Another Gospel...Really!?

2 Cor. 11:2-4; Gal. 1:3-9

THEME: Beware of the many false notions and beliefs associated with the genuine Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have you ever heard someone say, “There are many ways to Heaven”? I can recall a debate on the Oprah Winfrey Show years ago where she advocated for “many paths to God” instead of through Jesus Christ alone. This version of political correctness acknowledges that we live in a very pluralistic society and confuses respect for freedom of religion with legitimacy of all faiths. While we all enjoy the right to believe what we want equally, all belief systems are not equal, valid, or even advisable. They all do not produce the same results.

The struggle is nothing new, people have disagreed since Cain and Abel about the tenants of genuine faith and practices (Gen. 4). There have always been those ‘peace-loving’ (but misguided) people also who tried to harmonize belief systems for the sake of “peace.” The results have been a proliferation of false notions about God, Faith, Christianity, Jesus, the Bible, and on the list goes into the future. Yes, one outcome in the first century was the emergence of other gospels….

LESSON: 

THERE ARE SEVERAL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE GOSPEL

2 Cor. 11:2-4, For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. [3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

  

“Another Gospel” refers to false gospels of multiplied variations. There are many erroneous teachings today as to what the Gospel is. Humanity, religionists, and the Devil have tried to pervert the true message of the grace of God. The real Gospel of Jesus Christ is always distinguished by the fact that God saves sinners based on Christ’s work—divine performance. The formula is Faith + Christ’s Work = Salvation. Universally, false gospels always offer salvation because of our works and devotion—human performance. The formula is basically Faith + Human Works = Salvation. Genuine Christianity is the only faith in the entire world that proclaims the work of God on our behalf as the solution for our guilt, shame, and sin! All other world religions preach “another Jesus,” “another spirit,” and “another gospel.” The name of the savior will vary, the ‘holy book’ will vary, and the messages will vary, but it is still one false gospel! Please carefully note how this occurs in two extremely popular, but dangerous belief systems—false gospels….

THERE IS THE FALSE GOSPEL OF BAPTISM

There are those who teach that a person must be baptized before they can be saved or to become a Christian.  The Bible clearly teaches that we are not saved by any amount of human works at all.

    1.  Infant Baptism is a Common Practice Related to This False Gospel.

Infant baptism is the sprinkling or immersion of infants for imparting to them spiritual blessing of some sort. Though the exact purpose of it differs from group to group, almost always it implies that the child thereby receives salvation in some sense.

Infant Baptism is not taught in the N.T. "For some, infant baptism is a doctrine by implication. It is implied that in five households in the N.T. that were visited by salvation, there must surely have been young children. These were the households of Cornelius in Ac. 10, Lydia in Ac. 16, the Philippian jailer in Ac. 16, Crispus in Ac. 18, and Stephanas in 1 Co. 1:16" (The Church of God: A Symposium). This is pure conjecture, not biblical evidence or support!

    2.  What Are We to Do for Our Children?

Since babies are not to be baptized to be saved then what is a loving parent to do?

         a. Christians Can Rejoice That Their Children Are Sanctified by the Parents' Relationship with Christ (1 Co. 7:14).

1 Cor. 7:14   For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

               (1) The Presence of a True Believer in a Non-Christian Home Has a Sanctifying Influence.  To sanctify “holy” simply means to set apart.  Here it does not mean that the unsaved child is automatically saved simply because the wife/mother is, neither does it mean that he is automatically made holy.  Rather it means that he is set apart in a position of external privilege.  He is fortunate to have a Christian mother who prays for him. The child is privileged to live in a home where the parents are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.  In this sense the children are holy.  Her life is a testimony and influence for God in the home.  He receives a Christian influence that could result in a true conversion.      

               (2)  Though We Might Not Know Everything This Involves, We Do Know That....

                      (i) The Passage Is Not Speaking of Sanctification by a Baptismal Ritual. Nothing is said here or in any other N.T. passage regarding the necessity of baptizing infants before they can partake of this family sanctification.

