Expressions of Faith
Notes
Transcript
OPEING Q
Anyone here married? You sure? (Not things you have to think about)
Are you saved, born again? Same, not something you should have to think about, yes or no)
Wedding ring - symbol of status of marriage, an outward expression
Ring does not make one married
You make an agreement when married
Ordinances from God
Ordinances from God
He gives us His Word, and expects it to be followed, for our good
READ: Psalm 119:33-40 is our text
There are two primary NT ordinances
Ordinance = authoritative decree
That is, not optional
At some point in the life of the believer, obedience needs to matter
1) Baptism
1) Baptism
And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Baptizo - to immerse, submerge, dip, completely wet
Jesus, Ethiopian eunuch - rather clear
The mode is very important - See Romans 6:4, buried with Him in baptism
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Simply…
Baptism is the physical depiction of the believer burying the old life, then raising to walk in the newness of life in Christ
The conversion to believer - has already occurred
“Outward expression of inward faith”
Old Testament - temple utensils were ceremonially washed, “baptized”
New Testament - baptism always, always followed salvation/conversion, and always publically
THAT’S BIBLE
BUT…denominations teach that baptism is required for salvation
Let’s see what the Bible says about getting saved
“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The Bible, God’s Word, does not contradict - Scripture interprets Scripture
So, what about…baptism required for salvation?
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Full context of this text, the water in Noah’s flood was not what saved those on the Ark
Faith , getting in the ark, is what physically spared them
The faith is what gave them relationship to Yahweh
The flood waters were judgment on those opposed to Yahweh
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
This is the most common one you will find around here, Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Slightly technical:
“For” does NOT mean “in order to…”
“Repent” is in second person, just as “you will receive”
Each of you be baptized is third person, related to all who repent and receive the HS
SO….Repent, receive the HS, and based on that repentance and forgiveness, get baptized
OK…So, you accept Jesus Christ
You’ve have publically expressed that
Now, life of the believer continues
Evert once in a while we need reminders
THUS….
2) The Lord’s Supper - Communion
2) The Lord’s Supper - Communion
Jesus, following (after) the Passover meal with disciples
Instructed them to do this
This is what we see in 1 Cor. 11, so clearly the early church followed the instruction to do this
They did it when they had meals, as do we
POINT - Communion is for believers to remember Jesus and what He did
POINT - Communion is NOT a means of receiving grace; NOT a way to have sins forgiven
?? (my father, in hospital, has pastor visit and give communion…)
The basics of The Lord’s Supper
The bread - represents the body of Jesus - broken/killed
(Why the basic, no yeast bread? Good reason, we can discuss on a Wednesday, if you like, there is good reason)
But…since they were celebrating Passover, their bread would have been that of the Passover, unleavened, no yeast, so we mirror that)
The juice - represents the blood of Jesus - bled and died
(Why not alcoholic wine? We can discuss on a Wednesday if you like, there is good reason)
Protestants/Lutherans - con-substantiation
Catholics - transubstantiation
Sorry, the literal body and blood of Jesus is not present
This is a memorial service, done as often as we do it, to remember Him and proclaim Him to others
SO WHAT?
3) Obedience
3) Obedience
At some point in the life of the believer, obedience needs to matter
Here - Two ordinances, both require the concept of Obedience
BIBLE - BAPTISM
Believers were baptized
Baptized didn’t make you a believer, it showed you obedient
PRACTICAL
Not required for salvation - I know
“Husbands, love your wives”
Loving your wife doesn’t save you
It’s an act of obedience that saved husbands do
“Children, obey your parents”
Obeying parents doesn’t save children
It’s an act of obedience that saved children do
Give to the poor
Be in church
Love your neighbor
The works don’t save
being saved leads to obedience
GET BAPTIZED - then…REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
“Go, make disciples, baptizing them”
BIBLE - The Lord’s Supper
Believers celebrated communion
Believers remembered Jesus’ sacrifice
Believers examined self when considering communion
Taking Communion doesn’t make you a believer
Taking Communion doesn’t make you forgiven
Believers knew WHY they participated in communion
NOBODY came to communion perfect
But saved, allowing God to perfect them by the abiding of the HS
It can be an appeal to effective heart change - examine self
ILLUST: Busy-ness of life, we use “Reminders”
In daily life, the world wants you to forget about Jesus and living for Him
Jesus had a simple remedy, a reminder
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
“Do this in remembrance of Me”
Baptism and Communion - In Common
Obedience
Outward expression of Faith and Belief
Reflection of Relationship with Chris
Early Church
Believers taking God’s Word seriously
Believers took baptism seriously, understanding WHY
Believers took Communion seriously, understanding WHY
WHY? Because God takes these very seriously
(We’ll see this when we discuss Corinth as we prepare for Communion)
Believers were not to “go through the motions”
Cornerstone
Do you take God’s Word seriously?
Do you understand the WHY of baptism, what your baptism means?
Do you need to get baptized? Let’s talk
Do you understand the WHY of Communion, and take it seriously?
God takes these VERY seriously!
Jesus did not just “go through the motions” when He sacrificed His life for you
Believers dare not “go through the motions”
If you know Him, then obedience to Him should be at the top of your list!
And beyond today, purposefully express your faith to all those around you!
PRAYER
(After message, and song, to prepare for Communion
How can we misuse or abuse Communion? I ask, because it’s important, it’s my job to protect this church, and the Corinthian church was sick, was damaged, by people not taking seriously this Communion
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,
Not a power trip, I take my role seriously…
But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
So, how can we guard against misusing Communion, abusing it, “going through the motions?”
Not saved?
Not repentant, living however you want to feel good?
Bitterness in heart, refusing to change?
Take the opportunity to talk to God, get saved, commit to living for Him
Then, come, celebrate what He’s done for you, and enjoy the freedom to be obedient to Him!
