part one
1.What is A Disciple? 080211What is a Disciple?• The Greek word for disciple is ‘mathetes’ which means one who learns from another. • Same root word as ‘discipline’ which is not to reprimand, chastise or criticise but to set an example so as to encourage learning. 1 Peter 2:20 - 21• It was a word applied in the secular Greek world for an ‘apprentice’ to a tradesman. • A disciple was therefore, talked about as one who would be an imitator of their teachers Luke 6:40 and Colossians 3:17• Every Christian (without exception) is called to be a disciple (imitator) of Jesus.• This means we put the claims (rights) of Jesus first in our lives regardless of the cost of ourselves. 1 John 2:6• So a true Christian disciple (Student of Jesus) is a person who is determined to follow Jesus the Christ, with a desire to learn from him and live according to his example. John 8:31 -32 Qualification is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.________________________________________Five Basic Principles1. A disciple is a person who lives continually by the word of Jesus this is not occasional but rather people who commit to the teachings of the Master in a disciplined and committed way. Psalm 119:9 -11• Jesus will speak to us daily through the person of the Holy Spirit, so we need to live out daily, the commands, teaching and example that Jesus has already given us.• The idea behind discipleship is not that of inspiration but instruction.• The way we get instruction is by having the stable foundation of obedience to the word of God as the basis of our discipleship. Otherwise we will be at the mercy of every subjective notion or feeling that comes along. ________________________________________2. A disciple is a person who commits his life completely to Jesus.• Commitment should be total but not just to anyone but to a loving Master who has no self interest other than that of our total welfare and growth in God.• Jesus has the right to demand this level of commitment because he laid down his life for us. (Bacon & Egg Breakfast, the chicken was involved but the pig was committed)• Matthew 6:24 & John 10: 1-18The Good Shepherd________________________________________3. A disciple has a fruit bearing relationship with Jesus John 15:4 -5• Someone once wrote ‘Our union with Christ makes possible a life through which others can be saved.’• When a tree is so full of sap that it can no longer contain it, guess what the result is fruit.• When we are so full of Jesus others can’t help but see & hear that something is different and they get saved because of something they see in us. • New believers are the fruit of discipleship• Without this sort of fruit the kingdom of God will not be expanded and the body of Christ will not grow.________________________________________4. A disciple is committed to unconditional, sacrificial love of others John 13:34 -35• This is not ordinary human love John 21:15 -17• Eros (Sexual/physical) • Phileo (fondness) • Agape agapao Galatians 5:22 -23 – fruit of the spirit________________________________________5. A disciple is dedicated to the great commission Matthew 28:18 -20• The goal of true discipleship is to make other disciples not converts. Converts change their mind, disciples change their life.Marks of a Disciple• Called & Chosen by God Ephesians 1: 4 -5• Jesus is our Saviour Romans 5:8)• God is our Father Galatians 4:6 -7• We have eternal Life John 3:16• Holy Spirit lives in Us, giving power to witness Acts 1:8• Peace with God Romans 5:1• Inseparable from the love of God Romans 8:38 -39________________________________________Responsibilities of a Disciple• Make a firm decision to do what Jesus would do, otherwise we will settle for less than God has for us. (second best)• Not an emotional response but an act of will• Do not act in independence of God________________________________________Benefits• Changes for the better in attitude towards people, money, business and social responsibility.• Refining and Purifying in our lives• Increased faith to act like Jesus• Love (Agapeo) will motivate us• We are joint heir with Christ Jesus Romans 8:7, Luke 6:38 and John 10:10________________________________________Application• We need to be totally committed to Jesus.• Ask the question regularly ‘What would Jesus do?• Live continuously in God’s word• See God as our loving Father who wants the very best for us Jeremiah 29:11• Love & Serve God first, others second ourselves last
Importance and the Cost of Discipleship 150211Aim: is to equip us as a church to be able to disciple others (2 Timothy 2:1 -2) yourselves therefore, expect to see growing maturity in the church in yourselves.________________________________________1.Why Discipleship?• Jesus showed the importance of discipleship by making the training of the twelve disciples a priority during the three and a half years of his public ministry. Jesus commissioned his followers to train disciples because he intended fruits that last. John 15:16Remember we said we want disciples NOT converts – Also note that Jesus did not build a Mega church.• Discipleship is the best method to reach our world for God. The impact that Jesus’ twelve disciples and Paul had on the world, show us the value of discipleship. • A small number of committed disciples, who are well trained, will achieve far more for God than large numbers of ‘converts’ who lack spiritual depth. Acts 17:5 – 6 (Paul & Silas in Thessalonica)• Discipleship is the strategy God has chosen to reach the world.