1Jo 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
1Jo 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
We are not saved by our love for God. Rather, we are saved by His love for us as expressed in the cross of Calvary.
And we show our love to Him by obeying His commandments, by doing good works etc. We do good works not to be saved. We do good works to show our THANK YOU and express our I LOVE YOU to the Lord Jesus for saving us.
Salvation is not about our love for God, it is about His love for us sinners as seen in Calvary, if we trust in it.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET#212
The Wise Men
Mt 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
The wise men are representative of people who seek the Savior with all their hearts. Many Bible scholars say that they came from Babylon---that would take about 300 miles to travel!
Can you imagine the sore hardships they went through in traveling those seemingly interminable miles? I mean, even traveling a 100-mile journey in a comfortable air-conditioned car is unnerving enough.
Can you imagine the risk they placed themselves? Traveling in those times was dangerous. You could get easily waylaid and ambushed and robbed on the way.
But in spite of the forbidding distance they had to travel, the distressing discomfort they would have to endure and the life-threatening danger that lay ahead of them, they still sought the Savior.
(Compare them to many people today who render themselves unable to attend Bible studies because of rain or because of a severe HAIRache or because it would take 2 rides to reach etc.)
The wise men were faithful to the small light that they had. There was this small supernatural star pointing them to the Savior. They were faithful to the light they had, and they were led to the Savior---the true Light of the world.
This answers the question: “What about people who live in faraway lands who have no Bibles? How can they be saved?”
If they are faithful to the light that God has given them (since God has given each and every single person light like Creation in front of them and conscience within them), if they are truly seeking God, God will guide them to the Savior.
Mt 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
The wise men are representative of people who seek the Savior with all their hearts. Many Bible scholars say that they came from Babylon---that would take about 300 miles to travel!
Can you imagine the sore hardships they went through in traveling those seemingly interminable miles? I mean, even traveling a 100-mile journey in a comfortable air-conditioned car is unnerving enough.
Can you imagine the risk they placed themselves? Traveling in those times was dangerous. You could get easily waylaid and ambushed and robbed on the way.
But in spite of the forbidding distance they had to travel, the distressing discomfort they would have to endure and the life-threatening danger that lay ahead of them, they still sought the Savior.
(Compare them to many people today who render themselves unable to attend Bible studies because of rain or because of a severe HAIRache or because it would take 2 rides to reach etc.)
The wise men were faithful to the small light that they had. There was this small supernatural star pointing them to the Savior. They were faithful to the light they had, and they were led to the Savior---the true Light of the world.
This answers the question: “What about people who live in faraway lands who have no Bibles? How can they be saved?”
If they are faithful to the light that God has given them (since God has given each and every single person light like Creation in front of them and conscience within them), if they are truly seeking God, God will guide them to the Savior.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #211
No Room For Christ
Lu 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR HIM IN THE INN.
Zero in on that expression: "NO ROOM FOR HIM".
It was a very busy day in a little town called Bethlehem, Judea. Many Jews came to Judea to be registered. The King of the universe was born, and they had no room for Him. The world was preoccupied with many things that they missed the King Himself.
They had no room for Him. The only place where there was room for Him was on a cross
These four words describe many people this season who profess to celebrate the Incarnation Day in memory of the birth of the Lord Jesus---they have no room for Him in their hearts! Their hearts to Him are as dry as the Sahara desert.
They are busy with Christmas decors, gifts, party, greetings but Christ is not in their hearts. The memory that Christ was born 2000 years ago to be the Savior of sinners is a bore, a chore, and a lore tucked in the head but not tied to the heart.
Have you no room for the Savior in your heart? Are you simply a nominal and professing Christian and nothing more? You can receive Christ now by trusting in Him for salvation.
Lu 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR HIM IN THE INN.
Zero in on that expression: "NO ROOM FOR HIM".
It was a very busy day in a little town called Bethlehem, Judea. Many Jews came to Judea to be registered. The King of the universe was born, and they had no room for Him. The world was preoccupied with many things that they missed the King Himself.
They had no room for Him. The only place where there was room for Him was on a cross
These four words describe many people this season who profess to celebrate the Incarnation Day in memory of the birth of the Lord Jesus---they have no room for Him in their hearts! Their hearts to Him are as dry as the Sahara desert.
They are busy with Christmas decors, gifts, party, greetings but Christ is not in their hearts. The memory that Christ was born 2000 years ago to be the Savior of sinners is a bore, a chore, and a lore tucked in the head but not tied to the heart.
Have you no room for the Savior in your heart? Are you simply a nominal and professing Christian and nothing more? You can receive Christ now by trusting in Him for salvation.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #210
What Is It To Have Saving Faith In Christ?
* To have saving faith in Christ means to entrust your soul's salvation to Him.
* It is to trust Him and what He did on the cross.
* It is to rely on Him and nothing and no one else for your salvation.
* It is to depend on Him alone for salvation.
* It is to be convinced and persuaded that salvation can only be found in Him through His death on the cross for our sins.
* It is to be completely satisfied that His death on the cross was the sufficient payment for all our sins---past, present and future.
* It is to be utterly confident that what He did was eternally enough.
* It is to find in Him as your only hope of salvation.
True saving faith in Christ, however, is the result of realizing that we are sinners totally powerless and helpless to save ourselves. For it is only men and women who realize their desperate condition that throw themselves completely to the Savior.
* To have saving faith in Christ means to entrust your soul's salvation to Him.
* It is to trust Him and what He did on the cross.
* It is to rely on Him and nothing and no one else for your salvation.
* It is to depend on Him alone for salvation.
* It is to be convinced and persuaded that salvation can only be found in Him through His death on the cross for our sins.
* It is to be completely satisfied that His death on the cross was the sufficient payment for all our sins---past, present and future.
* It is to be utterly confident that what He did was eternally enough.
* It is to find in Him as your only hope of salvation.
True saving faith in Christ, however, is the result of realizing that we are sinners totally powerless and helpless to save ourselves. For it is only men and women who realize their desperate condition that throw themselves completely to the Savior.
GOSPEL NUGGET #209
Joh 1:14 And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us...
In about a few days, many people will celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus. And the reason for the season is about the Incarnation. It's about God the Son's coming into the world and taking humanity into Himself.
Man needs to be saved. And the only way for him to be saved is through a Substitute. Without a Substitute, man, as a guilty sinner, will have to suffer and pay for his sins.
The only qualified substitute for man is a Man Himself. And so He came and became a human being without ceasing to be God. Think about it! God and Man in one indivisible person!
As such, He can reconcile sinful Man back to God in Himself for those who will put their trust in Him. He Himself in His blessed person has become the Way back to God. He Himself is the access to God.
No sinner will ever reach God through any other way. It's not in religion, it's in a person who is God and Man at the same time.
In about a few days, many people will celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus. And the reason for the season is about the Incarnation. It's about God the Son's coming into the world and taking humanity into Himself.
Man needs to be saved. And the only way for him to be saved is through a Substitute. Without a Substitute, man, as a guilty sinner, will have to suffer and pay for his sins.
The only qualified substitute for man is a Man Himself. And so He came and became a human being without ceasing to be God. Think about it! God and Man in one indivisible person!
As such, He can reconcile sinful Man back to God in Himself for those who will put their trust in Him. He Himself in His blessed person has become the Way back to God. He Himself is the access to God.
No sinner will ever reach God through any other way. It's not in religion, it's in a person who is God and Man at the same time.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #208
A Different Gospel
Ga 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to A DIFFERENT GOSPEL,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
The Gospel is the Good News that Christ died for the sins of sinners and rose again from the dead, and that if we put our trust in Him and what He did on the cross, we will be saved.
To present another plan and method of salvation aside from this is a DIFFERENT GOSPEL. It is a perversion of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
When someone comes to you and tells you that in order to be saved you must be a member of their church, he is preaching a different gospel.
When another comes to you and tells you that in order to be saved you must obey the 10 Commandments, he is preaching a different gospel. God clearly tells us that "...a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ..." Gal. 2:16
When somebody says that in order to be saved we must pay for our sins by our sacrifices, he is preaching a different gospel. For we are not saved by our sacrifices, we are saved by the sacrifice of Christ.
When a moralist comes to you and says that we are saved by good character, by being ethical, by altruism etc., he is preaching a different gospel. Salvation is not by Christ and by being good. Salvation is solely by faith in Christ. Being good is the result.
Any method of salvation that is based on self and what self can do is a different gospel. The true Gospel, the only way of salvation is based on the Savior and what He did on the cross.
Ga 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to A DIFFERENT GOSPEL,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
The Gospel is the Good News that Christ died for the sins of sinners and rose again from the dead, and that if we put our trust in Him and what He did on the cross, we will be saved.
To present another plan and method of salvation aside from this is a DIFFERENT GOSPEL. It is a perversion of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
When someone comes to you and tells you that in order to be saved you must be a member of their church, he is preaching a different gospel.
When another comes to you and tells you that in order to be saved you must obey the 10 Commandments, he is preaching a different gospel. God clearly tells us that "...a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ..." Gal. 2:16
When somebody says that in order to be saved we must pay for our sins by our sacrifices, he is preaching a different gospel. For we are not saved by our sacrifices, we are saved by the sacrifice of Christ.
When a moralist comes to you and says that we are saved by good character, by being ethical, by altruism etc., he is preaching a different gospel. Salvation is not by Christ and by being good. Salvation is solely by faith in Christ. Being good is the result.
Any method of salvation that is based on self and what self can do is a different gospel. The true Gospel, the only way of salvation is based on the Savior and what He did on the cross.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #207
Why do you not love Jesus?
True Story
An atheist was once approached by a little girl. The little girl asked him: "Why do you not love Jesus?" He ignored her and just went ahead. But the little girl asked him again: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
Ignoring her a second time, he just went on. But for the third time the girl asked him, this time with tears in her eyes: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
And again, as in the case of many, that question was used by the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to his heart. Everywhere he went, the question kept ringing in his ear: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
In the business place: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
With friends: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
With his family: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
Even the words from his pen seem to form themselves and ask: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
At night time, when he was about to go to sleep, the pillow seemed to whisper in his ear: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
He took out a Bible and decided to read the book of John, in the hopes of trying to find a contradiction that could give him some justification. He looked in vain.
In the end, the arrow of conviction pierced deeply into his heart, he saw himself a sinner and then found salvation in Christ Jesus.
True Story
An atheist was once approached by a little girl. The little girl asked him: "Why do you not love Jesus?" He ignored her and just went ahead. But the little girl asked him again: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
Ignoring her a second time, he just went on. But for the third time the girl asked him, this time with tears in her eyes: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
And again, as in the case of many, that question was used by the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to his heart. Everywhere he went, the question kept ringing in his ear: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
In the business place: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
With friends: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
With his family: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
Even the words from his pen seem to form themselves and ask: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
At night time, when he was about to go to sleep, the pillow seemed to whisper in his ear: "Why do you not love Jesus?"
He took out a Bible and decided to read the book of John, in the hopes of trying to find a contradiction that could give him some justification. He looked in vain.
In the end, the arrow of conviction pierced deeply into his heart, he saw himself a sinner and then found salvation in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #206
1Co 15:22 "...in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
All human beings are either IN ADAM or IN CHRIST in the eyes of God. All of us are naturally born in Adam. We need to be born again supernaturally in order to be in Christ.
Imagine two trains: the first is called "Adam" and the second is called "Jesus Christ."
We were born naturally in the first, we need to be born again in order to be in the second. The destination of the first is heading towards death and judgment, while the destination of the second is heading towards life and blessing.
We need to transfer to the second. No matter how many good works and religious activities you do in the first does not alter its destination. We cannot save ourselves by our efforts away from being in Adam.
We must be transferred by God's grace to the other. And it is only through faith in the Savior and what He did on the cross can this happen.
All human beings are either IN ADAM or IN CHRIST in the eyes of God. All of us are naturally born in Adam. We need to be born again supernaturally in order to be in Christ.
Imagine two trains: the first is called "Adam" and the second is called "Jesus Christ."
We were born naturally in the first, we need to be born again in order to be in the second. The destination of the first is heading towards death and judgment, while the destination of the second is heading towards life and blessing.
We need to transfer to the second. No matter how many good works and religious activities you do in the first does not alter its destination. We cannot save ourselves by our efforts away from being in Adam.
We must be transferred by God's grace to the other. And it is only through faith in the Savior and what He did on the cross can this happen.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET# 205
How Good Must You Be In Order To Earn Eternal Life?
De 10:12 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in *ALL* His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with *ALL* your heart and with *ALL* your soul
Notice the word "ALL". It connotes the ideas of completeness and totality. God demands from us complete and total obedience from the heart. Have you obeyed God completely and totally?
Ga 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not *CONTINUE* in *ALL* things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
Notice the words "CONTINUE" and "ALL". It means that God does not only want complete and total obedience, He also demands that we maintain complete and total obedience to Him. In other words, He demands perfect obedience continually. Have you obeyed God perfectly?
Jas 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
Notice that the law was a unit. You break one, you are guilty of all. How many legs of a chair must you break in order to render it useless in connection to what it was made for? You break one and you have practically damaged the whole chair.
Let's answer our question: "How good must you be in order to earn eternal life?"
You'll have to maintain total and complete obedience. You'll have to obey God perfectly. But you say: "But that's impossible for anyone to do!"
Correct! None of us can obey God perfectly. We all sin. And that is why we need the Savior. That is why you must come to Christ for salvation. You cannot save yourself, you need to trust in Him who died on the cross for you.
God lets us know about His perfect standard so that we will realize that we cannot save ourselves and that we need Christ.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #204
A Religious Man And A Christian Contrasted
The Religious Man says: "I am a good person compared to others. I go to church regularly. I offer money to the church and I give money to the poor. I read my Bible every now and then. I also prayed a prayer of salvation. My good works outweigh my bad ones, I try to keep the 10 Commandments as well."
The religious man's foundation of salvation is in his own good efforts and religious acts. Notice, that his salvation is founded on SELF, what self did and what self did not do.
He prayed the prayer of salvation alright but his trust is in it, and not on the Savior. Many people who prayed the prayer are trusting in the prayer they made to the Savior instead of trusting the Savior through that prayer.
The Saved Man says: "I know that I am a sinner worthy of judgment. I am helpless and powerless in myself to save myself, and so that is why I am depending on Christ. I am relying on what He did on the cross for my salvation. I am trusting in Him alone for salvation. I have entrusted the salvation of my soul to Him.
The saved man's foundation of salvation is on what Christ did. His salvation is founded not on self but on the SAVIOR.
The Religious Man says: "I am a good person compared to others. I go to church regularly. I offer money to the church and I give money to the poor. I read my Bible every now and then. I also prayed a prayer of salvation. My good works outweigh my bad ones, I try to keep the 10 Commandments as well."
The religious man's foundation of salvation is in his own good efforts and religious acts. Notice, that his salvation is founded on SELF, what self did and what self did not do.
He prayed the prayer of salvation alright but his trust is in it, and not on the Savior. Many people who prayed the prayer are trusting in the prayer they made to the Savior instead of trusting the Savior through that prayer.
The Saved Man says: "I know that I am a sinner worthy of judgment. I am helpless and powerless in myself to save myself, and so that is why I am depending on Christ. I am relying on what He did on the cross for my salvation. I am trusting in Him alone for salvation. I have entrusted the salvation of my soul to Him.
The saved man's foundation of salvation is on what Christ did. His salvation is founded not on self but on the SAVIOR.
Monday, December 3, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #203
Re 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away...
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...
There are two creations: the old creation and the new creation. God is now in the process of making a new creation. We live in this old, sinful and fallen world were pain, suffering, death and sin abound.
Sin contaminates. When it entered through the Fall of Man, it contaminated everything: the heavens, the earth and man himself.
But in the coming glorious future, a new creation will unfold right before our eyes. It will be a creation without sin. It will be a new heaven, a new earth and a new redeemed humanity. "The first heaven and the first earth" will pass away. A new will emerge.
Who will take part in the new creation? Anyone who is in Christ.
And how do you get to be in Christ? By faith in Him. Through the bonds of faith, we are united to Christ. If you trust in Christ alone for salvation, you will be a new creation. In the future, you will be resurrected and given a new body. God will rid you of the sin nature for good enabling you to live for Him completely and perfectly in that new creation.
God could have justly swept us out and annihilated us and created a brand new set of humanity for His new heaven and earth, but God in grace, decided to include us in it.
Will you be part of the new creation? Have you trusted in Christ alone for salvation?
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...
There are two creations: the old creation and the new creation. God is now in the process of making a new creation. We live in this old, sinful and fallen world were pain, suffering, death and sin abound.
Sin contaminates. When it entered through the Fall of Man, it contaminated everything: the heavens, the earth and man himself.
But in the coming glorious future, a new creation will unfold right before our eyes. It will be a creation without sin. It will be a new heaven, a new earth and a new redeemed humanity. "The first heaven and the first earth" will pass away. A new will emerge.
Who will take part in the new creation? Anyone who is in Christ.
And how do you get to be in Christ? By faith in Him. Through the bonds of faith, we are united to Christ. If you trust in Christ alone for salvation, you will be a new creation. In the future, you will be resurrected and given a new body. God will rid you of the sin nature for good enabling you to live for Him completely and perfectly in that new creation.
God could have justly swept us out and annihilated us and created a brand new set of humanity for His new heaven and earth, but God in grace, decided to include us in it.
Will you be part of the new creation? Have you trusted in Christ alone for salvation?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #202
Salvation And Rewards: What's The Difference?
* Salvation in the Bible is offered to the lost and unsaved, while rewards are promised to those who are already saved who faithfully serve the Lord.
* Salvation is freely given to be received by faith (see Rom. 6:23 and Eph. 2:8) while rewards are earned through faithful service (see Matt. 10:42 and Rev. 22:12)
* Salvation can be received now (see Joh. 6:47) while rewards are given by God in the future (Matt. 16:27).
* Salvation is permanent. It can never be lost (see Heb 9:12) while rewards can be lost (see 2 Jo 1:8). Anything that can be earned by us can be lost by us.
The only ones who can qualify in obtaining rewards are those who are already saved by faith in Christ. Do not confuse salvation and rewards. Many people erroneously think that salvation is a reward from God given on the basis of works.
Not so, the Bible clearly distinguishes the two. Salvation is a free gift received by faith. You can never earn it, you can only freely receive it. It was the Savior who earned salvation. Now He offers it to us for free. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by the saved sinner's faithful service.
* Salvation in the Bible is offered to the lost and unsaved, while rewards are promised to those who are already saved who faithfully serve the Lord.
* Salvation is freely given to be received by faith (see Rom. 6:23 and Eph. 2:8) while rewards are earned through faithful service (see Matt. 10:42 and Rev. 22:12)
* Salvation can be received now (see Joh. 6:47) while rewards are given by God in the future (Matt. 16:27).
* Salvation is permanent. It can never be lost (see Heb 9:12) while rewards can be lost (see 2 Jo 1:8). Anything that can be earned by us can be lost by us.
The only ones who can qualify in obtaining rewards are those who are already saved by faith in Christ. Do not confuse salvation and rewards. Many people erroneously think that salvation is a reward from God given on the basis of works.
Not so, the Bible clearly distinguishes the two. Salvation is a free gift received by faith. You can never earn it, you can only freely receive it. It was the Savior who earned salvation. Now He offers it to us for free. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by the saved sinner's faithful service.
GOSPEL NUGGET #201
The Power Of The Gospel To Change Lives
One time a western man traveled to the islands of Micronesia. He was a man of sophistication, culture and refinement. As he was walking, he saw a native aborigine reading the Bible.
He accosted him and said: "Do you believe in that book?"
"Yes, I do with all my heart." replied the native.
"Why, that book is a book of fables. It was written by men who should have known better. It's an ancient book out of step with modern science. If I were you, I would stop reading that book." the man quipped.
The native looked up and told him straight: "Sir, if not for this book, you would have been our lunch by now."
The central story of the book is the Savior who came and died for the sins of sinners and rose again, that if we put our trust in Him alone for salvation, He will not only deliver us from the fires of hell, but He will also deliver us from our depraved selves, transforming us into new creatures.
One time a western man traveled to the islands of Micronesia. He was a man of sophistication, culture and refinement. As he was walking, he saw a native aborigine reading the Bible.
He accosted him and said: "Do you believe in that book?"
"Yes, I do with all my heart." replied the native.
"Why, that book is a book of fables. It was written by men who should have known better. It's an ancient book out of step with modern science. If I were you, I would stop reading that book." the man quipped.
The native looked up and told him straight: "Sir, if not for this book, you would have been our lunch by now."
The central story of the book is the Savior who came and died for the sins of sinners and rose again, that if we put our trust in Him alone for salvation, He will not only deliver us from the fires of hell, but He will also deliver us from our depraved selves, transforming us into new creatures.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #200
Ephesians 2:1 to 10
Let me tell you 4 things about myself: a) What I Was By Nature b) What I Am By Grace c) What I Will Be In The Future and d) How It All Took Place
* What I Was By Nature:
Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
* What I Am By Grace:
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
* What I Will Be In The Future:
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
* How It All Took Place:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Let me tell you 4 things about myself: a) What I Was By Nature b) What I Am By Grace c) What I Will Be In The Future and d) How It All Took Place
* What I Was By Nature:
Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
* What I Am By Grace:
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
* What I Will Be In The Future:
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
* How It All Took Place:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #199
You Can Have Assurance Of Salvation Now
Joh 6:47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
"Most assuredly"--- How sure was the Lord Jesus Christ about this?
"I say to you"--- Who is He who gives the guarantee about this? Is He reliable?
"he who believes/trusts in Me"--- Do you trust only in Christ and what He did on the cross for your salvation?
"...has everlasting life..." --- Does it say 'you can have it later after you die' or you can possess eternal life now?
Joh 6:47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
"Most assuredly"--- How sure was the Lord Jesus Christ about this?
"I say to you"--- Who is He who gives the guarantee about this? Is He reliable?
"he who believes/trusts in Me"--- Do you trust only in Christ and what He did on the cross for your salvation?
"...has everlasting life..." --- Does it say 'you can have it later after you die' or you can possess eternal life now?
GOSPEL NUGGET #198
Objections To The Gospel
#6 "Those who believe that salvation is not by works are lazy people. They do not want to work to earn salvation."
Answer
It is not an issue of being lazy or not. It is about realizing who you are in the eyes of God and what Christ did on the cross.
* Who are we in the eyes of God?
We are sinners, helpless and powerless in ourselves to save ourselves. We are spiritually dead in the eyes of God, impotent to redeem ourselves. It is not about being lazy, it's about realizing our total inability.
* What did Christ do on the Cross?
He provided a free and complete payment for all our sins. And now salvation is offered to each single sinner to be received by faith. It is not about being lazy, it's about realizing and resting in Christ's full ability.
#6 "Those who believe that salvation is not by works are lazy people. They do not want to work to earn salvation."
Answer
It is not an issue of being lazy or not. It is about realizing who you are in the eyes of God and what Christ did on the cross.
* Who are we in the eyes of God?
We are sinners, helpless and powerless in ourselves to save ourselves. We are spiritually dead in the eyes of God, impotent to redeem ourselves. It is not about being lazy, it's about realizing our total inability.
* What did Christ do on the Cross?
He provided a free and complete payment for all our sins. And now salvation is offered to each single sinner to be received by faith. It is not about being lazy, it's about realizing and resting in Christ's full ability.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #197
Objections To The Gospel
#5 "You guys keep on saying that a sinner doesn't have to do anything to be saved, that all one has to do is to trust in Christ. But isn't believing and trusting in Christ doing something?"
Answer
When we say that you don't have to do anything to be saved, we mean this: "You don't have to do anything TO EARN salvation. But you must do something TO RECEIVE salvation. You receive it freely by faith."
Illustration
A disabled beggar fixed his eyes on the loaves of bread that was displayed in a bakery. His stomach all the more churned imagining the bread in his mouth.
The heart of the baker who was also the owner of the bakery melted with compassion for the beggar. And so he stuffed a bag filled with bread and offered it freely to the man.
The beggar looked down in shame and humiliation saying: "I am sorry. I don't have any money at all to buy those bread. I can't even earn them by working for them. I am invalid. My arms and legs are practically useless, I could only move an arm barely."
The Christian baker replied: "You don't have to do anything TO EARN these bread, but you must do something for it to be yours. You must receive it freely from my hand."
P.S. The illustration of course is not a point by point analogy of salvation. For in salvation, a sinner is totally and completely paralyzed. Even the faith to receive salvation is offered by God.
Friday, November 9, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #196
Eze 3:7 "But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.
Eze 2:5 "As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse-for they are a rebellious house-yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.
True Story
One time a preacher was earnestly preaching the message of salvation in Christ to hundreds if not a thousand people in a big auditorium, wherein he pleaded with them and tried to make them see their need of salvation in Christ.
He was met with a cold response.
He called for his assistant to take over while he walked away and slumped in his chair wondering, somewhat discouraged. He silently asked God: "What's wrong Lord? I did everything so that you would use me as your tool in calling men to salvation in Christ."
Then these verses came to his attention:
"...the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted."
