Sola Fide

Welcome

Announcements

Join us on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 am for our Reformation Truths series and Wednesday evenings at 6pm for our Study on Puritan theology.

October 31st is our Reformation day party at 5pm

Lunch immediately following the service.

Prepare for Worship

Call To Worship

353 O Church, Arise

Confession

Prayer of Confession

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen

Assurance of Faith

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who of His great mercy has promised forgiveness to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto Him; have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church*, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Worship

407 It is Well With My Soul

403 Blessed Assurance

Whom Shall I Fear

Prayers of the People

Prayer Request

Lords Prayer: Found on the back cover of the Westminster Hand out

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy

kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us

this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our

debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

Sola Fide

Our third principle of the Reformation that we look at is Sola Fide

The Reformers were up against a church that saw justification (our being forgiven before God and seen as righteous before Him) as an ever on going work.

Works of contrition, adhering to certain forms of sacraments, in fact the Mass was formed around this idea that each participation in it was a work of justifying oneself before God.

Through a firm commitment to the concept of Scripture alone as the only infallible rule of faith and practice, they come to understand and assure the flocks that God had given them, that their justification before God was imparted to them through faith in the one who did all the work necessary for salvation on the cross.

Sola Fide

Justified by Faith Alone

Last week we looked at Eph 2, which told us we are saved by grace through faith, and that it itself was not of works but a gift of God so we can brag about ourselves

We believe that God is the one who gives us faith, The Spirit is the one who takes away the heart of stone and gives the heart of flesh so that we might believe

We should hesitate to assert otherwise. If coming to Christ is a mere intellectual ascension, then only the most intelligent are saved,

if it is merely because one person chose, then that person chose righteousness over sin, then that person in themselves is more righteous, which Scripture tells us that none seek after God

So then how is it that faith comes to man, it is a gift of God it is imparted and it produces repentance and belief

Faith alone is the means by which God brings us to Himself, it does not result of any self-generated work in ourselves.

But it must be a faith that bears works.

Scriptural Examination

Justification is recieved by Faith, as a gift. Like in Eph, Paul here identifies our faith as a gift, this gift is imparted as all gifts and provisions are, by Gods grace alone.....Rom3:21-24

Romans 3:21–24 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

God has provided for us a payment for sins… Rom 3:25-26. God’s law calls for a payment of blood for sin. In Jesus Christ He has provided that payment Himself, a propitiation, a blood covering.

Romans 3:25–26 ESV

whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Faith apart from works....Rom 3:27-28, God has provided for us a perfectly righteous law by which to order our lives. But because of our fallen nature we do not, we cannot comply, therefore we need another menas by which to reconcile with God. That means is faith in Christ as our Savior.

Romans 3:27–28 ESV

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

It is not merely believing that Christ died, was buried, rose again, and ascended to His throne. James 2:19 but rather it is faith that what He did is able to save me from the penalty of my sin.

James 2:19 ESV

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

All are justified by faith, no two ways to salvation…Rom 3:30. Paul speaking to the Romans reminds us that there is only one way to salvation, not one soul from the beginning of time has been justified outside of faith in Him. We look at Abraham for this example, He was faithful and it was counted unto Him as righteousness. He had faith in God, that He would provide for Himself a perfect sacrifice for sins.

Romans 3:30 ESV

since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Faith is a pillar of all of Scripture....Rom 3:31. We can cut God’s word up into little pieces, and many do. Usually the pieces they like and the pieces they don’t. But Paul tells the Romans to not even think about it

Romans 3:31 ESV

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Living Faith

Faith is the foundation of all of our works, all of our lives. Everything we do we must do in faith. James 2:17-19

James 2:17–19 ESV

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Our faith must have a specific object, a specific person to be built upon. Mere faith in a general god is simply faith in ones own creation. The God who saves is the one who has revealed himself in Scripture, we must look to it and believe what He says about Himself.

Our faith in Christ is what shines forth to people. People are drawn to people of faith.

Faith breeds contentment in our lives, daily thankfulness, assurance that whatever may come we are protected.

John Owen

John Owen has been called “one of the greatest spiritual masters, probably the greatest of Puritan thinkers”

He like Calvin provided for Christendom a masterful collection of instruction in Godly life. He provides a massive collection of books and sermons that enlighten our understanding of our faith itself.

Intro to Owen

Born 1616 in Stadham, near Oxford

In 1628 Enters Queen’s College, Oxford, at the age of 12

Completes his Bachelors by the age of 16 and his masters at 19

Leaves oxford in 1637, becoming a private chaplain and tutor

All this time lacks assurance of faith, goes to London to hear one of the divines speak, gets a country preacher, Hears a sermon on Matt 8:26

Matthew 8:26 ESV

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

This changes his life, and from here he embarks on the journey to becoming one of the most prolific Puritan preachers and authors known to date.

Many accomplishments, served as Cromwell's chaplain, becomes vice-chancellor of Oxford University, writes a large number of works, most of which are still in print today

Had many hardships in life as well. Suffrered from poor health later in life, which He accounts to the fact that while studying in his college years he usually on slept 4 hours a night, dedicating up to eighteen to twenty hours a day,

Had 11 children, 10 of which died in infancy, the one remaining child lived to adulthood and then died of consumption.