________________________________________Something to Think About If one disciple led just one other person to Christ & spent a year discipling them then in year two both led one person each to Christ spent a year training them. Then in year three the four of them led one person to Christ an so on. By year ten there would be 1024 disciples of Christ. On this basis mathematicians calculate it would only take 32 years for the whole world to be saved.• End result is spiritual maturity. Maturity does not come automatically with increase in age, knowledge or experience but is the result of sustained and gradual spiritual growth on the basis of obedience to Christ Jesus.________________________________________2.Indicators of Spiritual Maturity• Fruitfulness Genesis 1:22 Matthew 25:14 -30 (parable of the talents) John 15:1- 2 Philippians 1:22• Humility & Willingness to serve John 13: 12 -17 Exodus 10:3 James 4:6 James 4:10 1 Peter 3:8The original Greek word for ‘Humble is tapeinoō (tä-pā-no'-ō) means to ‘make low’ or ‘bring low’, ‘reduce to a level.’• Excellence in our lives (generally) 2 Corinthians 13:11________________________________________Question: How do we achieve this perfection Paul talks about?Greek word for perfection katartizō (kä-tär-tē'-zō) means to mend or fix that which was broken. Question: Why aim for spiritual maturity? Colossians 1:28________________________________________• Close relationship with Jesus Galatians 2:20 Colossians 1:27 (Moses reflecting the glory of God) Exodus 34:29 – 35 & 2 Corinthians 3:13• Fruit of the spirit in our Lives Galatians 5:22 -23• Stable & consistent walk with God Ephesians 4:11 -16• Solid understanding of God’s word Hebrews 5:13 - 6:2________________________________________3.Why Spiritual Maturity Expected of all Christians Ephesians 4: 11 -16 Without maturity there is no leadership and leadership pis neceassry for the church to grow as leaders are shepherds of the flock 1Peter 5: 1 – 3 Only mature Christians will stand against Satan, his schemes, plans & powers of darkness Matthew 12:29 and God wants us to stand Ephesians 6:13 Only mature Christians have a lasting impact Luke 16:9 Only the mature Christian is able to show Jesus to the world 1 Corinthians 13:12 Colossians 1:28________________________________________Question: Why is the church seen as weak, ineffective or irrelevant? Many ‘Christians’ have settled for a form of discipleship that bears little or no resemblance to the teachings and expectations of Jesus. His words are often compromised out of convenience to avoid personal cost. The result is that ‘Christians’ fail to be the witness that Jesus wants them to be and the body is seen as weak, impotent, and irrelevant. Disciples are called to demonstrate the life-transforming presence of Jesus in the world. Even in the church ‘Christians’ find the lowest common denominator and settles there. They end up following the worst and least effective person. God wants us to imitate His best people and ultimately Jesus Himself.________________________________________4.Cost of Being a Disciple• Discipleship is a serious business. It’s a costly thing that’s how Jesus looked upon it.• When Jesus called, he did not start out by offering His followers a bed of roses or an easy ride. Luke 14:26 -35 Matthew 16:24 -25Question: What does it mean to take up your cross?• Because Jesus put such a price on discipleship he challenged everyone to first count the cost before making the decision. Luke 9:57 – 62 John 6:60 – 66 Mark 10:17 – 31Question: What does it mean count the cost?• Living as a disciple is not an optional extra but normal Christian commitment, that Jesus expects form us all.Question: What do you need to change in your life to follow Jesus as a true believer?• A true disciple realises and accepts that Jesus rightly deserves to be Lord of their whole lives. John 13:13• A true disciple believes the words of Jesus and commits their life.• A true disciple cannot be half- hearted or mediocre in anything.________________________________________• God calls all of us who are His students to face the implications of personal discipleship, to be faithful and obedient to Jesus regardless of the cost to ourselves.• Out of a love for Jesus we should be willing to apply the standards without reservation to our lives.• Discipleship with no cost is not true discipleship.• We are called to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus.• Our crosses are not a burden imposed on us but something we willingly undertake foe the sake of the gospel.• God comes first without consideration of our own lives or even others.• Putting God first is the best thing for the disciple and all those they love. • Because Jesus put such a high price on discipleship He challenged everyone to first count the cost. Luke 9:57 -62, John 6:60 – 66 and Mark 10:17 -31• Considering all this, is it any wonder that Jesus ended up with only a few committed followers BUT they were enough to change the world.________________________________________5.Five Pre-conditions for Biblical Discipleship• Faithfulness• Love of Jesus And putting Him first• Willingness to give ourselves sacrificially• Spiritual hunger• A teachable attitude________________________________________Application• As disciples we should be teachable, faithful, and spiritually hungry and sacrifice all because of our love or Jesus• Human nature does not like obedience; neither does it enjoy facing cost. • It is easy to settle for a level of discipleship that is acceptable to us and imagine it to be acceptable to God.his is a text box which has a scrollbar enabled.As you add text longer than the box size the scrollbar will appear.Double click here to edit and add your own text.
