Helmet of Salvation

Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17, says: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”. This is also an important part of the armor of God, emphasizing the spiritual protection of our minds through God-wroth salvation and the thoughtful use of the Bible as a spiritual weapon in battle. 

So, it is necessary to consider the “helmet of salvation” then (Eph. 6:17). The believer’s mind is subject to the attacks of Satan on a regular basis. We can know this because of the way he attacked and defeated Eve at the very beginning of human history (Gen. 3; 2 Cor. 11:1–3). The “helmet of salvation” is crucial to our minds having God’s protective/supervisory management. We really place ourselves at a great disadvantage in this war when we conclude (erroneously) the mind, intellect, is not important. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our God-given intellect really plays a vital role in our growth, service, and victory. When God oversees our minds, Satan may tempt us with false salvation, religious independence, and self-sufficiency, but he cannot lead us astray while wearing this protective head gear from the Lord.

The Christian who studies his Bible and learns the meaning of Bible doctrines is not going to be led astray too easily. We need to be “taught by Him as the truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21). We are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Wherever Paul ministered, he taught the new converts the truths of the Word of God, and this helmet protected them from Satan’s lies.^[1]

Thinking through this a bit we know a helmet was a soldier's most costly and ornate piece of armor. It was designed to protect the entire head. Dear child of God, the mind is where most of our battles are won or lost. In fact, this war largely rages in our minds, thoughts, perceptions, conceptions, and cogitation! Ultimately decisions about our behaviors are made in the head!

Again, a soldier’s most vulnerable body part is his head. We literally “decide” if we will obey or disobey in the mind. With God’s helmet to protect us, we are delivered from such temptations as we choose with our minds to be obedient to God’s will. Our salvation, deliverance through the blood of Christ, is what gives us the potential to say yes to God and no to Satan’s temptations to sin. In so doing, we are saved in that battle or episode, from those actions and consequences of sin.

Beloved, always bear the following facts in mind as you engage the enemy using the “helmet of salvation”:

• Your mind and thoughts are protected by faith in God’s armor
• You can be absolutely assurance of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ alone
• You must remain steadfast against all doubts and temptations from the enemy
• You forever have the hope of eternal life promised by the very Word of God
• You are prepared, spiritual readiness and defense in spiritual warfare, by God’s wise provision of the whole armor

“Salvation” is a protection that comes only from the Lord. We cannot ‘put it on;’ God puts salvation on us when we exercise faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4). However, we do need to dawn this “helmet of salvation” every day: and that is the helmet of the hope of salvation. 

In other words, Satan likes to plague us with doubts about our salvation, inject worldly ideas (Rom. 12:1-2), and have us focus (concentrate or highlight) on the minute (flaws, failures, or sins) instead of eternity. God’s “helmet of salvation” protects us from that. The helmet’s purpose is to assure us of final and eternal salvation—this is real protection. It helps us when we enter the battlefield of the mind, where Satan can dish out severe, sometimes deadly blows. 

The helmet God provides is salvation (Isa. 59:17). No matter how hot the battle, the Christian is not daunted, since he knows that ultimate victory is sure. Assurance of eventual deliverance preserves him from retreat or surrender. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).^[2]

So, then take this vital piece of God provided armor also! The Greek word “take” is an imperative, rather than another participle. This parallels the imperative “stand” in verse 14.^[3]

So, it is imperative (our obligation or our God-given command) that we “take” it, “take” it, “take” the “helmet of salvation”! Beloved, you have the spiritual protection of your mind through God-wroth salvation and the thoughtful use of the Bible as a spiritual weapon in every one of your mind-battles with Satan. 

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^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 58–59.

^[2] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1952.

^[3] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” 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), 644.

An Influence or A Person?

An Influence or A Person?

 

An age-old debate continues still about the personality of the Holy Spirit. Many feel He is more of a force than a person. Of course, the Bible will be regarded as the written standard for faith and practice. As in all matters, we will strive to agree with the Scripture’s teachings. Agreeing with God’s conclusions involves accepting the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, holding it in the highest regard concerning our confidence and observations. These ideas are greater than mere debates but intended to move us from simply studying the Word to allowing it to transform our lives, incentivizing gaining wisdom and discernment based on the Word for daily decisions. Ultimately, agreeing with the Bible involves trusting divine authority—God’s statements—on matters of life and salvation. 

There are several reasons why there is a tendency to view the Spirit of God as a force, or an influence, or even an emanation. This subject requires closer attention to the details God afford us in the Word. To start with His work seems to be impersonal; that is, it appears to be somewhat mystical and secretive like a force.  He produces grace, fruit, affords gifts, and other worldly powers to believers, which are shadowed in a bit of non-specificity and intrigue. Yet theological and biblical perspectives define the Spirit as a distinct, personal being—the third person of the Trinity.

