Yesterday, we heard part 4 of our series, "The Nature of Faith." We looked at Matthew 9, where Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic who was brought to him.  And we saw that faith means Trusting Jesus' Power to Forgive.  This message is available to hear or download by clicking on the link.

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

(Galatians 1:6 ESV)

            At the end of October, we look back to the Reformation.  October 31^st is remembered as Reformation Day.  It’s remembered in this way because it was on this date, in 1517, that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany.  He was concerned that the church had wandered from the gospel and was in need of reformation.

            This is a problem that we continue to see today.  It’s not new for us, nor was it new in Luther’s day.  It’s a problem that goes all the way back to the beginning of the church.

            We’re continually lured by the world, by the devil, and by our own sinful nature to a legalistic faith.  We’re led to believe that our salvation is dependent upon our actions.  We’re led to believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus is not enough to secure the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

In the above passage, and throughout this entire letter, Paul is addressing a problem that had become apparent in the Galatian church.  The people were being led astray by false teachers who were promoting a form of legalism.  They were bringing a different gospel than the one the people had initially received from Paul himself.

            This was very destructive to the church and very dangerous for the individual faith of its members.  He gives them this warning in verse 4 of the fifth chapter: “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” We see from this that it isn’t a minor issue which can be ignored.  It’s not an issue on which we can agree to disagree.  It’s a matter of life and death.

            Teaching people that, in order to be forgiven, they must obey the law results in the salvation of no one.  It cannot save because, no matter how hard we try, we cannot perfectly keep it.  The law reveals only our guilt.  It reveals only our need for salvation.  As Paul writes in Romans 3:20: “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

            It also strikes a blow to the sacrifice of Christ.   As Paul writes in Galatians 2:21: “…for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” If we could earn our salvation by obedience to the law of God, Christ’s death becomes meaningless.  There was no reason for Jesus to come into the world, and there was no reason for him to die.

            This is why Paul was astonished that they had turned from the true gospel to a different one.  Why would anyone pass up the gracious gift of God for one we must earn?  Why would they pass up his unmerited favor for something impossible to attain?

            As the church, as believers in Jesus, we must remain faithful to the true gospel.  This is why Paul says that if anyone, if even an angel, brings a different gospel, let him be accursed.  If someone promotes a doctrine that leads people to destruction rather than salvation, let him receive the judgment he deserves.

            There’s a fear by some that, if we preach the salvation of Christ as a free gift, this promotes lawlessness.  They believe that, if we preach the pure gospel, it encourages people to live in sin while they trust in Christ alone for salvation.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.

            Paul warns the people against this mindset in Galatians 5:13 where he says this: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” He tells them that their freedom from the law is not to be used to engage in sin, but that we might love one another.  In this way, he says, we fulfill the law of God.

When we receive Jesus in faith, we no longer want to live in sin.  Our desire is to glorify Christ.  We then follow him, not to receive salvation, but because of his salvation.  Our obedience is an act of thankfulness to the one who gave himself on our behalf.

So, as those who profess faith in Jesus, let us trust in message of the gospel.  Let us trust in Christ alone for salvation and the forgiveness of sins.  Let us trust not in ourselves or in our actions.  And let us faithfully proclaim this truth that others might believe and be saved.

            

I apologize that our recent sermons have not been available.  After having problems in our sound booth fixed, a new one has crept up.  And this has created problems with recording.  I hope they'll be resolved this week.

I apologize for my failure to update our messages recently.  I was unable to do so as I was out of the country visiting two mission sites of the AFLC in Uganda and India.

On August 10th, I delivered the second part of our series: Acts of Devotion.  This message focused on Fellowship.

On August 17th, Pastor Nate delivered part 3 of this series, focusing on The Breaking of Bread.  This message, however, failed to be recorded.

On August 24th, Pastor Nate finished up this series with a message on Prayer.

On August 31st, I delivered a message on Mindset.  Our mindset is crucial because it determines the way that we understand everything around us.  It determines what we believe and how we behave.  This is true also of our faith.  Is our mind set on the things of man, or on those of God?

The kindle version of Broken is on sale for $0.99 for the next few days.  The paperback version is available at regular price.  amazon.com/dp/B00JV58KL6 

Trusting God When It Doesn't make sense is available in kindle form for $0.99 until tomorrow morning.  It will still be on sale after that, but for a slightly higher price.  Paperback is available also, at regular price.  Click on the link to the right to purchase.  For local friends, I do have a limited number of paperback copies available if you see me.

