The True Gospel Part 2 - Pastor Rick

 

Hello Church,

I hope you are well and abiding in the Father's love. Last week we looked at a number of facts about the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

We saw for example, that the scriptures reveal

How the genuine gospel was labeled (e.g. everlasting gospel, the gospel of the kingdom, the gospel of Christ etc.)

The content of the genuine gospel (Jesus and his work for our salvation by his death and resurrection)

Who the genuine gospel applies to (Christ died and rose again for all humanity but only and all believers in Christ are justified from all things having received son-ship by the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit.

Today, we will look at the criteria and means of salvation/justification and see that every benefit of the gospel is a gift from God.

The scriptures clearly teach that salvation is:

a. in Jesus alone

b. by grace alone

c. through faith alone

d. in His blood alone

4. The genuine gospel: Criteria for and Means of Salvation

i. Justified in Jesus alone

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1John 5:11-12 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

ii. Justified by grace alone (works excluded)

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Ephesians 2:4-9  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Titus 3:4-7  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

 iii. Justified through faith alone (works excluded)

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Romans_3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 

Galatians_3:24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Romans 4: 1-3  What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (justified by faith before the law existed)

Romans_5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Galatians_2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

Galatians_3:24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

iv. Justified by His Blood Alone

(forgiven, imputed righteousness, cleansed, redeemed, reconciled, adopted)

Matthew 26:27-28 “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.’”

Romans 3:22b-25a… for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

Romans 5:8-10 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son much more,having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

Colossians 1:14, 20 'In Christ we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins'... 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

1 Peter 1:18-19 “Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

1 John 1:7 “...and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased (ransomed) with his own blood.

5. The genuine gospel: Salvation And Its Benefits Are Gifts Of God

SALVATION A GIFT

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

JUSTIFICATION A GIFT

Romans 3:22b-25a… for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

ADOPTIVE SONSHIP A GIFT

John_1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8:15-17 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (also Galatians 3:26)

Galatians 4:4-6 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

ETERNAL LIFE A GIFT

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1John_5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

FORGIVENESS A GIFT  

Romans_5:18 And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification.

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,  forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

RIGHTEOUSNESS A GIFT

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:23-25 Now it was not written for his (Abraham's) sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

THE HOLY SPIRIT A GIFT

Acts 2:38-39Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."

Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Next week we will look at what the scriptures say about, assurance of salvation, the right response to the gospel, the necessity of the new birth and indwelling Holy Spirit, and finally the ultimate hope of our calling. Until then, have a blessed week in Christ.

Grace to you,

Rick