Accordingly, His vary names and titles tend to produce the idea that He is not a Person.  For example, the word “Spirit” means breath or wind or power and thus people conclude in error that the Spirit is merely an influence rather than a person.  Also, the symbols used in reference to the Spirit seem to encourage us to think of Him as an ordinary influence.  When we ponder on the dove (Matt. 3:16), water (John 7:38, 39), oil (1Sam 16:13) and breath (Job 33:4; John 20:22) imageries, we can undoubtedly see all of these employed in Scripture to symbolize—represent or imply—the personage of the Holy Spirit. Such symbols like wind, fire, or doves are basically poetic descriptions, not literal depictions of the Spirit’s essence or principle being, which is that of a divine person of the Triune Godhead. We use symbolic language (sometimes colloquial or conversational) all the time to convey our meaning and to stress ordinary matters.

Another reason is the fact that the personality of the Holy Spirit is often missing in the opening acknowledgements in the New Testament epistles.  The Father and the Son may be mentioned together (Rom.1:7; 1 Cor. 1:1, 4; 2 Cor. 1:1-3; Gal. 1:1-3; Eph. 1:1-3; Phil. 1:2, 6; Col. 1:1-3), but nothing is said of the Spirit in these instances. Then truthfully the word ‘Spirit’ in the Greek language is a neuter word, therefore we tend to think of His work or personality as detached and in a neutral sense. Nonetheless, despite these rather shallow analyses, the Scriptures even more clearly and predominantly state in many places that the Holy Spirit acts and reacts with authentic personality. Several examples will follow.

The Spirit’s unmistakable association with the Father and the Son intensely signifies His personality. This can be witnessed in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), and in the apostolic benediction (2Cor. 13:14). Furthermore, the Spirit’s identification with believers reveals His personality qualities. He renders decisions and reasons much like a human being would (Acts 15:28), thereby revealing personality like any other person. The Spirit furthermore has several features of obvious personality ascribed to Him in the Scriptures. For instance, He has a will (1Cor. 12:11), he has a mind (Rom 8:27), he has emotions and can be grieved (Eph. 4:30) and is capable of love, joy and peace and producing these qualities in believers (Gal. 5:22-23; Rom 5:5). Yes, these are fundamental features—unmistakable evidence—of personhood. Although some folks emphasize the Holy Spirit far less or interpret Him simply as God’s active power rather than a distinct person, believers correctly regard the Father, Son, and Spirit as united in purpose.

Another closely related reason for insisting on the personality of the Holy Spirit is that He exercises the actions of a person. He searches (1Cor. 2:10), He speaks (Rev. 2:7), He makes intercessions for believers (Rom 8:26), He bears testimony (John 15:26), and He forbids or would not permit Paul’s team to evangelize in parts of Western Eurasia (Acts 16:6-7). All these activities unmistakably reveal His personal qualities. While metaphors like wind or fire may suggest an abstract power, the deeper truth is the Spirit behaves personally, directly, and individually through teaching, comforting, directing, and interceding.

Another reason relates to His office as the Comforter, which requires personality to fulfill (John 14:16). He is the believer’s Advocate, and He takes the place of or represents the Lord Jesus in the believer’s experiences (John 16:7). He conducts Himself precisely as the Lord Jesus would were He literally physically among us. There would be no difference! “Another Comforter” (Jn. 14:16) refers to the Holy Spirit who is like the Lord Jesus… ‘another of the very same kind.’ You see the promise of "another Comforter" signifies that Jesus Himself was the first, the original Comforter. And truly Jesus had been their defender, encourager, He had stood by the disciples teaching and enlightening them. Now the Spirit has taken up this role on the Lord’s behalf! We will have such divine accompaniment, resources, and energy as we endeavor for God’s glory.

 Yes, the Holy Spirit acts as the personal representative of Jesus Christ, continuing His work on earth accordingly. After Christ’s ascension, the Spirit is sent to dwell within believers, providing guidance, truth, and empowerment, often described as the “Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9) or the Comforter (John 14:26). Jesus described the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter” or Advocate (Jn. 14:16-18, 26)—legal intercessor or defender—one called alongside to help, acting as a legal counselor, comforter, helper, and legal defender for us believers. The Holy Spirit would come in Jesus’ name to teach and remind believers of his teachings, effectively taking his place as the active guide for disciples. The Holy Spirit, therefore, does not act independently or separately, but as the active, present reality of Christ within the early churches and individual believers.