Who We Are in Christ 150311We Receive New Life1. Eternal Life John 17:32. Poured his love into our hearts by his H.S Romans 5:53. Mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2:164. Bodies are now temples of the H.S 1 Corinthians 6:195. Gifts of H.S available to us 1 Corinthians 12:4 -116. H.S. as the seal of ownership 2 Corinthians 1:227. Redeemed from the curse of Law Galatians 3:138. Made alive with Christ Colossians 2:13 & Ephesians 2:59. Renewed by the H.S Titus 3:3 - 610. Born again of the word of God 1 Peter 1:2311. Forgiven & washed clean in the blood of Jesus 1 John 1:7 -912. Born of God 1 John 2:29Question: Why do so many Christians fail to live in all the good that is there for them in Christ Jesus?________________________________________We Enter a New Relationship with God13. Become children of God John 1:12 & Romans 8:1614. Have peace with God Romans 5: 1 and Hebrews 4:1015. We are reconciled to God Romans 5:10 – means being brought back into favour.16. Not only children but sons of God Romans 8:1517. Co-heirs with Christ Romans 8:1718. We are Christ’s possession 1 Corinthians 3:2319. Are a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:1720. Become members of God’s household Ephesians 2:1921. Can approach God with freedom & confidence Ephesians 3:1222. We are qualified to share in His inheritance Colossians 1:223. We belong to God 1 Peter 2:9Question: Do we try to live this way alone or do we have help? See John 14:26 and John 16:13 -15We Have Been set Free from Sin24. Set free from bondage John 8:31 -3625. Set free from sin Romans 6:1826. No longer under condemnation Romans 8:127. Should set our minds on what the H.S. desires Romans 8:5 -628. Saved from the consequences of sin Romans 10:13 Note: There are two parts to our Salvation. Negatively, we need to be saved from our sins, both subjective and objective consequences. Positively, we need to be fully restored to that original image of God in which we were created and is perfectly seen in the character of Jesus. 29. Made righteous and holy 1 Corinthians 1:3030. We are washed, sanctified & justified 1 Corinthians 6:1131. We are redeemed Ephesians 1:732. Don’t have to ‘give in’ to our sinful nature Ephesians 2:333. No longer objects of God’s wrath Ephesians 2:334. We are saved by grace Ephesians 2:835. We are forgiven Colossians 1:1436. Are complete in Christ Colossians 2:1037. Our nature is changed Colossians 3:9 -1038. Cleansed from a guilty conscience Hebrews 10:22 – Guilt is a state of being NOT a feeling.39. We have been healed 1 Peter 2:2440. We have been cleansed from past sin 2 Peter 1:9________________________________________We are set Apart in the World41. More than conquerors 1 Corinthians 6:1142. We live by faith in the on of God Galatians 2:2043. Raised up with Christ to heavenly places Ephesians 2:644. Rescued from the dominion of darkness Colossians 1:1345. Been given the hope of Glory Colossians 1:2746. We have overcome the world 1 John 5:4 -5Question: What response can we expect from the world once we start living in the knowledge of who we are? See John 15:18 -16:4 and 1 John 3:11 -13Note: The world often views, confidence in Christ as arrogance in the believer.________________________________________Something to think About Why do so many Christians use the excuse for not engaging with culture and community by quoting ‘be in the world but not of the world? Did you know the Bible never actually says these words the nearest that generates the concept is found in John 17:11 -19, 1 Corinthians 9:19 -23 and 1 John 2:15 -17 Read the texts in context with one another and consider how we should engage in the world.________________________________________Application We have a glorious inheritance when we are in Christ Jesus. We need to put behind us the excuse and ignorance and learn who we are in Christ from God’s word and then live confidently in the knowledge. We need to die to our old nature and live as Christ Jesus intends us to, being obedient to our Father God and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
What is Sin? The word Sin in Greek (Halnartena) – full translation - is to miss the mark, and not to share in the prize. 1 John 3 v 4 “Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law” What is Transgression? Is it violating the law. Overstepping the mark, it is about crossing the line. Trans–across–Transcontinental/transmit/Transatlantic – crossing over. Amplified: Sin is lawlessness – What is lawlessness? It is living life as if there is no law, having no regard to the law Message Translation –“All who indulges in a sinful life are dangerously lawless. For sin is a major disruption to God’s order. Surely you know that Jesus showed up to get rid of sin. There is no sin in Him, it is not part of His program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who practice sin have taken a good look at Christ, they have got him backwards”. ________________________________________ What is the law? Matthew 19v17 (we read about the rich young ruler) “…………..keep the commandments” What commandments? No other God before me. Do not bow down or serve graven images. Do not take the name of the lord in vain. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Honour father/mother. Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness (lie). Do not covet neighbours house/possessions. In Matthew 5 v 17 Jesus said “I haven’t come to destroy the law, but complete it/fulfil it. (to magnify the law) The end of the law, the conclusion of the law was Christ. The law couldn’t save but only condemn, but Jesus fulfilled the law by being the sacrifice for us all. Message Translation – Jesus said “Don’t think for one moment that I have come to demolish the scriptures, or the law, or the prophets, I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to pull it all together. God’s law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky or the ground under your feet. Long after the stars burn out , God’s law will be alive and working”. God basically creates (read Genesis 1) …Animals/sun/moon/stars. They do exactly what they were created to do. However, man said to God, NO!________________________________________ I don’t know what scares me more, but to be bold enough to say to God, NO!! When we say no to God, then church we clearly don’t know enough about God. When God says to do this/that, - Sin is saying No! Sin is lawlessness but sin is also unrighteousness. ________________________________________ What is unrighteousness? - Unrighteousness is sin. 1 John 5v 17 “All unrighteousness is sin” What is ‘Unrighteousness’? It is wrong doing. Doing those things which are not right. We can see something, or perhaps hear something –and we say that’s not right. But who decides what right is? Who defines the standards of right/wrong? It is only God who can truly determine wrong doing. Sin is wrong doing – Only God can be the Judge. How do we define ‘wrong doing’ - Whatever is contrary to the nature of God, is wrong. Let’s briefly look at “Sins of ‘Omission/Commission’ We can all remember some (all) of the Ten Commandments (not suggestions) We do something we shouldn’t do, we don’t obey, we cross over the line – we transgress…Sins of commission – describes the things we did and we shouldn’t have. But it is not only not doing something, but also when we should be doing something, and we decide not to do it…Sins of omission. James 4 v 17 - Knowing the right thing to do, but you don’t do it – It is sin! Sin is when we enter any lack of conformity to the character of God. Any deviation from God – It is sin. What is sin? -Sin is violating God laws, Sin lawlessness. Sin is saying No to God. Sin is wrong doing.________________________________________ Last point – Paul writes in Romans 14 v 23 “Everything that does not come from faith is SIN!” Amplified: “Whatever you do without conviction/approval by God is sinful” Message Translation – “cultivate your own relationship with God, ...don’t impose it on others, …if you notice you are acting in ways inconsistent with the word and you know you are out of line…Sort your self out”! Romans 1 v17 “The righteous will live by faith” 2 Corinthians5 v 7 “We live by faith and not by sight”________________________________________ Let me tell you something that we all know. Sin is pleasurable. Hebrews 11 v 25…”enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” There are many kinds of sin that are pleasurable – but they are only temporary. Sin will catch up with you. Never try to convince people that sin is not fun! We need to be wise people, what we must stress, is that pleasure (from sin) will run out.________________________________________What are the characteristics of sin? Everyone has sin 1 John 1 v 8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us” Message Translation - 1John 1 v7 “If we claim we experience a shared life with God and continue in sin...obviously we are lying through our teeth…v 8 If we claim that we are free from sin, we are only fooling ourselves”. Romans 3 v 23“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God “ Every person is born into the world as a sinner, (even the most beautiful, innocent looking baby will naturally sin. We don’t have to teach babies to sin, they will express the sinful nature they were born with. Psalms 51 v 5 …we are conceived in sin.