Participants: John Lomacang, John Stanton
Series Code: HCL
Program Code: HCL140001
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00:01 Hello, friends, grab your Bible and a friend
00:03 and sit back as we explore God's Word together 00:05 on this edition of House Calls. 00:25 Welcome to the best Bible program 00:28 anywhere at this very moment. 00:30 And if I didn't believe that, 00:31 I wouldn't be here what about you, John. 00:32 At this very moment. 00:33 At this very moment I would choose 00:35 not to be on any other program but House Calls. 00:37 Well, thank you so much for tuning in today. 00:40 As you know we promise by God's grace to give you 00:43 what the Word of God says. 00:44 So sit down, relax, 00:46 invite your family and your friends, 00:48 get your Bibles and your pens 00:50 and enjoy a thoughtful hour in the study of God's Word. 00:52 John, it's so good to have you here with me today. 00:54 It's good to be here. 00:55 You know, I think we both got new shirts. 00:57 Your shirt is checkered. 00:58 I'll put on the checkered one later, 01:00 you know I have a grey one and this is amazing 01:02 that we could do with these very relaxed looks. 01:05 Yeah. I agree with you. 01:06 It's going to be a fun day. 01:07 And we've a great topic today too. 01:09 What is our topic today. 01:10 Topic is "Christ our righteousness" 01:11 but it's about Christ the cross, 01:13 what salvation means to us as Christian believers. 01:16 You know, it's amazing topic because not a lot of people 01:19 really embrace everything about the cross. 01:21 There are some misconceptions and you'd think that 01:23 the most basic doctrine of Christianity salvation 01:26 is something understood by everyone. 01:28 Well, you'll discover in this program today 01:30 that it's not as clear in the minds of many 01:32 as it is in the Word of God. 01:34 So stay tuned with us to enjoy 01:37 what God has to share with you today. 01:38 But before we do anything we always have prayers. 01:40 So John, would you pray for us. Let's start. 01:42 Father in heaven, we are so thankful 01:44 for this opportunity to come together 01:46 and to study your Word and we pray 01:48 that you would send your spirit to guide 01:50 and direct our thoughts, our hearts, 01:53 be with those who are listening and viewing this program 01:55 and that you would touch their lives as well. 01:58 And we ask most of all 01:59 that You'd just take possession of this program 02:01 and send it in a direction that you see fit 02:03 and you know as best in Jesus name Amen. 02:06 Amen. Thank you John. 02:08 Well, friends you all know that we have questions 02:10 that are included in our program. 02:12 We like to break it in half and half 02:14 and sometimes we go little shorter, 02:16 sometimes longer on the questions 02:17 depending on how intense they are. 02:19 So if you don't have email 02:21 and there's some people amazingly that don't. 02:23 Well, some people prefer to send hardcopies, 02:25 you can still do that. 02:26 Send those to P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort Illinois, 62896. 02:32 Obviously, 3ABN 02:33 and sub send that to House Calls. 02:36 And John or John will get that. 02:38 It's one of the other 02:39 or you can send those questions to housecalls@3abn.org 02:44 that's housecalls@3abn.org 02:48 that's were we download them. 02:49 John, begin with our first question 02:51 this morning, what do we have today. 02:52 John, we have a few questions on the same topic. 02:54 All right. 02:55 So I am going to a kind of mix and match 02:56 a few questions from that 02:58 or few comments from each of those. 03:00 Okay. 03:01 This first one after reading a book 03:04 they said that it appears that 03:08 this author was portraying the destruction of the wicked 03:12 where some were destroyed in a moment 03:14 while others suffered for many days. 03:19 And in another email coming from another individual 03:22 they said it appears on one hand 03:25 that like from the book of James it says 03:29 if you break one commandment you are guilty of all. 03:32 Okay. 03:33 Which seems to be well it's kind of like 03:34 one punishment for everything. 03:37 Or then it says in the book of Revelation 22:12 03:41 that everyone is judged according his work. 03:44 Right. 03:45 And or rewarded in that specific verse. 03:48 So what is it? 03:49 You know, is the Bible contradicting itself 03:51 or can we really know. 03:53 Well, I think there're some principles in the Word of God 03:55 that we need to address here first. 03:57 And you'll find in the Old Testament 03:59 on several occasions when addressing sin 04:03 God speaks very specifically 04:06 about handling certain sins differently from others. 04:09 Right. 04:10 There is clearly a degree of sin 04:13 and in the system of justice there with Israelites 04:16 that God put in place from the very beginning. 04:19 And we have carried over a lot of that system 04:21 even into our own justice system 04:23 within the United States here today. 04:25 Where you would have not the same punishment 04:27 for somebody that was shoplifting in a store, 04:32 to someone who'd murder somebody else. 04:34 There was definitely a different-- 04:35 There is a different sentence for those kinds of things. 04:39 In fact we call that the punishment fits the crime. 04:42 Crime, right. 04:43 And so you wouldn't have the same punishment 04:47 for both of those two crimes clearly 04:50 and that comes from the principles of God's Word. 04:52 So in principle we find 04:54 that judgment meets out different sentences. 04:56 True. 04:58 But when we get to the New Testament 05:01 and specifically we're going to go to Revelation 20. 05:04 All right Revelation 20. 05:06 And so let's go to Revelation 20, 05:09 you will find starting around verse 11, 05:14 you will find this great white throne judgment, 05:17 John and this is the throne of judgment 05:19 that the wicked appeared before. 05:21 This isn't the throne judgment that God's people, 05:23 his followers are part of. 05:26 And so it says here in verse 11 05:28 "And I saw a great white throne, 05:30 and one sitting upon it, 05:31 from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away 05:36 and there was no place found for them. 05:38 And I saw the dead, great and small, 05:40 standing in the presence of the throne 05:42 and the books were opened." 05:45 Books singular or plural there John. 05:47 Plural. More books than one. 05:50 "And another book was opened." 05:52 Is that singular or plural. Singular. 05:54 Singular that's one book was opened 05:56 and it says "Which is the book of life 05:58 and the dead were judged according to those things 06:01 which were written in the books." 06:03 Plural "according to" what? "Their works." 06:06 "According to their works." 06:07 So here we find a scene 06:08 in front of the great white throne of judgment 06:11 where the book of Life is opened 06:12 and then the reason that book is opened 06:13 is because the names of the wicked 06:15 are not in that book. 06:17 That's right. 06:18 So then Jesus moves 06:20 on His great white throne of judgment 06:21 from looking at that book to the books plural 06:25 and those were the books 06:26 that are the books of the Life's 06:28 recorded in the lives of those who are the wicked, 06:31 standing before His throne to be sentenced. 06:35 And it says you know I like one phrase John it says 06:38 and we this goes ways back it says 06:40 "I can read you like a book." 06:42 Book. 06:43 Well, in this respect God literally does open their book 06:47 the book recording their life and their life events 06:50 and their life activities and decisions 06:53 and he makes the judgment. 