SOMEBODY IS LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER!
Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Rom 6:7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
How Do You Live This Life?
1. IDENTIFY YOUR LIFE WITH CHRIST
WE ARE IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST
Because I am IN CHRIST I have been identified with Him in His death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4) and thus baptism is to picture the fact that I died with Him and that I arose with Him (Gal. 2:20)!
Because I am IN CHRIST I have been identified with him as a New creature 2 Cor. 5:14-17), and thus water baptism is a picture of the fact that I have a new life and a new walk (Eph. 2:10 and Rom. 6:4)
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. Concerning suicide is that the one sin you can't be forgiven for like we've all heard; and what if before the person take his or her last breath and ask God to forgive them would they be…?
1 John 3:9 says that "no one who is born of God practices sin." And finally, suicide is often a heart that rejects the lordship of Jesus Christ, because it is an act where the sinner is taking his life into his own hands…
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.Suicide is still a serious sin against God.
According to the Bible, suicide is murder; it is always wrong. Serious doubts should be raised about the genuineness of faith of anyone who claimed to be a Christian yet committed suicide. There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, taking his/her own life. Christians are called to live their lives for God, and the decision on when to die is God’s and God’s alone. Although it is not describing suicide, 1 Corinthians 3:15 is probably a good description of what happens to a Christian who commits suicide: “He himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
2. UNITED WITH CHRIST
WE ARE UNITED WITH CHRIST IN Christ’s RESURRECTION
RAISED into Christ’s RESURRECTION
PLACED with Christ’s RESURRECTION
PARTKER of Christ’s RESURRECTION
UNION with Christ’s RESURRECTION
BOUND in Christ’s in RESURRECTION
The Importance of This Union
But notice the importance of this union with Christ!
John Piper writes, "If you are in Christ, by God's doing, Christ becomes for you "wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." All that Christ is for you, he is for you because you are "in him." Because you are united to him. Because you have the union with him that Paul is talking about in Romans 6:5.
In this union Christ becomes wisdom for you and this overcomes your blinding, deadening ignorance.
In this union Christ becomes righteousness for you and this overcomes your guilt and condemnation.
In this union Christ becomes sanctification for you and this overcomes your corruption and pollution.
In this union Christ becomes redemption for you and this overcomes in the end all the miseries and pain and futility that come from sin and guilt – like sickness and death (compare "redemption" in Romans 8:23).3
Do you want to be free from the blinding effects of spiritual ignorance? Do you want to have the righteousness of Christ credited to your account and be accepted and acquitted and justified by God? Do you want to have the sanctifying power of Christ in your life helping you overcome canceled sin? Do you want to be delivered in the end from misery and death? If so – and I pray that you do – then cherish your union with Christ. Love being united to him. Grow in your grasp of these things. Live in them. Savor them. Carry them with you through the day. Make them your meditation day and night. Think often on what it means to be united to Christ. What it means that "by God's doing you are in Christ Jesus." -John Piper
The Importance of This Union
But notice the importance of this union with Christ!
If you are in Christ, by God's doing, Christ becomes for you "wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." All that Christ is for you, he is for you because you are "in him." Because you are united to him. Because you have the union with him that Paul is talking about in Romans 6:5.
In this union Christ becomes wisdom for you and this overcomes your blinding, deadening ignorance.
In this union Christ becomes righteousness for you and this overcomes your guilt and condemnation.
In this union Christ becomes sanctification for you and this overcomes your corruption and pollution.
In this union Christ becomes redemption for you and this overcomes in the end all the miseries and pain and futility that come from sin and guilt – like sickness and death (compare "redemption" in Romans 8:23).
Do you want to be free from the blinding effects of spiritual ignorance? Do you want to have the righteousness of Christ credited to your account and be accepted and acquitted and justified by God? Do you want to have the sanctifying power of Christ in your life helping you overcome canceled sin? Do you want to be delivered in the end from misery and death? If so – and I pray that you do – then cherish your union with Christ. Love being united to him. Grow in your grasp of these things. Live in them. Savor them. Carry them with you through the day. Make them your meditation day and night. Think often on what it means to be united to Christ. What it means that "by God's doing you are in Christ Jesus."
