of patience with others. In such times the child of God must resist the temptation to revert back to the old sin nature and actually take off the “Old Man.”

     B.  WE MUST LAY ASIDE ALL GUILE “And all Guile,” (1Pet. 2:1) 

         1. This is Any Form of Deceit, Dishonesty and Trickery.  Guile, or deceit in words and the ability to cunningly mislead innocent people. This type of person would cleverly play on the gullibility of others or manipulate people for personal gain. They are crafty, duplicitous, insidiously cunning; they have very little, or no integrity and they are not worthy of trust. Rom 1:29, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

DECEPTION: Trickery, fraud, double-dealing, lying, cheating, are all the practices of one who deliberately deceives. This is the practice of deceiving people or using other dishonest methods to achieve one’s aims, or the ability to deceive people for this purpose.

ILLUSTRATION: These are the people who will falsely income tax returns, cheat on exams, lie about their age, bribe government officials, manipulate people out of their savings, pull shady business deals, falsely a report, misuse allocated funds, and lie about their past accomplishments. Keep the extra change from the cashier, or who will shortchange a customer. God says take this mentality off like a filthy garment because it defiles the character of the Child of God.

              i) The Deceit of Flattery.  Ps. 55:21

They sometimes will approach people with words of Flattery. 

Psalm 55:21, The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Psalm 34:13, Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

              ii) The Deceit of False Promises.

They will make False Promises, they will tell half-truths and use suggestive language to mislead people. They carefully select their words to shroud or cover their true meaning.

             iii) The Deceit of Falsehoods.

They comprehend falsehoods and deception, which is a crafty imposing upon another's ignorance or weakness, to his manipulations.

             iv) Deceitful Living Has Serious Consequences.

Psalm 36:3, The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

                   a)  The Most Devastating Loss Associated with Deceit Is the Dulling of Spiritual Awareness and Sensitivity.

                  b)  Guilt Associated with a Known Deception Will Cause the Christian to Withdraw from God's Presence. (They quit church, stop reading the Bible and praying, they avoid Christian fellowship, and dissolve spiritual obligations.)

                 c) Deception Becomes Easier. Once withdrawn, subsequent deceptions become easier, less conviction is felt, and life is eventually full of defeat and frustration.

                 d) Deception Destroys Trust and Leads to Hypocrisy and a Critical Spirit.

No one is immune to the temptation to deceive, particularly when money is concerned. God's Word gives us guidelines for making decisions despite our normal reactions.

Proverbs 4:24, Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Psalm 120:2, Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

        2. The Scripture Teaches That Internal Reality is Much Greater Than External Images. A camera commercial states, “Image is everything.” Our culture boldly emphasizes image over substance! (Consider movies, TV shows, music, and politics.)

            i) Words Are Important—Immensely Important.

What we say and the way we say it expresses what is most personal and intimate in us. But mindlessly repeating holy words no more creates a relationship than saying “I love you” twenty times a day makes us skilled lovers.

      ii) The Outside Is a Lot Easier to Reform than the Inside.

Going to the right church and saying the right words is a lot easier than working out a life of fair treatment, honesty, integrity, and love among the people you work and live with. Showing up at church once a week and saying a hearty amen is a lot easier than engaging in a life of daily prayer and Scripture meditation that develops into concern for souls, holiness, and injustice.

      iii)  Are the People Who Do this Deliberately Trying to Pull the Wool over the Eyes of Their Neighbors and Fake God into Blessing Them? Some are, but for most I don't think so. I don't think they are trying to get by with anything. I think they have lived for so long based on outward appearances that they have no feel for inward reality.

We live in a culture where a new beginning is far more attractive than a long follow–through. Images are important. Beginnings are important. We Say, “A first Impression is a lasting impression.” 

      iv) But an Image Without Substance Is a Lie.

A beginning without continuation is a lie. This is the important message true Christians must grasp, or we are living in guile and deceit. We must learn to recognize the importance of internal substance and reality and put away images that deceive.

1 Thess 2:3-4, For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: (4)   But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

2 Cor 8:20-21, Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: (21) Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Yes, reality is more important than shame because pretense involves deceiving on purpose including actions and appearances that look real but are fake fabrications. Many live in denial to avoid dealing with the realism of their emotional pain. Nevertheless, God still calls believers to live without hoaxes because this is a more truthful, more honest, and more compassionate way to live.