06:54 He sentences them 06:56 according to what is written in those books 06:58 which is why it says according to their works. 07:01 Right. 07:02 Now the reason why they're judged 07:04 according to their works 07:07 and not the works of Christ 07:08 is because they did not believe in Him. 07:11 So Christ's righteousness was not substituted 07:15 for their works as is with the righteous. 07:19 So they are left to stand in judgment 07:21 with their own deeds. 07:22 Right. 07:23 And this is where God meets out 07:25 or he issues a sentence 07:27 that allows them to experience 07:30 and will cause them to experience 07:31 judgments to different degrees. 07:33 And that judgment occurs within the lake of fire. 07:36 And it goes on a little bit it says the sea in verse 13 07:41 "And the sea gave up the dead that were in it and death 07:44 and hell gave up their dead that were in them 07:47 and they were judged everyone according to their works. 07:50 And hell and death were cast into." 07:53 Where? Lake of fire. 07:55 "The lake of fire." "This is the second death. 07:58 And whoever was not found written in the book of life 08:01 was cast into the lake of fire." 08:04 So we read this and we see that yes 08:07 everybody goes into the same lake of fire 08:11 but the experience in that lake of fire 08:14 the result that happens to them is different 08:17 or has differing degrees according to their works. 08:21 So you would not say that somebody 08:24 such as a Hitler or Idi Amin, 08:27 would burn the same amount as somebody 08:30 who was generally a kind person in this earth 08:33 but just did not believe in Christ 08:35 believe that was all of ours. 08:36 And in fact really lived themselves at a selfish means. 08:41 But they weren't murderers. Right. 08:42 And so there are different degrees of judgments here, 08:45 this is why the statement is used 08:47 they were judged according to their works. 08:50 That's right. Very clear. 08:51 You know, God is a just God 08:53 and we would never say that 08:55 the judge was just if he threw the book at a-- 08:59 If he threw the book at a kid who is a first time offender 09:03 and the person who is a repeated offender 09:06 got the same judgment. 09:08 Right. 09:09 Somebody would say that was just not just. 09:12 And if that could be declared about a human 09:15 what must be declared about God. 09:17 All of his judgments are just. 09:20 Right. He is not the unjust judge. 09:23 And in reality it only make sense, 09:25 matter of fact Ecclesiastes 12 let me go there. 09:30 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 emphasizes the standard 09:35 by which each of us is to be judged 09:39 and this makes it sense because if we were just based. 09:43 If our lives were judged 09:46 based on the life of someone else, 09:49 then it stands to reason that person's life 09:52 will be judged based on the life of another person. 09:54 And so what happens is we become persons 09:57 whose deeds are measured 09:58 by the severity of somebody else's deeds. 10:02 So we'll say as sometimes we say in our own lives, 10:05 I was bad but not that bad. 10:07 You know, we say that 10:09 I use to party but not like that. 10:11 Well, I use to drink but not like that. 10:14 We measure our works against somebody else's works 10:16 and we feel somehow exonerated 10:18 that we we're not that bad. 10:21 But the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 10:25 the Bible says "Let us hear 10:27 the conclusion of the whole matter. 10:31 Fear God, and keep his commandments 10:33 for this is the whole duty of man. 10:36 For God will bring every work into judgment, 10:40 including every secret thing, 10:42 whether it is good, or whether it is evil." 10:46 So the standard by which judgment will be made 10:48 is the commandments of God. 10:50 Now that's why James says, "So speak and so do as those 10:53 that shall be judged by the law of liberty." 10:56 This law of liberty is the commandments of God. 10:59 The commandments of God shows us 11:01 the parameters of our freedom 11:03 while Jesus is the one that sets us free. 11:05 We're going to talk about that today 11:06 in our particular in our topic content. 11:10 So yes, God is a just God 11:12 and no the Bible doesn't misinterpret itself 11:16 all of our works will be measured 11:18 by one single standard. 11:20 And each person based on what their works had been. 11:22 And I like the fact that you brought this out, John, 11:24 because Revelation 20 11:26 when it talks about the great white throne judgment 11:28 it's not talking about well 11:29 let's see who is going to be saved 11:30 that is already been decided. 11:32 Done. It's already been done. 11:33 That's those whose names are not written 11:36 in the book of Life in Revelation 20 says 11:39 those whose names are not written in the book of Life 11:41 will be cast into the lake of fire 11:42 this is the second death. 11:44 Yeah, in that respect it's the same fire. 11:46 Right. 11:47 But there is different 11:48 and a different experience within that fire. 11:50 Right. 11:51 And that depends upon their works. 11:53 That's probably the easiest and quickest way to say it. 11:55 That's true. 11:56 And when you think about it though, 11:59 I thought about that sometimes and I thought, 12:01 well, if I am going to be destroyed 12:05 somebody wants to say well, what difference does he make 12:06 he burns for five years, he burns for three minutes, 12:08 he burns for two hours 12:10 I don't want to burn for any of that time particular 12:12 because we don't know 12:13 we don't have any kind of reference point 12:17 as to what that's going to be. 12:19 But if a person is going to be judged 12:20 and then sentenced according to his deeds, 12:24 I can imagine there are going to be severe 12:27 differing degrees but the end result 12:29 is going to be eternally being blotted out. 12:32 Wow, well, thank you anything more in that on that, John. 12:35 No, no. 12:37 Okay, here is another question from a person named Annie. 12:39 My question is didn't the vision 12:42 that Peter had indicate two concerns 12:45 not one about the Jews. 12:49 We're not concerned about the Gentiles. 12:53 And also unclean and also that the Lord 12:55 declares all food clean that's what, 12:58 that's what they're saying that this vision talks about. 13:02 And she goes on to say, Jesus even ate fish and meats 13:08 but now all foods are considered clean to eat. 13:10 Of course, if one is allergic 13:13 to a certain food they shouldn't eat it. 13:15 Please comment on this. 13:17 Thank you, Annie for that question 13:19 and we will definitely comment on it. 13:21 Well, let's go to a book of Acts. 13:24 Acts 10 lets look at the vision. 13:27 Let's look at the vision. 13:28 You know we could find 13:29 many applications to a particular story 13:32 but when you look at the story in its totality 13:35 you have to understand the message 13:38 that Jesus is trying to teach Peter. 13:41 And you pointed out that this brings out 13:44 not only the unjust judgment of the Jews upon the Gentiles, 13:49 but you also point out that isn't this the vision 13:52 of consideration that everything 13:53 is now able to be eaten. 13:56 Well, I would love to agree with you 13:58 but that's not the story 13:59 if you look at in its context and its fullness. 14:02 So we're going where, John. 14:03 We're going to Acts 10. Okay. 14:05 Acts 10, all right. 14:09 Not going to go through the whole things 14:10 just kind of verses that are very significant. 14:13 It says Acts 10:9. 