"All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by his spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." Baptist Faith and Message V.
"We believe that the Holy Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." from chapter 7 of "What Baptists Believe and Why they Believe it"
The perseverance of the saints, or eternal security is what is discussed this week. The question we should ask ourselves is "Can a true believer lose their salvation, or is it secure?"
I grew up in a church that preached one could lose their salvation. I came to know Christ at this church. I was taught the Bible at this church. This is the doctrine that caused me to leave this church, which I do attest to being taught how to study they Bible. I say over and over again, I grew up hearing Christ and Christ crucified each and every Sunday. However, attached to it was this statement, "If you want to go to heaven, you must do__________" In other words "Christ died so you must__________________" Rarely was the blank filled in with repent. They preached a doctrine called "holiness" that resembled more of the Pharisees than that of Christ.
Let me ask, at what point does eternal life in Christ begin? Is it when we believe or is it when we do good? John 3:36 and John 5:24 say "He that believes the Son has eternal life." When does he have eternal life? When he believes.
Can you lose this salvation? Again the church I grew up in taught that one could. They would point to Hymenaeus and Alexander being turned over to Satan by Paul. They would point to the case of leading others astray, especially the little ones. How it would be better for a millstone to be tied around their neck and flung into the sea. Isn't this latter, what scripture would call a wolf among the sheep? What share. does the wolf or false prophet or "dog" have in eternal life? In the first, they were turned over to be taught not because they were no longer christian.
The following verses are useful and will be used this weekend in class.
John 10:28-29
Romans 8:38-39
Philippians 1:6
Ephesian 1:11
Galations 3:2, 29
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
1 Corinthians 1:18
Romans 11:29 - I love this one "For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable."
John 18:9, 17:12
There are many, many more. This should be a good start for Sunday.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Pastor Matt Chandler
Here is a video of Pastor Matt Chandler speaking at this years "Together for the Gospel" conference. Matt is one of a very select few people I make the time to listen to each week. He's one of my pastors. This past year Matt was diagnosed with brain cancer. Here he shares with those who are at the conference. It is well worth your time to watch.
http://theresurgence.com/matt_now_knows
http://theresurgence.com/matt_now_knows
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Confidence, Rest, Consequence Hebrews 3 & 4
As we read through the book of Hebrews, we begin to feel more and more like we are in the middle of a debate. And a debate where the affirmitive really knows his stuff and not only that, he can knock any leg out from under your chair he wants. The argument is stacked against the person who would deny the sovreignty and sufficiency of Christ. Chapter 3 opens demonstrating that Christ, as the founder of our salvation, the one who brings many sons to glory, the one who God gives many children and he loses not one of them, is far superior to Moses. The first two chapters builds up to this climactic revelation. Moses was a servant in the house. Christ, as the son, was not only the builder of the house, but Lord over and of the house. You dear Christian, are the house.
This is our confidence, boasting, hope. Through these notes, I ask three questions to prepare you for the message on Sunday.
1. What do you place your confidence in? Is your confidence boastful?
2. Where do you find your rest?
3. Consequences are based on disbelief. Is there an unbelieving heart in you?
Chapter 3
v1. The author here reccognizes the common ground of all believer regardless of calling. We all have the same origin (2:11) and if Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers, we should not be ashamed also. We share in a heavenly calling to walk before the Lord and be blameless (Gen 17:1) and to "be holy as he is holy." (Lev 11:44, 1 Pet 1:16) Pay attention (2:1) to the message that Christ as apostle speaks.
v2-6. As high priest, Christ is faithful over what God has appointed him to do (2:17). While Moses was faithful it was a different office. It was as a servant. Christ was faithful as "Son". Moses did not build the house of Israel, God chose the house. Moses spoke about things to come. Consider how this Jesus not only spoke a greater message of repentance, but founded salvation since there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. He came not just to bring salvation to Israel but to the whole world. Every tribe and nation. In building this "house" he has provided a dwelling place for God being built by the Spirit (Eph 2:22). This message and Jesus testifies to a truth of the past (2:1, 3:5), the restful present (4:3,11) and a glorious future (Rev 19:8).