________________________________________One exception – Jesus. Hebrews 4 v 15 “…tempted in all ways but without sin” “He who knew no sin, became sin for us” (a) Sin is a liar. Hebrews 3 v 13 “don’t be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”How does sin lie? Sin presents us with a promise that isn’t true. When you sin, live as if the pleasure is forever, but it will always run out. Sin will not tell you there is an eternal death to pay. (Devil is called the father of lies)(b) Sin carries the ‘sting of death’1 Corinthians 15 v 55-57 – “when we die, we all come face to face with God”Romans 6 v 23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ”________________________________________So what is Our Response? Everybody is responsible for their own sin. Romans 14 v 12 “each of us will give account of himself to God” 1 Corinthians 11 v 28 “ …let a man examine himself” We have all sinned and preferred to live a selfish life, rather than loving God first. God wants us to turn from sin and live. Ezekiel 18 v 20 …”soul that sins shall die” God having created man - but man chose to sin. God knew the consequences of giving man the choice, but still gave man the right to choose.Today we have a choice:-(1) We continue to sin and be separated from God.(2) We accept Jesus as our Saviour. Jesus sacrificed His life so that we can be saved from guilt/consequences/power of sin. God cannot have a relationship with a person who has sinned. He is Holy! But has provided a way through Jesus, where our sin can be blotted out and removed. Message Translation - 1John 5 v 16-18“If we see a Christian believer sinning (clearly not talking about a person who makes a practice of sin) we ask for God’s help and he gladly gives it to us………………God distinguishes between sin and practicing sin. When we make a mistake, we repent/ God forgives and God protects”. Jesus has made a way so that we can come to God and have a relationship with him. That’s what we are created for. That’s why we feel empty when we have no relationship with the true God.________________________________________Application:God wants us to know Him:-(1) Our sins must be forgiven.(2) Our sinful nature (which we were born with) must be put to death.(3) We must be born again. So that we have a new nature that is able to know God and have fellowship with him.
Dealing With Sin 050411Introduction• In order to become a Christian or a child of God, the first step necessary is to repent.• Greek word ‘metanoia’ – means to have another mind or to change course after further ‘insight’ Matthew 4:17 Mark 1:15• Turning with contrition (remorse. Regret, sorrow, apology) from sin to God, the repentant person is then in the right condition to receive divine forgiveness.• One of the Hebrew words translated as ‘repentance’ is ‘shub’ which means to turn back i.e. making a U turn in our experience. 1 Kings 8:46 - 47(Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication) and Ezekiel 14:6 Question: Do you think people understand the word ‘repentance’ today.• Today the word ‘repentance has come to simply mean ‘feeling sorry’ and yet we have seen it is far more profound and meaningful. Repentance is the first step of discipleship.Question: Why isn’t it good enough to just be sorry for our sins? It is not just a turning away from, it’s a turning to. Turn or Burn, Try or Fry, Stop or Rot________________________________________What is True Repentance• A complete about turn in thought and action1.We change our thinking• New perspective on nature, awfulness and consequences of sin.• Recognition that what we are in ourselves is detestable, repugnant to a Holy God. Romans 3: 9 -202. We Change our actions Proverbs 20:11 and Jeremiah 7:2 -4• We turn to God from our disobedience, selfishness and rebellion. We turn away from sin and we submit our lives to God and make Jesus our Lord. It is our responsibility to repent. We have all sinned and so we all need to accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. On the cross Jesus did all he could do, he can’t do any more the rest is up to us. Consider Romans 6:8-10 What we translate as ‘Once for all” means ‘All at Once’________________________________________Three Important Elements of Repentance1. Conscious• It’s a complete awareness of our sin and how unacceptable it makes us before God.• God wants us to see our sin and compare it to his holiness Isaiah 6:5 (amplified & KJV uses the word ‘undone’)• Gk word literally means ‘to be separated at the point of revelation.’• God wants us to see where we stand with him spiritually.• He wants us to give our lives into his hands & allow the HS to show us these thingsMatthew 16:17 1 Corinthians 2:8 -11________________________________________2. Emotional• If we truly recognise our state before God, we will have a powerful emotional reaction.• It will involve a deep sense of offence and regret.• We will feel the weight of all that is wrong in our lives Psalm 51:3 – 9Question: what are the phrases that suggest deep regret?