1Cr 6:14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
God has saved me from the PENALTY of sin--this is JUSTIFICATION
(Romans 1-5).
God is saving me from the POWER of sin--this is SANCTIFICATION (Romans 6-8).
God will save me from the PRESENCE of sin when my salvation is completed--this is GLORIFICATION (Romans 8).
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
3. NO LONGER SLAVES TO SIN
WHY WOULD NO LONGER SLAVES TO SIN IS A WONDERFUL STATEMENT?
The statement “no longer" in Romans 6:6 means “not from now on." Consider the following wonderful "NO LONGER" passages
Romans 6:6--no longer a continual slave of sin.
Gal. 2:20--no longer I (it is no longer the SELF-LIFE but it is the CHRIST-LIFE--His life in me).
2 Cor. 5:15--no longer live unto myself.
Eph. 4:17--no longer walk as the unsaved (Gentiles) walk.
Eph. 4:28--no longer practice the deeds of the old man.
1 Peter 4:2--no longer live to the lusts of men.
Eph. 4:14--no longer be children (believers need to grow up, go on to maturity, grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ every day, etc.)
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. What if, I want think about receiving Christ in my life…?
According to this passage, when you die, where are you going…
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. What are the steps in knowing Jesus Christ…? Admit to God you are a sinner
Want forgiveness for your sin Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and rose again. Be willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and your Savior. Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ...."
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ...."
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Salvation cannot be earned. Everyone is a sinner and deserves death, but God gives eternal life. So how can we receive God's gift of eternal life?
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ...."
To be saved, we must believe the gospel. The word "gospel" means "good news". But before we can believe the good news, we have to know what it is.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel ... that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures ...."
This is the gospel which we must believe in order to be saved. Now, how does believing this gospel save us?
Romans 5:8-9 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
Romans 3:22-26 "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (appeasing sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
We can be saved from the wrath of God, because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and rose from the dead. He paid the price for us, and we are justified in God's eyes through our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast."
There will be no boasting in heaven. We cannot be saved by our own righteousness, but only by God's grace, through faith.
Ephesians 1:13-14 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
Once we believe the gospel, we are sealed with God's Holy Spirit. This is God's deposit, that guarantees he will redeem us, whom our Lord Jesus Christ "purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
I’VE MET HIM
Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jhn 1:30 "This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'
Jhn 1:31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
Jhn 1:31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
Jhn 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
Jhn 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jhn 1:34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
Jhn 1:35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
Jhn 1:36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
Why Did John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God?
1. UNIQUE
How was Jesus so Unique?
Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jhn 1:30 "This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'
He was unique because...
He is called the Lamb of God…
He is the Sin-Bearer…
He fulfilled the Passover Lamb…
He was unstained by sin…
He was the Savior that God sent into the world to bear for us the punishment for our sin…
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. Are there any sins that you can't be forgiven for…?
Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jhn 1:31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
Jhn 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
2. WITNESS
Divine Witness
Jhn 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jn. 1:43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
Personal and Biblical Witness
Jhn 1:34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
Jhn 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Moses in the Law Witness
Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
The Book of Prophets Witness
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
How did John knew that Jesus is the Lamb of God?
Jhn 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jhn 1:34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
2. CONFESS
BAPTISM IS A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN CHRIST
Throughout the New Testament those who repented and believed made a public confession of this fact by submitting to baptism. Sinners would publicly show their repentance and faith by submission to baptism.
Those who repented and believed the message of John, Christ, the disciples, etc. demonstrated this by baptism.
We have already established that only those who had repented and believed were baptized. Baptism was a public confession of this fact.
The New Testament preachers called sinners to repentance and faith and sinners answered this call by submitting to baptism. This was the way they publicly identified themselves with the redeemed.
