The Motivation of Hell

“The Motivation of Hell”

Rev. 20:11-15 

SUBJECT: HELL/EVANGELISM

THEME: Effective evangelism is hard work and many grow weary in this area of ministry. Even though we have a command to reach the lost with the gospel, we sometimes require additional insight to motivate us to the work. Perhaps a better understanding of Hell will stir us to become more consistent evangelists for our Lord.

RELEVANCE: Our compassion for the perishing multitudes must be stirred by the reality of Hell, to encourage us to become involved or remain with the task of Evangelism. Sometimes we become cold towards this area of ministry, sometimes we treasure our relationship with a lost person more than we cherish their soul’s salvation. Multitudes are dying and going to Hell, who will give themselves to consistently get in their way and point them to Christ.

INTRODUCTION:

This scene in Revelation 20 portrays the grand event of the Great White Throne judgment! This event occurs just prior to the establishment of the new heaven and new earth (Re. 20:11-15). Only the unsaved are resurrected to this judgment. The saved will already have been resurrected and would have reigned and served with Christ for a thousand years on the earth (Re. 20:1-5).

This judgment is for the evil works of the unsaved (Re. 20:12-13). Since everyone’s works are sinful before God, and since these unregenerated individuals did not receive Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin during their earthly lives, they will be judged and suffer eternal punishment for their evil deeds and rejection of God.

Notice the final destiny of the unsaved person is unmistakenly spelled out for everyone to see! Rev. 20:14-15, And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This is why we need to be motivated to share the Gospel and send out missionaries! The world and our neighbors are destined for a Devil’s Hell forever! We must be stirred to reach them with the gospel of Christ. Does not God deserve the worship, obedience, honor, and service of these people also? Are not the gravity and weight of sin more incredibly significant than we could ever imagine or quantify? Does not a love for our fellow man compel us to engage them with the hope of the gospel? Isn’t it right for the Supreme Judge of the entire world to hold everyone accountable for their deeds?

MESSAGE:

I.  What Is Meant by “Hell”?

Hell is the place of imprisonment and punishment for those who revolt against God.

A. HELL WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED FOR SATAN AND THE REBELLIOUS ANGELS. Matthew 25:41, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

1.    This fire was prepared for the devil and his angels, not originally for people. God’s initial intention was not for people to suffer this fate, but rather that those fallen creatures who choose a lifestyle of rebellion and indifference effectively align themselves with the devil and evil share this ultimate destination.

2.    We must emphasize that people are not passively ‘sent’ to Hell; rather, by continually rejecting God, people ultimately choose to distance themselves from God’s presence, which results in eternal separation. God respects and accepts their choices!

B. UNSAVED PEOPLE WILL BE COMMITTED TO HELL ALSO (Mt. 25:41-46). Luke 16:22-24, And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

1.    The Lord Jesus authoritatively describes the stark reversal of consequences after death for a poor beggar named Lazarus and an unnamed rich man. We witness the concepts of the afterlife, conscious torment, and the finality of earthly choices.

2.    Abraham’s bosom is a symbolic expression to denote the place of bliss. To any Jew, the thought of enjoying fellowship with Abraham would suggest inexpressible bliss. We take it that Abraham’s bosom is the same as heaven.  

It must have come as a shock to the disciples when Jesus said that this rich Jew went to Hades. They had always been taught from the OT that riches were a sign of God’s blessing and favor. An Israelite who obeyed the Lord was promised material prosperity. How then could a wealthy Jew go to Hades? …They are a test of a man’s faithfulness in stewardship. To whom much is given, of him will much be required.^[1]

3.    The idea that non-believers go to Hell is one of the most heavily debated concepts and beliefs varying widely; perspectives on this topic differ significantly. We emphasize that salvation requires definite faith in Jesus Christ. So, we reject any notion that God still accepts people even if they did not hear the gospel. We believe even these individuals will face eternal separation from God because of our inherent sin, the sheer gravity and seriousness of offenses, and the just nature of God. One additional note is significant, there is NO Bible evidence to contradict or even modify these conclusions.

C. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT AND WARNED PEOPLE MUCH OF AN ENDLESS HELL.

Yes, Jesus taught a place of final judgment and punishment for the unrepentant, using imagery like Gehenna, eternal fire, and outer darkness. The Lord Jesus was not passive or inactive about this important matter! See Matt. 5:22; 12:23; 13:42, 50; 18:8-9; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mk. 9:43-48; Lk. 16:19-31. 

1.    “Outer Darkness”: A place of final judgment, crying, and a definitive split with God. Jesus describes Hell as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” away from God’s company…a total departure from God’s light and joy. Cast out into dark night is another revealing portrayal of Hell outside where a rejected guest is thrown accompanied by deep sorrow in the heart and sharp pains or regret. See Matt. 8:12; 22:13, and 25:30.

2.    “Everlasting Punishment” (Matt. 25:46): Jesus during the Olivet Discourse, describes a judgment separating the nations into two groups. Also in Matthew 25:41, Jesus speaks of “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”. See Mark 3:29.