• These feelings can only truly be removed when we come to a place of receiving God’s forgiveness 2 Corinthians 7:9 -10• Godly sorrow is part of the way the HS brings us to a place where we will receive the word of God for our lives________________________________________3. Act of Will• Repentance is a change of mind, heart and purpose.• This is the point of conversion – changed into something new living under the power of God 2 Timothy 2:19 -21• The initiative for repentance lies with God, in so much as he shows us our need and our state before him but we then have to act upon the revelation Romans 2:2 -4• By failing to receive what God has done for us through his son Jesus, we show contempt Romans 2:4 1 John 1:10________________________________________• Repentance does not stand alone, forgiveness is its spiritual twin.• After we experience our poor state in the presence of God’s holiness, we need to experience the greatness of God’s love, mercy and grace.• God gave his son so that we are/might be forgiven.• It cost him a lot but God loves us so much he wasn’t prepared to leave us in our sorry state 1 John 1:7-9• There is only one way to rid ourselves of sin and that is through the mouth Romans 10:8 -10
The Blood of Jesus 120411Introduction Ephesians 1:7 Hebrews 9:11 - 12 Through the blood of Jesus we have redemption. We are redeemed out of the hand and power of the devil Question: Why in Hebrews is it talking about calves and goats? 1 John 1:7 -9 -Through the blood of Jesus all our sins are forgiven, if we confess them. As we walk in his light with Jesus. His blood is continually cleansing us from all sins. Romans 5:9 Through the blood we are justified, made righteous, just as if we had never sinned (Justified) 2 Corinthians 5:21 When we trust in Christ we become all that God requires us to be, all that we could never be in ourselves (righteousness of God)• Hebrew 10:19 -20 Through the blood we have access into the presence of God at any time to obtain mercy and help especially in time of need.• Most Holy place sealed from view by a curtain• High Priest could enter once year on Day of Atonement• Offer sacrifice for the nations sins• Hebrews 13:12 -Through the blood we are sanctified, - made holy and set apart for God• Hebrews 9:14 2 Timothy 1:7 Our conscience is cleansed from all guilt and we are free in body, mind, soul and spirit to serve the Lord Jesus Christ• Revelation 12:11 We have victory over the devil and we overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimonyWhy Blood?• Blood would be sprinkled before the representation of God’s presence (Ark of the Covenant) once a year. It was a temporary way of making atonement for a nation before God.• Question: Why did God choose blood as the price to pay the penalty of sin?• Leviticus 17:11• For the life of a creature is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the alter • Literally means to cover over, there is in a sense of purging & reconciliation but fundamentally it means to cover over.• Question: What did God use to atone for man’s first sin in the Garden of Eden Genesis 3:21• Question: Knowing that our sins are ‘covered over’ does this tell us any more about God’s love to us.• Question: Why Did Jesus tell us to symbolically drink His blood during communion? – See John 6:52 -57________________________________________Two important points:• Blood sacrifice is a divine provision (..I have given it to you)• Using blood is a price-paying act – Sin is a problem and the only price which matches or cancels the power and effects of sin is blood.Read: Colossians 1:13 -14• Jesus came as a sinless offering, shed his own blood and died so that all who believe in him and confess him as Lord would not need to die for their own sin. He made a way for our sins to be wiped out • God set as the ransom price the blood of his own son Jesus a one time only paymentHow the Blood Affects us Daily1. Victory over Rebellion• Luke 22:40 Jesus prayed we would not fall into temptation (exercising our will against the will of God• Luke 22:42 ‘Not my will but yours’ (Submission)• Luke22: 44 Sweat like drops of blood (shed blood to redeem our wills)2. Redemption from the Curse of Sin• Genesis 3: 17 -18 talks about the curse of sin3. Made whole• Matthew 27:29 Jesus wore a crown of thorns to indicate that he was taking the curse of sin upon himself• Isaiah 53:5 ...by his wounds (stripes) we are healed body, mind and spirit (total healing)4. Able to Save• Romans 8:1 -2• Ephesians 2:8, 9 & 13• Blood on the cross is able to save and redeem us forever from sin & God’s judgement on it________________________________________Summary• The blood is sufficient to pay the price to ransom us from the consequences of sin• The blood purifies us from every sin, if we walk in the light and confess our sin• The blood only needed to be shed once, Jesus is the perfect sacrifice• The blood enables us to have wholeness in body, mind & spirit