                     (ii) Children are Eternally Safe If They Die in Early Childhood. The case of the death of David's son illustrates this. After the child's death, David said he would one day go to be with him (2 Sa. 12:22-23). This shows David's assurance that the baby was safe with God. If this were true for the children of O.T. saints, surely it is true for the N.T. believer.

2 Samuel 12:22-23, And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? [23] But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Certainly, King David was a saved man, who is in Heaven today with his child who went to Heaven before him!

                      (iii) At a Certain Point in the Child's Life He Becomes Personally Responsible Before God for His Relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible does not say at what age or point this occurs, but Jesus encouraged children to come to Him (Lk. 18:16), and Timothy was taught the Scriptures as a child with the goal that he would come to salvation (2 Ti. 3:15).

Mark 10:13-16, And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. [15] Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. [16] And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Jesus received little children, blessed little children, placed his hands on them and held them in his arms, but he never baptized a single one of them!)

The Lord also made it very clear that little Children where already a part of the Kingdom of God and that they were safe until the age of accountability.

         b. The Parents Must Dedicate Themselves to Train the Child in the Way of Christ. It is not really the dedication of infants that is essential; it is the dedication of parents. Parents are wasting their time if they go through a public ceremony of dedicating their child to God but fail thereafter to discipline and instruct him in the right way. Let us do both! Let us offer our newborn children to God and plead His best blessing upon their lives and let us carefully train them for His holy service.

Ephes. 6:4, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

    3.  Scripture Declares That We Are Not Saved by Any Good Works.

Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  

Being Baptized is a good work which is only proper for the true believer.  (Eph. 2:8-10)

    4.  Salvation is Strictly by Faith in Jesus Christ and What He Accomplished, the Gospel.

Romans 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.

    5.  What Does Mark 16:16 Mean?

Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The omission of baptized with the latter clause of this verse show clearly that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation.  

This verse has the same since as the following statement; “He who boards the bus and sit down will arrive at the down town shopping mall.”  It really doesn’t matter at all if they sit down on the bus, they will still arrive at the Mall if they board the bus.  A person who believes on Christ but does not get baptized will still go to heaven.  This verse does not teach at all that baptism saves it actually is a very strong argument for the need to believe on Christ to be saved.

ILLUSTRATION: The Thief Who Died on the Cross Beside the Lord Jesus Was Saved by Faith Without Baptism.   Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Jesus, Himself assured this dying thief that he was saved and would go and spend forever with Him in paradise.  Jesus made it clear that faith in Him alone was enough to receive the benefit of His Death, Burial and Resurrection.  This thief was not baptized but he certainly got saved! 

   

      6.  Baptism Is ONLY for Those Who Have Trusted Jesus Christ As Their Savior.

Acts 8:34-38, And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

THERE IS THE FALSE GOSPEL OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

There are those that claim that you must join their church and take the sacraments to be saved.  They claim that salvation can only be obtained through their church.  As a result, many feel that since they belong to a certain church or denomination that they will be saved and certainly go to Heaven because they belong to a specific church.  Often when I ask them, “Are you 100% sure that if you died right now you would go to Heaven?” they will respond by saying, “Well I’m a Baptist” or “I was raised a Catholic” or “I belong to the Methodist Church”.  In other words, their confidence concerning how to go to Heaven and forgiveness of sins rests in the belief that they belong to a certain church. 

Their response reveals that their hope of Forgiveness, and Salvation from Sin is wrapped up in the fact that they belong to a church, lodge, or fraternity.  All of these are false ideas and must be rejected as legitimate hope of salvation.

      1.  The Scriptures Declare That Jesus Christ is the Only Mediator (Middleman or Liaison) Between God and Humanity.

1 Tim 2:5, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

          a.  Mediator Means Intercessor; Middle Man; One That Interposes Between Parties at Variance for the Purpose of Reconciling Them.

          b.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the Sole Mediator Between God and Men.