"As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse-for they are a rebellious house-yet they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Are you one of them my friend? God has sent you His messengers, calling you to come to Christ in repentance and faith. You have no time to read His Word (the Bible) but you have all the time for Facebook, and so He came and sent you His message in Facebook calling you to come to Christ.
Will you still give Him a cold shoulder? Will you still harden your heart against Him? Will you be one of the people in the place of eternal torment who will realize that God called you one time through His messengers but you hardened your heart?
Thursday, November 8, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #195
Joh 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
True Story
One time a preacher was testing the acoustics of a hall where he would be preaching the next day. He repeatedly shouted the verse (there were no microphones during that time):
"Behold the Lamb of God (Jesus) who takes away the sin of the world!"
Little did he know that a worker high up there on the rafters of the building heard these wonderful words and became converted to Christ as a result. God had been working in his heart and He arranged the pieces on the chessboard as it were and set up the preacher and the worker in one place so that he could hear Christ and His salvation.
Christ Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb of God that was crucified on the cross for the sins of sinners. Here read it again:
Joh 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God (not your good works, not your religious achievements, not your good character etc.) who takes away the sin of the world!
True Story
One time a preacher was testing the acoustics of a hall where he would be preaching the next day. He repeatedly shouted the verse (there were no microphones during that time):
"Behold the Lamb of God (Jesus) who takes away the sin of the world!"
Little did he know that a worker high up there on the rafters of the building heard these wonderful words and became converted to Christ as a result. God had been working in his heart and He arranged the pieces on the chessboard as it were and set up the preacher and the worker in one place so that he could hear Christ and His salvation.
Christ Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb of God that was crucified on the cross for the sins of sinners. Here read it again:
Joh 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God (not your good works, not your religious achievements, not your good character etc.) who takes away the sin of the world!
Friday, November 2, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #194
1Jo 1:7 "...the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
One time the Devil tempted Martin Luther and made him remember all his sins. Sins from his boyhood, sins from his youth, sins from his manhood up to that time. He then told Luther: "Look at you! You are so filthy!"
Luther replied: "Is that all it? Write some more!"
The Devil replied: "That's all. There is nothing more to write."
Luther then replied: "Then write across all of my sins 'the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
You see, it's not our good works, our religious achievement, our good character etc. that can cleanse all our sins. It is only the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shed on Calvary that can cleanse it away. Trust in what He did on the cross for you.
One time the Devil tempted Martin Luther and made him remember all his sins. Sins from his boyhood, sins from his youth, sins from his manhood up to that time. He then told Luther: "Look at you! You are so filthy!"
Luther replied: "Is that all it? Write some more!"
The Devil replied: "That's all. There is nothing more to write."
Luther then replied: "Then write across all of my sins 'the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
You see, it's not our good works, our religious achievement, our good character etc. that can cleanse all our sins. It is only the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shed on Calvary that can cleanse it away. Trust in what He did on the cross for you.
Monday, October 29, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #193
Misconceptions About Salvation
#12 "Faith is the FOUNDATION of salvation or salvation is FOUNDED on faith."
In Biblical theology, accurate usage of a word is very important. One slight misuse of a word, especially in the area of salvation, changes everything. And so in this area, we have to be very meticulous.
The cause of this misconception is the failure to keep in mind that salvation is Christo-centric. It is Christ-centered. And by "Christ", we mean the Christ who died on the cross for our sins and resurrected again. You see, a Cross without Christ is useless and worthless. But a Christ without a cross, saves no one.
The word "basis" means foundation. It refers to anything on which something rests upon.
To say that salvation is "based" on faith is to put salvation on a very unstable foundation. For even the greatest of God's saints in the Bible never had perfect faith. Sometimes their faith wavered (though it never completely died out).
Even if you have the strongest faith in the world, if Christ did not die on the cross for our sins, then no sinner will be saved. Faith never saved anyone. It is faith in Christ and His work on the cross that saves. When the Lord Jesus said: "Your faith has saved you", it is speaking elliptically, you must read between the lines: "Your faith IN ME has saved you."
Faith in the Bible is not the foundation or basis of salvation. Rather it is the CONDITION and the MEANS of salvation: "For by grace you have been saved THROUGH faith..."
Salvation does not rest on faith. Rather, salvation is founded or based on the cross of Calvary. In other words, salvation hangs on Calvary. Salvation is founded or based on the work of Christ on the cross.