BAPTISM IS A PICTURE OF THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
By baptism the sinner publicly confesses his faith in the gospel story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and exhibits the sinner's faith in that Christ as Saviour.
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. Where can you find in the bible baptism water is considered the grave? Baptism symbolized a grave burial. We were therefore buried with him through baptism. (Rom. 6:4)
Having been buried with him in baptism. (Col. 2:12)
Jhn 1:30 "This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'
Jhn 1:31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
Jhn 1:31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
Jhn 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
Jhn 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jhn 1:34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
Jhn 1:35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
Jhn 1:36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
Why Did John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God?
1. UNIQUE
How was Jesus so Unique?
Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jhn 1:30 "This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'
He was unique because...
He is called the Lamb of God…
He is the Sin-Bearer…
He fulfilled the Passover Lamb…
He was unstained by sin…
He was the Savior that God sent into the world to bear for us the punishment for our sin…
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. Are there any sins that you can't be forgiven for…?
Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jhn 1:31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
Jhn 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
2. WITNESS
Divine Witness
Jhn 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jn. 1:43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
Personal and Biblical Witness
Jhn 1:34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
Jhn 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Moses in the Law Witness
Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
The Book of Prophets Witness
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
How did John knew that Jesus is the Lamb of God?
Jhn 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jhn 1:34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
2. CONFESS
BAPTISM IS A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN CHRIST
Throughout the New Testament those who repented and believed made a public confession of this fact by submitting to baptism. Sinners would publicly show their repentance and faith by submission to baptism.
Those who repented and believed the message of John, Christ, the disciples, etc. demonstrated this by baptism.
We have already established that only those who had repented and believed were baptized. Baptism was a public confession of this fact.
The New Testament preachers called sinners to repentance and faith and sinners answered this call by submitting to baptism. This was the way they publicly identified themselves with the redeemed.
BAPTISM IS A PICTURE OF THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
By baptism the sinner publicly confesses his faith in the gospel story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and exhibits the sinner's faith in that Christ as Saviour.
Q&A – Ask Your Question
1. Where can you find in the bible baptism water is considered the grave? Baptism symbolized a grave burial. We were therefore buried with him through baptism. (Rom. 6:4)
Having been buried with him in baptism. (Col. 2:12)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Q&A – Ask Your Question
All of us have unanswered questions about life, the gospel and the Church Vision—things we really want to know. Sometimes it‘s difficult to find the solutions. That‘s why we‘re taking time this March to respond to actual questions, submitted by you, with real answers from God‘s Word.
Please submit your name and question to info@churchatthepark.tv or
the comment box below.
Please submit your name and question to info@churchatthepark.tv or
the comment box below.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter
Stop Gossip in the Church
Bryant Evans writes, Do church members gossip? Do they gossip about each other? I think we know the answer. And I think we know that all of us have been guilty of gossip at some time. But we also know that gossip is a horrendous habit that can assault, crush and destroy even the strongest believer.
Gossip is particularly damaging in the local church because people are often more open with fellow Christians about their weaknesses and needs. And because those weaknesses are out in the open it may be that gossip is more common in the church than anywhere else. A frightening thought wouldn’t you say?
Just think for a moment. How many people have been the target of gossip from within the church? How many have been hurt, even mortally wounded by the careless comments of another? Too many I am sure.
Gossip Is A Real Problem
Regardless of why, loose talk hurts. Victims of the gossipers tongue first of all feel embarrassment that their problems are now public. No one wants their dirty laundry tossed about before others.
After the shame the victim feels betrayed or let down by the person in whom they confided. We imagine how Jesus felt when betrayed and denied by Judas and then Peter. We also remember our own pain when someone betrays us. It hurts – badly.
Gossip destroys influence. Even strong, mature Christians deal with serious shortcomings daily (Romans 3:23). Revealing private details of their struggles can harm others looking to them for strength.
But most of all, gossip is a problem because it is a sin. It violates the Gold Rule of Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. It violates our Lord’s command to love one another…” (John 13:34; Romans 12:10; 1 John 3:11). Often the gossip is untrue which adds to its sinfulness. Gossip is simply wrong (1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11 .