Hebrews 8:6, But now hath he [Jesus Christ] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he [Jesus Christ] is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hebrews 9:15, And for this cause he [Jesus Christ] is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 12:24, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Bible commentator Albert Barnes says,  

Christ constantly presents the merits of his death as a reason why we should be saved. He does in heaven whatever is necessary to obtain for us grace and strength; secures the aid which we need against our foes; and is the pledge or security for us that the law shall be honoured, and the justice and truth of God maintained, though we are saved. It is reasonable to presume that this is somehow by the presentation of the merits of his great sacrifice, and that is the ground on which all this grace is obtained. As that is infinite, we need not fear that it will ever be exhausted.

This automatically excludes any church or religious group who claim to have a monopoly on salvation and entrance into Heaven. Jesus, the God-man, is the only one who can save not a church.

      2.  There is No Salvation in Any Other.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY to Heaven.

There is no such thing as many ways to Heaven.  There is no such thing as the Hindu way, Confucius way, Baptist way, Methodist way, or Catholic way to Heaven. All approaches to God are NOT acceptable. All roads and religions do not lead to God! Inventing our own conditions and prerequisites for salvation is not possible with God! We must come to Him on His terms.  

            a.  We Must Come to God, His Way and on His Terms! 

Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.      (ALSO EPH. 2:8-10)

John 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Beloved, Jesus is the ONLY WAY to God, forgiveness of sins, a home in Heaven, and a new life! It is through FAITH in Jesus that we receive eternal life by grace.

            b.  Salvation Is in the Person Jesus Christ and Not in an Institution!  No church, lodge, or religious group can save a person. Only Jesus Christ can Save us from our sin and promise us Heaven when we believe on Him and Him Alone. Salvation is for anyone and everyone who will believe on Christ.  If a Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Mason, Eastern Star, or Pagan will Trust Jesus Christ and Him alone for eternal life, He will save them.

John 6:35, And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:37, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Bible Salvation is in the Person Jesus Christ and His Accomplishments; Nothing nor No One else! This is God’s Good News, we are not saved by our merits and accomplishments but by those of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

THOSE WHO PERVERT THE GOSPEL ARE CURSED OF GOD

Galatians 1:3-9, Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, [4] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: [5] To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

    [6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

ANY OTHER GOSPEL MUST BE REJECTED AS A LIE, AND THE GOSPEL OF GOD MUST BE EMBRACE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIS FINISH WORK.

Because Christ is Alive, God Has a Basis for Saving and Justifying the Believer; We are Just as Righteous as The Risen Christ is!

Romans 8:33-35, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 When a sinner trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, he is accepting the credit of being alive and in Heaven because he is identifying with Christ’s Resurrection.  For the sinner who believes on Christ, there remains no more obligations to sin and death.  He is freed from such obligations so that he can serve his Lord with his new life.   (See Rom 6:4-13).

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an essential element of the gospel of the Grace of God, without it we have no hope or means of going to Heaven, Forgiveness of Sin, a Relationship with God, and Peace for all Eternity.  But now is Christ risen from the dead! This is the Gospel, the Good News of Christ who died in the place of sinners and the One who was buried to put away our sin.  Finally, the One who lives today in the power of and eternal life.  He can offer life to all that will believe on Him. 

I Declare The GOSPEL!

Rom. 1:14-19; 1 Cor. 15:1-5

SUBJECT: RESURRECTION

THEME: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an Essential Element of the Good News of God—the Gospel of the Grace of God. Without it We Have No Means or Hope of Going to Heaven, a Relationship with God, and the Forgiveness of Sins.

INTRODUCTION:                                                               

Often it seems that good things only escape us. Life can be very hard at times. But then there are those times when things go right…truly right. Those instances when we get what we have longed for deep inside, when we really receive great news.

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul penned incredible letters of theological depth, moral challenge, and timeless, practical relevance. And all of it wrapped around one grand theme—“the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). Note how Paul, the apostle, put it in Romans 1:14-17,

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. [15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. [16] 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.

Clearly, God has incredible life-building, future impacting, heart transforming, love revealing, and game changing good news. Beloved, there is nothing like it in the entire universe! Like Paul, I am committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ as good news to everyone who believes and receives it!

Until now, you’ve only sampled the food of the gospel as laid out on the table of the Scriptures. But today you'll get your first real serving, and I think you'll find it tastes better than any other great news you've ever received. After all, it comes from the One who brings glad tidings, whose promises never fail, whose faithfulness never falters, whose joy is to give you and me all the bounty of heaven. What better news could we ever want? -M. Lucado

LESSON: 

WHAT THEN IS GOD’S GOOD NEWS?

 1 Cor. 15:1, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

Beloved, it is here I set forth an accurate clear and practical declaration of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus as the solution to humanity’s damning sin problem.

  

THE SENSE OF THE WORD ‘GOSPEL’    

       1.  Gospel: Euangelion ^2098^ originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for "the good news" itself. The Eng. word "gospel," i. e. "good message,".  In the New Testament it denotes the "good tidings" of salvation through Christ, to be received by faith, on the basis of His expiatory death, His burial, resurrection.

       2.  Gospel (Glad Tidings). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the glad tidings that Jesus Christ died for humanity’s sins, that He was buried, and that He bodily arose again from the dead to be the Savior of those who receive Him and His work on our behalf (1 Cor. 15:1-11).

              a.  It is the Message of Free Righteousness for Those Who Trust Christ as Savior (Rom. 1:15-17).

              b.  It Has Various Names in the Bible. It is also called "the gospel of the grace of God" (Ac. 20:24), "the gospel of Christ" (Ga. 1:7), "the gospel of God" (2 Co. 11:7), "the gospel of peace" (Ro. 10:15), "the glorious gospel" (2 Co. 4:4), and "the gospel of salvation" (Ep. 1:13). Each of these names emphasizes different aspects of the same gospel. For example, "gospel of the grace of God" emphasizes that true salvation is a free gift of God's grace (Ep. 2:8-9). The Gospel of Salvation by Grace through faith in Christ crucified and resurrected is mentioned under various descriptive terms some 85 times in the NT. It is described in 1 Cor. 15:1-5. This is the essential message we are to proclaim to all the world until Jesus comes for us.

              c.  The Gospel Is Grace Alone Through Faith Alone Without Admixture of Works (Ac. 15:11; Ro. 3:24; 4:5-16; 11:6; Ep. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5-7). Any addition to the gospel of the grace of Christ is cursed of God (Ga. 1:6-11).

THE SUBSTANCE OF THE GOSPEL

God made it clear what the good tidings message was to be.

1 Cor. 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

  

      1.   The Gospel is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

This is the substance of the GOSPEL and the risen Savior was literally seen of His followers. 

      2.   This Message of the Gospel is an Echo of Old Testament Prophesy: “according to the scriptures;”

-----See Isaiah 53:1-12; esp. Vs 8 for His Death, vs 9 for His Burial, vs 11 for His Resurrection.  This is the message of the Gospel according to the scriptures--Old Testament prophesy.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GOSPEL (TO US SINNERS) 1Cor. 15:1-4

           

     1.  Christ Died for Our Sins: 1Cor. 15:3 . . .Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ....

The Death of Christ is significant because all sinners abide under the wrath of God and we were all sentenced to death. But JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED AND DIED IN OUR STEAD AS OUR SUBSTITUTE AND AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE! HE DIED FOR US!  Therefore, if He took my death then I as a believer am no longer obligated to Death. That’s GOOD NEWS to us sinners!

       

        a.  All of Us Have Sinned and This Demands the Death Penalty.

Ezek 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Rom 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

              (1)   God Has Declared That the Proper Punishment of Sin is Death.

We all have sinned; we all have a strong tendency to sin and God has condemned that tendency in us all.  Because we have sinned against God, we deserve death. 