Lived by Faith in Christ

The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Of Owens many works, the one we are most interested in today is his treatise on the Doctrine of Justification by Faith.

A scholarly work, not like the work of Bunyan that we read last week which was so revealing of His own character.

Owen sought in this work to lay out truly what it means that we are justified, forgiven before God, by our faith.

He recognized that there is faith that saves, and faith that does not. He asserted that there is a nature to the faith that must be examined.

Owen asserts that the nature of true faith is found in the heart.

he also identified those who had faith in the facts. Claiming to believe that all they find in Scripture is true, just as they would any other historical writings.

Some professing faith in the gospel, desiring for its effects of salvation, but have no change of heart to the one who saves them, desiring nothing of the life He has called them to. No evidence of change at all

Faith is evidenced in the fact that one truly comes to comprehend the depths of their own depravity, and to experience profound repentance to their failure before a Holy God, and they come to truly believe that this Christ who died has made us right before God.

Secondly Owen looked at the object of our faith

Through many pages of expounding upon Scripture Owens, tells us the object of our faith is Jesus Christ, but also assures the reader that this Christ cannot be one of our own making, but must be the one found in scripture, the second person of the Trinity.

By extension our faith is in God as he is revealed in Scripture, His promise of sending a Messiah, and the fulfillment of that promise.

Owen also treats how faith is used in our salvation

Simply put, because he does not put it simply at all, faith is the instrument that God uses to save us. His grace, bestowing faith, gives us the desire and ability to repent and believe.

The means by which this faith is conveyed unto us can vary I am sure, but the most common is through God gracefully allowing us to be presented the Gospel, us hearing His word preached, so that we might believe.

He Lived a life by Faith

Owen’s experience with the country preacher in London, changed Him forever. He lived by faith.

Though many find His works overly academic, even in the academic nature of them you can see and sense a pure faith, a true love for the one who has saved him.

We often dismiss the academic as lacking faith, because we wrongly associate faith as being rooted in that which cannot be proven.

We are often wont to say that faith must be blind.

But men like John Owens which God has used so profoundly in Christendom show us that our faith is not in an abstract concept that must be accepted without sound proof, but rather our faith is solely rooted in the God who has revealed Himself so clearly, that we have no excuse not to have faith in Him.

How Then Shall We Live?

Again we ask why is this important to me? How do I apply it in my life? Knowing this information, How then shall I live?

Without salvation

If you are here today, and you have a concept of Christ, maybe even believe the stories are true, but you do not fully trust the fact that His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension are the fulfillment of God’s promise to reconcile us to Himself, I ask you to pray, pray that God open the eyes of your heart. That He bestow on you by grace the kind of faith that knows He has done the work that is necessary for you to be saved. Don’t wait, don’t question it alone, speak with me after the service, let me tell you about the God who saved me.

For the one who Believes

Live by, through, and in the faith you proclaim.

Know the object of your faith. Seek to know the God who saved you through His written word. He has revealed all we need to know him, and all we need to know about Him.

Faith, is ultimately trust.

Do you trust Christ to save you?

Do you trust that God will provide, that His plan is perfect, and that everything you experience in life is His plan, and it is meant to perfect your faith.

Be assured in your faith, knowing that it is a gift of God, and therefore cannot be false, cannot be stripped away.

Be an example of faith. God has given us a gift that we use to show the world His grace. Seek contentment, through having faith in His plan for your life.

The Church

We must be a church of faith. Trusting that He will provide all we need to do the work that He has called us to.

We should be a beacon of faith, standing upon every Word he has given us, not wavering for the fear of men. But trusting that if we follow Him in how He has directed us to function as a church, that He will bless that.

Have faith in one another. Functioning as a family that relies upon one another.

We must work diligently to bolster the faith of our members, teaching and preaching the truth of God without reservation so that true faith is built among the body upon the revealed God. Helping one another to avoid a false faith.

Conclusion

We are saved by grace, through faith, in Christ Jesus. God has seen fit to save His people through faith in Himself, and not through their own works of righteousness. Therefore, we walk before the Throne of Grace humbly, knowing that we have failed Him, but thankfully, knowing that He has not failed us. He has provided for us a propitiation, a sacrifice, that pays for the penalty of our sin. This cannot be disputed for its clarity in Scripture is undeniable.

Therefore, our faith should be a living faith. A faith like that of John Owen, who though he faced terrible situations in His life, He still diligently sought to serve the Lord who saved Him up until His dying day, utilizing the superior intellect with which God blessed him to provide for all time such great works helping us today to better understand the faith with which God saves us.

Out faith is a gift, a grand gift bestowed by the grace of God, let us not squander it. Let us trust so much that we put everything on the line for our Savior. Living by faith alone, trusting God for the outcome.

Doxology

Closing Prayer

If anyone has any questions or concerns feel free to catch me afterwards. And a quick reminder we do have plates in the back for anyone who desires to worship through giving today. The plate to the right is general giving, and the one to the left is specific for our missions giving.

Join us as we sing the doxology:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Commissioning: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Amen