An additional reason pointing to the Spirit’s personality is the fact that He is susceptible to being treated like a person. He responds in a manner consistent with personhood. He can be lied to (Acts 5:3), he can be blasphemed (Matt. 12:31-32), even insulted (Heb. 10:29), and he can be grieved (Eph. 4:30). Again, the Holy Spirit possesses attributes of personality, including intellect, will, and emotions just like any other person. These actions are only possible toward a person.

The Scriptures tell us two great things, first that there is only one God. We must always assert this truth. But the Scriptures equally teach that there are three Persons in that Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is traditionally recognized as the third Person of the Trinity or Godhead, coequal and coeternal with God the Father and God the Son. He is understood as a divine, personal being—not just a force—possessing attributes of God, such as all knowledge, ubiquity (present everywhere at the same time—deeply universal), and has all authority, power, dominion and province (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 139:7-10; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Heb. 9:14). While distinct in role, the Spirit shares the same divine nature and essence with the Father and Son. Scripture portrays the Spirit as present at Jesus’ baptism and mentions Him alongside the Father and Son in the baptismal blueprint in Matthew 28:19. Thus, God the Father is fully God, so is God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is completely Deity. One essence but three distinct personalities.

We as Western believers claim the Spirit proceeds from the Son as well as the Father because the facts of the Bible about the Trinity and the Spirit lead to this conclusion. In addition, the Spirit is referred to as the “Spirit of Christ” and the “Spirit of the Son” pointing to a relationship in which the Spirit proceeds from the Son as well as the Father.  In John 15:26, the Lord Jesus make this statement, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me”.  In this verse the relationship between the Son and the Spirit mirrors that of the Father and the Spirit—the Spirit was sent by the Son.  Again, consider the fact that Christ promised He would send the Comforter in John 16:7, and taught the Spirit would come from the Father also in John 14:16-17, 26.

This is a kind of subordination within the Godhead; the division of the work between the three personalities. This is a hierarchy where the Son and Spirit relate to the Father through submission and mission. It is supremely functional, voluntary, and salvific (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; Gal 4:6). The Son says that He has come to glorify the Father, and the Spirit’s work is to glorify the Son. Each one reflects the glory of the other. Thus, we investigate the mystery of this amazing doctrine of the Trinity: “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:14).  This is to me one of the most amazing and remarkable things about the biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit seems to hide, mask, or conceal Himself to reveal or show the glory of Christ to us. He is always placing the focus on the Lord Jesus! The Son voluntarily submitted his will, taking a subordinate role to accomplish salvation, and eventually subjected himself to fulfill the Father’s purpose. This is why I profoundly believe a solid test as to whether we are subject to the Spirit’s influence is to ask ourselves, what do we think of Jesus, and what do we know about, the Son.

 

The Road to Maturity in Christ I

The Road to Maturity in Christ

1 Corinthians 3:1–4

Theme: The Christian journey leads to maturity in the Word, discernment, and righteous decision-making.

Relevance: God designed the Christian life to grow continuously into obedience dominated by His Spirit and will.

Introduction: “As I write this chapter, we are watching our grandson and our granddaughter grow up. Becky is still being nursed by her mother, but Jonathan now sits at the table and uses his little cup and (with varying degrees of success) his tableware. As children grow, they learn to eat different food. They graduate (to use Paul's words) from milk to meat.”— W. W. Wiersbe

There are unsaved and saved people in the world, and regarding the saved, there are mature (spiritual) and immature (carnal) believers. As the "spiritual father," Paul brought this family into being with the gospel (1 Cor 4:15). During his ministry in Corinth, he tried to feed his spiritual children and help them mature in the Faith. Much like a normal family, everybody helps the new baby grow and mature, so in the family of God we must encourage spiritual maturity. We want to observe this progress in three movements.

Message:

I.                 “Walk as Men” (1 Cor. 3:3).

A.   The Church’s Spiritual Situation is Referenced. Remember the Bible's description of the lost condition; they were:

                                                             i.      Separated from God: a sin-created barrier between God and people (Isa. 59:2).

                                                           ii.      Spiritually Dead: lifeless to God because of their trespasses, moral failures, and sins (Eph. 2:1).

                                                        iii.      Blind to Truth: they are impaired by Satan’s lies, the god of this world (Eph. 2:2-3; 2 Cor. 4:4).

                                                         iv.      Eternally Condemned: they faced everlasting punishment away from God because they insisted on dying in their sin (Matt. 25:46).