14:17 "The next day, as they went on their journey 14:19 and drew near the city, 14:21 Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour." 14:26 That's about noon. 14:28 "And he became very hungry and wanted to eat 14:30 but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 14:35 and saw Heaven open 14:37 and an object like a great sheet 14:39 bound at the four corners, 14:41 descending to him and let down to the earth. 14:46 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals 14:48 of the earth, wild beasts, 14:51 creeping things and birds of the air. 14:54 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." 14:59 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord, 15:01 for I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15:05 And a voice said-- 15:08 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, 15:11 "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 15:15 And the object was taken up into heaven again. 15:19 Now while Peter wondered, verse 17 within himself 15:22 what this vision which he had seen meant, 15:25 behold, the men. 15:27 And here is the key 15:28 that's the transitional verse what does it mean. 15:31 Does this mean God is saying eat anything now. 15:34 The key verse is 17. 15:36 He is trying-- What does this mean. 15:38 And I will suggest he knows it doesn't mean 15:40 what people think is obvious here. 15:43 Right. It's not. 15:44 It's just not what it means because 15:46 and that's what he is struggling. 15:47 Here what does this mean? What does this mean? 15:49 Is God trying to say I could eat anything now, 15:52 the Bible interprets what it's going to say. 15:56 "Now Peter while wondering verse 17 15:59 within himself what this vision 16:01 which he had seen meant, behold, 16:03 the men who had been sent from Cornelius 16:06 had made inquiry for Simon's house 16:08 and stood before the gate. 16:10 And they called and asked whether Simon, 16:12 whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. 16:15 While Peter thought about the vision, 16:18 the Spirit said to him, 16:19 "Behold, three men are seeking you. 16:22 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, 16:26 doubting nothing for I have sent them." 16:29 Now let me just pause for a brief moment here 16:31 and make it really clear what's happening. 16:34 The reason why-- The reason why 16:36 the Holy Spirit says don't doubt I sent them 16:38 is because the Jews had no dealings with the Gentiles. 16:43 That's right. 16:44 Matter of fact, 16:45 if the Jewish man went to a Gentiles house 16:47 he went with the contingency of other Jews 16:49 to see whatever reason he had 16:51 whether his reason was legitimate. 16:53 They'll say what you're going to a Gentile's house for. 16:55 Well, I am going to give them Bible studies. 16:57 Well, I am going with you because I don't believe that. 17:00 And they went to legitimize whether or not the reason 17:02 he used to go to a Gentile's house was so. 17:05 And so the Holy Spirit is saying to Peter 17:08 "Don't worry about it. 17:10 I sent them. It's okay. 17:13 This is not something that you need to worry 17:17 whether or not there is any good in it. 17:18 I have sent them." And then verse 21. 17:23 "Then Peter went down, who had been sent-- 17:25 Then Peter went down to the men 17:27 who had been sent to him from Cornelius, 17:29 and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. 17:32 For what reason have you come?" 17:34 And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, 17:37 one who fears God and has a good reputation 17:40 among all the nations of the Jews." 17:42 He said that because it was not good 17:44 for Jews and Gentiles to mix. 17:47 He's got a good reputation don't worry about it. 17:50 "Was divinely instructed by the Holy Angel-- 17:53 By a Holy Angel to summon you to his house, 17:56 and to hear words from you. 17:59 Then he invited them in and lodged them. 18:04 On the next day Peter went away with them, and some." 18:07 This is the key. 18:08 "And some brethren from Joppa accompanied him." 18:12 We got go see and make sure this is right. 18:14 Because we don't know what's going on with Peter here. 18:16 I mean he's going to a Gentile's house. 18:17 He's on his way to Cornelius's house 18:19 and he is surely not an acceptable person. 18:22 Even though he has a good reputation, 18:23 we still have to go and see what's going on. 18:25 Now here is verse 24 18:28 "And the following day they entered Caesarea. 18:30 Now Cornelius was waiting for them, 18:32 and had called together 18:34 his relatives and close friends. 18:36 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him 18:38 and fell down at his feet and worshiped him." 18:41 And this is important 18:42 because if Peter was the first Pope 18:44 that will be acceptable just the thought. 18:48 "But Peter lifted him up, saying, 18:50 "Stand up I myself am also a man." 18:56 And as he talked with him, verse 27 18:58 he went in and found many who had come together. 19:02 Then he said to them, 19:04 "You know, you know, it is unlawful. 19:08 You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man 19:12 to keep company with or go to one of another nation" 19:17 Ah, the reason for the vision. 19:19 "But God has shown me 19:22 that I should not call any man common or unclean." 19:31 So was it food that was common or unclean 19:36 in Peter's experience or men 19:39 that were considered common or unclean. 19:41 Which one was it? Men. 19:43 Ah, see now I am going to go further and say it was both. 19:48 Because Peter knew that there were things 19:50 he was not supposed to eat 19:52 but God used Peter's understanding 19:55 of unclean things to let them-- 19:58 To let him know, wait a minute, 19:59 you've got the same attitude Peter about men. 20:02 And I want you to know I have cleansed them. 20:04 You see the blood of Jesus Christ, 20:06 his Son, cleanses us all from sin. 20:10 So the Lord was saying, 20:11 "I am sending you to be an apostle to the Gentile. 20:13 You have got to know that the same way 20:16 you are cleansed they could be cleansed." 20:19 Don't call them common don't call them unclean 20:22 and that was the vision that was the purpose of it. 20:24 And so it was not to change their diet, 20:28 it was to give them a different attitude 20:29 about those who were not of the same persuasion 20:32 or of the same nation. 20:34 And one of the challenge, 20:35 I think one of the biggest struggles 20:38 that Christians have over this topic 20:39 is the use of the Word 20:42 or the term unclean and clean foods. 20:48 Because if you look in the Bible 20:49 there something very interesting 20:50 that some of you may not have thought about 20:52 but in the Bible you will find 20:54 no phrase unclean foods. 20:59 It's not there. Okay. 21:01 It is the animals that are either clean or unclean 21:06 and the line of food that is acceptable 21:08 that God has ordained only comes from the clean line. 21:13 Okay, so here you have clean and unclean animals. 21:17 Right. Food is acceptable. 21:20 The animal is acceptable to kill for food 21:22 from the line of clean. 21:25 Never was food considered from this line of unclean. 21:30 Right. 21:31 So to use the term unclean food is a misnomer. 21:37 It's very-- 21:38 There is no unclean food or even clean food 21:42 that becomes unclean food 21:44 because there is no unclean food. 21:46 There is unclean animals. Right. 21:48 And God said the unclean line is not for food 21:51 the clean line of animals 21:52 where you can eat that for food. 21:54 Very good a very good analogy. 21:55 And this is very important because, I hear this often 21:58 well, God has made unclean foods now clean. 