Faith for Salvation 190411Introduction After repentance there is one other important thing that helps us into the kingdom of God and that is saving faith. In order to be saved and start following Jesus as his disciples, we must believe:• Believe that we are sinners• Believe that Jesus shed his blood and died for our sins• Repent of our sins and ask God to forgive us our sins• Give our lives over to Jesus and make him Lord and saviourMark 1:15 – time has come…repent and believeActs 20:21 – I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus________________________________________What is Saving FaithQuestion: Is it something you think with your mind or feel with your heart? It is more to do with the will, it’s something we do In the letter to the Hebrews the famous chapter 11 (Hall of faith) all of them revealed faith by doing something:• Noah built an Ark• Abraham left his home for ever• Joshua marched around the walls of Jericho• Rahab hid the Israelite spies All the men and women trusted God and did what he told them to do – that’s what faith is to trust and obey. Not just something professed in word but practised in deed.Question: How does this line up & reconcile with the following scripture?: Ephesians 2:8 -9? For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.James 2:18 But someone will say, you have faith, I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.’ If profession replaces practice it is a short step to the idea that faith is the matter of a moment. In other words if someone says I believe in Jesus then that’s enough. While that could be true for the dying (like the thief on the cross next to Jesus) the case for the living is very different. The dying cannot continue to practice faith but the living can and must do so.• Like salvation, faith is ongoing. It is a continuous attitude expressed in action. • We don’t believe in someone for just a moment, if we really believe in them we continue to trust and obey them.• Habakkuk 2:4 The just shall live by faith (righteous with the wicked and the innocent with the guilty)________________________________________What is saving Faith?It is faith that leads to salvation1. Committing life to God Psalm 37:52. Believing in Jesus John 3:153. Becoming obedient from the heart Romans 6:174. Believing with the heart Romans 10: 9 -105. Believing the Bible to be the word of God 2 Timothy 3:16 -176. Putting our trust in God Hebrews 2:137. Inviting Jesus into our lives Revelation 3:20________________________________________What it means to be Born Again• John 3:3 – 8• 2 Corinthians 5:17• 1 Thessalonians 5:231. Until a man is born of spirit, his soul will run his life.2. Used to assessing situations with his mind reaching his own conclusions.3. Pays attention to his emotions and often allows them to rule him.4. Decisions are made based on the reasoning of the mind or as the result of emotional desires or by a combination of the two.Quote:Watchman Nee: Our emotions expresses how we feel, our mind tells us what we think and our will communicates what we want.• So before we are born again we live as ‘two bit’ people in the realm of body and soul.• Our spirit for all intents and purposes is dead, inactive and unable to affect our actions, decisions and desires. To be born again means that we receive life by the spirit in this deep area of our personality that was dead because of sin. When we are made alive by the spirit we begin to live as ‘three bit’ people because we are alive in body, soul and mind• Look at: Galatians 5:16 -25, Romans 8:9 -14 and John 3:3 - 8 (Pneuma)________________________________________Faith is A Gift from God – Ephesians 2:8 -9• We are not born with the ability to put faith in God.• It is a gift from the H.S. who is the one working in our lives to turn us to God.• When we respond and listen to God, our lives become open to receive the gift of faith.• This enables us to put our trust in God and receive Jesus as our Lord & saviour.• The majority don’t see the truth that they need to be saved because 2 Corinthians 4:4________________________________________Assurance of Our Salvation• We must never rely on feelings but on the facts of what the word of God tells us.• John 5:24 (Eternal life & no condemnation)• Hebrews 13:5 (Never will I leave you or forsake you)• John 6:37 (Will not drive away any coming to him)• Romans 8:38 -39 (Nothing can separate us from God’s love)• Titus 1:2 (Promise of eternal life)• John 10: 28 -29 (No one can snatch us from God’s hand)• Romans 8:16 & 1 John 3:24 (Witness of the Holy Spirit)Question: Is salvation the end of the road or the beginning of it?
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