The Truth about God’s Love

Guest speaker for the 166th Church Anniversary

Guest speaker for the 166th Church Anniversary

1. God moving people

2. God hearing prayer

3. God removing prejudice

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1: 8

‘Breakfast’ at Galilee!

1. Further evidence for Christ’s resurrection (John 21: 1-13)

2. Full restoration (John 21: 15-17)

3. Future work (John 21: 17-19)

EASTER 2009

1. God sends Philip (Acts 8:26-31)

2. Philip shares the good news (Acts 8:32-35)

3. The Ethiopian believes and is baptised (Acts 8:36-39)

4. The gospel increases and spreads (Acts 8: 39-40)

PALM SUNDAY

Jesus said Go and Tell (Mark 11:1-3)

They went and told (Mark 11:4-6)

Celebrating Jesus – King and Saviour (Mark 11:7-10)

1. Speaking the Gospel of Christ (Acts 7:1-53)

2. Suffering for the Gospel of Christ (Acts 7:54-8:3)

3. Spreading the Gospel of Christ (Acts 8:4-25)

Definitions:
Justification = Beginning of Christian life; once for all
Santification = On-going process through Christian life

1. From God’s viewpoint: SAINTS ALIVE!
(Romans 6:1-14 1 Cor 1:2,6:11 1 Peter 1:2)

2. From the Christian’s Experience: SAINTS BECOMING!
(Romans 6:11,14,18)

* The work of the Holy Spirit
* Perfectionism? (Matt 5:48)
* Our part (Phil 2:12-13)
* Taking off / Putting on (Romans 8:12f, 12:1-21 Galatians 5:13-26)
* Spiritual Breathing (1 John 1:9)
* The corporate dimension

“Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11)

Adoption into God�s family means:

1) A new Father

a. the Holy Spirit reminds us we are no longer slaves, but sons (Romans 8:14-15)

b. the Holy Spirit enables us to pray �Abba� Father (Romans 8:15)

2) A new Family

a. our new family name (1 John 3:1)

b. our family likeness (1 John 2: 29; 3:10)

c. our elder Brother � Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29; Heb. 2:10ff.)

d. our willingness to be disciplined (Heb. 12:5ff.)

e. our future hope as heirs (Romans 8:17; 1 John 2:28)

�Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.�
Isaiah 49:15-16

CRISIS� = danger and opportunity (see Chinese characters for Crisis)

From outside the church = persecution

From inside the church = corruption

In Chapter 6 the crisis = distraction

(John Stott)

A very positive problem: �the number of disciples was increasing� (Acts 6:1)

THE DANGERS:

1) Strained energies � �overlooked� (Acts 6:1)

2) Strained relationships � �Grecian Jews� and �Hebraic Jews� (Acts 6:1)

3) Strained priorities � �ministry of the Word� vs. practical needs (Acts 6:2)

THE OPPORTUNITIES:

1) For reorganization – how flexible are we?

2) For delegation � choosing the right people

3) For prepared people � �full of the Spirit and of wisdom� (Acts 6:3)

4) For priorities � �the ministry of the word� (Acts 6:4)

5) For prayer � �attention to prayer� (Acts 6:4)

The wisdom of God vs. The wisdom of the world
(1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5)

1. The Fight for Truth

2. The Human Referee: Gamaliel

� Precedent (Acts 5: 36-37)

� Time (Acts 5: 38-39)

� Caution

3. The Christian Disciples Respond:

�Rejoicing because they had been counted worthy
of suffering disgrace for the Name.� (Acts 5: 41)

1. The background (Romans 1:1-3:20)
a) Nobody keeps God�s law completely
b) God is right to be angry with people
c) Nobody can make themselves right with God by keeping the law

2. The source of righteousness (Romans 3: 21-23)

3. Redemption (Romans 3: 24-26)

4. Boasting or faith? (Romans 3: 27-30)

5. So, what about the law? (Romans 3: 31)

1) Money then and now (Acts 5: 1-11)

2) Healing then and now (Acts 5: 12-16)

Key Question: Why did Christ die?

1) Our desperate need for atonement
2) Atonement in the Old Testament
3) Atonement in the New Testament

* The Temple Courts �
– propitiation (1 John 2:1-2; 4:10)
– sacrifice (Jn. 1:29; Eph. 5:2; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:19)

* The Market Place �
– redemption (Mark 10:45; 1 Pet. 1:18-20)
– substitution (Is. 53:5f; Mark 10:45; Rom. 3:21-26; Gal. 3:13)

* The Law Courts � justification � next week!