22:02 But the problem is there is never 22:04 such thing as unclean food. 22:05 Right. 22:07 And if you say well he's made all animals 22:09 that are unclean for food, 22:10 now food that's going so much further 22:13 than any scripture even remotely alludes to. 22:15 Right. 22:16 Which is when you're reading this 22:18 and when Peter saw this vision, 22:20 he knew God cannot be telling him eat this for food 22:24 because he knew very well 22:26 that this line of unclean animals 22:27 that's never food. 22:28 Right. 22:29 Not under any circumstances. 22:31 Well, that's a very good point. 22:32 So I think it's important to get out of this 22:35 mindset of clean and unclean foods. 22:38 You have clean and unclean animals 22:39 food comes only from the clean line. 22:41 You know, John I appreciate 22:43 that analogy because in my mind 22:44 I just-- I've got this very imaginary mind. 22:47 I know sometimes it makes me laugh and I am thinking about 22:49 what the picture are going on my head. 22:51 It's like saying I am going to-- 22:54 I am going to the city dump. 22:56 You want to go there with me and you'll say what for. 22:58 I am going for dinner. 22:59 But why are you going to the city dump, 23:02 well, it's a new restaurant. 23:04 The city dump has never been a restaurant really honestly. 23:07 Exactly. 23:08 So it's like saying but no God has now 23:11 made the city dump a new restaurant. 23:13 The city dump has never been a restaurant. 23:15 Exactly, right. 23:16 Its never, it's never 23:17 so it cannot become a restaurant now. 23:19 You don't go to the city dump to eat. 23:21 You don't run behind a garbage truck with a knife and a fork. 23:23 Right. 23:25 That's a good, very-- That's a very good analogy. 23:27 So because it's original designation 23:29 a garbage truck has never been designated as a restaurant. 23:33 I cannot make a garbage truck a restaurant. 23:37 Garbage truck like catering replaced now, 23:39 the little I can see while it's going 23:41 through towns, come in come and eat. 23:43 Yeah, isn't it terrible? You know, isn't it terrible? 23:44 And what in fact, God-- 23:46 And reason I use garbage truck 23:47 as a particular point of description 23:50 is because God created certain animals 23:53 to keep the earth clean that's what their job was. 23:56 Right. 23:57 That-- Sorry, that's what their job is. 24:00 You can put a bow on a pig's neck 24:02 you could give them make them 24:04 nice pig jacket with a button under it. 24:07 You could do-- You can spray him with cologne 24:11 but the moment that they get up the chain 24:13 they're going to the nearest slop, mud, filth 24:17 and they're going to eat it. 24:18 Because that's how they-- That's were they created for. 24:22 Walking process and plan. 24:23 You know, cat fish, mud fish 24:27 you find them in the dirtiest places 24:29 because that's what they're created for. 24:31 You know why because it's not possible for man 24:34 to be in all these places that are out of human reach 24:38 to keep the oceans clean. 24:39 That's why clams and lobsters and all this shellfish 24:43 are caught at the bottom of the ocean. 24:45 They put those nets. 24:46 My uncle-- My uncles were fishermen 24:49 professional fishermen. 24:51 And when a hurricane came 24:52 through the Virgin Islands years ago. 24:53 He lost 600 of his traps 24:56 because he provided the shellfish 24:58 and the lobsters and crabs 24:59 and the oysters for the local fishery 25:01 for the local restaurants. 25:03 Well, he lost all of those and he declared bankruptcy. 25:06 So to speak and not clear bankruptcy 25:09 but he went out of his business. 25:10 Because he lost all of his-- 25:12 But I said where were they? 25:13 They were on the floor of the ocean. 25:16 Not 8,000 feet down but you know, 25:19 obviously the good reasonable depth reachable. 25:22 But that's why they're down there 25:24 because if you go and you're scuba gear 25:26 and some people like that. 25:27 Doug Batchelor loves to do that. 25:28 I want to do that one day. 25:30 You can see these animals faithfully going along 25:32 they're just cleaning up the ground 25:34 they're cleaning up the earth. 25:35 They're cleaning up the waters. 25:37 They're cleaning up the side road. 25:38 There's a raccoon that got hit 25:39 unfortunately on our side-- on our road 25:42 he's not going to be there for long. 25:44 And you could always tell birds are circling 25:47 and those birds that are circling 25:49 should never be on your table to eat. 25:52 Right. That's just the way it is. 25:54 Thank you for that question John. 25:56 I think do we have 25:58 and we have time for probably one. 25:59 Lets do one I think it's fairly short. 26:00 Okay, go ahead. 26:01 Now this comes from Carolyn 26:04 and she says "Dear John and John please tell me 26:06 what is the Bible stand on cosmetic surgery." 26:09 Okay. That's a good question. 26:12 Be it to fix a problem 26:14 which is a source of great embarrassment 26:15 or simply to enhance ones physical appearance. 26:17 Good question, very good question. 26:20 The simple answer is that the Bible 26:22 doesn't specifically talk about cosmetic surgery. 26:25 All right. 26:26 We know that because it was written long ago 26:27 before cosmetic surgery was taking place 26:30 and was on a regular thing. 26:33 But there are principles in the word of God 26:35 I think that we can kind of stand behind. 26:40 And we are not, we cannot judge someone's motive 26:44 to be able to match those principles 26:46 up with the motive of the individual. 26:48 Right. Does that make sense? 26:50 In other words I can't look at somebody 26:52 who has had cosmetic surgery and judge their motive. 26:57 The reasoning for doing this, 26:59 but here is what I mean on a principles way 27:03 the Bible doesn't seem to advocate 27:06 anywhere that I can find adornment. 27:09 Right. 27:10 Something to make us 27:12 just simply for the pure fact of looking better, adornment. 27:15 There are there is functional things 27:18 that people will wear. 27:20 Just like the priest wore 27:21 very beautiful jewels and vestiture 27:24 and all the other things that he wore. 27:26 They served a purpose. Right. 27:27 They had a meaning behind them. 27:29 But just purity adornment 27:32 even the New Testament ways on this 27:35 not our outward adornment 27:36 but the Lord looks on our heart. 27:37 Right. 27:38 And the principle here caring over 27:40 and to cosmetic surgery would be 27:43 well, what is the purpose of this person doing it. 27:45 Are they doing it for the purpose 27:47 of looking hot for the man. 27:51 Or they're doing for the purpose of benefit to self 27:55 or improvement of self in such a way 27:57 that maybe isn't so selfish or focused on attraction. 28:01 Right. But just a better ones life. 28:04 There are things beyond just repairing of a facial thing. 28:09 Like you know jar that was broken 28:11 and you have to go and then you have to do cosmetic surgery 28:14 to look better or scar something. 28:15 I think there are things beyond that are still acceptable. 28:17 Right. 28:18 This is between them and the Lord. 28:21 This is what I want to emphasize, 28:22 we should not be judging. 28:24 Even the question itself bothers me a little bit. 28:27 You understand what I am saying, John. 28:28 I am looking for the another brief-- 28:29 Even the question bothers me a little bit because it means 28:33 that behind the question there is somebody 28:35 that maybe wanting to assign or stereotype 28:38 or judge somebody for the reason 28:40 that they got cosmetic surgery. 28:41 Right. That is not for us to do. 28:44 That is between them and the Lord 28:46 and let them work that out. 28:47 That's right. 