SERMON ONE
The Process of Salvation
John’s message was enough to get people moving toward salvation, but not enough to save them. They needed something more than he could offer.
1. I Repent
1. Repentance is the process of stopping, turning, and moving away. It inherently leads to something new.
1. It is more than “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong”.
2. John’s message was that something new was coming, and to receive it a new direction was necessary.
2. I Confess
1. Those who were baptised by John, first confessed their sin.
2. Confession is taking responsibility for what one has done, in this case it is taking responsibility for one’s sins.
3. Confession of sin should include:
1. Acknowledgement that I alone am responsible for my sins. No excuses.
2. Acknowledgement that my sin has driven a wedge between myself and the perfectly righteous God.
3. I am given the Holy Spirit THROUGH Jesus
1. I need the Holy Spirit to be my advocate and to empower my new relationship with God.
2. I need the Holy Spirit to be my guide and to enable my new life on earth.
3. I cannot receive the Holy Spirit while I am still a sinful creature.
4. I need Jesus to wash away my sin, cure my sin nature, and give me the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Much more can be said and discovered about life in the Spirit. This is simply the starting point. The key for today is to understand our own steps in receiving the salvation offered by Jesus.
Other supporting Scriptures are: 1 John 1:9, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 5:32, Acts 26:20.
SERMON TWO
A Glimpse of the Trinity
This passage carries significant parallels to other passages in Scripture which helps us to understand how the Father, Son and Spirit work together.
1. In Creation
1. The Father spoke (Genesis 1) “And God said…”
2. The Spirit hovered (Genesis 1:2) “and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”
1. Think of “hovering” as “overseeing” like a manager.
2. A good manager EMPOWERS. The Spirit EMPOWERS the Son as He acts.
3. The Son acted (Colossians 1:16) “for by Him all things were created…”
2. At Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3:16-17)
1. The Father spoke — “This is my beloved Son, which whom I am well pleased.”
2. The Spirit hovered — “the Spirit of God depending like a dove…”
3. The Son acted — “Jesus was baptised…he went up from the water….”
3. Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry
1. The Father spoke — (John 17:4) “…having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
2. The Spirit hovered — (John 3:34) “for He gives the Spirit without measure.”
3. The Son acted — (John 3:17) “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
4. In Salvation (1 Peter 1:1-2)
1. The Father spoke — “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”
2. The Spirit hovered — “in the sanctification of the Spirit”
3. The Son acted — “…sprinkling with his blood”
5. In our life
1. The Father speaks — (Philippians 1:6) “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…”
2. The Spirit empowers — (John 14:15) “He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…”
3. The Son acts — (Hebrews 12:2) “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecto of our faith”
Conclusion:
We need to pay attention to what God has said and open ourselves to what His Spirit is doing in us so that our lives will more closely resemble the life of Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment