Saturday, February 25, 2006

The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin - Part One

The Gospel Of Christ And The Problem Of Sin
The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin
(The Remission Of Sins)

We have been examining how the gospel saves us from the problem of sin in this series. Our last three lessons dealt with commands found in the gospel which, when obeyed, effectively answer several specific problems of sin. The command to believe, when obeyed, solves the problem of the love of sin. The command to repent, when obeyed, solves the problem of the practice of sin. The command to be baptized, when obeyed, solves the problem of the state of sin. In this lesson and those to follow, we shall turn our attention to the promises of the gospel.
Again, bear in mind that the gospel of Jesus Christ contains:
Facts to be believed
Commands to be obeyed
Promises to be received

We have seen how keeping the commands of the gospel deal with the problem of sin. Now we want to be sure to appreciate how the promises we receive upon obeying the gospel are also effective in dealing with sin.

In the first lesson of this series, we touched briefly upon the guilt of sin. Let us first elaborate on this point, the "guilt" of sin. The Bible declares all are guilty regarding sin. This was Paul's first main point in writing the epistle to the Romans - Ro 3:7-11 "Since your lies bring great honor to God by showing how truthful he is, you may ask why God still says you are a sinner. You might as well say, "Let's do something evil, so that something good will come of it!" Some people even claim that we are saying this. But God is fair and will judge them as well. What does all this mean? Does it mean that we Jews are better off than the Gentiles? No, it doesn't! Jews, as well as Gentiles, are ruled by sin, just as I have said. The Scriptures tell us, "No one is acceptable to God! Not one of them understands or even searches for God." Even if a person breaks only one commandment! - Ja 2:10-11 "If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. The same God who told us to be faithful in marriage also told us not to murder. So even if you are faithful in marriage, but murder someone, you still have broken God's Law."

This guilt refers primarily to "legal" guilt in the sense of having violated the law of God. In this way, everyone has sinned - Ro 3:23 "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." This makes them "transgressors" of the law - 1 Jn 3:4 "Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law." Other synonyms are used to describe those who have violated God's law:
"lawless"
"disobedient"
"workers of iniquity"
"ungodly"

This "legal guilt" is real, whether or not a person is aware of their actual guilt (ignorance does not excuse one of guilt before God) feels any sense of emotional guilt (more on this shortly). They are still held accountable before God as "guilty" of sin - 2 Co 5:10 "After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies."

This lesson will continue with looking at another facet of guilt. For many there is also the emotional guilt. But this is really only a side effect of the "legal" guilt of sin.

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.comor http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, February 19, 2006

The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin - Part Two

The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin - Part Two
(Baptism Into Jesus Christ)

In our previous lesson we left off with Paul’s explanation to the Romans in Romans chapter 6. We continue our lesson with the following illustration which might be helpful as a review:
HOW BAPTISM CHANGES THE "STATE" OF SIN

BEFORE BAPTISM
We are...DEAD "IN" SIN - DEAD TO GOD Eph 2:1 "In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God."

IN BAPTISM
We are...BURIED WITH CHRIST BY BAPTISM INTO HIS DEATH Rom 6:3-4 "Don't you know that all who share in Christ Jesus by being baptized also share in his death? When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father."
When we are lowered into the water, immersed we join Christ in Death. United in a likeness of His death, we are... CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, thus, we...DIE TO SIN, and we are...FREED FROM SIN, Rom 6:5-7 "If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him. We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of sin. We know that sin doesn't have power over dead people."
As we are raised up out of the water we are...RAISED WITH CHRIST, Col. 2:12 "And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death." TO NEWNESS OF LIFE Rom 6:4-5 "When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him."

AFTER BAPTISM
We are...DEAD "TO" SIN, ALIVE "TO" GOD
Rom 6:11 "In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God."
Gal. 3:26-27 "All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes."
Notice that our state in regards to sin has changed (and also our state in regards to God, as well!) - Ro 6:11 "In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God." Before baptism into Christ, we were dead in sin, and dead to God! But after baptism into Christ, we are dead to sin, and alive to God!
How can such a simple act of immersion in water bring out about such a significant change? From Co 2:11-13 "Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.", we learn that this change takes place through faith in the working of God.

Baptism is a spiritual "circumcision." Note when and how our sins are "cut away." It is when we were buried with Christ in baptism! - Co 2:11-13 (see above). Though "dead in trespasses" we were made alive! Note verse 11, "Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body." Remember Ep 2:4-9, that it involved God's grace and mercy? How were our sins cut away? Note that we were raised through faith (this is man's part, expressed by submitting to baptism). In the working of God (this is God's part, who through grace cleanses us by the blood of Christ and by His Spirit causes us to be born again - Jn 3:5 "Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit."; Ti 3:5 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.") It takes immersion in water (baptism) and the Holy Spirit for us to be buried and risen alive to a new birth in Christ.Yes, baptism is a "working of God", by which He imparts wonderful blessings to those who submit to it, not a "work of man" by which one tries to earn or merit salvation!

Note what happens when a penitent believer is baptized. God performs a "spiritual operation" (the "circumcision of Christ")! He who was dead in sins has his sins removed (by Jesus' blood shed in His death) and thus he who was dead in sin is made alive! Coming forth from the watery grave, he is raised together with Christ (Co 2:12 ). Having "put on" Christ in baptism.. Note: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have PUT ON Christ." - Ga 3:27. This is how one truly receives Jesus Christ into their life! Not by saying "the sinner's prayer" (which is no where taught in the Scriptures). But by submitting to the command of Christ to be baptized into His death for the remission of sins! - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; Ga 3:27
No longer dead "in" sin, but dead "to" sin, God's work on us in baptism truly changes the state of sin! This explains why in the preaching of the gospel of Christ, the command to be baptized naturally follows the commands to believe and repent - cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36-38.
Are YOU really "dead to sin" and "alive to God"? Only if you have been scripturally baptized (immersed in water by the authority of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins - Mt 28:18-19; Ac 2:38) can you be CERTAIN that through the "working of God" your sins are forgiven and you have been raised together with Christ! If you have not been baptized, then...
"...why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16

For a more detailed study on the subject of baptism, please contact me or after studying this lesson and you feel the need to repent and be baptized, turning to God, please contact me at:
jnlnewsted@nts-online.net

This study is from The Executable Outlines Series, a collection of sermon outlines and Bible study lessons by Mark A. Copeland . These outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2001

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Blogger Help : What is BlogThis! ?

Blogger Help : What is BlogThis! ?

The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin - Part One

The Gospel Of Christ And The Problem Of Sin
The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin
(Baptism Into Jesus Christ)

We have been examining how the gospel addresses the problem of sin in this series of lessons. Our first lesson dealt with this subject in general terms. Then we looked more closely at:
The command to believe as the gospel's answer to the love of sin.
The command to repent as the gospel's answer to the practice of sin.
In this lesson, we shall examine how the command to be baptized is the gospel's answer to
the state of sin.

Beginning with the "Great Commission", an important part of preaching the gospel was
including the command to be baptized - cf. Mk 16:15-16 "Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned." As the apostle and others went out preaching Christ, they taught the necessity of baptism:
Peter on the day of Pentecost - Ac 2:36-38 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross. When the people heard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:35-39 "So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, "Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way."
Peter and the household of Cornelius - Ac 10:48 "Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days."
Paul in recounting his own conversion - Ac 22:16 "What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord."’

Why this emphasis on baptism? It helps us to appreciate its importance when we see how baptism changes the "state" of sin. Before baptism one is dead "in" sin, one’s condition outside of Christ. Read carefully Ep 2:1-3 "In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God. Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else." Note the state or condition one finds themselves in regarding sin. They are dead spiritually "in" sin, and as a result are "dead to God". As for having a relationship with GOD, there is none!

Now note what God’s grace makes possible by reading carefully Ep 2:4-9 "But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you. God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about." By God's mercy, love and grace (and not any meritorious works of our own). Those "dead in trespasses" (dead in sin) were made alive together with Christ! Those who were dead in sin were raised together with Him! Outside of Christ, one is dead in sin; yet by God's grace we can be made alive! This raises an important question: "When" and "how" does a persons who is "dead in sin" become "alive with Christ" and "raised together with him"???

Here's the Biblical answer, in baptism one dies "to" sin. Notice carefully what Paul teaches in Ro 6:1-8 "What should we say? Should we keep on sinning, so that God's wonderful kindness will show up even better? No, we should not! If we are dead to sin, how can we go on sinning? Don't you know that all who share in Christ Jesus by being baptized also share in his death? When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him. We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of sin. We know that sin doesn't have power over dead people. As surely as we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him." , 11 "In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God." Please note what Paul is not saying, that baptism is a symbolic demonstration of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ engaged in by those who have already died to sin (as taught by many churches, though baptism is never described in these words in the Bible). Please note that baptism is a public profession of one's faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (likewise taught by many, despite several examples of baptism in private - (Ac 8:35-38; Ac 16:30-34). Nor that one "dies to sin" in repentance and then is buried with Christ in baptism
(as many of my own brethren teach).