              (2) This Death Is Three-Fold . . .

                     a.  Physical Death--- This is the separation of the Spirit and Soul from the Body.

                     b.  Spiritual Death----This is the separation from God, we are born in this condition because of a sinful nature. (Ps. 51:5; Ps. 58:3)

                     c.  Eternal Death-----This is separation from God forever in the Lake of Fire also called the Second Death. (Rev. 20: 11-15)

          b.  The Good News is that Jesus Christ Died for Us. 

He took the punishment for sin that we deserved.  He was completely sinless and could not sin; therefore, He did not deserve death.  But He willingly died in our place and as our substitute.

2 Cor 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Pet 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isa 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The truth is that since Jesus Christ died for me and the penalty of sin was payed for everyone by Him, then we who have accepted Him need not die for our own sin. If we accept by faith His sacrifice for all sin, we receive to our sin debt the credit of death. We are no longer obligated to pay a debt that was paid in full by Christ. THIS IS GOD’S GOOD NEWS!

    2.  Christ was Buried to Put Away Our Sin.  1Cor. 15:4. . . And that he was buried, . . .

The Burial of Christ is significant because Christ bore in His body our sin upon the tree, then that same sin riveted body was placed in a new tomb. This is conformation that Christ literally died. Therefore, our sins were literally payed for in His death. The beauty here is that when Christ rose from the grave He was no longer baring our sin! The question here is where is our sin? The answer is it’s GONE! Jesus is the Lamb of God that taketh AWAY the sin of the World!  (Jn. 1:29)

Illustration: The Day of Atonement and the SCAPEGOAT is a good picture of Christ the sin barer taking away the sin of the people.

     3. Christ was Raised for Our Justification. 1Cor. 15:4 . . . and that he rose again the third day. . .

Romans 4:24-25, But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

          a.  Without The Resurrection of Christ Salvation Would Be Impossible. 

1 Cor. 15:12-20, Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. [16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. [20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

           b.  Christ’s Resurrection Is Significant Because the Same One Who Died for My Sin Is Alive Today to Save Me. We can trust a Living Savior: a living Savior can call sinners unto himself. The resurrection of Christ is God’s endorsement of Christ’s perfect life, and completely atoning death! While a dead savior can’t save anyone, a living Savior can save all that accept His Sacrifice and Life. You simply can’t receive Eternal Life from a dead man.  We have no hope beyond death unless we have something to do with the One who conquered death through his resurrection. Clearly, He is the only one that can by His finished work bring sinful man back into a right relationship with a Holy God. Jesus stands alone as the Risen Savior and Lord! There is no other like Him in the universe!

            c.  Because Christ is Alive, God Has a Basis for Saving and Justifying the Believer; We are Just as Righteous a The Risen Christ is!

Romans 8:33-35, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

When a sinner trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, he is accepting the credit of being alive and in Heaven because he is identifying with Christ’s Resurrection.  For the sinner who believes on Christ, there remains no more obligations to sin and death.  He is freed from such obligations so that he can serve his Lord with his new life.   (See Rom 6:4-13).

      

        4.   Jesus Christ Literally and Bodily Came Forth from the Grave.

Acts 1:3, To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

1 Cor. 15:5-8, And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.    (Also see John 20:26-31)

It was imminent theologian of yesteryear, Dr. Williams Evans who said,

When the risen Christ appeared unto the discouraged disciples and revived their faith and hope, they went forth, under the all-conquering faith in a risen and ascended Lord, and preached the story of His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming again.

CONCLUSION:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an Essential Element of the Gospel of the Grace of God, without it We Have No Hope or Means of Going to Heaven, Forgiveness of Sin, a Relationship with God, Life Changing Power, and Peace for all Eternity.  But Now is Christ Risen from the dead!  This is the Gospel, the Good News of Christ who died in the place of sinners and the One who was buried to put away our sin.  Finally, the One who lives today in the power of and eternal life.  He can offer life to all that will believe on Him. 

