Justification by faith (Romans 5:1-21)

Justification by faith (Romans 5:1-21)

Rom 5:1

The word justify means to acquit or to declare righteous or not guilty. Simply stated justification means the hostility between God and fallen humans is removed. That is you are no longer an enemy of God. Reconciliation has occurred. This occurred at salvation meaning you have access to your living God.

God’s grace through justification gives you the right to access him. You no longer stand condemned before God. Remember every sinner stands condemned before God. You were once condemned as well but if you have realised that you were a sinner and have repented of your sin and have accepted God’s substitute for your sins, you are no longer condemned.

This is the practical application of God’s word in your life: salvation.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour?

Have you said sorry for your sins?

Have you made up your mind to forsake those many sins and the things that usually lead you to sin?

Rom 8:1

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Justification and reconciliation speak of Christ’s work on Calvary.

Read Hebrews 10:19-23.

Now that God through his son Jesus Christ has completed his work. Your work is to believe and work out your salvation in fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:5

Then you have been justified, no more condemnation. Therefore walk in the newness of God’s love and grace. You could rededicate your life for him and he will give you more grace to follow him.

Are you still thinking of what to do with the message of Christ? Now is the best time to invite Jesus Christ into your heart.

2Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

　

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Justification by faith (Romans 5:1-21)

Justification by faith (Romans 5:1-21)

Rom 5:1

The word justify means to acquit or to declare righteous or not guilty. Simply stated justification means the hostility between God and fallen humans is removed. That is you are no longer an enemy of God. Reconciliation has occurred. This occurred at salvation meaning you have access to your living God.

God’s grace through justification gives you the right to access him. You no longer stand condemned before God. Remember every sinner stands condemned before God. You were once condemned as well but if you have realised that you were a sinner and have repented of your sin and have accepted God’s substitute for your sins, you are no longer condemned.

This is the practical application of God’s word in your life: salvation.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour?

Have you said sorry for your sins?

Have you made up your mind to forsake those many sins and the things that usually lead you to sin?

Rom 8:1

Justification and reconciliation speak of Christ’s work on Calvary.

Read Hebrews 10:19-23.

Now that God through his son Jesus Christ has completed his work. Your work is to believe and work out your salvation in fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:5

Then you have been justified, no more condemnation. Therefore walk in the newness of God’s love and grace. You could rededicate your life for him and he will give you more grace to follow him.

Are you still thinking of what to do with the message of Christ? Now is the best time to invite Jesus Christ into your heart.

2Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

　

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL BEING (Psalm 139:1-24)

YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL BEING (Psalm 139:1-24)

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

All humans are spiritual beings.

Many people feel confused by the word, “spirituality,” because they are not exactly sure what it means. Some feel that spirituality is just another word for religion.

While there are similarities between spirituality and religion, they are not synonymous.

Spirituality is the individual search for connection with the source of ultimate meaning.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Religion, with its traditions, rites, and institutions, has a basic function to create and nurture spiritual community.

Acts 4:32

In the search for meaning and connection, all humans are spiritual beings, but not all are religious.

Both religion and spirituality are complex and paradoxical and concern a relationship with the Transcendent. Thus they are hard to explain in words. Defining spirituality and religion presents the same challenge as trying to define other significant, powerful experiences such as love, hate, joy, or sorrow in all their unique experiences and profound variety.

People who feel uncomfortable with the words spiritual or spirituality can substitute their own words – perhaps words like connection or love or meaning.

Common Spiritual Needs

Based on over 30 years of psychological counselling and pastoral care, Howard Clinebell believes that humans have seven spiritual hungers in common:

All people need to experience regularly the healing and empowerment of love – from others, self, and an ultimate source/God.

Everyone needs to experience renewing times of transcendence – moments that expand us beyond the immediate sensory spheres.

Everybody needs vital beliefs that give some sense of meaning and hope the midst of losses, tragedies, and failures.