v7-12 Echoes once again 2:1, to pay attention. Listen to what you hear. Do not drift away. Do not neglect salvation. Do not fall away from the living God. Author quotes Psalms 95:7-11. Rebellion, evil, disbelief, caused God to not let them enter His rest. What is God's rest? His promise. What is God's promise? That they would inherit the land. This generation even with the benefit of signs and Moses, were rebellious and did not believe. They did not find rest from 40 years of wandering. They fell in the wilderness dead. To be told that our conduct and disobedience would bring about consequence and wrath from God should make us pay even closer attention to the message spoke. This fear should make us either a) continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling which is far better or b) we turn hard-hearted and are led away by an evil and unbelieving heart.
v13-19 This unbelief caused the Israelites to fall (die) in the wilderness. They were unable to enter God's rest. They perished in vanity, rebellion, disobedience, and unbelief. What is the cause of this? Sin blinds. Sin keeps us from seeing all that God would give us. Moses did not enter this rest spoken of. The Christian duty is to encourage his brother daily. Encourage him to run the race, press on towards the goal. Suffer well in our wanderings. Knowing full well that suffering produces endurance. Endurance-character. Character-hope. Hope does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3) This same hope out to be our confidence and boasting. This same hope ought to be what we are standing firmly upon in the end.(3:6,14)
Chapter 4
v1 The promise still stands however. Those who were rebellious and unbelieving perished in the wilderness. Even with the benefit of daily signs and miracles after they left Egypt, they still did not believe. Signs are not proof of our salvation, they are proof of God's promise and most importantly of Himself. He reveals himself through the outward workings of miracles both great and small in order to turn unbelieving hearts towards himself in repentance.
It is not wrong to fear NOT reaching this promised rest. Ishmael had all the appearances and outward signs of the covenant, yet the promise did not apply to him. The Christian ought to examine himself daily. He should train himself in righteousness as to win the prize and reach the goal. He should train to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness.
v2-7 They heard but did not listen. They saw the signs but did not see. It was of no eternal benefit to them. Isaiah's prophecy (Is 6:9), applies even to these and to those who questioned Jesus and to those who question today. They are able to hear and not understand, See and not percieve. They are not united in faith with those who believe because faith comes through hearing the word of God. Faith comes through hearing, then believing, and calling upon the name of the Lord in repentance (Rom 10)
This is our confidence, boasting, hope. Through these notes, I ask three questions to prepare you for the message on Sunday.
1. What do you place your confidence in? Is your confidence boastful?
2. Where do you find your rest?
3. Consequences are based on disbelief. Is there an unbelieving heart in you?
Chapter 3
v1. The author here reccognizes the common ground of all believer regardless of calling. We all have the same origin (2:11) and if Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers, we should not be ashamed also. We share in a heavenly calling to walk before the Lord and be blameless (Gen 17:1) and to "be holy as he is holy." (Lev 11:44, 1 Pet 1:16) Pay attention (2:1) to the message that Christ as apostle speaks.
v2-6. As high priest, Christ is faithful over what God has appointed him to do (2:17). While Moses was faithful it was a different office. It was as a servant. Christ was faithful as "Son". Moses did not build the house of Israel, God chose the house. Moses spoke about things to come. Consider how this Jesus not only spoke a greater message of repentance, but founded salvation since there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. He came not just to bring salvation to Israel but to the whole world. Every tribe and nation. In building this "house" he has provided a dwelling place for God being built by the Spirit (Eph 2:22). This message and Jesus testifies to a truth of the past (2:1, 3:5), the restful present (4:3,11) and a glorious future (Rev 19:8).
v7-12 Echoes once again 2:1, to pay attention. Listen to what you hear. Do not drift away. Do not neglect salvation. Do not fall away from the living God. Author quotes Psalms 95:7-11. Rebellion, evil, disbelief, caused God to not let them enter His rest. What is God's rest? His promise. What is God's promise? That they would inherit the land. This generation even with the benefit of signs and Moses, were rebellious and did not believe. They did not find rest from 40 years of wandering. They fell in the wilderness dead. To be told that our conduct and disobedience would bring about consequence and wrath from God should make us pay even closer attention to the message spoke. This fear should make us either a) continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling which is far better or b) we turn hard-hearted and are led away by an evil and unbelieving heart.
