Questions 33-35
Faith Foundations (NCC) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewThis week, we take a look at questions thirty-three through thirty-five from the New City Catechism.
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Goal for this message: press from understanding into examining.
CHRIST ALONE: THE FOUNDATION OF SALVATION
CHRIST ALONE: THE FOUNDATION OF SALVATION
Q: Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else?
A: No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.
16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Understanding the Truth:
Understanding the Truth:
Christians believe that salvation is not by our own effort: “everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ.”
Christians believe that salvation is not by our own effort: “everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ.”
Examining Our Hearts:
Examining Our Hearts:
What am I looking to as the foundation of my salvation?
What am I looking to as the foundation of my salvation?
Option 1: “Whatever works.” The temptation to fall into the flow of the world. What does the average person look to to feel “whole?” (Comfort & distraction).
Heart check: How much intentional time do I give to considering how the gospel applies to my life?
Option 2: “Religious Works.” The temptation to make even the service of God serve my purposes.
Heart check: when my prayers are transactional and not relational.
The truth about other foundations for salvation: “whatever works” is always a temporary fix, “religious works” always leave us exhausted and confused.
What does it look like to trust in “Christ alone?”
What does it look like to trust in “Christ alone?”
Where does my heart/mind go when the need for trust arises?
The example of Jehoshaphat.
10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
True dependence: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
GOOD WORKS: THE OVERFLOW OF SALVATION
GOOD WORKS: THE OVERFLOW OF SALVATION
Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Understanding the Truth:
Understanding the Truth:
Christians believe that those who belong to Christ find joy in obeying Christ: “that our lives may show love and gratitude to God.”
Christians believe that those who belong to Christ find joy in obeying Christ: “that our lives may show love and gratitude to God.”
Examining Our Hearts:
Examining Our Hearts:
Why do I do the spiritual things that I do?
Why do I do the spiritual things that I do?
How much of our spiritual activity is focused on what we get out of it?
ILL: When I motivate my kids to share/care because “it feels good.”
Is there a spiritual MRI that helps us see what is going on?
Prayer: (1) the presence of prayer, (2) the content of our prayer(s), (3) the spirit of our prayer(s). (Transactional activity VS faith focused & relational.)
GOD’S SPIRIT: THE POWER OF SALVATION
GOD’S SPIRIT: THE POWER OF SALVATION
Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from?
A: All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Understanding the Truth:
Understanding the Truth:
Christians believe that the defining mark of our salvation is Christ in us: “All the gifts we receive…through the Holy Spirit.”
Christians believe that the defining mark of our salvation is Christ in us: “All the gifts we receive…through the Holy Spirit.”
Examining Our Hearts:
Examining Our Hearts:
Is the presence of God a reality in my daily life?
Is the presence of God a reality in my daily life?
“Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kindHe lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.” Alfred Ackley, “He Lives”