B.    These Believers Resemble the ‘Lost Condition’

                                                             i.      Behaviors were governed by our corrupt, fallen, fleshly, godless selves, and sinful nature

                                                           ii.      These Corithian believers were behaving like lost people… “it means that they were acting fleshly, not that they were fleshly by nature.”^[1]

                                                        iii.      “You are thinking and behaving in a fleshly way.”^[2]

C.   This Church was Still Enslaved to Sinful Habits, Ways, and Tendencies

                                                             i.      Eph. 2:1-3, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3, Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

                                                           ii.      Sinful desire is like cancer; it has many forms and affects many parts of the church in many ways—all of them destructive. Carnality is a general evil that has many manifestations. It will corrupt morals, weaken personal relationships, produce doubt about God and His Word, destroy prayer life, and provide fertile ground for heresy. It will attack right doctrine and right living, right belief and right practice.^[3]

                                                        iii.      Immature, fleshly Christians are never the result of deficient spiritual genes or of a spiritual birth defect. They are the way they are by their own choices. One of the worst and most disappointing problems the church can have is a congregation full of babes, Christians who are not growing because they seek to fulfill fleshly appetites.^[4]

Conclusion:

The Christian must drive forward focusing on maturity in the Word, discernment, and righteous decision-making pursuant of God’s plan. God literally designed us to grow continuously into a lifestyle of obedience dominated increasingly by His Spirit and will.

However, some need to be saved today. Stop putting it off and trust Christ as your Savior and Lord now.

Salvation involves coming to Jesus Christ as God and the supreme authority over our lives to graciously rescue us from the penalty of our sin. It is impossible for Him to save anybody who is not willing to acknowledge their sinfulness in a spirit of repentance. God can only save us when the right conditions exist in the human soul—repentance and faith. Bible examples of conversions present evidence of clear righteous changes in new Believer’s beliefs and behavior. These changes alone do not save us from sin, but THEY ARE certainly the FRUIT of genuine salvation. Such authentic conversions involves both repentance and faith (Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10).

The Gospel requires sinners to repent turning to God in faith. As a result of genuine conversions, new converts are expected to do works in keeping with true repentance. This launches a lifelong adventure of faith and repentance as the Believer grows in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1).

I am totally convinced that many professing “Christians” are not Believers at all because they never humbled themselves before God in repentance and faith. This is principally why there is such little or no evidence of spiritual progress in so many “Christians.” It gives me no pleasure to highlight these frustrations. My singular hope is to help those who are deceived to genuinely come to Christ God’s way to truly be saved.

How Can We Experience Spiritual Birth? The answer is by consciously opting to place our faith/trust in Jesus Christ—His death, burial and resurrection as the full payment for our sins. We acknowledge God’s acceptance of Christ’s redemptive work by raising Him from the dead. Therefore, we accept what God accepts as complete payment for our sins. Recall what the Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:14-18, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18, He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Each person must utterly entrust our eternal salvation to Jesus Christ the Son of God. The story has been told many times with varying emphasis about the man who stretched a cable across a certain deep canyon. He first walked across the cable displaying fascinating balance and control. Secondly, he took a wheel barrel and made his way across with it and back again. Finally, he asked the watching audience if they believed he could carry someone across in a wheel barrel. Many of them gleefully responded with a “yes.” Then he asked for a volunteer and no one stepped forward. You see they did not really believe enough to trust him with their lives. When we trust Christ, it is like jumping into the wheel barrel and utterly depending on Him transfer us form no relationship with God into a relationship, from guilt to forgiveness, from condemnation to full acceptation, from death unto life, and from earth to heaven. We must believe on Christ Jesus!

This is exactly what Paul says in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus, we must believe that the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day to declare us as right before The Father. Beloved, it is crucial that we exercise faith in the Person and Work of Christ to experience the spiritual birth.

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^[1] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 1 Co 3:3.

^[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1984), 73.

^[3] John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1984), 72–73.

^[4] John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1984), 72.

Enter the Kingdom of God

You are Invited to Enter the Kingdom of God

When we look carefully at 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, we rightly conclude that those who will inherit the kingdom of God are individuals who have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God. While the unsaved or unrighteous—specifically those living in habitual sin like sexual immorality, idolatry, theft, and greed—will not inherit it. Yet, repentance and faith in Christ allow for transformation--real change can now be realized, making us an heir to the kingdom and joint-heirs with Christ. The grace that saves us is also the grace that progressively sanctifies us! The new birth is only the beginning of our journey in Christ. 

So, who will Inherit the Kingdom of God then?
1) Those who have been "Washed": saved and cleansed of old sinful living--forgiven and adopted by God because of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
2) Those who have been "Sanctified": individuals set apart unto God from their former sinful lives to embrace God's will by the power of the Spirit.
3) Those who have been "Justified": those declared righteous by God through faith in Jesus.

Basically those who are repentant: people who have turned away from sin's enslavement and accept God's authority (real freedom) through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such undeserving individuals will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Clearly, a spiritual transformation through the new birth is necessary; we must come to Jesus Christ to 'enter' the Kingdom of God. You can only continue what you have entered. Isn't it time for you to 'enter'...be saved? 