v13-19 This unbelief caused the Israelites to fall (die) in the wilderness. They were unable to enter God's rest. They perished in vanity, rebellion, disobedience, and unbelief. What is the cause of this? Sin blinds. Sin keeps us from seeing all that God would give us. Moses did not enter this rest spoken of. The Christian duty is to encourage his brother daily. Encourage him to run the race, press on towards the goal. Suffer well in our wanderings. Knowing full well that suffering produces endurance. Endurance-character. Character-hope. Hope does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3) This same hope out to be our confidence and boasting. This same hope ought to be what we are standing firmly upon in the end.(3:6,14)
Chapter 4
v1 The promise still stands however. Those who were rebellious and unbelieving perished in the wilderness. Even with the benefit of daily signs and miracles after they left Egypt, they still did not believe. Signs are not proof of our salvation, they are proof of God's promise and most importantly of Himself. He reveals himself through the outward workings of miracles both great and small in order to turn unbelieving hearts towards himself in repentance.
It is not wrong to fear NOT reaching this promised rest. Ishmael had all the appearances and outward signs of the covenant, yet the promise did not apply to him. The Christian ought to examine himself daily. He should train himself in righteousness as to win the prize and reach the goal. He should train to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness.
v2-7 They heard but did not listen. They saw the signs but did not see. It was of no eternal benefit to them. Isaiah's prophecy (Is 6:9), applies even to these and to those who questioned Jesus and to those who question today. They are able to hear and not understand, See and not percieve. They are not united in faith with those who believe because faith comes through hearing the word of God. Faith comes through hearing, then believing, and calling upon the name of the Lord in repentance (Rom 10)
Circle First Baptist
Well, well, well. I have for some time contemplated and talked myself out of setting up a page for informationa and events and all sorts of other things to help communicate the gospel to people in and around Circle more effectively. I guess I finally caved to the pressure and decided to start this page up. Here's how this is going to work.
This page is primarily for the purpose of getting the Word of God out to the people of FBC, Circle. Each Tuesday, a basic outline of Wednesday's study will be posted. Each Friday, outlines of Sunday morning study and also my personal study notes for the sermon will be posted with some questions to help prepare out hearts and minds for the sermon. Since I don't use a manuscript, there will not be one here. However, I also will begin putting audio versions of the sermon on this page, once I figure out how to do that. Remember, I am technologically challenged. The hope and goal is to not only feed the Word to those already here but to also begin to reach others outside the walls of our church.
CFB will also work as a communication and information center. Upcoming events will be posted. Prayer themes and praises will be listed here. Thoughts and insights from my personal readings, articles of interest, Big Sky Baptist Association and Montana Southern Baptist Convention news will also be found here.
I very much want to eliminate the "drive-by" bible study and sermon. The purpose is to encourage each of us to continue to walk before the Lord and grow in our faith and knowledge and love of God. So tomorrow, sermon notes and S.S. outline. God bless.
Pastor Mike
This page is primarily for the purpose of getting the Word of God out to the people of FBC, Circle. Each Tuesday, a basic outline of Wednesday's study will be posted. Each Friday, outlines of Sunday morning study and also my personal study notes for the sermon will be posted with some questions to help prepare out hearts and minds for the sermon. Since I don't use a manuscript, there will not be one here. However, I also will begin putting audio versions of the sermon on this page, once I figure out how to do that. Remember, I am technologically challenged. The hope and goal is to not only feed the Word to those already here but to also begin to reach others outside the walls of our church.
CFB will also work as a communication and information center. Upcoming events will be posted. Prayer themes and praises will be listed here. Thoughts and insights from my personal readings, articles of interest, Big Sky Baptist Association and Montana Southern Baptist Convention news will also be found here.
I very much want to eliminate the "drive-by" bible study and sermon. The purpose is to encourage each of us to continue to walk before the Lord and grow in our faith and knowledge and love of God. So tomorrow, sermon notes and S.S. outline. God bless.
Pastor Mike
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