Jesus most often referred to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem when speaking of Hell. Historically, this valley was a trash dump where fires burned constantly, serving 1st-century Jews as a stark symbol for God's judgment and destruction.

3.    So, the Lord Jesus was completely bold enough to Teach on Hell and Judgment!

·        Yes, Jesus did speak about hell using vivid imagery to warn listeners about spiritual danger and final judgment as direct warnings.

·        When emphasizing these same warnings today we must note that Jesus spoke of judgment directly to urge immediate repentance and to recover people from spiritual ruin, rather than out of an obsession with punishment.

4.    Bible students estimate that Jesus spoke about heaven or the Kingdom of God about 3 to 4 times more often than Hell. He mentioned heaven, eternal life, or the Kingdom over 160 times in the Gospels, while His direct references to hell (or Gehenna) range from roughly 12 to 30 times.

Jesus described a real place of endless, conscious torment for those who reject God. He like John the Baptist warned about an “unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:12; Mark 9:43) and a “fiery furnace” (Matt. 13:42) where people would experience unimaginable anguish—God’s severe punishment of the unrepentant!

D. IN THE O.T. THE WORD HELL (SHEOL) HAS TWO MEANINGS WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND. Hell in common usage designates the place of future punishment for the unsaved unbelieving. The word has other meanings we must differentiate to prevent mistakes and confusion.

    1. The Grave Itself—Sometimes it Refers the Place Where the Bodies of the Dead Are Laid—the Grave. Psalm 6:5, For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? (Ec. 9:10; Is. 38:18,19). 

In some cases, it refers to the grave, in others to the place of disembodied spirits without any necessary implication as to their happiness or unhappiness. 

     2. The Realm of Departed Spirits—Usually, Though, it Means the Place Where Departed Spirits go to Reside. This is commonly called the afterlife, the underworld, or Sheol/Hades. This neutral, shadowy resting place or the grave where all the dead go…the subterranean realm of the dead. (See Ge. 37:35; De. 32:22; Ps. 9:17; 16:10; 55:15; 30:3; Pr. 9:18; 15:24; 23:14; Is. 5:14; 14:15; Eze. 31:16; 32:21,27).

 

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1433.

Discipline is Essential

 

Phil 3:12, 15-16

 

SUBJECT: Spiritual Progress

THEME: Fulfill God’s purposes knowing discipline is an essential part of completing our prescribed race. 

RELEVANCE:

We must not allow our behaviors to be unruly, disorderly, disobedient, uncontrolled, disingenuous-not serious, or of embarrassing manners that derail our progress in Christ. To be winners who fulfill God’s plan, we must remain discipline throughout our race. By doing so we can fulfill God’s purposes knowing that discipline, restraint, and control are essential parts of completing our specific course.   

INTRODUCTION:

Discipline is the final ingredient in this formula for spiritual maturity and progress. To grasp new heights in spiritual triumphs and finally reach the finish line of life as a winner…that is growing spiritually by making continual progress required discipline.

Though Paul was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippian saints, he wanted them to know that he had not yet attained the goals stated in verse 10. He was still actively pressing on toward them. He had by no means reached the final stage of his sanctification.

Paul’s salvation experience had taken place about 30 years before he wrote to the Philippians. He had won many spiritual battles in that time. He had grown much in those years, but he candidly confessed he had not obtained all this, nor was he yet made perfect (v. 12). He still had more spiritual heights to climb. This testimony of the apostle reminded the saints at Philippi—and it serves to remind believers today—that there must never be a stalemate in their spiritual growth or a plateau beyond which they cannot climb.^[a]

What is essential for winning?  

MESSAGE:

The Essential Quality of Discipline (Phil. 3:15-16).

We are called to share the pursuit of Christlikeness. God wants this for us all, but especially those who are mature (3:15). We are to persistently press on toward that goal—going on with Christ. Every maturing believer should have these ambitions.  

No doubt the greatest need among God’s people is to live up to what they already have in Christ. Most live far below their exalted position in Christ. Paul’s plea to the Philippians was that they live up to what they had already attained, namely a righteous position in Christ.^[b]

But he expresses the confidence that if a person is really willing to know the truth of the matter, God will reveal it to him. The reason we have such an easy-going, complacent Christianity today is because we do not want to know the truth; we are not willing to obey the demands of ideal Christianity. God is willing to show the truth to those who are willing to follow it.^[c]

Discipline Yourself to Run According to Your Spiritual Level.  Phil. 3:16

We must live up to whatever light the Lord has given us. “It would not do to mark time until we came to a fuller knowledge of what is required of us as Christians. While we wait for the Lord to reveal the full implications of the cross to us, we should obey whatever degree of truth we have received.”^[d]

       A.  Don’t Worry About Others.   “Nevertheless”

           1. It’s Not What People Think That Matters!

The issue is not what he thinks or what the spectators think but what the judges say.

           2. It’s What the Judge Knows That Matters!

Romans 14:10-12, But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. [12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

One day each Christian will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10-12), much like the Olympic bema, the place where the judges gave out the prizes! We must discipline ourselves to obey the rules, and we will receive a prize.