Mark 1:15, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Rom 16:25-26, Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

This is the Good News of God to all men and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an essential element. Have you believed this Good News? Come today and place your faith in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the full payment for all your sin. Then enjoy the assurance that You’ll have a home in Heaven instead of the Lake of Fire. You will have eternal Peace with God reigning in your heart; enjoy power for living differently and powerfully because of faith in Christ.

Choosing Positive Change

Gen. 3:14-19

Theme: We do not like to take responsibility for giving in to temptations and our bad habits; yet it is this very tendency that keeps us from dealing successfully with the besetting sins in our lives.

Introduction: taking responsibility for our actions and failures is the first step to restoring fellowship with God, and strengthening our relationships with those we love. One hindrance to openness and honesty with God is shame. Shame is a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the awareness of wrong or foolish behavior. We can feel so much shame that we cannot bare the idea of facing God; we do not feel worthy of approaching Him for anything. We have zero confidence He will accept us if we did appeal to Him. Such behavior is rooted in an incredible ignorance of the truth that God designed the way of restoration for believers when we fall into temptations. Beloved, there is no reason to hid anything from the Lord…turn to Him.

Another reason we fail to live transparently with the Lord is because we have this faint hope in the back of our minds that God may or will overlook what happened. Perhaps He didn’t notice it…. Certainly, He won’t necessarily call me on it or hold me responsible. This, of course, is flawed human rationalization! God will convict and confront us with our sin and failures to restore us to fellowship with Himself and our love ones. Note how these truths unfold in the account of Adam and Eve. 

 Lesson:

  I. We Must Realize The Lord Will Hold Us Responsible For Our Every Action (Gen. 3:14-19). God’s love for sinners in no way eliminates His holy hatred for sin, for while it’s true that “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16), it’s also true that “God is light” (1:5). A holy God must deal with sin, for the good of the sinner and for the glory of His name.

         A. THE LORD HELD ADAM AND EVE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN.  

The effects of sin are punishment and provision. Whereas the man and the woman had life, they now had death; whereas pleasure, now pain; whereas abundance, now a meager subsistence by toil; whereas perfect fellowship, now alienation and conflict. –Walvoord

                     1)   THE LORD HELD THE SERPENT RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS

Gen 3:14,  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

                      2)   THE LORD HELD SATAN RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS

Gen 3:15, And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed [Christ]; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

To Satan, God declared war!  This would climax in his condemnation (Rom 16:20); and to Eve, it was the assurance that she was forgiven and that God would use a woman to bring the Redeemer into the world (1 Tim 2:13-15).

                      3)   THE LORD HELD EVE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER ACTIONS

Gen 3:16, Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

God reinforced His word of hope to Eve by assuring her that she would bear children and therefore not immediately die. But the special privilege of woman as the childbearer (and ultimately the one who brings the Redeemer into the world) would involve multiplied pain in pregnancy as well as submission to her husband. –The Bible Exposition Commentary

                      4)   THE LORD HELD ADAM RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS

Gen 3:17, And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Eve would have pain in the labor of childbirth, but Adam would have pain in his daily labor in the field. As he worked to get his food, Adam would encounter obstacles and have to toil and sweat to get a harvest: and this would remind him that his disobedience had affected creation (Rom 8:18-23). Even more, as he tilled the soil, he would remember that one day he would die and return to the soil from which he had come. Adam the gardener became Adam the toiler. –The Bible Exposition Commentary

         B.    THE LORD WILL HOLD EVERY BELIEVER RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS.  2 Cor 5:9-10, Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

The Lord will call upon each Christian to give an account of himself at the Judgment Seat of Christ!  Therefore, live and battle against temptations to please Him in that great day!

          C.    THE LORD EXPECTS US TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR LIVES BY SAYING “NO” TO TEMPTATIONS AND GETTING RID OF THE BAD HABITS.

When we take the first step and admit that we are responsible for the bad habits in our lives, and when we stop blaming others for our problems, then we can begin to deal with the temptations in our lives.