28:49 Yeah, let every man be a liar and let God be true. 28:51 I think it's a principle that maybe. 28:53 Yeah. Applied here. 28:54 And truly I liked the way you said, 28:56 things that are not clearly revealed in God's Word 29:00 we should not try incessantly 29:04 to make it a standard of salvation 29:06 and I think that one of the things, 29:08 I mean, I have heard 29:09 and let me just not open the can right now 29:11 because there's a lot of worms in it. 29:13 But and I speak of other areas 29:16 where sometimes Christians burdens 29:18 have increased to the point 29:19 where people feel as though 29:22 they are under this microscope of someone else's 29:25 when in fact what the Bible 29:26 encourages us to do is to examine ourselves 29:29 to see whether they are-- to see whether or not 29:32 we're in the faith to judge ourselves. 29:35 And so let's not make everything a doctrine. 29:38 And I like what you're saying about that, John, 29:40 sometimes people will frame these passages to almost say, 29:43 well, I haven't been able to find anything 29:46 maybe John and John could find something. 29:48 Maybe they can give me some scriptural references 29:50 so that I could say see there now, 29:52 you shouldn't have done that. 29:53 Right. 29:55 There's a problem with that approach. 29:56 If there is a verse in the Bible 29:58 you can find, well, let us know about 29:59 but we haven't found any verses that say 30:02 that it is sin that you have plastic surgery. 30:05 On the other hand we've seen some 30:06 serious disasters in plastic surgery. 30:08 And some people that have stopped 30:10 they wouldn't stop doing plastic surgeries 30:13 at a point where there is a one called cat lady 30:15 and remember that there is a lady 30:17 who had so many plastic surgeries 30:18 that they can't even fix or face any longer. 30:21 Because there is everything that could be stretched 30:22 has been stretched and all the collegians lips 30:26 and the alternations of the eyes 30:28 and let me just kind of stop there 30:30 but some people get disfigured 30:31 because they just get this addiction to it. 30:34 But and other people say, well, you know 30:36 I want to fix something that I am not happy with. 30:38 And it only hurts ourselves. Yeah. 30:40 If you go too far with that. Right. 30:42 The Bible clearly doesn't talk about this, 30:44 we shouldn't be judging whether someone else 30:46 is doing it right or wrong or doing it at all. 30:49 This is between them and the Lord. 30:51 And I think I'm in a category that kind of say that 30:53 if we look clearly I have got big ears 30:56 and somebody once said you should get plastic surgery 30:58 it kind of bring in some. 30:59 Well, this is my signature. 31:03 There's one, you haven't take that. 31:06 This is my signature. 31:07 I'm known, 31:09 if they even have a doubt that's John Lomacang, 31:10 just look for the ears. 31:12 It's a family trait we have a lot of us 31:14 in the family have big ears. 31:15 And I know somebody wants to draw the line 31:17 where what about it's just about cosmetic improvement 31:19 and improvement of your looks. 31:21 Bible doesn't speak about that. It doesn't speak against it. 31:23 I mean this is not an issue 31:25 that we should be even having to discuss or address. 31:28 Right. 31:29 It is between them and the Lord. 31:30 The Lord may look on it completely favorably, 31:33 praise God. 31:34 Let them work that out 31:35 but it is not up to us to talk about or to judge. 31:38 And always keep in mind 31:39 your body is the temple of the Lords. 31:41 Pray for God to give you guidance 31:43 if you ever enter that arena. 31:46 Well, that I think that takes-- 31:47 We're going to transition our topic today. 31:49 We're talking about salvation 31:50 but if you have any questions you like to sent to us 31:52 and that was completely in opinion response in our part 31:55 because there are no scriptures about that. 31:57 But if you do have any questions 31:58 you can send those questions to housecalls@3abn.org, 32:02 that's housecalls@3abn.org 32:05 and we promise to spend our time wisely 32:08 to respond to those questions 32:09 and most of our answers do come from God's Word. 32:12 We thank you for your participation. 32:16 Now John, what I'd like us to do 32:18 is just kind of dive into this topic salvation, 32:21 salvation what an amazing topic to talk about. 32:25 Without salvation we are all are lost. 32:28 And should I pitch it to you to go ahead and dive 32:30 into this topic together because we-- 32:31 Right, and we can start I mean we can do this together. 32:34 I'll make a couple of comments. Okay. 32:36 When we hear, we hear this phrase 32:38 over and over and over again. 32:39 You've heard it. 32:40 I've heard it everyone probably listening to this program 32:42 watching this program has heard it. 32:44 I got saved. 32:46 Yeah, people will give a dates ad places and-- 32:48 I got to say on such and such day 32:50 or I got to say back in such and such year 32:53 what does that mean when it comes to Jesus. 32:57 And what Jesus has done to save us. 33:01 And I am not trying to trivialize this, 33:03 I mean, we do guess saved by Jesus. 33:05 Right. 33:06 But we can say it sometimes 33:07 so the point where it's almost like a billboard 33:10 I got milk. 33:11 Yeah, I got a car. I bought a house. 33:13 Yeah, and so we don't want to trivialize 33:17 that which is one reason 33:18 why we decided to cover this topic. 33:21 To show the expense that God went through, that God-- 33:28 Invested. 33:29 Invested, yeah, that's a good point. 33:31 Invested to save mankind. 33:34 And how-- What that means to us. 33:37 But also would it meant to him. 33:39 And some of the things in regard to who Jesus was, 33:43 his nature, the Son of God, 33:46 son of man question what does that mean? 33:49 All these things sometimes are misunderstood. 33:54 That's right. Or not even defined at all. 33:57 Because I think there is also a tendency to just say, 34:01 well, I have been saved by grace 34:02 and grace kind of almost like no further explanations needed. 34:07 God's grace he did everything. 34:10 But what did he do. Right. 34:11 And how does that change, 34:13 how we might respond to what he did. 34:17 According to you know, 34:18 what it meant for him to do those things. 34:20 So it's hard to explain but well, 34:22 as we get into it, I know the Lord is going to lead 34:24 and we'll see some thing's 34:26 that maybe we haven't seen before. 34:28 And God's Word when it comes to Jesus 34:30 and what he did to accomplish our salvation. 34:33 I think a good passage to begin with is in Ephesians. 34:37 Ephesians it is the-- it is the signature passage 34:43 when we talk about salvation. 34:45 Ephesians 2:8-9, 34:50 Ephesians 2:8-9 we will definitely include 10, 34:55 but Ephesians verse 8 and 9 34:59 "For by grace you have been saved." 35:03 If you're reading the King James, 35:04 "For by grace are you saved through faith. 35:09 And that not of yourselves, 35:11 it is the gift of God, not of works, 35:16 lest anyone should boast." 35:18 So if we begin with the most 35:20 elementary definition of salvation, 35:23 it is by grace through faith. 35:27 In other words we haven't done anything, 35:28 but what I want to pause here and spend 35:30 a little time on this particular passage, 35:33 oh, we know number by the scriptures 35:35 we going to use in just a moment here. 35:37 Is this is often the passage that sighted 35:40 when people say they're saved. 35:42 And this is the best one 35:44 and this is the most traditional one in reality. 