Paul explains when and how one dies to sin. It happens when they are baptized into Christ, which is a baptism into His death - Ro 6:3-4 "Don't you know that all who share in Christ Jesus by being baptized also share in his death? When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father." It is in baptism that one is "crucified with Him (Christ)" - Ro 6:6 "We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of sin." It is in baptism that we die to sin, and then are "freed from sin" (from it's guilt, consequence, and power) - Ro 6:7 "We know that sin doesn't have power over dead people."

We will conclude this portion of our lesson here and resume next week with and illustration of what Paul is explaining to the Romans.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin - Part Two

The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin Part Two

Now that we may have a better idea as to what repentance is and what indications are that it has occurred, let's continue our study by considering what is involved in the production of repentance. In other words, what produces true repentance. A Godly sorrow produces repentance. Note carefully Paul's words in 2 Co 7:9-10 "Now I am happy, but not because I hurt your feelings. It is because God used your hurt feelings to make you turn back to him, and none of you were harmed by us. When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don't have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death." Not simply "sorrow", but one that is "godly". For there is such a thing as "sorrow of the world". The difference between "godly" sorrow and "worldly" sorrow. "Worldly" sorrow is a selfish kind of sorrow, e.g., when one is sorry because he got caught or when one is sorry because what one did made himself look bad. In "worldly sorrow", one is concerned about one's self! "Godly" sorrow is sorrow directed toward GOD ("godly" is literally "according to God"). I.e., one is sorry because their actions are sins against a Holy God - fr example, the attitude of David in Ps 51:4 "You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me." Also, one is sorry because of the price God must pay to have our sins removed. Some more differences, "worldly" sorrow produces regret, "godly" sorrow suffers loss in nothing; "worldly" produces death, "godly" sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.

Desiring such repentance in ourselves and others, how can we produce the "godly sorrow" that leads to repentance? Nathan's rebuke to David provides some insight - 2 Sam 12:7-12. Make an appeal to God's love - 7-8 "Then Nathan told David: You are that rich man! Now listen to what the LORD God of Israel says to you: "I chose you to be the king of Israel. I kept you safe from Saul and even gave you his house and his wives. I let you rule Israel and Judah, and if that had not been enough, I would have given you much more." Reveal the sin - 9 "Why did you disobey me and do such a horrible thing? You murdered Uriah the Hittite by having the Ammonites kill him, so you could take his wife." Warn of the consequences - 10-12 ‘"Because you wouldn't obey me and took Uriah's wife for yourself, your family will never live in peace. Someone from your own family will cause you a lot of trouble, and I will take your wives and give them to another man before your very eyes. He will go to bed with them while everyone looks on. What you did was in secret, but I will do this in the open for everyone in Israel to see."’

The gospel of Christ, when properly taught, is designed to produce "godly sorrow" in the same way, and in turn, repentance. It appeals to God's love as a basis for repentance - Ro 2:4 "You surely don't think much of God's wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don't you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?" It reveals our sin - Ro 3:23 "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." It warns of the consequences - Ro 2:5-11 "But you are stubborn and refuse to turn to God. So you are making things even worse for yourselves on that day when he will show how angry he is and will judge the world with fairness. God will reward each of us for what we have done. He will give eternal life to everyone who has patiently done what is good in the hope of receiving glory, honor, and life that lasts forever. But he will show how angry and furious he can be with every selfish person who rejects the truth and wants to do evil. All who are wicked will be punished with trouble and suffering. It doesn't matter if they are Jews or Gentiles. But all who do right will be rewarded with glory, honor, and peace, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. God doesn't have any favorites!"

The gospel of Jesus Christ, properly presented and understood, can help produce the kind of
repentance that will effectively deal with the practice of sin! Have you truly repented of your sins? Can you look at your life and see indications that you have really had a "change of mind"?
That you made "a decision to turn from sin and turn to God"? Make no mistake about it. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel...you have not repented! If you have become slack in your service to God...you are in need of repentance! If such is the case, then you are in need of a healthy dose of "godly sorrow", brought about only by realizing...God's love for you. The fact you are still in your sins and the consequences if you do not repent. If you believe the good news of God's love for you, and godly sorrow has prompted you to have a "change of mind", why not do those "works befitting repentance"...? Confess your faith in Christ and be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins (if that is your need). Confess your sins and ask for the prayers of the brethren (if such is your need). Let the gospel of Christ address the practice of sin in your life through its call to repentance!

After studying this lesson and you fell the need to repent and turn to God, please contact me at:
jnlnewsted@nts-online.net

This study is from The Executable Outlines Series, a collection of sermon outlines and Bible study lessons by Mark A. Copeland . These outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2001