      B.  Know What You Have.  Vs. 16, “whereto we have already attained”

          1. What Guidance Have You Received?

Christian maturity involves acting on the guidance that we have already received.  “Let us walk by the same rule” means to “Live up to a standard” it is a military term meaning "to keep in line" or "to keep step."

                A.  What Have You Learned? Are You Living It?

QUOTE: “Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned and, however early a man’s training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.” — Thomas Huxley 

                B.  What Have You Experienced?  Did You Grow Through it?

QUOTE: “What you are going to be tomorrow, you are becoming today. It is essential to begin developing self-discipline in a small way today in order to be disciplined in a big way tomorrow.” .... Remember, having it all doesn’t mean having it all at once. It takes time. Start small and concentrate on today. The slow accumulation of disciplines will one day make a big difference. Ben Franklin said, “It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.”  — John Maxwell

ILLUSTRATION: A reporter once asked the great evangelist D. L. Moody which people gave him the most trouble. He answered immediately, “I’ve had more trouble with D. L. Moody than any man alive.”

QUOTES: The late Samuel Hoffenstein said, “Wherever I go, I go too, and spoil everything.” And there is the classic Jack Paar line, “Looking back, my life seems to be one long obstacle course, with me as the chief obstacle.”                                                   

APPLICATION:  My observation is that more Christians fail because of inner issues than outer ones. Each of us desperately need to learn How to Get Out of Our Own Way.  We all need this tremendous lesson in our own life. “I am my worst problem!”  Most of us can relate to this very true statement: “If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn’t be able to sit down for weeks.”

          2. What Responsibilities Have You Received?

                A.  Be Responsible for Who You Are.

The day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day you stop making excuses, that’s the day you start to the top.  This is a factual statement that we all should heed.

ILLUSTRATION: “That reminds me of one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite stories about the man who murdered both his parents and then when his sentence was about to be pronounced, pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan! As the politician said to the judge, “It’s not my fault, your honor, I never could have done all that stuff if the people hadn’t elected me!”  —  John C. Maxwell

                B.  Be Responsible for What You Can Do.

It is rare to find a person who will be responsible, who will follow through correctly and finish the job. But when half-finished assignments keep returning to your desk to check up on, verify, edit, and upgrade, obviously someone is failing to take hold of the reins of responsibility.

“I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the

something that I can do.”

                C.  Be Responsible for What You Have Received.

Luke 12:48, But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

QUOTE: “John D. Rockefeller, Jr., said, “I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.” Winston Churchill said, “It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.” — J. C. Maxwell

          3. We are all at Different Levels (Phil. 3:15).

Paul knew the believers were in different stages, but everyone needed to be faithful to what they understood.

2 Cor. 3:18, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  (See also 2 Peter 1:5-9; Ephes. 4:22-24)

          4. Develop a Healthy Sense of Accountability to the Lord.

Matthew 25:19-20, After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

               A.  Some of Us May Need to Settle Our Debts with the Lord.  (Matt. 18: 23-35)

               B.  Some of Us May Need to Confess Wasted Opportunities in Service.  (Lk. 16:1-2)

               C.  Some of Us May Need to Heed the Warnings of Hell and Eternal Punishment. (Lk. 16:19-31)

               D.  Some of Us Need to Please the Lord in Matters of Conscience & Liberty.  (Rom. 14:6-12)

      C.  Live Up to What You Have.  Phil 3:16     

First, Don’t Worry about Others, secondly, Know What You Have, and thirdly Live up to What You Have.  Stay in step with what you have.                                  

            1. Live Together, You Have Each Other.

Our church needs to march forward together.

            2.  Live in Truth, You Have God’s Word.

We must live up to what we already have been taught from the Scriptures.

            3. Live in Growth, You Have a Goal.

APPLICATION: As we pressed on toward the goal, we should not use our lack of complete knowledge as an excuse for taking lightly what we knew or for getting sidetracked. We should continue to learn and grow, while at the same time regulating our lives by the light we have already received. Believers, we must live up to what we already know before we can expect to learn more.

ILLUSTRATION:  Bible history is filled with people who began the race with great success but failed at the end because they disregarded God's rules. They did not lose their salvation, but they did lose their rewards (1 Cor 3:15). It happened to Lot (Gen 19), Samson (Judg 16), King Saul (1 Sam 28:31), and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). And it can happen to us!

CONCLUSION:

As maturing believers, we are urged to lives pleasing to God (Phil. 3:15–21). We must live up to what we have already attained—a righteous position in Christ. By doing so we can fulfill God’s purposes knowing that discipline, restraint, and control are essential parts of completing our prescribed race.  As we are progressing Believers this must be our ambition.

We must press forward that the Lord Jesus’ purpose for which he saved us might be fulfilled. Paul as a pattern-saint showed what Christ can do in a human life. Though not perfectly conformed to Christ, the ongoing process for us is to deeply apply God’s grace to persist, develop, and increase.

Finally Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

What an exciting experience to run the race daily, “looking unto Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2)! What a “high calling” Jesus’ return to take us to Heaven summons us to! Certainly, the Judgement Seat of Christ will be rewarding! This perspective should motivate us as it did Paul. This must be our character…. Successful believers are willing to do things unsuccessful people will not do. One of those things that makes a difference is whether we are character motivated or emotion motivated.