Faith is merely the means, the instrument or the "conduit pipe" to receive salvation based on the cross.
#12 "Faith is the FOUNDATION of salvation or salvation is FOUNDED on faith."
In Biblical theology, accurate usage of a word is very important. One slight misuse of a word, especially in the area of salvation, changes everything. And so in this area, we have to be very meticulous.
The cause of this misconception is the failure to keep in mind that salvation is Christo-centric. It is Christ-centered. And by "Christ", we mean the Christ who died on the cross for our sins and resurrected again. You see, a Cross without Christ is useless and worthless. But a Christ without a cross, saves no one.
The word "basis" means foundation. It refers to anything on which something rests upon.
To say that salvation is "based" on faith is to put salvation on a very unstable foundation. For even the greatest of God's saints in the Bible never had perfect faith. Sometimes their faith wavered (though it never completely died out).
Even if you have the strongest faith in the world, if Christ did not die on the cross for our sins, then no sinner will be saved. Faith never saved anyone. It is faith in Christ and His work on the cross that saves. When the Lord Jesus said: "Your faith has saved you", it is speaking elliptically, you must read between the lines: "Your faith IN ME has saved you."
Faith in the Bible is not the foundation or basis of salvation. Rather it is the CONDITION and the MEANS of salvation: "For by grace you have been saved THROUGH faith..."
Salvation does not rest on faith. Rather, salvation is founded or based on the cross of Calvary. In other words, salvation hangs on Calvary. Salvation is founded or based on the work of Christ on the cross.
Faith is merely the means, the instrument or the "conduit pipe" to receive salvation based on the cross.
GOSPEL NUGGETS #192
True Story
A little boy told an evangelist who was a family friend to come with him to a contest he would be participating. He told the evangelist that he would win the contest and earn for himself the coveted prize---a watch.
And so the evangelist taking advantage of the opportunity went with him to the contest and saw how the young boy failed to win the prize even though he did his best to win it. His efforts proved futile.
Days after that, he gave the young boy a gift package. Upon opening it, he discovered to his delight that it contained the watch that he so desired to have in his possession---the watch he failed to win in the contest.
Seizing the moment, he told the young boy in effect: "You see, God's salvation is like that. You can never earn it by your own efforts. But God gives it to you as a free gift."
Salvation is not something that we earn. It is a free gift that is to be freely received by faith in Christ.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #191
Joh 3:7 ...'You must be born again.'
The New Birth: a) Its Meaning b) Its Necessity and c) Its Comprehensiveness
I. Its Meaning (What does it mean?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You must be BORN AGAIN'
It is God's gracious act whereby He imparts new life to a trusting sinner. It is not a religious organization, it is a spiritual event. One can join the born again movement or organization without being born again spiritually.
II. Its Necessity (Is it optional?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You MUST be born again.'
Just as drinking water and eating food is a must for man's survival, so is being born again a must if one is to enter the kingdom of God.
III. Its Comprehensiveness (Who must be born again?)
Joh 3:7 ..."YOU must be born again."
The pronoun "you" is actually plural in the Greek. The Lord Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he and his religious buddies (the Pharisees) must be born anew.
Now, if highly religious people must be born again, then that means everybody must be born again too. The argument is from the greater to the lesser. If people high up there in the religious ladder must be born again to enter the kingdom of God, then everyone down there must be born again too.
Question: How can you be born again?
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes/trusts in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The New Birth: a) Its Meaning b) Its Necessity and c) Its Comprehensiveness
I. Its Meaning (What does it mean?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You must be BORN AGAIN'
It is God's gracious act whereby He imparts new life to a trusting sinner. It is not a religious organization, it is a spiritual event. One can join the born again movement or organization without being born again spiritually.
II. Its Necessity (Is it optional?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You MUST be born again.'
Just as drinking water and eating food is a must for man's survival, so is being born again a must if one is to enter the kingdom of God.
III. Its Comprehensiveness (Who must be born again?)
Joh 3:7 ..."YOU must be born again."
The pronoun "you" is actually plural in the Greek. The Lord Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he and his religious buddies (the Pharisees) must be born anew.
Now, if highly religious people must be born again, then that means everybody must be born again too. The argument is from the greater to the lesser. If people high up there in the religious ladder must be born again to enter the kingdom of God, then everyone down there must be born again too.
Question: How can you be born again?
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes/trusts in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
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