35:46 Not so much the best one 35:47 but the one that is commonly instead 35:49 just like the John 3:16, 35:51 of Revelation you know all these particular passages. 35:54 This is the one so people will say 35:55 I have been saved somebody said, 35:57 I was saved when I was five, I was saved when I was three, 35:58 I saved on the March 5, 1975 36:01 thinking about this particular dates. 36:03 And I often follow that with the question 36:05 save from what? 36:09 Okay, you want to chime in before we go any further. 36:10 No, no that's a good question 36:12 I am waiting to hear how you've respond to it. 36:13 I will say, saved from what? 36:16 And I was saved and some people say 36:18 I was saved different and I am going to use cliches 36:21 that exist in the larger Christendom. 36:24 I was saved sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. 36:27 Beautiful, praise God for that. 36:29 Saved, you know, 36:30 one thing I want to bring out sanctification 36:32 is not just something that happens 36:34 throughout our walk with Christ, 36:35 but sanctification also is an instant act. 36:38 Let me just make the difference here. 36:39 You know, when the Sabbath was sanctified 36:41 when the last day of week was sanctified 36:42 it was sanctified instantly. 36:45 There was no necessary-- there was no necessity 36:48 for to continually be to be sanctified. 36:50 God blessed it, sanctified it. 36:52 That means so in this context 36:53 the word sanctified means set apart. 36:56 See, so when you're saved the question 36:58 is what are you saved from? 37:00 Well, let me just go ahead to the second part. 37:02 We are set apart from what we used to be 37:05 we're now set apart for a Holy purpose 37:09 to the soberly, godly and righteously 37:12 but we have what have been saved from 37:15 and here is the answer to that. 37:16 And we'll point out something I have-- 37:18 God gave me years ago, I call that the three Ps, 37:23 the letter P. 37:24 The three Ps remember this. 37:25 So when we're instantly saved 37:27 when we are accept Jesus in our lives, 37:29 we are saved from penalty of sin. 37:34 So therefore, what that means 37:35 is up until that point you're on death row, 37:38 that means you're destined to die. 37:40 As an Adam 1 Corinthians 15:22 37:42 "As an Adam all die" we were on that death row, 37:46 we were going to die without Christ. 37:48 But we got-- we, we were saved, 37:50 we accepted Jesus Christ. 37:51 He delivered us from death. 37:55 So if you ask somebody says what are you saved from. 37:57 Say I am saved from the penalty of sin. 38:02 I'll go to the next in a just moment, 38:03 give you a chance to add to that. 38:05 You know, because-- and I like your point here. 38:06 We were born on death row 38:08 and for someone that's sees sin as just an act. 38:12 Right. 38:13 Isn't understanding the full impact of sin. 38:16 Sin is an infection, it is passed on to us at birth. 38:22 We are inclined our propensity our tendency is to sin. 38:26 Right. 38:27 And so we were born with it. 38:29 It doesn't take you long John to see a young baby 38:32 as it begins to get around and crawl 38:35 and be able to speak and talk to see 38:37 that sin resides in him and her. 38:40 Right? That's right. 38:41 Because sin is part of what we are born with. 38:44 Its' not necessarily just something that we do. 38:47 Now it is something that we do. 38:48 But the big picture of sin is that 38:52 we have a condition we are on death row. 38:54 We cannot save ourselves from death 38:57 which is where all of us end up. 38:58 We all end up dying of this we're along-- last long enough. 39:02 And so that's an important thing to distinguish 39:05 because there are sin and there are the sins 39:08 that we commit because of the fact 39:10 that we're infected with sin. 39:11 Right. Very important point. 39:13 I'm glad you pointed that because a lot of times 39:15 people say the Lord saved me from, 39:19 saved me from, saved me from 39:21 and they got on these itemized cigarettes, 39:23 alcohol, pornography, thievery, lying, stealing, killing 39:28 we go down this itemized list of things 39:29 that God saved us from. 39:31 Well, in essence saying is we no longer do those things 39:34 so salvation is not even what you no longer do. 39:37 But salvation is what Jesus has done. 39:40 But the saving process is deliverance 39:42 and if deliverance from the former life 39:44 is not something that you experience, 39:46 then you're really not delivered. 39:49 If you're continuing in the old ways, 39:51 then you cannot be in the new way. 39:54 I side 2 Corinthians 5:17 39:57 a passage another one of those wonderful passages. 40:00 In reference to the battle between the flesh the spirit. 40:06 2 Corinthians 5:17 40:08 the Bible reads "Therefore if any one be in Christ, 40:12 he is a new creature old things have passed away 40:18 behold, all things are become new." 40:21 Now John I want to give you a chance 40:23 to we've talked about this preprogram. 40:26 Whenever you've a chance to talk about this okay, 40:28 but if all things have passed 40:29 when all things are new well what about the fact that-- 40:34 Doesn't Jesus accept us as we are. 40:38 I mean do I need to be different after I am saved. 40:42 Yeah. 40:43 According to Bible all things have passed away, 40:45 all things all, all things have become new 40:48 so the old is gone the new is in. 40:52 But do I have to be different now that I am saved. 40:55 Doesn't Jesus accept me as I am? 40:57 Well, you brought up one big word 41:00 that we need to identify or explain what it is. 41:03 Okay. Sanctification. 41:05 One word we haven't identified here is justification. 41:08 Okay. 41:09 So these are two aspects to salvation, 41:12 but quite different in their meaning. 41:16 Justification is-- 41:18 It occurs the moment we believe in Jesus. 41:21 He has saved us as you said from the penalty of sin. 41:24 Right. 41:25 Sanctification begins at that same time, 41:29 because we are set apart for a holy purpose 41:32 but it also continues on. 41:34 So we began to be justified and we were sanctified, 41:37 sanctification then continues 41:39 its part of what we experience throughout life. 41:42 That's right. 41:43 Now sanctification-- do your second P, 41:45 because you haven't done that. 41:46 Yeah, sanctification the first in justification 41:50 is just as if I had never sinned. 41:54 That's a good way to think of it. 41:55 Just as if I had never sinned. 41:57 Justified, just is if I had never sinned. 42:00 The Lord expunges our record. 42:03 He takes from us 42:05 and I want to add to this component 42:06 because you mentioned sin and sins. 42:08 The sin nature which is what we have from Adam 42:13 no longer determines our destiny. 42:17 The sins we have committed 42:19 because all of the sin nature are expunged. 42:23 Whatever you were before, you've been forgiven 42:25 your sins have been forgiven 42:28 your record has been cleansed and the Bible says 42:31 if we confessed he is faithful and just to forgive us 42:33 cleanses from all unrighteousness. 42:35 That's justification all the way no longer 42:37 against you it's all been taking care 42:40 by the blood of Christ. 42:41 But now the second P is sanctification, 42:45 sanctification is the salvation from the power of sin. 42:51 The power of sin, so let's go and apply that. 42:56 A person says, I am saved 43:00 but I am still doing what I did before 43:03 and I am thinking wait a minute doesn't the passage say 43:06 old things have passed away behold all things are new. 43:09 Isaiah 1 "Seize to do evil learn to good." 43:13 Now do we instantly forget what we did in the past? 43:17 No, but now do we-- 43:19 And something that I think also needs to be mentioned here 43:22 justification is a revival that happens, 43:26 we change direction. 