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^[a] Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 661.

^[b] Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 662.

^[c] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1976.

^[d] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1976.

Liberty Versus Legalism

GALATIANS 5:1-6

 

Living the Christian life in freedom involves receiving Christ’s true practical righteousness by faith and not by mechanical obedience to mere man-made rules. As Christians we have been set free from the curse of the Law and the control of the Law. That is correct! Christians should not be governed, motivated by, or directed by the OT Law nor the mere rules of religious organizations. Beloved, we are freed from the OT Law in Jesus Christ. The type of liberty into which believers are called is not a liberty that leads to license to sin, but is rather a freedom that leads to mature responsibility and holiness before God through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

Liberty must not be destroyed by Legalism either...a rigid adherence to man-made regulations does not result in salvation or growth in Christ. Legalism is not the Gospel at all; it is an attempt to add to the work of grace. In addition, there is nothing to fear when we emphasize real godly liberty in Christ! You see, to live by grace, through faith, gives one a free and deeply fulfilling Christian life. We are free to live out God’s plan and will with real power from the Spirit of Grace! The Holy Spirit is the secret to living godly in very practical ways. Let us consider some results of Liberty versus Legalism and then make some God-honoring decisions.

A.  LEGALISM RESULTS IN BANKRUPTCY.   Vs. 2-4 (vs. 3, “he is a debtor”)

Legalism by definition, is a strict adherence, or the principle of rigid devotion, to OT Law or legal prescriptions...traditions.  This is especially problematic when there is devotion to the letter of the OT Laws and traditions rather than the spirit of the Law. The spirit of the Law transcends the dispensation of the Law revealing the very nature of God…such principles are timeless. In contrast, legalism is exceedingly dangerous to real godly prosperity.

    1.  Believer Are Brought Back to Poverty Under the Law.  Vs. 2, “Christ shall profit you nothing”

Paul uses three phrases to describe the losses the Christian incurs when he turns from grace to Law:

       A. "Christ shall profit you nothing" (Gal.5:2);

       B. "a debtor to do the whole Law" (Gal.5:3);

       C. "Christ is become of no effect unto you"(Gal. 5:4).

This leads to the sad conclusion in Galatians 5:4: "Ye are fallen from grace." It is bad enough that legalism robs the believer of his liberty, but it also robs him of his spiritual wealth in Christ.  The believer living under Law becomes a bankrupt slave.

    2.  Sinners Are in Poverty Under the Law.  Gal. 5:1, “and be not entangled again” (See Gal. 4:9, “how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements”)

God's Word teaches that when we were unsaved, we owed God a debt we could not pay.

        A.  Sinners Come Short in Money.

Jesus makes this clear in His Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:36-50). Two men owed money to a creditor, the one owing ten times as much as the other. But neither was able to pay, so the creditor graciously forgave them both. 

        B.  Sinners Come Short of Glory.  Rom. 3:23

No matter how much morality a man may have, he still comes short of the glory of God.  Even if his sin debt is one tenth that of others, he stands unable to pay, bankrupt at the judgment bar of God. God in His grace, because of the work of Christ on the cross, is able to forgive sinners, no matter how large their debt may be.

In the case of the Galatians, legalism involved adding elements from the OT Law like the ritual of circumcision to gain salvation or to advance in spiritual growth. The erroneous formula is grace + works = salvation and spiritual growth. The problem here is there is nothing inadequate or missing in Jesus Christ and His complete redemptive work to warrant such supplementations. Beloved, Jesus is our redemption, sanctification, and glorification! We have no need to subsidize the work of God’s grace through our faith.

B.  LIBERTY RESULTS IN FREEDOM AND RICHES.   Gal. 5:1, “Christ hath made us free”

     1.  The Spiritual Riches Are With Christ.  Gal. 5:1, 2, 4, 6, “Christ”

Thus when we trust Christ, we become spiritually rich.  We now share in the riches of God's grace (Eph. 1:7), the riches of His glory (Eph. 1:18; Phil. 4:19), the riches of His wisdom (Rom. 11:33), and the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. 3:8). In Christ we have "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col.  2:3), and we are "complete in Him"(Col. 2:10). Once a person is "in Christ," he has all that he needs to live the kind of Christian life God wants him to live.

     2.  Legalism Says You Need More then Christ.

You see the Legalist wants us to believe that we are "missing something," that we would be more "spiritual" if we practiced the OT Law with its demands and disciplines. They dismiss the fact that the Law was given to Israel (a nation) and carried major penalties for failures. But Paul makes it clear that the Law adds nothing—because nothing can be added! Instead, the Law comes in as a thief and robs the believer of the spiritual riches we have in Christ. It puts us back into bankruptcy, responsible for a debt we are unable to pay.

     3.  Grace is a Dependence upon Christ’s Resources.

To live by grace means to depend on God's abundant spiritual supplies for every need. To live by Law means to depend on our own strength—the flesh—and be left to get by without God's supply. Paul warns the Galatians that to submit to circumcision in these circumstances would rob them of all the benefits they have in Christ (though circumcision itself is an indifferent matter— Gal. 5:6; 6:15).

