Webinar - Heresies, Part 3 - Evangelism, Mosaic Covenant, Repentance

 

1.     CHRISTIANITY IS A RELATIONSHIP AND NOT A RELIGION?

Christianity is a relationship with the God who loves us so much that He died for us. Through faith in His free gift, we now have been forgiven and have received eternal life:

·       Paul prayed Ephesians 3:19 …[that we would] know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Also a Religion – Obedience to laws: does and the don’ts:

·       But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty [the law of Christ], and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (James 1:25–26)

Salvation by faith evidenced by good deeds:

·       What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14–18)

A faith which doesn’t produce obedience is not a real faith. Demons have “faith.”

·       You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (James 2:19)

·       A REAL FAITH IS AN OBEDIENT FAITH: For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (James 2:26)

Those who disconnect obedience from faith are self-deceived:

·       But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

Did Jesus hate religion?

 

2.     IS REPENTANCE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION? Alan Manning Chambers, ex- president of Exodus International, a ministry designed to help gays exit that lifestyle announced that it would close its doors. He apologized to the gay community for whatever offense Exodus might have caused, saying:

·       “From a Judeo-Christian perspective, gay, straight or otherwise, we’re all prodigal sons and daughters. Exodus International is the prodigal’s older brother, trying to impose its will on God’s promises, and make judgments on who’s worthy of His Kingdom. God is calling us to be the Father – to welcome everyone, to love unhindered.”

“Does one have to make Christ Lord of his life [or be repentant] or be willing to do so in order to be saved?” (Ryrie, 390)

EXAMPLE OF UNCOMMITTED LOT: 2 Peter 2:7-8 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—(Example of Baptism)

Without A Willingness to Turn From Sins (Repentance) and Follow Christ, Salvation Impossible:

·           1 John 2:4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

·           John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

·           John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

·           Matthew 25:46 "Then they [who didn’t visit me in prison] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

·           Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Repentance: Not a Work But a Change Of Heart, Which Leads to Obedience:

·           Matthew 3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

·           Acts 26:19–20 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

Both Faith and Repentance Are Part of the Gift of God through Regeneration:

·       Ephes. 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

·       Philip. 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

·       Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

REPENTANCE as a Gift (Faith/repentance Inseparable):

·       Acts 5:31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

·       Acts 3:26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

·       Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

·       2 Tim. 2:24-25 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

Salvation: Repentance Necessary?

·       THE GREAT COMMISSION: Luke 24:47 And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

·       PETER:  Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

·       Acts 3:19-20 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.”

• 2 Tim. 2:25-26 Those who oppose him he [the mature Christian] must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

• 2 Cor. 7:10  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

 

3.     ALWAYS EVANGELIZE, BUT USE WORDS ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

Just with Deeds?

·       Matthew 5:14–16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

·       Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life...

·       Psalms 34:1-4 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Evangelism with Words - A Must:

·       Matthew 28:19–20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

·       Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

·       Acts 17:2–4 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded…

·       1 Peter 3:15 …always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

·       Jude 3 …I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

·       1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Atheist Penn Jillette: “I’ve always said, ‘I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe there is a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…

How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?’”

 

4.     THE OLD TESTAMENT HAS BEEN MADE IRRELEVANT BY THE NEW

Andy Stanley: “Would you consider unhitching your teaching of what it means to follow Jesus from all things old covenant?” This is necessary because “when it comes to stumbling blocks to faith, the Old Testament is right up there at the top of the list”

The Mosaic Covenant has been fulfilled and superseded by the New:

·       Hebrews 8:12-13 “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” [Jeremiah 31:34] In speaking of a new covenant, he [God] makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

·       Romans 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Yet the Teachings (not the Covenant) still Pertain: Romans 7:12 “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

To Encourage or Faith by Demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled the OT:

·       Luke 24:25–27 (ESV) And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

·       Luke 24:44–46 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead…”

Must Understand the OT to Understand the NT: Acts 17:11 Now these Jews [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Just until the Resurrection? 2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

OT Teachings Remain Instructive: Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

It’s still the Word of God, and the NT Quoted it as such: Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

NT Provides instruction for the Interpretation and Application of the OT:

·       Colossians 2:16–17 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.