Every person needs to have values, priorities, and life commitments – usually cantered in issues of justice, integrity, and love – that guide us in personally and socially responsible living.

Each human being needs to discover and develop their inner wisdom, creativity and love of their unique transpersonal/spiritual self.

All people need a deepening awareness of oneness with other people and with the natural world, the wonderful web of all living things.

Every human being needs spiritual resources to help heal the painful wounds of grief, guilt, resentment, unforgiveness, self-rejection, and shame. We also need spiritual resources to deepen our experiences of trust, self-esteem, hope, joy and love of life.

Clinebell feels that everybody must pay attention to these needs to feel whole and fulfilled, making spirituality central to human well-being (Clinebell, 1992).

　

　

Pentecost Baptist Church, Portsmouth

The Cathedral of Grace

2012 THE YEAR OF HIS WORD

Worship God with us at:

Havelock Community Centre

324 Fawcett Road,

Southsea

PO4 0LQ

Sundays 5-7 pm

Contact person: 07757627159

Email:

pbcportsmouth@gmail.com And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL BEING (Psalm 139:1-24)

YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL BEING (Psalm 139:1-24)

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

All humans are spiritual beings.

Many people feel confused by the word, “spirituality,” because they are not exactly sure what it means. Some feel that spirituality is just another word for religion.

While there are similarities between spirituality and religion, they are not synonymous.

Spirituality is the individual search for connection with the source of ultimate meaning.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Religion, with its traditions, rites, and institutions, has a basic function to create and nurture spiritual community.

Acts 4:32

In the search for meaning and connection, all humans are spiritual beings, but not all are religious.

Both religion and spirituality are complex and paradoxical and concern a relationship with the Transcendent. Thus they are hard to explain in words. Defining spirituality and religion presents the same challenge as trying to define other significant, powerful experiences such as love, hate, joy, or sorrow in all their unique experiences and profound variety.

People who feel uncomfortable with the words spiritual or spirituality can substitute their own words – perhaps words like connection or love or meaning.

Common Spiritual Needs

Based on over 30 years of psychological counselling and pastoral care, Howard Clinebell believes that humans have seven spiritual hungers in common:

All people need to experience regularly the healing and empowerment of love – from others, self, and an ultimate source/God.

Everyone needs to experience renewing times of transcendence – moments that expand us beyond the immediate sensory spheres.

Everybody needs vital beliefs that give some sense of meaning and hope the midst of losses, tragedies, and failures.

Every person needs to have values, priorities, and life commitments – usually cantered in issues of justice, integrity, and love – that guide us in personally and socially responsible living.

Each human being needs to discover and develop their inner wisdom, creativity and love of their unique transpersonal/spiritual self.

All people need a deepening awareness of oneness with other people and with the natural world, the wonderful web of all living things.

Every human being needs spiritual resources to help heal the painful wounds of grief, guilt, resentment, unforgiveness, self-rejection, and shame. We also need spiritual resources to deepen our experiences of trust, self-esteem, hope, joy and love of life.

Clinebell feels that everybody must pay attention to these needs to feel whole and fulfilled, making spirituality central to human well-being (Clinebell, 1992).

　

　

Pentecost Baptist Church, Portsmouth

The Cathedral of Grace

2012 THE YEAR OF HIS WORD

Worship God with us at:

Havelock Community Centre

324 Fawcett Road,

Southsea

PO4 0LQ

Sundays 5-7 pm

Contact person: 07757627159

Email:

pbcportsmouth@gmail.com And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

The bible (part I)

The Bible Part I

Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

The bible is the word of God.

Why do we Christians believe that the bible is the word of God? Despite increase in the number of critics and the daily development of lower and higher form of biblical criticism, the bible still come out fine as the word of God. We will look at some of the evidences that have stood the test of time to prove that the bible is the word of God.

The Christian bible is divided into the Old and the New Testaments. The Old Testament contains 39 books while the New testament is 27 making 66 in all. The Greek bible contains some other books called the apocrypha. These are not accepted or canonised by the early church fathers.