CONCLUSION: How does God expect me to conduct myself in troubled times? We must lay aside wrong attitudes of the heart because they hinder our spiritual appetite and growth. Let Us Lay Aside Wrong Attitudes!

1. God expects us to take off some things. He expects us to grow spiritually even in hard and unfair situations. 1 Peter 2:1-2, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Certainly, there is great concern for living to please the Lord among His people!

2. We must not resort to the world’s way of handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments.  We no longer allow anger, revenge, backbiting, and resentment to prompt us to vent our frustrations. We do not have to relinquish our fellowship with the Lord. We must not stray away falling behind harboring wrong attitudes that hinder our spiritual progress. In such times we can refocus and adjust our perspective to live more completely up to God’s expectations choosing the power of the Spirit and refusing to be controlled by our emotions!        

3. When life seems to fall apart we find the strength to live Godly, Pure and Clean inwardly in this polluted unfair world by submitting to the control of the Holy Spirit (Temperance). Galatians 5:22-25, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  

Temperance is the ability to harness and control our passions, attitudes, feelings, and desires, and is also known as spiritual self-control. 

4. Thank God for trials instead of spending your energy avoiding them because he uses them. Adversity helps us develop endurance, and endurance is a powerful weapon to have in our character arsenal. Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (Perseverance/Endurance); [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Endurance Sustains Courage. A burst of courage for fifteen minutes is good, but it is not enough to carry you through. Endurance gives staying power to discipline. It is important to understand delayed gratification (Self Discipline) and to make advance decisions, but these are not one-time actions. Endurance turns your vision into reality. Without it, visions are no more than pipe dreams.

If you are at a quitting point right now, count the cost very carefully before throwing in the towel. Quitting is not glamorous. It does not develop your character. God does not call it blessed. In most cases, you will regret it for the rest of your life. But when you come to the quitting point and then, drawing on God’s strength, you build endurance in your life.


Sunday, November 10, 2024

Laying Aside Malice

1 PETER 2:1-2

SUBJECT: GROWTH THROUGH PERSEVERANCE

THEME: because God is always in control and our hope is in Christ, we are admonished to never despair or backslide due to difficult and unfair circumstances. We should rather strive to grow spiritually and persevere in practical righteousness. We must lay aside wrong attitudes because they hinder our spiritual appetite and growth.

INTRODUCTION: How should I conduct myself when life seems to fall apart?  What does God expect of us when things are unkind, unfair, and filled with unwanted pressures? 1 Peter 1:6-7, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Pursuing the will of God despite our pressures is God’s answer, but how do we do that?

1) There is a tendency to quite living for God resorting to the world’s way of handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments. Anger, revenge, backbiting, and resentment are the usual forms in which we vent our frustrations towards people. Backsliding is what happens to our fellowship with the Lord. When we are NOT growing as Christians, we are actually straying away, weakening, and falling behind.  Harboring wrong attitudes can significantly hinder our spiritual progress. In such times we need to refocus ourselves and adjust our perspective to live more completely up to God’s expectations in the realm of our emotional life.

2)  Instead of becoming cold towards God in our trials, we must maintain a correct attitude and spirit toward Him and others. Sometimes it is very easy to put on a smile and go through the motions, but to be real in our spirit, attitude, and heart is a different matter. Trials can be real opportunities to grow spiritually but we will have to be especially attentive to the purpose of living for God during these hard times.

When you come to the point of quitting draw on God’s strength, you’ll build endurance in your life.

MESSAGE: 

STRIVE TO GROW IN THE LORD BY LAYING ASIDE HARMFUL ATTITUDES  1Pet. 2:1

There is a great temptation to take on non-Christian attitudes and to assume a hostile spirit when difficulties come our way.  Sometimes extreme adjustments, out of the ordinary pressures, and unfamiliar challenges can generate negative energies that will eventuate into hostility, irritability, and shortness of patience with others. In such times the child of God must resist the temptation to revert back to the old sin nature and actually take off the “Old Man.”

     A.  WE MUST LAY ASIDE ALL MALICEWherefore laying aside all malice,”    

          1. Remember What You Have in Christ. “Wherefore” reaches back to the last chapter to continue a thought and to further substantiate an ongoing argument. 

               i) Remember Your Great Salvation.