C.  LEGALISM RESULTS IN ENSLAVEMENT.  Gal. 5:1, “the yoke of bondage,”   Vs 3, “he is a debtor to do the hold law”

    1.  Enslaved to Keep the Whole Law.  Vs. 3

Furthermore, to submit would put them under obligation to obey the whole Law.  It is at this point that legalists reveal their hypocrisy, for they fail to keep the whole Law.  They look on the Old Testament Law the way a customer surveys the food in a cafeteria:  they choose what they want and leave the rest. But this is not honest. To teach that a Christian today should, for example, keep the Sabbath but not the Passover, is to dismember God's Law. Also remember dishonoring parents and adultery demanded a death penalty under the OT Law! When was the last time a "Christian" or "Church" obeyed that requirement? No, they dismiss such requirements believing it’s no longer required. Well, none of the OT Law is required for genuine Believers. 

     2.  Partial Obedience is Disobedience.  

The same Lawgiver who gave the one commandment also gave the other (James 2:9-11). Earlier, Paul had quoted Moses to prove that the curse of the Law is on everyone who fails to keep all the Law (Gal. 3:10; see Deut. 27:26). Again merely adhering to some laws while ignoring others is a violation of them all!

 Imagine a motorist driving down a city street and deliberately driving through a red light.  He is pulled over by a policeman who asks to see his driver's license. Immediately the driver begins to defend himself. "Officer, I know I ran that red light—but I have never robbed anybody. I've never committed adultery. I've never cheated on my income tax."

The policeman smiles as he writes out the ticket, because he knows that no amount of obedience can make up for one act of disobedience. It is one Law, and the same Law that protects the obedient man punishes the offender. To boast about keeping part of the Law while at the same time breaking another part is to confess that I am worthy of punishment. (Source Unknown)

D.  LEGALISM RESULTS IN A FALL.  Gal. 5:4, “ye are fallen from grace”

What does "Ye are fallen from grace" mean?  Some have taken it as teaching that salvation can be lost.

   1.  Falling from Grace is Not Losing Salvation.  

It is in this context that we can better understand what Paul means by "fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4).

      A.  Paul Addressed Them as Believers Throughout the Letter.

Certainly, he is not suggesting that the Galatians had "lost their salvation," because throughout this letter he deals with them as believers. At least nine times he calls them brethren, and he also uses the pronoun “we” (Gal. 4:28, 31). This Paul would never do if his readers were lost.   He boldly states, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father' " (Gal. 4:6). If his readers were unsaved, Paul could never write those words.  No, to be "fallen from grace" does not mean to lose salvation. (Wiersbe) 

      B.  Living Spiritually and Maturely Is the Real Issue. (Not Living Sinfully)

Thus, the phrase, "fallen from grace" has assumed an importance far beyond Paul's use of it and in a way entirely out of keeping with his context. The phrase does not mean that if a Christian sins, he falls from grace and thereby loses his salvation.

Many believe that Paul teaches it is possible for a person to be truly saved, then fall into sin, and therefore to fall from grace and be forever lost. This has come to be known as the “falling away doctrine”. This interpretation is not correct. The verse does not describe saved people who fall into sin.  In fact, there is no mention of sin.  Rather, the verse is speaking of those who live moral, respectable, upright lives hoping to be save thereby.  Thus the passage works like a boomerang on those who use it to support the falling away doctrine.  They also teach that a Christian must keep the OT Law, live a perfect life and otherwise refrain from sinning in order to remain saved.  However, this scripture insist that all who seek to be justified by works of the Law or self-effort have indeed fallen from grace.

   2.  Falling from Grace is Living in Legalism.   Vs. 5:4, “whosoever of you are justified by the law”

God does not declare believing sinners right before Him on the basis of our performance, diligence, commitment, or perseverance. God justifies us sinners purely by His grace...undeserved kindness and favor. Salvation can never be a reward or award for excellent living!

        A.  It is Mixing Law and Grace.

The phrase "fallen from grace" means "fallen out of the sphere of God's grace." You cannot mix grace and Law. If you decide to live in the sphere of Law, then you cannot live in the sphere of grace. The believers in Galatia had been bewitched by the false teachers (Gal. 3:1) and thus were disobeying the truth. They had removed toward another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9), and had turned back to the elementary things of the old religion (Gal. 4:9).  As a result, they had become entangled with the yoke of bondage, and this led to their present position: "fallen from grace." And the tragedy of this fall is that they had robbed themselves of all the good things Jesus Christ could do for them by grace.

        B.   It Is Choosing the Law Over Christ.

But to fall from grace, as seen by this context, is to fall into legalism. Or to put it another way, to choose legalism is to relinquish grace as the principle by which one desires to be related to God. The article with "grace" distinguishes it as that specific grace of God in Christ that Paul has already stated to be the core of the gospel.

E.  LIBERTY RESULTS IN GODLINESS. Gal. 5:5-6

Paul next presents the life of the believer in the sphere of grace (Gal. 5:5-6). This enables us to contrast the two ways of life.