It is not someone or something else fault.  It is your fault!  This is not the point within itself.  If it’s your problem then you can begin to get victory over it, but if you blame your circumstances, or your environment then there is nothing you can do and you are a victim of circumstances. But God has made it clear that when we take the blame for our failures, then we can deal successfully with temptations.

II. We Must Learn To Be Completely Honest With God and Ourselves.

The Lord wants us to be honest with Him and know the power of real confession.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 1:7–2:2)

1. HE WANTS US TO RENEW OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.

Confession clears the way to freely enjoy the Lord (1 John 1:9-2:2). Confession is supposed to free us to enjoy fellowship with Christ. It should ease our conscience and lighten our cares. But some Christians do not understand how it works. We feel so guilty that we confess the same sins over and over; then we wonder if we might have forgotten something.

These Christians do not understand that God wants to forgive us. He allowed his beloved Son to die just so he could pardon us. When we come to Christ, he forgives all the sins we have committed or will ever commit. We don't need to confess the sins of the past all over again, and we don't need to fear that God will reject us if we don't keep our slate perfectly clean. Of course, we should continue to confess our sins, but not because failure to do so will make us lose our salvation. Our relationship with Christ is secure. Instead, we should confess our sins so that we can enjoy maximum fellowship and joy with him.

True confession also involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We wouldn't be genuinely confessing our sins to God if we planned to commit them again and just wanted temporary forgiveness. We should also pray for strength to defeat temptation the next time we face it.

The image of returning to the Lord is one of changing directions, of going back (Hosea 14:1–2, 4). We have wandered off, or gone off in anger, or in desperation. We have turned away from God. It is time now to turn back to him; to make a 180-degree turn; to admit our need of God; to confess the behaviors that caused us to turn away from God. Returning is going home again to the place where our hearts belong, to the place where we are always welcomed back.

God says he will heal our backsliding—waywardness. Waywardness is a turning away from God...from what is in our best interest to follow depraved, sinful, and capricious inclinations. There are many ways in which such unruliness can be expressed. Some of us are openly rebellious. We flaunt our wild behavior and laugh at God. Others of us are quietly wayward. We try to appear compliant and good, but inside we are defiantly independent—shamelessly autonomous. No matter how we express our rebelliousness, it is a powerfully destructive force in our lives.”  God says he will love us freely. He will love us generously, completely, until our fears are calmed and our defenses are lowered. He will heal us with his generous love.

2. HE WANTS US TO REPAIR OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE WE LOVE.

“What I said in front of the boss today was thoughtless and insensitive,” Robert said. “I put you down. I guess I did it to make myself look good. I am sorry. With God's help, I will try to stop treating you like this.”

Phyllis was stunned. She had been hurt by Robert’s comment, but she had come to expect this kind of behavior from him. What she did not expect was for him to be aware of what he was doing, admit it, express regret and commit himself to change. (Source Unknown)

Our defensive instincts often keep us from seeing how our behaviors impact other people. We do something hurtful and then we try to minimize it, adding a second injury to the first, and further damaging our relationships.

The spiritual discipline of confession is at the heart of God's plan for growing us into the kind of people who are capable of intimate relationships. We must continue this spiritual discipline daily. Instead of minimizing your wrongdoings, or shaming ourselves for them, we are invited to promptly admit them. We can clear the air. We can say the truth to God, to others and ourselves.

Accept God’s invitation to live vulnerable, open, honest lives. When we are wrong, we can promptly admit it.

Conclusion:

I.   We tend to excuse our actions by blaming others

II. We must realize the Lord will hold us responsible for our actions

III. We must learn to be completely honest with God and ourselves

Don’t continue in the age-old habit of blaming someone else for your failures. Starting today let us face up to them and take a giant step toward overcoming temptations. No more excuses, I am to blame for my temptations and poor habits. 

God, I acknowledge my problem and I’m not waiting for my circumstances to change, nor am I excusing my habits because of my personality and disposition. Lord by admitting my faults I am putting myself in a position to begin to change and get rid of these habits in my life.