Justified Belief

Introduction

Have you ever owed someone? Or Had a debt of any kind?

Story of Coffee/Boot on Car.

Went to a coffee shop with some Criswell buddies, we were there for 2hrs 10mins

Legal note on the windshield said we owed 300 bucks and placed a boot on my car. I'm a college student working two part time Jobs… paying for school/rent.

I didn’t have it. My buddy paid for it, I now owe him. My buddy bought our freedom back.

Christ did the same thing when we owed a debt and we couldn’t pay and he paid for us, for our freedom.

Romans 3:23-24 ESV.

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Today I want talk about how the love and death of Christ gives you and I “Justified Belief”

By highlighting the problem, the need, and the solution.

The Problem you and I have.

(Explanation)

Sin is our problem. Sin is what separates us from a relationship with God →Sin is anything you think, say or do or don’t that breaks God's law or makes him sad.

(Illustration)

Sin is so destructive →Sin pollutes your heart and divides your mind.

James 1:14-15 NASB.

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Sin attacks the seat of your emotions(YOUR HEART) and when it is finished it leads you to not only being physically dead(EMPTY INSIDE) but also spiritually dead(SEPARATE FROM GOD)

Sin will take you farther than you wanna go and keep you longer than you want to stay.

James 4:8 NASB.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

(Application)

As sinners, we must be washed before a holy God because of our sin. We wash ourselves by falling on our knees(DAILY) and asking God to cleanse us of our sins.

Confession/Repentance are two of the most underplayed spiritual disciplines in the church right now.

No matter what sin you have in your life you have to find it and confess it.

2. The need you and I have.

(Explanation)

We as christians should live from a place of need, because we are sinful creatures we have such a weighty need for a mighty savior. Sin puts you in a place of need and poverty… but salvation puts you in a place of great wealth and security.

(Illustration)

Story of Dave Ramsey's financial peace university.

I remember taking this class when I was in highschool.

As you can see I didn't get much out of it, one thing did stick with me though.

“Live like no one else, so later you can live and give like no one else”

As believers we live like no one else that we can give everyone else what we’ve been given.

People are gonna ask you why do you live from a place of what you don’t have? Because in Jesus I have everything!

James 1:9 NASB.

But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position.

(Application)

All of us, especially those of us who don’t come from a lot or have a lot, can glory in the high position we have in Christ.

We get to worship and rejoice in the fact that we are sons and daughters of the most high king.

Romans 8:15-16 NASB.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,