Why Evangelize the Unsaved?

 

Why Evangelize the Unsaved?

Matthew 28:19; Romans 3:23; 6:23

There are several biblical reasons for evangelism in the life of every believer.  First there is the command of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19, where he says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  Every believer should take this command seriously and personally. Then secondly are the sinner’s needs which can be a powerful motivation when we consider passages like Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  And then Romans 6:23, where Paul said, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” These are clear commands from our Lord Jesus and the Word.

The reality of Hell and the wrath of God remain in the future of every unrepentant sinner.  A third reason for evangelizing is our love for Christ who was an outstanding evangelist to say the least. He certainly expects believers to obey his command to evangelize and to prove our love for him by our obedience to him. It was Christ who said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  A fourth and very good reason for evangelism is our love for others.  It is only natural to love one’s family and friends and want their good in all things.  Likewise, genuine love will compel us to be concerned with their eternal good.  These are just a few reasons, but there are others like the example of the Lord Jesus and his disciples, the stewardship of the Gospel, the glory of God, the lack of workers, and the promise of rewards which should also compel us to engage ourselves in the process of evangelism.  

Lesson:

I.               What Are the General Evangelism Approaches?  

So, with solid reasons to get involved, where should I start? How do the approaches to evangelism complement each other and represent parts of the strategy of evangelism?

There are three basic approaches to evangelism, and they each complement each other and represent parts of the strategy we need to embrace. The three parts are Presence Evangelism, Proclamation Evangelism, and Persuasion Evangelism.  Presence evangelism relates to the lifestyle of the believer that is his witness and testimony.  Proclamation evangelism focuses on announcing and publicizing the good news of Christ.  Persuasion evangelism concentrates on persuading and motivating the sinner to embrace Christ by faith.  It is intentionally preaching to secure soul-winning results.  Again, these are interrelated and interdependent upon each other.  For example, by our presence we win a hearing, by our proclamation we share the gospel message, and then by our persuasion we convince others to place their trust in Christ. These interrelated approaches affords ways to immediately invest ourselves in reaching people with the gospel.

II.            What Terms refer to New Testament Evangelism?

If we refer to the various words found in the New Testament to describe evangelism, the following is what we would discover.  Some present-day examples of these different types of evangelism are also delineated.

There are various Greek words found in the New Testament which describe evangelism; there are matching present-day examples for each of these words. 

• 1.     Martureo (Acts 1:8) is sharing your experience with others. The present day equivalent is sharing one’s personal experience in trusting Christ as Savior. 
• 2.     Laleo (Acts 4:1) is talking to others.  The present-day exercise of this type of evangelism occurs when we weave the message of the gospel and our faith into the average conversation with someone.
• 3.     Euaggelizo (Acts 8:4) is telling others about Jesus.  This can be achieved today by telling others the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Emphasis would be placed on the message of the good news in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
• 4.     Didasko (Matt. 28:20) is teaching others the gospel systematically.  Today we should explain the gospel message in great detail and systematically especially when working with someone who has questions or is religiously confused.  The goal is to remove misconceptions so people can understand and believe.
• 5.     Dialegomai (Acts 18:4) is answering reasonable questions.  Today as we share the gospel with others, some will have more questions or our presentation will raise legitimate concerns in the hearts of the sinners.  We can afford them opportunity to present their questions and give them Bible answers.  This form of witnessing takes on the form of dialog or a question-and-answer session.
• 6.     Kataggello (Acts 17:3) is driving home the gospel.  This can be effectively used today in public preaching as we bring sinners to understand their need and fervently point them to the reality that Jesus is the answer, solution, and “The Christ.” Such public proclaiming of Christ should be filled with conviction and astutely advocated by the believer.
• 7.     Kerusso (Acts 8:5) is announcing the gospel so people can respond.  Modern day street preaching wonderfully follows the manner of publicly heralding the gospel so that people can hear and understand.
• 8.     Mathateuo (Matt. 28: 19) is convincing others to follow Jesus.  Today we are to lead people to a conversion experience in trusting Christ to save them and then to actually become lifelong followers of Christ.  The elements of repentance, faith, and discipleship are all included.
• 9.     Peitho (2Cor. 5:11; Acts 18:4) is persuading those who are hesitant.  This is the modern effort of fervently bringing someone to the point of a decision for Christ as Savior.  While no one can be coerced or pressured for a decision, it is correct to persuade and encourage a positive choice for forgiveness and regeneration. 

III.         What is Evangelism?

Evangelism is the effort of believers to sustain a lifestyle which witnesses of the power of the gospel, to proclaim the gospel message clearly so that sinners can understand and believe, and to convince or persuade people to receive Christ as Savior.  Evangelism should be accepted as a mandate for all believers and an essential component for Christian living.

Conclusion:

Beloved, we have a clear mandate from our Lord and insight into our very real human condition of sin. God’s perspective is inarguable transparent also; people who die without Christ have no hope of salvation. Regardless of our position in a congregation or lack thereof, we are charged with the message of Christ. We who know the gospel must share it with those who are without the hope of Jesus Christ. As evangelists, we are referred to as fishers of men, witnesses, ambassadors, and stewards.  Several other occupations illustrate the work as NT evangelists. Terms like “builder” (1Cor. 3:10), “soldier” (2Tim. 2:3), “farmer” (1Cor. 3:6-9), and “sower” (Matt. 13:3) also shed light on our work. Clearly our job is placed before us as NT evangelists.  So, go in as many ways as you can to share the hope of Christ with whoever through the gospel.

Christ Died for Our Sins

 

Christ Died for Our Sins

The phrase ‘Jesus died for my sins’ is a central Christian idea referring to our Lord Jesus, who was sinless, dying on the cross as a substitute to pay the penalty for our sins. This action satisfied God’s justice, resulting in the forgiveness of our sins as repentant believers trusting in Christ. We are thusly reconciled with God…we began a new relationship with Him as his children. Essentially as our ‘Substitute,’ Jesus took the punishment that we deserved because of our sins. Christ did not only die for you and me; He died for our sin. Sin is that serious with our heavenly Father.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 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:

2 Corinthians 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 Peter 3:18, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 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.

Isaiah 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Let us avoid the modern trends that downplay sin or dismiss our sinfulness altogether. No, we cannot view sin as a trivial or small matter when God makes such a big deal of this. It is not only solid theology, but it is a principle of the gospel. “Christ died for our sin,” yes, this is correct, important to God for us to acknowledge, and the truth about our human nature.

Why Repentance?

 

“Why Repentance?”

ACTS 17:22-34 & 20:17-27 

Acts 17:30, And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Acts 20:21, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

SUBJECT: REPENTANCE

THEME: A Correct Understanding of Repentance Will Not Only Ensure a Genuine Salvation Experience, but It Will Also Provide a Necessary Step in Progressive Sanctification and Continuous Clean Christ-centered Living!

RELEVANCE: the neglect and oversight of a biblical teaching does not eliminate nor diminish its significance. Repentance has become a lost doctrine in fundamental circles in this positive thinking, high self-esteem generation. Unfortunately, churches and Christians have adopted a weak gospel presentation to avoid offense. Not even the average preacher has a sound biblical understanding of this great doctrine anymore. 

INTRODUCTION:  

Among the multiplied thousands of conversions which are reported annually by churches, evangelists, missionaries, and para-church organizations, only a small number result in biblical fruit. There are many ways this is manifested.

1.  There Is, First of All, the Problem of Unchanged Converts. Large numbers of those who "profess Christ" or "pray to be saved," show no evidence that they were truly born again by the Spirit of God. Their lives are not changed.

2.  There Is Also the Problem of Worldly Converts. Vast numbers of those who are said to be converted to Christ remain worldly. They love the same music and fashions, run with the same crowd, retain the same humanistic philosophies, and have the same carnal mindset as before they were "converted." The "Christian rock" music crowd illustrates this category.

3.  Further, There Is the Problem of Ecumenical Converts. They have no zeal for the truth and no distaste for error. They accept anyone as a brother or sister in Christ as long as he or she "loves Jesus." They do not carefully test spirits and doctrines. In fact, they despise and mock those who measure everything by the Word of God and who practice biblical separation. The Promise Keepers crowd illustrates this category.

4.  I Believe the Primary Problem is a Failure in Presenting the Gospel Message. Even us who believe the Bible and follow Christ have failed to place a proper emphasis on repentance in relation to Salvation. We have no problem with sharing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the basis of Salvation.  This we do well.  We have not failed to emphasis the need of the sinner to Believe and Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s Personal Savior.  Certainly, we do this consistently. But we have failed to emphasize repentance as the Lord Jesus and the Apostles did in their preaching and witnessing as a condition for salvation. Repentance and Faith are the conditions for a genuine conversion experience.

5.  I Am Also Afraid to Admit That Some Preach Another Gospel Altogether, Which Is Not the Gospel of Christ. They might refer to it as “Easy-Prayerism” or “Easy-Believism” which effectively disregards the extreme Holiness of God and the exceeding Sinfulness of all mankind. Therefore, there is no Godly Sorrow, and no Sense of Shame about our sinfulness, and certainly no Conviction by the Holy Spirit of God.  There is no wonder the Apostle Paul spoke of another gospel.  2 Cor. 11:3-4, says,  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.