43:27 Now we begin to move in a different direction. 43:30 We unlearn the evil we begin to learn the good. 43:33 So and I must say this, John 43:35 we don't immediately become completely 43:41 disconnected from the way we thought 43:44 because no we're learning a whole new process 43:46 that's where the installation of pure purity comes in. 43:49 Our mind begins to take on be transformed 43:52 by the renewing of your mind that you may prove 43:56 what is the good acceptable perfect people of God. 43:58 That's where the transformation begins. 44:00 The transformation is not complete 44:03 until the last process of salvation. 44:06 We'll get to that in just a moment. 44:07 Let me go ahead and let you add something 44:08 to this before I, go on. 44:10 There is a term that is used to describe this change, 44:15 this transformation that occurs in the sanctification process. 44:18 Right. 44:20 Because it is also a process as well as a single event. 44:25 Paul speaks of it as two laws. 44:28 One is the law of sin in death. That's right. 44:30 The other is the law 44:31 of the spirit and righteousness. 44:35 Right. 44:36 And when we are sanctified we are sitting on a course 44:40 that moves us away from the law of sin in death 44:42 to the law of the spirit. 44:46 Right. Which brings life. 44:48 And so Paul speaks of this in Romans. 44:51 Very good. 44:52 Chapter 8:1 and, well, lets read a few verses here. 44:57 Starting with the verse 1 44:59 "There is therefore now no condemnation 45:00 to those who are in Christ Jesus." 45:02 When He uses the term in Christ Jesus 45:04 he is saying justified in Christ. 45:07 That's justification. 45:09 "Who do not walk according to the flesh, 45:12 but according to the Spirit?" 45:13 And now he talks about the walk 45:14 the walk is the walk of sanctification. 45:18 The process we talk about day by day being justified 45:21 but walking in Christ is how we are being 45:26 transformed into his image. 45:27 And it's also the evidence of our-- 45:29 It's also the evidence of our conversion 45:32 or of the trans-- our life being transformed. 45:34 You know somebody may say did you get married lately. 45:39 Yeah, that explains it. 45:42 That's what we don't we see you at the bar 45:43 anymore on Tuesday night. 45:44 There you go. That explains it. 45:46 Yeah, my wife cut that out right away. 45:48 You know, there are certain activities 45:49 that change instantly in our lives 45:51 when we become married. 45:52 In the very same way there are certain activities 45:55 in our lives that change and cut off 45:56 when we become Christians. 45:58 So we don't walk that way 45:59 do not walk according to the flesh. 46:01 Keep going. "But according to the spirit." 46:04 Verse 2 "For the law." Notice the law is here. 46:07 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus 46:10 has made me free from the law of sin and death." 46:14 This is where sanctification is deliverance 46:17 from the power of sin. 46:20 We have moved from one law 46:22 which is sin and death to the other law 46:24 which is the spirit of the life in Christ Jesus. 46:26 Right. 46:27 Very important to remember this. 46:29 Verse 3 "For what the law could not do, 46:32 and that it was weak through the flesh, 46:34 God did by sending his own Son 46:35 in the likeness of sinful flesh, 46:37 on account of sin he condemn sin in the flesh. 46:39 The righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, 46:42 who do not walk according to the flesh, 46:44 but according to the Spirit." 46:45 Now here is what I want to say something 46:47 that it's probably misunderstood. 46:50 One of those areas it's misunderstood. 46:53 That as we begin to walk in the spirit of life 46:58 in Christ Jesus He gives us the power and strength 47:03 to live in harmony with his law. 47:06 That's right. 47:07 The Ten Commandments, where before we had the power 47:11 from on high to partake off to live according to that law. 47:17 We were ruled by the law of sin and death. 47:19 That's right. 47:20 We had no power in fact Paul goes on to say 47:23 that a carnal man cannot do the things of God. 47:26 He cannot keep the law, 47:28 but once you're given the life of Christ 47:31 and you're walking in the spirit in his power 47:34 you're living in a harmony with that law 47:35 because he gives you the strength to do it. 47:38 So this thought that when you're saved 47:41 you no longer then keep the law 47:43 is missing the entire reason that God saves you. 47:46 Wow. Very good point. 47:49 He is saving you to save you from eternal death, yes. 47:52 And to give you eternal life, yes. 47:54 But he is also saving you to make you new in Christ 47:57 which is an individual, 47:59 who walks in a spirit living in harmony 48:01 with the Ten Commandments. 48:02 Right. 48:03 I don't lie, steal, murder, I don't commit adultery. 48:08 I don't covet. Exactly. 48:10 I don't bow down to images, I know God is my God. 48:14 Right. 48:15 I don't take his name in vain 48:17 and I obey my parents and respect them. 48:20 Oh, wait... 48:21 I keep the Fourth Commandment as well. 48:24 Right, right the law of God. 48:25 The Seventh-day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. 48:29 All these things God gives me power to now do 48:32 because I have been saved 48:34 which is why those things are the evidence 48:36 that our transformation is taking place. 48:37 I have been saved. Right. 48:39 To say I am saved and then I don't have to-- 48:43 I don't need the power, I don't want the power, 48:46 I don't accept the power to live in harmony 48:47 with God's law its only accepting 48:49 one part of the equation justification 48:51 and I would say 48:53 you're missing on the entire salvation experience. 48:55 You know what's so beautiful about salvation, 48:57 John, you know, very well put. 48:59 Wonderfully put because salvation 49:01 just to build on what you said salvation is an evidence. 49:05 It's an evidence of not just your life being changed 49:09 but the power of Christ. 49:11 The power of Christ, matter of fact Romans 1, 49:14 I want to just go ahead and look at Romans 1. 49:17 Paul begins the book of Romans 49:19 with this beautiful, beautiful analogy. 49:23 This beautiful definition 49:24 of how wonderful the grace of God is. 49:28 Here it is. Page verse 16. 49:31 Yeah, you have to highlight it. 49:33 Notice what it says. 49:36 Romans 1:16 49:38 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, 49:43 for it is the power of God to salvation." 49:48 Yes, salvation includes power not just deliverance but power. 49:53 We don't often include the power. 49:54 So people today they say they're saved 49:56 but there is no-- they live the same way, 50:01 There are pastors that still drink and smoke. 50:03 there are churches that advocate 50:04 doesn't matter what you do. 50:06 Now I am not talking about the advocating killing 50:08 and lying and stealing and cheating 50:10 but there's no change. 50:11 I know 50:12 I am not gonna talk about the particular denomination. 50:15 Let me just go ahead and focus on the text here. 50:17 The power of God is what is often 50:20 missing in the Christian walk. 50:23 And so you have people that don't get deliverance 50:25 and let me just narrow it down. 50:27 Some people said well, God does not know power. 50:30 And some people well, excuse the way they speak 50:32 with the way they treat others. 50:34 And the power of God doesn't show up there. 