"Saving Faith!" Catechism LD7, John 15, & John 10:25-38
This is a very important Lord's day as it deals very practically with its implication to the child of God. We were introduced prior to the Mediator as the one who saves and now we are asked a very profound question about who are saved. We ask this question in regards to our fellow man and even our relatives. A very profound reality! How are we to preach that Gospel? This Lord's day instructs us as it teaches us about faith.
Character: There is no parallel between the fall and what is done here. ALL fell in Adam..that is a fact. Are all those who died in Adam given opportunity to be saved in Christ though? The catechism unequivocally says no. Those who perished in Adam...and this is a very profound concept...it is eternal hell. John chapter 10 says "there are those who are not My sheep." There are those that are not of His sheep...they do not "hear my voice." Christ preached the Gospel and some turned away because they were not His sheep! That Gospel can be preached but has a negative effect also in addition to a positive one. (It is a savor of life unto life and death unto death.) What makes the difference when some take hold of and some do not take hold of Christ? The difference is FAITH...LIVING FAITH! "I believe!" How do we account for it? Not by works but by the washing of regeneration and newness of the Holy Ghost. Those chosen by God from all the foundations of the earth He does quicken and save by grace through faith...a complete gift of God!
Working: Faith is the connection between the vine and the branch. It unites us to Christ and has to be there for salvation! And we believe our children are saved already before that faith comes to full fruition being chosen and already given an aptitude, already having been regenerated and in graphed into Christ. Those who are chosen are saved! Regeneration is immediate! Nicodemus was already touched in his heart but then heard the Word and it brings it out. If you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior you are saved? True if it is rooted in regeneration and it is NOT man's work. His children were in graphed into Christ and those who were chosen will invariably be brought to His Word. Some think that we have to preach His Word to the end of the earth EVERYWHERE. Not so...where was Christ? The Gospel is preached where God demands it and where He sends it. Those who are in graphed into Christ will hear it and believe it and take hold of it!
Result: The result it two fold. 1. Gives the child of God confidence that is built on KNOWLEDGE. The knowledge that God imparts to the child of God. And....2. Upon that knowledge of your sin we can take hold of our redemption. The conviction of FAITH is a very personal thing to you and to me. With it I am comforted and in that comfort I can both live (and die) happily!
Thanks be to God for this precious gift of Saving FAITH!
"A Closing Doxology" LD52B & Psalm 2&115 This is the end of the Lord's prayer and we arrive where we began in the utmost confidence that He will give us all things needed for our body and our soul. Now, in a little different form...."Thine...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Let's talk about "Faith!" LD7 & John 15 This is an unsavory question that is very unpopular. Are all who perish in Adam saved in Christ? It is unpopular because the whole human race is NOT saved. Many in nominal churches believe most will be...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Saving Faith" LD7 & Ephesians 2 This Lord's day opens with a disconcerting question and many consider this topic unsavory. Scripture as the Gospel is preached however as life unto life but also of death unto death. Faith is the gift of God...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Setting the Lord Before Us!" Psalm 16:8 This Psalm is always a favorite especially in troublesome times as David also took hold of that goodly heritage. God will also show us the path of life even unto death and this Messianic Psalm fits us to a...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Saved by Faith!" LD7 & John 15 This is a very serious question in this Lord's day. Are ALL men saved? It has far reaching consequences going into and dealing with man's destiny. Salvation is in Christ alone and the knowledge of Him and not...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Saved by Faith!" LD7 & John 15 This is a very serious question in this Lord's day. Are ALL men saved? It has far reaching consequences going into and dealing with man's destiny. Salvation is in Christ alone and the knowledge of Him and not...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Crumbling of Jericho Walls" Joshua 6/ Hebrews 11:30 Among the cloud of witnesses we have a little different scenario before us. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down." Faith is the lifeline tying us to Christ and that becomes active faith...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Joseph's Farewell Message" Genesis 50 & Hebrews 11:22 We deal with the grandfather of Isaac. God's people were not in Egypt (in bondage and serving others in a land that was not theirs as God had said.) 70 Years after being in Egypt, Joseph...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Abraham Offering Isaac" Hebrews 11:17-19 & Genesis 22 We must be distinctive in our faith and witness in this world. Steadfast as we condemn the world. But as we look at Abraham, it is a difficult thing to understand. How is he a witness to...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