Therefore, we need to revisit the subject of repentance and realize afresh the emphasis that God places on this important doctrine. Because a correct understanding of repentance will not only ensure a genuine salvation experience, but it will also provide a necessary step in progressive sanctification and continuous clean Christ-centered living! Our lives will literally change as we walk in repentance!

MESSAGE:

I.  WHAT DOES REPENTANCE INVOLVE?

QUOTE: “True Repentance Has a double aspect; it looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye.” –Robert Smith   

"Easy-Prayerism" or “Easy-Believism” emphasizes faith and prayer. "Just believe. Don't worry about giving up things; that will come in time. Just pray this prayer." Bible evangelism, rather, emphasizes repentance.

 A.  REPENTANCE INVOLVES A CHANGE OF MIND (INTELLECT)

Matt 21:28-29, But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

     1. There is Broad-scale Rebellion Against the Expressed Will and Desire of the Father.

Many ‘Christians’ still seem to be living this way. 1)  God the Father says to Tithe their Income and some have effectively said “I will not.” 2)  God the Father says, to attend church regularly and some have said, “I will not.” 3)  God our Father says, You need to be Baptized according the Bible, and some have said, “I will not.” 4)  God our Father has said, to share your faith regularly and some have said, “I will not.” 5)  God has said that we should treat others the way we want to be treated, but some have said, “I will not.”    6) God our Heavenly Father has said, Seek Me and My Kingdom first in your life, but many Christians have said, “I will not.” This teaches literally that a noncompliant spirit toward divine directives is inconsistent with the Christian life and it not evidence of a genuine conversion.

     2. Then There Was a Complete Change of Mind That Resulted in a Change of Course and Action. Now, that the sinner is repentant he begins to conform to the Fathers expectations and expressed will.  His life is no longer characterized by rebellion and refusal but instead with joyous compliance and obedience. 1) He is no longer trying to run the ladies on the side, he is faithful to the Lord and his spouse.   2) She is no longer trying to manipulate her husband to get her own way, she commits her case to God who judges fairly. 3) They are no longer trying to get away with irresponsible living but now trying to understand and comply with Bible expectations. 4) They are not ignoring the church’s ideals but instead seeking to follow its Bible principles and guidelines. 5) They are no longer looking to the World for answers and advice; they are studying the Word to secure the counsel of God on the matter. 6) They are no longer fascinated with themselves, but instead they are more concerned about serving others. 7) She no longer resorts to lying and covering up the truth, but instead is open, honest, and trustworthy. 8) He no longer resorts to cussing and profanity to accomplish objectives and push around his weight, he instead relies on quality leadership, good character, and morale discipline to influence others. You see there is conformity to the expressed will of the Father and not disregard and rejection of His plan for our lives.

 B.  REPENTANCE INVOLVES A CHANGE OF HEART (EMOTION)

2 Cor 7:9-10, Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. [10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

Feeling sorrow, shame and embarrassment over our sin before a trice holy God is a natural emotional response when we are confronted with an absolute standard of perfection and right-ness. Extreme seriousness, and broken heartedness about the way we have treated a kind and loving God is a part of the repentance experience.

       1) Repentance Could Involve Tears, but not Necessarily.

       2) Repentance Should Involve Shame and Deep Regret Before God.  (Godly Sorrow)

       3) Repentance Should Involve Acknowledging Our Sin Against a Holy God.

       4) Repentance Should Involve Emotional Pain Because We Have Hurt the Lord.

             a. Some Folks are Sorry Because They got Caught in Sin.

             b. Some Folks are Sorry Because They Have Ruined Their Future.

             c. Some Folks are Sorry Because They Have Brought Shame to their Family’s Good Name.

            d. Some Folks are Sorry Because Someone Else got Hurt Because of Their Sin.

ILLUSTRATION: GOD WAS GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MAN IN GEN 6:6. EVEN GOD EXPERIENCED EMOTIONAL REPENTANCE IN THIS CASE! Gen 6:5-6, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. The sinfulness of man had an emotional impact upon the God of Heaven.  He was sorry that man choose the way of sin instead of a relationship with Him!

   C.  REPENTANCE INVOLVES A CHANGE OF DIRECTION (WILL)

THE PRODIGAL SON DETERMINED TO RETURN HOME AND HE DID IN LUKE 15:11-24 (18, 20). This was a definite change of Direction, which is the ultimate end of true repentance.

