Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)

I preached again! I liked it. Like, wept some, got goosebumps some, enjoyed preaching it … a lot.

Please enjoy listening (click here if it does not work just below), and see my rough notes for all scripture references and basic thoughts. I am reading from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.

Signs You’re a Christian (1 John 3:10-24)

Read 3:10-11

        1:1, 2:7: Nothing new, known from the beginning

Read 3:12

        Genesis 4:3-5: Why did Cain murder Abel? His sacrifice was not accepted.
Why?
2 theories: 1) He could have asked Abel for an animal sacrifice. Could have, yes, but …
          2) He offered “an offering of the fruit” versus Abel’s “firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.” Abel offered the first and best, but Cain went for the bare minimum.
Genesis 4:6-7: Bare minimum can lead, at best, to complacency, and at worst to proof of not being saved.
Genesis 4:8-9: Our selfishness leads us to hatred, as John reminds us …

Read 3:13-15

        Testimony: Know I am saved, because I have loved the Church.
-Jim Harper – Pastor on the Titanic
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Pastor in Nazi Germany

Read 3:16-20

        Two things to remember:

• Our sinful hearts:
  • Jeremiah 17:9-10
  • How righteous are we really?
    • Illustration with three volunteers (preferably one of the Paul’s, Jadon, and Scott as our prime example):
      • 1 at the left, representing Hitler and anti-christs
      • Student at the right, representing Christ
      • Scott (or someone) being moved for how much righteousness he has, starting out close to student, moving him until he is right next to “Hitler” to demonstrate how much better we are apart from Christ. Then, back over to hug “Christ” who has covered our sins with his own blood.
  • Romans 8:23 – awaiting the redemption of our bodies
• Christ commanded that we help others, especially the Church (Galatians 6:10, John 13 especially v. 8)

Read 3:21-24

1. If we believe, we are washed by Christ. Since we are washed by Christ, we should have clean consciences
   1. Sometimes, we struggle to let go of the past, making our consciences feel burdened …
   1. This is one reason Hebrews 10:19-25 (vv. 23-25) tells us to keep meeting together and encouraging each other, but also …
2. Whatever we ask: See Ephesians 3:14-21 (v. 20)
   1. He meets all of our needs, knowing what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8, 7:7-11)

What does this all mean for us?

1. First, realize we can do nothing good apart from God
   1. Romans 3 – None are good nor seek God, all have sinned
   1. Luke 18:18-19 – Only God is good
   1. Philippians 4:13 – Through Christ alone can we do good things
2. Second, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2)
   1. Realize our full need for Christ, repent of sins, and believe in His atoning work on the cross.
   1. As Ephesians 2 continues and reminds us …
3. Third, we are made one with Christ and each other through Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit.
   1. We love Christ and His Church.
      1. Read your Bible
      1. Pray
      1. Meet regularly with other Christians
         1. Not just go to church on Sundays!
      1. Live out love for God
         1. Do good works as a response to the great love God has given
         1. Especially toward our brothers and sisters in Christ
         1. These reveal the Spirit’s work in us, that we love Christ by obeying His commands (John 15:12-14), all to the glory of the Father (meaning people see our love and good works and come to believe the Gospel!)

So, then, what are the commands we are to obey?

1. Love God with all that you are (Matthew 22:37-38)
2. Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39-40)
3. Love one another as Christ has loved us (Sacrificially and with a servant’s heart) (John 13:34)
4. Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)