Peter has admonished these Believers to Remember Their Salvation (2-3), their Hope (vs 3) and Security (vs 5) in Christ, their Inheritance (vs 4) that is being kept for them and they are being kept for that inheritance.  

              ii) Remember Your Godly Separation.

Peter has challenged them to live Holy (vs 14-17) in their corrupt world and to govern themselves with great reverence for God. Peter now continues by encouraging them to lay aside some things. This is practical righteousness, therefore prepare for instruction when you see the wordwherefore” in Scripture.

APPLICATION: God has a bases for this exhortation; therefore, we are obligated to take heed to every bit of council God gives us. We are admonished to live for the Lord since we are saved, regardless of our conditions or circumstances.  If God said it, we should obey him.

         2. Take Off the Wrong Attitude of Malice. “Laying aside all Malice” The allusion is to take off clothing items.

              i) “Lay aside” means to ‘stripe off’, much like you would take off a dirty or sweaty shirt. It means that we should cleanse ourselves of anything that defiles. We must cast off these things entirely; we are not to practice them any longer.

Accordingly, the garments of malice” must be stripped off forever!  Our Spiritual hygiene is substandard when our attitude is dirtied by malice, and we need to cleanse it away. What does malice mean? Col. 3:8, But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.    

            ii)    External Malice: (Actions) Wicked Actions of All Kinds and All Forms of Evil. It is a word that accompanies all vices of people. The Greek word for malice includes evil of all kinds. This is External Malice! See the notes at Rom 1:29. Compare Acts 8:22, where it is rendered wickedness, and 1 Cor 5:8; 14:20; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8.

Rom 1:29-30, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents

Titus 3:3, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

            iii) Internal Malice: (Attitude) Deep Seated Feelings Against a Person; Lasting Hatred; Intense and Long-Lasting Bitterness Against a Person.

QUOTE: The word "malice" we commonly apply now to a particular kind of evil, denoting extreme enmity of heart, ill-will, a disposition to injure others without cause, from mere personal gratification, or from a spirit of revenge—Webster.  It means wishing that something bad will happen to a person. This is Internal Malice!

                 a) Malice Inflames the Person to Do Mischief to Others.

                 b) Malice Inflames the Heart to Design Mischief Toward Others.

                 c) Malice Inflames the Heart to Delight in the Mischief That Befalls Others.

APPLICATION: The Child of God must lay aside ALL Malice.  Every wicked deed is to be taken off like clothing and every wicked desire is to be cleansed away because it defiles the Believer. We are to be unclothed of External wickedness and cleansed of Internal Wickedness. Peel it off like you peel a banana, and we are to clean it out like greasy pot. Romans 13:12, The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

ILLUSTRATION: George Washington Carver was refused admission at a university because he was black. Years later, when someone asked him the name of the university, he replied, “Never mind.  That doesn’t matter now.”  He harbored no malice.

 CONCLUSION: How does God expect me to conduct myself in troubled times? We must lay aside wrong attitudes of the heart because they hinder our spiritual appetite and growth. Let Us Lay Aside Wrong Attitudes!

1. God expects us to take off some things. He expects us to grow spiritually even in hard and unfair situations. 1 Peter 2:1-2, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2. There is a tendency to quite living for God and resort to the world’s way of handling hurts, troubles, and unfair treatments. But we no longer allow anger, revenge, backbiting, and resentment to prompt us to vent our frustrations. We do not have to relinquish our fellowship with the Lord. We must not stray away falling behind harboring wrong attitudes that hinder our spiritual progress. In such times we can refocus and adjust our perspective to live more completely up to God’s expectations choosing the power of the Spirit and refusing to be controlled by our emotions!  


Friday, November 8, 2024

The Key to Salvation

 


ROM. 10:4-15

SUBJECT: Salvation Through Faith

THEME: We receive God’s righteousness (salvation) through Faith in the complete work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior. 

RELEVANCE: Those who are saved believed on Jesus Christ and those who are lost stumbled at Jesus Christ (Rom. 9:30-33). The key to salvation is faith in Jesus Christ! Rom 1:16-17, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

A prayer burden for souls is essential to a church’s success in proclaiming the gospel and reaching sinners for Christ. 

INTRODUCTION: can we unreservedly entrust our eternal future with God?  Can we rest in God for our own eternal destiny? The truth is we can rest in God’s salvation because it is received by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Many people miss God’s salvation and blessings because they assume God is unfair, inconsistent, merciless or baseless. But there are five considerations we need to ponder.