    1.  Grace in the form of Dependence upon the Spirit by Faith.  Vs. 5

When you live by grace, you depend on the power of the Spirit; but under Law, you must depend on yourself and your own efforts. Therefore, we do not hope to achieve maturity and practical righteousness by our own efforts, but wait/depend on the Spirit to bring to pass in our daily experiences. Through our dependence and faith, the Holy Spirit will accomplish right motives, desires, goals, and feelings in our hearts and then He will empower us to live out the requirements and expectations of God. We as Christians do not choose legalism; rather, we wait in faith through the Spirit for the full realization of God's life-changing righteousness.

    2.  Legalism Does Not Make Righteousness a Daily Reality.   Vs. 6

       A.  Legalism Does Not Result in Spiritual Maturity and Godliness.

What Paul is condemning is the theology of circumcision--namely, the theology that makes works necessary for salvation and seeks to establish conformity to some external standards of behavior as a mark of spirituality.

For the believer “in Christ” rituals, rites, rules, religious days, religious organizations, and regulations avails nothing at all.  There is no benefit, not profit in them for salvation or growth in the Lord.  It does not make the person any better.  There is absolutely no room at all in the ‘realm of grace’ for human efforts. While we are to cooperate with the Lord, real growth and development is the fruit of the Spirit of Grace. Law and grace cannot be mixed!

       B.  We are to Wait, Not Work for Daily Righteousness.

Once again, the Christian “wait” even ‘waits eagerly’ for the full realization of his salvation in practical experience. We do not work for it; we waits for it.  In the context, "the hope of righteousness” does not refer to that imputed righteousness the believer has in the present through faith in Christ's death, though the thought is not far away, but rather (in line with the ethical section to follow) to that actual righteousness the believer is to grow into and which he is to be perfectly conformed to in glory. In the Bible, "hope" refers to that which, though certain, is not yet fully realized.

    3.  Grace in the form of Faith Works by Love in the Heart.  Vs. 6

What God looks for in the believer is faith working by love.  Faith prompted by love not law.  This blessed truth is found many times in the Scriptures— that God is not interested in rituals, but in the reality of a godly life.  (See 1Sam. 16:7; Ps. 51:6, 15-17; Lk. 11:39-40; Rom. 7:22)

        A.  Grace Does Produce Good Works.

While salvation is all of grace without works, there is still room for works in the Christian Life.

             1. Works are not the root of salvation, but they are the fruit of salvation (Eph. 2:8-10).

             2. Works are not the means of salvation, but they are the results of salvation.

        B. Faith Which Worketh by Love   Vs. 6

             1. Saving faith is a working faith. If it doesn't work, it is not saving faith.  Faith is not dead; faith works (see James 2:14-26). But the efforts of the flesh can never accomplish what faith can accomplish through the Spirit.

             2. Faith which worketh by love—not law.

             3. The law demands—love compels.  But faith works through love—love for God and love for others. Unfortunately, flesh does not manufacture love; too often it produces selfishness and rivalry (see Gal. 5:15). No wonder Paul pictures the life of legalism as a fall!

             4. Grace delivers us from the law.  Love takes over and goes BEYOND the demand of the law.  Love does not ask how little can I do and get by, but how MUCH MORE can I do? It is faith which works by love.

A CONTRAST OF GRACE AND LAW

1. Note the difference or contrasts between law and grace.

   a. The law prohibits—grace invites and gives.

   b. The law condemns the sinner—grace redeems the sinner.

   c. The law says do—grace says it is done.

   d. The law says continue to be holy—grace says it is finished.

   e. The law curses—grace blesses.

   f.   The  law  says  pay  what  you  owe—grace  says  I  freely forgive you all.

   g. The law says "the wages of sin is death"—grace says "the gift of God is eternal life."

   h. The law says "the soul that sinneth it shall die"—grace says believe and live.

   i.   The law was given by Moses—grace and truth come by Jesus Christ.

   j.   The law puts us under bondage—grace sets us free.

2. Feel free to add to this list and make personal applications.

When we believers walk by faith, depending on the Spirit of God, we live in the sphere of God's grace; and all our needs are provided for in Christ. We experiences the riches of God's grace afforded to us upon the merits of Jesus Christ, the Lord. As genuine Believers, we always have hope—something to look forward to—the “hope of righteousness by faith” (Gal. 5:5): one day Jesus will return to make us like Himself in perfect righteousness. In the meantime we depend upon His capable Spirit to apply the Word to our lives and enable righteous expressions through our faith. The OT Law gives no promise for perfect righteousness in the present or the future. It was never given by God for that reason or to serve that purpose!

The Law prepared the way for the first coming of Christ (Gal. 3:23-4:7), but it cannot prepare the way for the second coming of Christ. The Law can still prepare the sinner to receive Christ today; this is still its very design. The Law helped me realize God’s perfect standard of righteousness, and that I do not even remotely measure up to it! Thus, like everyone else I admitted I was a sinner in need of Jesus Christ, the Savior. Christ fulfilled all the Law’s legitimate requirements and expectations perfectly. When I accepted Christ as my Savior I also received credit for satisfying the Law’s just requirements; the Law has no more requirements for real Believers. They all were satisfied through Christ’s sinless life, atoning sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. All of this becomes ours not because we earn it with our adherence to rules, rituals, rites, and regulations, but simply through faith in Jesus Christ, the Word of God and the Spirit of grace.