Reasons for accepting the bible as the word of God

We believe in God, the uncreated personal God who created all things and is self revealing.

Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

He communicates his truth to us through the bible. As creator and redeemer who knew himself as well as us his creatures, he has the province of self disclosure to the extent of our ability to comprehend and experience him. There is no reason why he cannot tell us truly about himself even though not exhaustively (Milne).

Psalm 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

God himself spoke personally to confirm his word.

Jesus quoted the Old Testament as the word of God. Around 40 AD when Jesus was ministering on earth, certain parts of the bible especially the Hebrew bible known today as the Old Testament has been codified. He read it Luke 4:16-21.

Luk 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

He quoted it. Matthew 4:4; Mark 14:27. He accepted the Old Testament history as true John 8:56, Mark 12:26. He affirmed Old Testament Prophecies. Matthew 11:10; Mark 7:6.

Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

He lived the word and finally submitted to it. Matthew 26:24; Mark 8:31. Luke 22:32.

Luk 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

His word as well has equal authority. John 6:63; 15:3; Mark 13:31 Matthew 7:24.

John 6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Even the apostles accepted the bible as the word of God and presented Christianity as the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

Acts 2:16-35; 3: 22-25; 4:11; Romans 1:2 Galatians 3:16-18

The bible is internally consistent and externally confirmed by history, science, geography, archaeology, philosophy, and nature. What if someone does not believe in God? Does it change the truth?

In the next part we will look at certain undeniable facts about the bible. These include the bible as God

　

　

　

　

　

　

Pentecost Baptist Church

Portsmouth

The Cathedral of Grace

2012 THE YEAR OF HIS WORD

　

　

　

Worship God with us at:

Havelock Community Centre

324 Fawcett Road,

Southsea

PO4 0LQ

Sundays 5-7 pm

Contact person: Ade 07757627159

Email: ’s revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility and canonisation. We will as well look at some of the questions bible critics have raised and suggested answers.pbcportsmouth@gmail.com

Exploits of Faith (part II) Hebrews 11:32-40

Exploits of Faith (part II) Hebrews 11:32-40

Exploits of Faith (part II) Hebrews 11:32-40

James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We all love miracles. We love to see signs and wonders, especially good ones that glorify our God. I am very sure that the whole world will like to worship God if there are enough signs and wonders to prove there is God. That is what happened during Elijah’s contest on Mount Camel. (I Kings 17 & 18). After Elijah has proved his God as superior to other gods with undeniable signs and wonders, people willingly acknowledged Elijah’s God and worship him. We did not know much about Elijah when he was young but in I King 17:2; 8, 18:1, the bible repeatedly says that the word of God came to Elijah. This proves the statement of Romans 10:17, that faith comes by hearing the word of God. We could as well deduce from this and other accounts that if someone continually hears the words of God, his or her faith will grow.

One more thing that is noticeable is that exploits of faith is not gender sensitive. In other words it is not limited to a particular gender. This is why Hebrews 11 mentioned women along with their male counterparts. The women that received their dead children back to life actually acted in faith. Their faith triggered the miracles. Sarah’s faith made her dead womb come alive and she received the child of promise.

Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Although Barak was listed among the heroes of faith, it was actually the faith of a woman that brought him to a limelight. Judges 4:1-24

Judges 4:14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

In the New Testament the faiths of women like Elizabeth, Mary, the woman with the issue of blood, Priscilla and Timothy’s grand mother were commendable.

2Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Once again,

Would you like to see miracles, signs and wonders in your life?

Would you like to experience first hand, the move of God in this modern day?

Have you prayed repeatedly about an issue without result?

Are there challenges in your life, marriage, ministry, education , work, social life, or business?

Are you still struggling with sin unsure of your salvation?

Do you want the Holy Spirit to move you around and make you a solution to many problem?

In addition to cultivating the habit of praises to God, have faith, be ready for a great exploit and we will soon read the exploits of God in your story.