MESSAGE:

I.  THE SOURCE OF SALVATION IS JESUS CHRIST (Rom. 10:4-5)

Rom. 10:4-5, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

         A.  AS INDICATED BY THE IDEA OF FAITH UNDER GRACE

Rom 10:4, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth

ILLUSTRATION:  10:4 We might reword this verse to say that Christ is the end of the Old Testament Law to the believer after the Cross, as George Washington was the end of the British law to the American after the Revolutionary War. (See 2 Cor. 3:6-11; Heb. 7:11-19; Gal. 3:24-26; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14.)

This principle points us to Jesus Christ as the Source of God’s righteousness!  Secondly, when a sinner receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, the law nothing else to say to him.  Through the death of his Substitute, he has died to the Law.   He is through with the law and with the futile attempts to achieve righteousness through it. 

         B.  AS INDICATED BY THE IDEA OF WORKS UNDER THE LAW

Rom 10:5, For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

              1. The Purpose Behind the Law Was to Show Sinners That They Are Sinners

The law reveals sin, to convict and condemn the transgressors.  It can never impart righteousness.  The penalty for breaking the law is death.  In His death Christ paid the penalty of the law which man had broken.

              2. The Purpose of the Law Was to Point Us To Christ Who Fulfilled It

This principle, like that of Faith, also teach us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ because of the Impossibility of living up to the law.

Gal 3:23-26, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25, But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

              3.  The Idea Behind the Law Is That Through “Doing” We’ll Have Life    Vs Rom. 10:5.

In other words, if a man can obey the law perfectly and perpetually, he would not be condemned to death.  But even if a man could do this from today forward, they still would have to die for the sins that our past.  Therefore, any hope of a man obtaining righteousness by doing is doomed to failure from the very outset.

Rom 3:21-28, But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24, Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25, Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26, To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27, Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28, Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

II.  THE AVAILABILITY OF SALVATION IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (Rom. 10:8) "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach" (Rom. 10:8).

God is saying that the Gospel is not hidden, distant, or inaccessible.  In fact, the opposite is true; the Gospel is nigh, accessible, and available to all—everyone. This is true because of two historical facts.

       A.   GOD SENT TO US HIS SON (INCARNATION OF CHRIST) (Rom. 10:6)

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above)" (Rom. 10:6).

            1.  This Is Impossible for Man to Do

We cannot go all the way to Heaven to get Christ and bring Him down to the earth in order for folk to believe.

            2.  This Is Not Necessary for Man to Do

The fact of the matter is that He already came down from Heaven and was born into the human race.  We must accept this by faith. 

      B.  GOD MIRACULOUSLY RAISED HIS SON (RESURRECTION OF CHRIST) (Rom. 10:7) "Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead)" (Rom. 10:7).

            1.  This Is Impossible for Man to Do

We cannot go even into the depths of the Grave to bring up Christ again from the dead.  This is humanly impossible!

            2.  This Is Not Necessary for Man to Do

It also is not necessary for us to raise Christ from the grave, He already accomplished this.  We must accept this by faith.  The Incarnation and Resurrection are two elements of the saving faith in the Gospel. The Righteousness of God is nigh, near, accessible, intelligible, and easily understood! It is communicated in the gospel, to be saved a person must accept the Incarnation and the Resurrection.

III.  THE PROCEDURE OF SALVATION IS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (Rom. 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9).

        A.  CONFESSING THE LORD JESUS

I Jn 2:23, Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth (Confess; Rom. 10:9) the Son hath the Father also.

              1.  To Confess the Lord Jesus is the same as acknowledging that the Babe born in Bethlehem’s manger is the very Lord of Glory, that the Jesus of the NT is indeed the Lord Jehovah of the OT.

              2.  To Confess the Lord Jesus is to acknowledge Him as the Supreme Sovereign over all Humanity and not merely the Jews. One must deal with Him if they are to be saved; He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! 

              3.  To Confess the Lord Jesus is NOT an act of 100% Submission to Him as a Condition of Salvation. Yes, He is Lord of all and Yes, He is Jehovah God and every repentant sinner must acknowledge this!  However, to require total commitment of every aspect of ones life as a condition of salvation is not scripturalThe problem is, we don’t even know yet all that He requires of us, so to what degree do we submit?  When we present the gospel, the sole condition for salvation must be maintained based on faith for justification.