            1. We Will Confess Our Sin to God, because of a Changed Attitude About Sin.

            2. We Will Forsake Our Sin, and View It as Awful.

            3. We Will Turn Unto the Lord and live to please Him.

ILLUSTRATIONS: 1) Consider Zacchaeus. He repented, and the evidence of this is that he gave half his goods to the poor and restored five-fold that which he had stolen through his tax collecting business (Lk. 19:1-10). We see restitution accompanying repentance. 2) Consider the idolaters at Thessalonica. They repented, and the evidence of this was that they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9-10). This was a complete about face!  3) Consider the Jews who heard the sermon Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. They repented, and the evidence of this was that they gladly received his word, were baptized, and willingly joined themselves with the hated Christians (Acts 2:41, 47). We could go on and on. There is no Bible example of people being saved who did not evidence an eventual and sometimes drastic changes in their lives. Repentance is a change of mind and heart which results in a change of life.

            4.  The Bible Approach to the Sinner Is to Demand That He Repent and Turn to God. The Apostle Paul, in reviewing his ministry before King Agrippa, noted that he went about preaching to Jews and Gentiles both "that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20). This is exactly the message which we are to preach today.

“ENOUGH TO QUIT”

“A Sunday School Teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word “repentance.” A little boy put up his hand and said, It is being sorry for your sins.” A little girl also raised her hand and said, “Please, it is being sorry enough to quit.”

 D.  AN EASY--PRAYERISM GOSPEL WHICH FAILS TO DEAL PLAINLY WITH REPENTANCE HAS REPLACED THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

"Easy-Prayerism" or “Easy-Believism” emphasizes faith and prayer. "Just believe. Don't worry about giving up things; that will come in time. Just pray this prayer." Bible evangelism, rather, emphasizes repentance. Yet, God says, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).

That is what Paul required of his listeners, and that is exactly what we must require. Repentance was not just something preached by John the Baptist. No, it was preached far beyond his ministry. 

       1.  Repentance Was Preached by Christ. (Matt. 3:1,2; 13:1-5). He said, Lk 5:32, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Christ's goal in dealing with men was to bring them to repentance toward God…that they may know and experience the one they were made for originally.

       2.  Repentance Was Also Preached by the Apostles (Acts 2:38; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). The Bible says that God is "longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance is God's goal in dealing with sinners all over the world.

       3. Repentance Was Even Preached by Paul to the Gentile World.

Acts 20:20-21, And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, [21] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was not a message to be preached solely By Jesus and John the Baptist to the Jews only.  This message of Repentance was to be preached among all nations merely beginning in Jerusalem.

Luke 24:46-48, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And ye are witnesses of these things.   

       4. We Should Require Genuine Repentance Today in Our Preaching and Witnessing.

This means that we cannot have the attitude that we will deal with specific sin only after the person receives Christ. That is the philosophy of many. If the sinner brings up his love for liquor or his love for immoral relationships or his love for gambling, some think it best to delay dealing with such things until after that one has come to Christ. Sometimes this is the best policy, but only if the sinner is clearly under the conviction of the Holy Spirit regarding his sin and is clearly ready to turn to Christ. On the other hand, if the sinner is obviously still wanting to hold onto his sin, the personal worker must deal with the fact that he must turn from it. You can’t hold on to a pet sin or some favorite sin and trust Jesus Christ to save you at the same time!

E.  THE DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE.

Repentance is necessary for salvation, but repentance alone does not save. It means to change ones mind about sin to result in a change of action. Repentance is the turning away from the life of sin and turning to Jesus Christ in faith.  Repentance means a change of mind which results in a change of life. It means to turn to a holy God from our exceeding sinfulness. It means to bow before Jesus Christ as the Lord and God of one's life. Bible examples of repentance show a clear change in people's behavior. The change does not save us from sin, but IT IS the clear fruit of Bible salvation. This is an authentic conversion, which involves both repentance and faith.

F. WHAT IS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO A SINNER?

1 Corinthians 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.  Christ Died for Our Sins

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 the sinner!

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: (Also Ezek. 18:4)

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

We all have sinned; we all tend to sin and God has condemned that tendency in us all.  Because we have sinned against God, we deserve death. Eternal death—this is separation from God forever in the Lake of Fire also the Second Death. (Rev. 20: 11-15)

              (2)  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 paid for everyone by Him then we who have accepted Him need not die for our own sin.  If  we accept 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 is paid in full by Christ. THIS IS GOOD NEWS!

    2.   Christ was Buried to Put Away Our Sin.

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 paid 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!

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 Again for Our Justification.

This 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 ministry! Clearly, He is the only one that can by His finished work bring sinful man back into fellowship with a Holy God.

                1.   When a sinner trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, he is accepting the credit of  being alive 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).     

                2.   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)

QUOTE: “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.” –Williams Evans

With this understanding this is the proper message for the masses. We as Gospel witnesses should know and understand the message that God has charged us to share. The better we understand it the more able we’ll are sharing it.