So, the believer who chooses legalism robs himself of this wonderful spiritual liberty and spiritual wealth. Such individuals deliberately put themselves into spiritual bondage and bankruptcy. You know…when we honestly look at Liberty versus Legalism, the choice becomes really clear…doesn’t it.

For His Glory

Eph. 1:4-6, 11-14

Theme: God’s motivation for saving us is His glory; therefore, as genuine servants we proclaim Him, praise Him, and glorify Him! 

Introduction:

What is God’s glory? When used of God in Scripture, glory refers to His opinion (what He thinks of himself) and reputation (what others think about him), all pointing to His fame or honor or praise. At times glory has a deeper meaning indicating God’s very Person—His essential Being.

  

When Moses made the request of God, “Show me thy glory” (Ex 33:18), he was not speaking of the light-cloud, which he had already seen, but he was seeking a special manifestation of God which would leave nothing to be desired (John 14:8). Moses had a craving to come to grips with God as he is in himself. In reply, God emphasized his goodness (Ex 33:19). We too must understand that God’s glory is not limited to some outward sign that only appeals to our senses, but instead glory expresses His inherent majesty—characteristic awesomeness and innate splendor, whether invisible or through visible symbols.

   

Glory then refers to the deep-down essential worth of God, His overwhelming majesty, His moral beauty, His marvelous excellences, His perfect nature—righteousness, holiness, mercy, truth, goodness, love, and grace!

So, Why did God Save Us?

Beloved, ultimately our salvation is “to the praise of His glory.” God’s marvelous plan for His people involves a magnificent finale—He will be the focal point of our continual praise. The intended goal and inevitable result of all God’s gracious actions toward us is that He should be magnified and glorified forever. In appreciation for your salvation, do you glorify God? Do you live to praise Him?

Lesson:

God Saves Us to Bring Himself Glory

Ephes. 1:12-14, That we [Christians] should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. [13] In whom ye [Believers] also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

A.     LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY IS THE SUPREME PURPOSE OF OUR REDEMPTION (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).

               1. All of these riches, spiritual blessings, come to us by God’s grace and for His glory. Did you notice that after each of the main sections in Ephesians 1:4–14, Paul stated the purpose behind these gracious gifts? (Wiersbe)

                    a. God the Father has chosen us, adopted us, and accepted us! But why? “To the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6). Paul’s thoughts on the grace of God for electing us and then in predestining us to be His sons, explodes into this refrain that is at once an exclamation, an explanation, and an exhortation. (McDonald)

                          i. It is an exclamation—a holy gasp at the transcendent glories of such grace. Such treatment is superior, matchless, unequalled, and excellent! Nobody treats me like God does!

                          ii. It is an explanation that the object and the result of all God’s gracious dealings with us is His own glory. Eternal adoration is due to Him for such matchless favor.  

                      iii. Finally, it is an exhortation. Paul is saying, “Let us praise Him for His glorious grace”. (McDonald)

                    b. God the Son has redeemed us, forgiven us, revealed God’s will to us, and made us part of God’s inheritance! But why?  “That we should be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12). The Lord Jesus purchased and set us free by paying the redemption price of His own blood. We are forgiven and God has released us from the condemnation of the Law strictly on account of faith in the Cross of Christ. He has included us in the sacred secret of Christ and His churches. Our inheritance includes God himself, our redemption hope—a new glorious body, eternal rewards, our heavenly home, and all genuine believers will enjoy being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 3:21-23).

                    c. God the Spirit has sealed us and become the guarantee of our future in Heaven! But why? “Unto the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:14).  The Spirit marks us as God's own possession and guarantees our salvation.

               2. We often have the idea that God saves sinners mainly because He pities them, or wants to rescue them from eternal judgment, but God’s main purpose is that He might be glorified. His creation reveals His wisdom and power, but His church reveals His love and grace. You cannot deserve or earn these spiritual riches; you can only receive them by grace, through faith. –Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary

               3. God saved you and me for “the praise of his glory!” That is, we are trophies of the grace of God, exhibiting what He can do with such unlikely raw materials, and thus bringing glory to Him. We are to be glowing examples to others of God’s love and mercy at work in and through a human life. We are verbal and living expressions of praise to God for His gracious work in our lives! Do you praise Him often for what He is doing in you, or are you too busy stealing His praise, credit, and honor for yourself?

Beloved, the ultimate result of redemption is the same—“to the praise of His glory.” God’s marvelous plan for His people will reach a glorious consummation, and He will be the object of continual praise. Three times in this chapter Paul has reminded us that the intended goal and inevitable result of all God’s actions is that He should be magnified and glorified. Before we go any farther, let us do it! (MacDonald, W. (1995))

    Great God of wonders! All Thy ways

    Display Thine attributes divine;

    But the bright glories of Thy grace

    Above Thine other wonders shine:

    Who is a pard’ning God like Thee?