         B.  BELIEVING WITH THE HEART UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS

Rom 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

                  1.   The Element of Heart-based-Faith in the Resurrected Christ   vs 9

God has raised Christ from the Grave as proof that Christ completed the work necessary for our salvation, and that God is satisfied with that work.  Believing this with the heart means that we trust God through our mental, emotional, and volitional powers.

                  2. The Exercise of Heart-based-Faith to have a Righteous Status   Vs 10

Saving faith consist in the personal appropriation of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We receive credit for righteousness through faith in Him!

                  3.  Some have made oral confession a condition of salvation based on 10:10: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." The Bible, of course, does not impose this limitation. Paul evidently was stressing the same truth found in James 2:20; that is, a genuine possession of Christ in one's heart will surely lead to a confession of Christ with one's mouth. The fruit will prove the root. (See Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8; John 12:42-43; Matt. 12:34.) The method, then, of righteousness, is faith in Christ not a work of confession; however, confession is the natural result of saving faith in the heart!

IV.  THE RANGE OF SALVATION IS ANYONE WHO BELIEVES (Rom. 10:11-13) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13).

Paul had earlier shown that all were lost. He now says that all can be saved. Compare the "whosoever" mentioned here with that in Revelation 20:15.

God’s glorious salvation is for all people, both Jew and Gentile.  There is no difference (vs 12) or no distinction as far as the availability of salvation is concerned.  Here we see the universal scope of the grace of God.  Even the phrase “Lord over all” (vs. 12) strongly implies that Salvation is to Jew and Gentile alike.

Rom 9:33, As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1 Pet 2:6, Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Acts 10:43, To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 

John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

APPLICATION: The scope of the gospel clearly includes all who will believe on Christ.  This refutes the teaching of a limited atonement by the Calvinist and it also refute the teaching of the Universalist who claim we all are going to be saved eventually and are going about it differently.  To the Calvinist God says “whosoever”!  And to the Universalist God says “whosever believeth!”

V.   THE PRESENTATION OF SALVATION TO OTHERS (Rom. 10:14-15)

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom. 10:14-15). 

There are three reasons why God sends preachers, pastors, evangelist, and teachers.

       A. A SINNER MUST CALL UPON THE LORD TO BE SAVED.

       B. A SINNER MUST BELIEVE IN ORDER TO CALL.

       C. A SINNER MUST HEAR IN ORDER TO BELIEVE.

APPLICATION: How often do we share Christ with others?  How often do we present the gospel?  I realize that some have greater opportunities than others but are we taking advantage of the opportunities we have?  What about at work on breaks or during lunches? What about neighbors and associates? Are we using our social media platforms to share the gospel?  Maybe keeping track of our own personal efforts is a good idea?  Be a witness of Christ!

CONCLUSION: Taken as a whole, people do not seek after God. Regardless of their claims…. They are satisfied with their own pagan religions. They make baseless assumptions about God’s goodness and judgment. But many people will respond when they hear the gospel! Relatively speaking the Gentiles responded more favorably than the Jews, and it may surprise us how open people are to the gospel.  While the Gentiles were flocking to the Lord, Isaiah portrays Him standing with outstretched hands, pleading with the Nation of Israel, and they only response is disobedience and stubborn refusal.  God is still yearning for His earthly people, and I believe He wants to use you and me, us gentiles to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We should not only appreciate the Jews, but we should love them for Jesus’ sake and send the gospel to them! The same can be said for people all around the world.

The teaching for receiving God’s righteousness (salvation) is by Faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ and not even the best of human efforts. This is why many people are presently unsaved because of unbelief. We can rest in God’s salvation because it is received by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Many people miss this simple reality, God’s salvation, and multiplied blessings because of their lack of faith in Christ and not the unfairness or inconsistency of God.

      1.     Do you have the righteousness of God?    

      2.     Are you trying to establish your own righteousness?

      3.     Are you merely hoping for positive results in the end?

      4.     Are you praying for someone specifically to be saved? Do you have anybody that you are earnestly pleading with God to save? 

      5.     Are we witnessing to whosoever?

      6.     Are you presenting the Gospel faithfully?

      7.     Are we exploring new ways or methods to present that same old ‘good news’?


MaxEvangel's Promise

MaxEvangel's Promise
We will Always Honor Christ-centered Perspectives!