50:36 But here's what it goes on to say 50:38 "It is the power of God to salvation for every one 50:42 who believes for the Jew first, and also for the Greeks. 50:46 For in it" in what in the power. 50:49 "The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." 50:55 What are we saved by grace through faith? 50:58 There is some power revealed there. 51:01 How did you ever overcome that? 51:04 That's the power of the gospel. 51:05 So when people say that the gospel is just 51:08 you know, a measure by which we become members. 51:11 No, the gospel is the measure 51:13 by which we become sons and daughters of God. 51:17 There's a power there that must be exemplified, 51:20 that must be emphasized, 51:21 matter of fact let me go ahead and show you 51:23 there's a particular passage here in 1 John 3:14 51:28 I want to just throw this one into the mix here 51:30 because we have to think of the power. 51:33 What does the power of the gospel show us. 51:35 You know if we didn't love somebody 51:36 before you became Christian, 51:39 you must love them after you become Christian 51:43 just you show you this 1 John 3:14 "We know." 51:46 Remember we talked about death row. 51:48 Well, how does somebody 51:49 or how does someone know I am no longer on death row. 51:52 It says in the Bible 1 John 3:14 51:54 "We know that we have passed from death to life, 52:00 because we love the brethren." 52:03 That's right. 52:04 He who does not love his brother abides in death." 52:07 So here I am, I am a Christian that hates 52:10 is this such an oxymoron. 52:12 I don't like this person, 52:13 I don't like that person or I hate this person, 52:14 I can't stand that person, 52:16 I cut this person down don't like the pastor 52:18 I can't stand to head elder 52:19 I don't like the teachers I the Sabbath school. 52:22 We go all this hate speech and we say to I am Christian. 52:26 Well, you know why it's because we've boiled down salvation 52:28 to just simply eternal life. 52:31 And I am on the eternal life track. 52:33 Right. 52:34 And that's not what salvation is entirely about. 52:38 It's the beginning of salvation. 52:41 But it's not the salvation experience 52:42 and I use the word experience over and over 52:44 Because it says they just shall live by faith. 52:48 I mean it's the life that I have today 52:50 I am saved everyday throughout the day all day long. 52:54 Right. 52:55 In other words I am experiencing deliverance 52:58 and salvation in Christ from all the things 53:00 that Satan tempts me with. 53:02 And if I am doing every-- 53:04 If I'm succumbing to every temptation 53:06 and doing what he wants me to do 53:08 I can honestly say, I am not saved. 53:10 I am not living that salvation experience. 53:12 Which is where this once saved always saved 53:15 it's so deadly and we won't talk 53:16 if we won't get there right now. 53:18 Yeah, we'll get there at some point. 53:20 But I just-- it's so important 53:21 to remember salvation is more than just the instant. 53:25 It's the experience that we have that last a life time. 53:29 And if we see it if we don't see it that way 53:32 and we're just boiling it down to one time event, 53:35 then the God saved takes on a totally different meaning. 53:38 Oh, I tell you, I tell you, I tell you. 53:41 A God saved that means I am on my way to heaven, 53:43 you can't turn away from me 53:44 because they said once I am saved, 53:45 I am always saved so I am good. 53:47 Right. 53:48 And so it takes away all accountability as a Christian. 53:53 If we didn't really need to be changed 53:55 then the work of Christ is of not. 53:57 If there was no power to change the way 53:59 we were prior to the cross 2 Corinthians 5:17 54:04 kind of an ethereal text. 54:06 If anyone is in Christ he is in new creation 54:08 all things have passed away 54:09 behold all things have become new. 54:11 Let me just I want to give you 54:12 two very very quick passages here. 54:14 2 Corinthians 2:15 54:18 actually 1 Corinthians 1:18, 54:20 1 Corinthians 1:18 the Bible says 54:23 "For the message of the cross 54:25 is foolishness to those who are perishing 54:29 but who us who are being the process being saved 54:35 it is the power of God." 54:37 You see the power-- What does it mean by power? 54:40 The power to change who you are you see 54:42 that this thing that we're Christians 54:43 but we could live the way we did before. 54:45 Our music our, entertainment, 54:46 our attitudes, our habits, our practices, 54:48 our-- the things we watch, the places we go, 54:50 the music we listen to, the habits we were bound by, 54:53 to say that we can keep that kind of thing up and say 54:56 I am a Christian, is a lie to the Gospel 54:59 because the power is like getting a brand new television 55:03 and keeping it unplugged 55:04 and you sit in the living the room 55:05 and people would say, what are you doing? 55:07 I am watching TV. 55:08 But there's nothing on the screen. 55:09 Well, I am still watching TV. 55:11 But there's nothing on the screen 55:12 what are you watching? 55:13 Plug it in. 55:14 If we plug into the power we'll see the transformation 55:18 that's happening in our lives. 55:19 One more text. 55:20 Hebrews 7:25 look at the work of Christ. 55:23 Here's another word using the phrase 55:24 or using another text using the Word saved 55:28 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost." 55:33 Do we-- how do we need to be 55:35 you need to be saved all the way. 55:37 Now just instantly you need to saved all the way. 55:40 He is able to save to the uttermost 55:43 those who come to God through Him, 55:45 since He ever lives to make intercession for them." 55:50 I need to be saved to the uttermost, 55:52 wasn't I saved already. 55:53 That's right. 55:54 He'd done, you're just been added to the assembly line 55:57 we got a whole lot of work to do in you. 55:59 And the work he's begun Philippians 1:6 56:01 the work Christ begins he's able to complete it. 56:05 Yeah. 56:06 You know the other important part here 56:08 to consider to is the meaning of grace. 56:10 You know, the grace is been boiled down 56:11 and watered down to the one time event as well. 56:14 And grace is beyond just God saved me 56:19 and now have eternal life. 56:21 Grace is strength from God its strength from God's hand. 56:26 You know, we have grace to find. 56:28 Well, it's divine favor. Okay. 56:30 That's kind of the most simple explanation 56:32 but that it's lost its meaning overtime. 56:34 Here is the definition I first-- 56:36 I believe, I felt impressed God gave me with grace. 56:40 Grace is anytime the God reaches down to do for me 56:44 what I can't do for myself. 56:45 Oh, Amen. 56:46 Anytime the God reaches down to do for me 56:47 what I cannot do for myself that is grace. 56:50 It's to save, it's to help, it's to overcome sin. 56:52 It's to empower, it's to do all that that's God grace. 56:54 That's right Titus 2:11 56:57 "For the grace of God that brings salvation 57:00 has appeared to all men, teaching us that, 57:03 denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, 57:06 we should live soberly, righteously, 57:10 and godly in this present age." 57:13 That's what grace really does in you lives, 57:14 friends, I'll tell you we just getting sorted on this program 57:17 you know, God's grace and God's salvation 57:19 is available even for you wherever you're today. 57:22 If you take hold of the grace and the power of God 57:25 you'll find salvation not just to save you momentarily 57:28 but to save you everyday. 57:30 And hold on to Christ for one day 57:31 at house call will come to you. 57:33 God bless you until we see you again. |
Revised 2014-12-17