    Or who has grace so rich and free?

B.     LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY MEANS MORE THEN MERELY GOING TO HEAVEN.

People seem to think that the only reason for salvation is so that a person might go to Heaven when she or he dies. This is likely because salvation was presented to them in these familiar terms.

         1.  Heaven and Eternal Life are Parts of God’s Redemption Plan for us, but That Is Not the Sole Reason for Our Salvation. (Jn. 3:14-17, 35; 1Jn. 5:11-13)

         2.  We Are Saved So That We Might live as “Redeemed” Servants who Bring God Glory (Eph. 1:14). 1 Peter 1:18-19,  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

              a. “Redeemed” Implies That We Once Were in Bondage or Slavery to Evil and Sin. We were slaves to sinful attitudes and actions! We had no choice or power to become free or do any different!

              b. But, We Have Been Purchased— Set Free and Rescued from Sin So That We Might Live a Life of Righteous Service to the Glory of God. 1Cor. 6:19-20, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

  

If God’s only purpose for our salvation was so that we might go to Heaven, He would be doing each of us a great favor by saving us and then immediately slaying us. No, His plan involves Believers living free of sins enslavement and power and free to serve God unimpeded by any obligations to sin. We now live to glorify Him in how we use our bodies and the attitudes we display or project. Sinful attitudes or anger, bitterness, negativity, and worry must give way to love, joy, righteousness, and peace!

C.     LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY MEANS WE ARE TO REFLECT THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST.  

2 Peter 1:3-4, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The divine call is our basis for developing holy character and Christ-centered living. It is Christ, the glorious and virtuous Savior, who summons us to lives of “glory and virtue”—moral excellence and deep spiritual strength! Like Paul at His conversion, we have seen the light of Jesus and are forever drawn to His likeness.

       1.  God’s Purpose for Saving Us Is for Each of Us to Reflect His Glorious Character.  Ephes. 5:8-10, For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: [9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) [10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

That we might be His people on this earth filled with His glorious character because of the divine nature! People doing the kinds of works that Jesus Himself would do if He were walking in our shoes, through our world, during our lifetime. Our lives should move people and provoke them to honestly exclaim, “Praise the Lord!”(Matt. 5:16)

      2.  God Desires to Manifest His Character Through Our Personalities and Giftedness. 1 Cor. 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

When we allow His Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to the benefit of others, we become vessels of His love in action. We reflect His compassion, love, and mercy to others (2Pet. 1:5-12). And in so doing, we are His witnesses. We bring credit, honor, praise, and glory to Him. People will see and experience our “good works and glorify” our “Father in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

D.    LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY MEANS WE ARE TO SERVE THROUGH CHRIST’S CHURCHES.

Ephes. 3:21, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

      1.  God Does Not Save Us in Order That We Might Be Part of an Elite Group of “Good People.” He saves us in order that we might reach out to all people with God’s goodness through the ministry of His churches. This glorifies God!

      2.  God Does Not Place Us in Good Churches to Soak up Decades of Good Sermons, Bible Conferences, Prayer Meetings, and Seminars. 

           a. He Puts Us in His Churches So That We Might Be of Good Use to Those Who Are in Need. 

           b. He Places Us in His Churches So That We Might Function as His Body Each of Us Using Our Gifts, Talents, and Skills as the Holy Spirit Directs. There should be an on–going helping of one another, and in the process, experience a refinement of our own spirits, souls, and minds.

           c. This Is an Important Point for Us to Consider Regarding Servanthood. God did not save us simply so that we can say to others, “I'm saved,” that you might fill out a church membership card, or that you might have the assurance that you are going to Heaven one day. These things are good, but He has a purpose for us involving ministry and serving.

     3.  He Saved You in Order That You Might Live Every Hour of Every Day of the Remainder of Your Life in Faithful Service and Obedience to Jesus Christ. Going wherever He leads, saying and doing whatever He prompts you to say and do by His Holy Spirit, and engaging in whatever forms of ministry and service that He calls you to pursue.

     4.  Don’t Just Come to Church, But Join It, and Serve God Through this Church.

This is exactly what Apollos did when he left Ephesus and relocated in Corinth.  He united with that local assembly and he began serving God in that city through that church. Apollos almost immediately took a leadership role in the Church at Corinth as he followed the plan of God (Acts 18:24-28; Acts 19:1).

ILLUSTRATION: A pastor told about a Christian lady who often visited a retirement home near her house. One day she noticed a lonely man sitting, staring at his dinner tray. In a kindly manner she asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Is something wrong!” replied the man in a heavy accent. “Yes, something is wrong! I am a Jew, and I cannot eat this food!”

“What would you like to have?” she asked.

“I would like a bowl of hot soup!”

She went home and prepared the soup and, after getting permission from the office, took it to the man. In succeeding weeks, she often visited him and brought him the kind of food he enjoyed and eventually she led him to faith in Christ. Yes, preparing soup can be a spiritual sacrifice, a good work to the glory of God.—Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary

God’s motivation for saving us is His glory; therefore, as a genuine servant praise Him in light of His excellence, proclaim His glory to others, and live daily to glorify Him!