3/5 Fundamental Thoughts - Sermons

The Defence of The Gospel

Galatians 2:1-10  Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.  (2)  And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.  (3)  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:  (4)  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:  (5)  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.  (6)  But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:  (7)  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;  (8)  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)  (9)  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.  (10)  Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

INTRODUCTION:           In these verses we see Paul came and was defending the Gospel he preached.  There we those within the congregation who were requiring additional works, before Jesus’ Salvation could happen.

              These Judaizers still exist, within the world and within our Churches.  Unfortunately we know that some Churches and some Baptist Churches require things other than Jesus to obtain Salvation.

              We are told in:

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I.            THE GOSPEL WAS DEFENDED                                      (vv 3-5)

              A.           Paul Preached A Gospel of

1.               Grace of God

              i.            Grace alone

John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

2.               Jesus, God’s Amazing Grace

              i.            Jesus alone

                            a.           Plus nothing

                             b.           Minus nothing

B.              Some Messianic Christians (Messianic Jews)

1.               Would not give up their

i.            Old Jewish customs

ii.           As a requirement for Salvation

Acts 15:1  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

                                           iii.          They preached the law

              a.           In addition Jesus

              b.           Required circumcision

              c.            Required commitment to the Mosaic law

              d.           Required to observe Jewish ceremony

2.           First you must become a Jew

i.            Then you could now accept Jesus

C.              Paul Taught Against These Beliefs

1.               We are not justified by law

Galatians 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

2.               Not through works of the law

              i.            No flesh can be saved

           a.           By the law

II.           GOD ACCEPTS NO MAN’S PERSON                                   (v 6)

              A.           God Shows No Partiality

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

                        1.           If we confess (Acknowledge) Jesus Christ

                             2.           If we believe

i.            Regardless of who we are

ii.           With all our heart

3.               You will be saved

John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

                                           i.            He chose you

                                                          a.           From your willing heart

                                                          b.           To bring forth fruit

                       

B.           Repentance, is a conscious change of direction,

              1.           All things are of God

              2.           He has given us a Ministry of reconciliation

                             i.            To reconcile our selves with God

                             ii.           To help others do as we have done

a.               All for God

Acts 10:34-35  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  (35)  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

                             3.           It is all about our heart

D.              Some Add to Requirements to Salvation?

Galatians 6:12-15  As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.  (13)  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.  (14)  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  (15)  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

              1.           They require

              i.            Circumcision

              ii            Baptism

              iii.          Tongues

              iv.          Wearing Specific type of clothing

              v.           Special Hairdos

III.         THE APOSTLES STOOD AGAINST

              A.           The Judaizers

                             1.           Paul and Barnabus

                                           i.            Given the right hand of fellowship

a.                             To go to the uncircumcised

2.           Peter and the remaining Apostles

a.               To the circumcised

Mark 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

CONCLUSION: Are we as Christians preaching the same Gospel that Jesus taught Paul?  Does our walk out there in the world reflect a heart that is truly sold out for Jesus?   The scripture teaches us that, this is the first commandment.  We are to not only walk in the love of Christ, but we are also to bear fruit.  We are to tell of the simple Salvation Jesus has given us.

Facing the Giant of Your Past

Text: Ezra 3:10–13

Title: Your Past

Introduction: The year was 535 B.C. It had been 70 long years. The people of Israel were a conquered people. Babylon had defeated them, Persia is now the world power, and the Jews, many of which are now quite prosperous in the land of their captivity, are living far from a home they once knew, which is now a land that many of them never knew. At this time in Ezra chapter 3, there were some 2-3 million Jews living in captivity. Less than 50,000 returned to the land of Israel. Some were young and others were old. Only the most committed left the comforts of Babylon to do what was necessary to re-build. They would return to a city surrounded by enemies, whose defenses were gone, which lay in ruins, and whose temple had been destroyed. Before they could face a bright new future, they would have to face the giant of their sinful past.

I. The Past—Face it Honestly

A. A Glorious Past

B. A Notorious Past

1. Ahab’s wicked past

2. Manasseh’s wicked past

3. Zedekiah’s wickedness and Jerusalem’s destruction

II. The Present—Face it Obediently

A. What is worship?

1. It begins with humility.

2. Humility is an old English word that comes from worth-ship.

B. Obediently face your present

III. The Future—Accept it gratefully

Conclusion: Are you dealing with a giant from the past? Whether your past is tattered and stained, or is brilliant and commendable, yesterday is forever closed to your influence. It cannot be changed. God is at work today, and your submission to his immediate plans will influence your tomorrow.

Things are not like they used to be, but they don’t have to be. Did you fail in the past? Then worship Him today. Did you succeed in the past? Then live for Him today. Let’s worship Him today, and destroy the giant of the past.

Article by: Dr. Jeff Redlin
Senior Pastor, Front Range Baptist Church