A Faith That Makes a Positive Impact
Experiencing God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsIt is faith that makes us right with God and gives us the strength to do God's work.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (5m)
Introduction (5m)
The USA’s best-selling vehicle - the Ford F150 pickup truck - is going electric
The USA’s best-selling vehicle - the Ford F150 pickup truck - is going electric
45 years +. 1 million every year.
All-aluminium body, 10 gear automatic transmission, turbocharged engine.
Great fuel efficiency and huge pulling power.
But big change coming:
Video: Ford F-150 Lightning Review - 2:00
As the presenter said - question: is the truck’s core audience/USA ready to go electric - in other words, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
As the presenter said - question: is the truck’s core audience/USA ready to go electric - in other words, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
When Paul was writing to the Romans, there had been a long tradition in the Jewish faith of being justified with God by good works
When Paul was writing to the Romans, there had been a long tradition in the Jewish faith of being justified with God by good works
Righteousness = ethnic identity and works. Appealed to story of Abraham as an example.
In fact, believed Abraham had somehow fulfilled the whole Law even before it was written, was perfect in everything he did, and did not need to repent. He was justified by his works.
The Rabbis and Teachers of the Law at the time would have said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But Paul saw something that was broke and needed to be fixed
The Rabbis and Teachers of the Law at the time would have said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But Paul saw something that was broke and needed to be fixed
Explanation (5m)
Explanation (5m)
Paul had discovered that Abraham - the father of the Jewish faith - hadn’t been justified with God because of his good works - it was because of his belief
Paul had discovered that Abraham - the father of the Jewish faith - hadn’t been justified with God because of his good works - it was because of his belief
For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Quoting Genesis 15:6. Comes after great military victory/Lot’s rescue, Abraham is feeling down (as we often do when we come off a mountaintop experience.
Quoting Genesis 15:6. Comes after great military victory/Lot’s rescue, Abraham is feeling down (as we often do when we come off a mountaintop experience.
Still childless, but God tells him he will have a son and his children will outnumber the stars. Abraham chose to believe him!
The trigger point for entering into a right relationship with God was Abraham’s moment of faith, his belief in God’s grace, not anything he had done
The trigger point for entering into a right relationship with God was Abraham’s moment of faith, his belief in God’s grace, not anything he had done
Abraham’s story shows us that it is our faith that God credits to us as righteousness
Abraham’s story shows us that it is our faith that God credits to us as righteousness
It’s all about God’s grace - his choice to love us. It’s our faith in both that opens up the way to a right relationship with God
It’s all about God’s grace - his choice to love us. It’s our faith in both that opens up the way to a right relationship with God
Abraham chose to trust God. Nothing he or we could do to establish the relationship. Nothing to do with our feelings or actions.
Application (5m)
Application (5m)
We know that we are justified by faith rather than by works - it’s even in our doctrines
We know that we are justified by faith rather than by works - it’s even in our doctrines
We believe that we are justified by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself. (Salvation Army, Article of Faith, No.8)
We are radically sinful, “totally depraved” (AoF5) - sin effects every part of our lives. Cannot live up to God’s standards. We are lost and we need to be saved. We need to be made righteous - not by anything we can do but from God through faith in him.
We are radically sinful, “totally depraved” (AoF5) - sin effects every part of our lives. Cannot live up to God’s standards. We are lost and we need to be saved. We need to be made righteous - not by anything we can do but from God through faith in him.
And yet, we still fall for the world’s need to achieve, even when it comes to our spiritual life
And yet, we still fall for the world’s need to achieve, even when it comes to our spiritual life
World thinks we have to earn good things. IN same way, many Christians think that if you do your best, somehow you’ll make it to heaven.
So our focus becomes on what we do for God, what we accomplish, what we provide for God and church
So our focus becomes on what we do for God, what we accomplish, what we provide for God and church
Cease striving, accept the gift, and then make a positive impact by passing it on to others
Cease striving, accept the gift, and then make a positive impact by passing it on to others
May mean choosing to accept a relationship we’d rather not, working with people of other faiths to sort our differences, sacrificing for others.
We do for God because of the grace we have been given, not to earn his love.
Next Steps
Next Steps
SB 471 - Only by grace can we enter
SB 471 - Only by grace can we enter
Only by grace can we enter,
Only by grace can we stand;
Not by our human endeavour,
But by the blood of the Lamb.
Into your presence you call us,
You call us to come.
Into your presence you draw us,
And now by your grace we come,
Now by your grace we come.
Lord, if you mark our transgressions who would stand?
Thanks to your grace we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
(Repeat)
Gerrit Gustafson
© 1990 Integrity?s Hosanna! Music adm. worldwide by Capitol CMG Publishing excl. UK admin. by Integritymusic.com, a division of David C. Cook, songs@integritymusic.com Used by permission.
Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015
Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Song Number 471