Yesterday, we began a new series of messages at Ebenezer.  In Acts 2, we read how, on the day of Pentecost, Peter proclaimed the gospel and three thousand people were brought to faith.  In verse 42, we then see the things to which these new believers were devoted.  For the next four weeks, we'll be looking at why these things were important to them, and why they should be important to us as well.  The first topic is The Apostles' Teaching.  You can hear this message at https://archive.org/details/TheApostlesTeaching

Broken is also now available in paperback.  You can purchase a copy by clicking on this link.  Or, if you prefer, it will be available on Amazon within the week.  https://www.createspace.com/4915188

Yesterday, I delivered the fourth part of our series on Failures.  We'll end this series for now, but may pick it up again down the road.  However, in this message, I talked about the sin of Judah and the grace that God bestowed upon him in spite of his sin.  We saw once again that we're saved not by being "good" people, but by the grace of God.  This message can be heard at https://archive.org/details/Judah

Responding to the Call is also now available in paperback  https://www.createspace.com/4910268

Trusting God When It Doesn't Make Sense is now available in paperback. It will be available on Amazon in a few days. Or you can follow this link to order now: https://www.createspace.com/4907727

On the 6th of July, we heard part 3 of our series on Failures.  We looked at the life of Jacob and his tendency to seek blessing by his own means rather than trusting in the Lord.  Again, for some reason, the sound quality isn't great.  But it can be found at https://archive.org/details/Jacob_201407

This past Sunday, in my absence, Pastor Nate brought the message.  He shared how we cannot trust in our own righteousness.  We must instead trust in the righteousness of Christ.  His message can be found at https://archive.org/details/AudioRecord20140713103924

Last week, we began a new series of messages on failures.  We're looking at the great men of faith in Scripture, the ways they failed in their life of faith, and the grace of God that was given them in spite of their sin.  Last week, we talked about Adam and Eve.  Unfortunately, this message was not recorded.  This week, we talked about Abraham.  The sound quality isn't good.  I'm not sure why.  However, this message can be streamed or downloaded at https://archive.org/details/Abraham_201406

My short devotional on the book of Jonah, Responding to the Call, is currently free on Amazon.  You will be able to download it free of charge through June 17th.  You can find it at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IYW9MN2

After a long vacation, I'm back.  We talked on Father's Day about the God-given role of fathers.  This message can be heard or downloaded at https://archive.org/details/AudioRecord20140615104606

Pastor Nate Nash, our youth and family pastor, filled in during my absence.  His messages can be found at:

https://archive.org/details/AudioRecord20140601103902

https://archive.org/details/May252014_20140616

For the next few days, my short work titled Broken: Reflections on Humility, is on sale for only $0.99.  It will then go up to $1.99 for a few more days before returning to full price.  Check it out.  And, if you like it, please take the time to write a review on Amazon.   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JV58KL6 

Unfortunately, the first couple minutes of this message were not recorded.  However, in it, Jesus comforted his disciples.  After giving them some distressing news, he encouraged them by telling them where he was going and what he would accomplish for them.  In response to their questions, he also told them the way to the Father.  This message is also an encouraging message to us, as we live in a world of sin and evil.  We receive Christ's promise of what he has done for us, that we might believe and be saved.  This message can be heard at https://archive.org/details/TheWayToTheFather

Yesterday, on Mother's Day, we talked about the influence mothers can have on the lives of their children.  We looked at the example of Timothy, who was raised in faith by his mother and grandmother.  We then used to this to reveal the important role possessed by moms.  Even though they may feel limited in ministry by their children, raising their children in faith is truly the most important ministry they could ever possess.  This message can be found at https://archive.org/details/AGodlyInfluence

Trusting God When It Doesn't Make Sense is on sale, starting at noon today, for $0.99.  It will remain at this price through the morning of the 12th, and then go to $1.99.  If you've already read this book, please write a review on Amazon and refer it to a friend.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8QA21U

Yesterday, at Ebenezer, was confirmation Sunday.  We witnessed two of our youth publicly confess their faith in Jesus.  And our message was directed at them.  That being said, it's something that we all need to hear.  We heard how faith in Jesus is not a one-time event.  It's ongoing.  And we heard of the great blessings that come when we follow him.  This message can be streamed or downloaded at https://archive.org/details/AbidingInTheWordOfChrist