Gossip In the Church
Well, we expect gossip at the office. We expect it at the ballpark. We even expect it at a PTA meeting or during a telephone call with a friend. But we do not expect it at church.
Gossip seems to occur in the church for several reasons and not all of them are bad. In fact the motive may be noble but the outcome is still sinful.
Stop Gossip Intended to Help
Sometimes, people think they are helping by telling another about someone’s problem.
“I was sure glad to see Sandra at worship this morning.”
“Me too. I know she’s been struggling recently,” came the reply, which unfortunately did not end there. “Sandra and Bill have been fighting a lot. I heard he was a bit too friendly with a girl at work. Of course Sandra has been busy with her new job. I guess she just needs to spend more time with him.”
Now probably, our speaker really thinks she is helping by “briefing” another Christian on how to help Sandra. After all, the church is a family and we all work together to encourage and exhort one another. But there was very little help here. Even assuming that what the speaker said was true, this did nothing to encourage or assist Sandra. Instead, both she and Bill are objects of curiosity and, in the case of Bill, scorn.
Stop Gossip Intended to Apply the Lesson
Every preacher has experienced it. It usually occurs at the door of the church where people are speaking to the preacher as they leave the assembly.
Bryant Evans writes, Do church members gossip? Do they gossip about each other? I think we know the answer. And I think we know that all of us have been guilty of gossip at some time. But we also know that gossip is a horrendous habit that can assault, crush and destroy even the strongest believer.
Gossip is particularly damaging in the local church because people are often more open with fellow Christians about their weaknesses and needs. And because those weaknesses are out in the open it may be that gossip is more common in the church than anywhere else. A frightening thought wouldn’t you say?
Just think for a moment. How many people have been the target of gossip from within the church? How many have been hurt, even mortally wounded by the careless comments of another? Too many I am sure.
Gossip Is A Real Problem
Regardless of why, loose talk hurts. Victims of the gossipers tongue first of all feel embarrassment that their problems are now public. No one wants their dirty laundry tossed about before others.
After the shame the victim feels betrayed or let down by the person in whom they confided. We imagine how Jesus felt when betrayed and denied by Judas and then Peter. We also remember our own pain when someone betrays us. It hurts – badly.
Gossip destroys influence. Even strong, mature Christians deal with serious shortcomings daily (Romans 3:23). Revealing private details of their struggles can harm others looking to them for strength.
But most of all, gossip is a problem because it is a sin. It violates the Gold Rule of Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. It violates our Lord’s command to love one another…” (John 13:34; Romans 12:10; 1 John 3:11). Often the gossip is untrue which adds to its sinfulness. Gossip is simply wrong (1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11 .
Gossip In the Church
Well, we expect gossip at the office. We expect it at the ballpark. We even expect it at a PTA meeting or during a telephone call with a friend. But we do not expect it at church.
Gossip seems to occur in the church for several reasons and not all of them are bad. In fact the motive may be noble but the outcome is still sinful.
Stop Gossip Intended to Help
Sometimes, people think they are helping by telling another about someone’s problem.
“I was sure glad to see Sandra at worship this morning.”
“Me too. I know she’s been struggling recently,” came the reply, which unfortunately did not end there. “Sandra and Bill have been fighting a lot. I heard he was a bit too friendly with a girl at work. Of course Sandra has been busy with her new job. I guess she just needs to spend more time with him.”
Now probably, our speaker really thinks she is helping by “briefing” another Christian on how to help Sandra. After all, the church is a family and we all work together to encourage and exhort one another. But there was very little help here. Even assuming that what the speaker said was true, this did nothing to encourage or assist Sandra. Instead, both she and Bill are objects of curiosity and, in the case of Bill, scorn.
Stop Gossip Intended to Apply the Lesson
Every preacher has experienced it. It usually occurs at the door of the church where people are speaking to the preacher as they leave the assembly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)