Salvation is God’s principle purpose amongst mankind. The embodiment of God’s person and God’s purpose is our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus saves.
Let’s listen to John, very carefully, in what amounts to the last and most meaningful sermon of his life. It is an offer of grace. It is a call to faith. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, according to John the Baptist.
Sin is “transgression,” the commission of any deed done contrary to the commandments of God. It is the use of one’s hands, or other body parts, to carry out lust instead of love, sinful desire rather than sacred duty, personal pleasure instead of concern for other people. It is a failure forged by doing the wrong thing.
How do we overcome doubt before doubt overcomes us? I’d like to show you what one man did. His name is Asaph, and the diary of his experience is recorded in Psalm 73.
Christianity does not grant immunity from anxiety. Some of the finest followers of Jesus I know are prone to worry. I would like to give them some relief. I think I’ve found a remedy for anxiety. It is contained in one of David’s finest Psalms.
Leaders and followers, followers and leaders, which one are you? I hope you are willing to be both. But before you can be a follower or a leader, you must be a careful listener to two of the most important words Jesus ever spoke.
The only way a person can be saved is to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ with faith and repentance. Faith and repentance are gifts from God. Faith and repentance are commitments to Christianity. Faith and repentance are put on beautiful, meaningful display in the act of a baptism. Jesus paved the way.
How was your Christmas this year? Did you get any good gifts? Did you get any bad gifts? Maybe your gift was in between good and bad, and you’re not sure whether to keep it or return it. Well, that’s Christmas! And, that’s life...
Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Solus Christus: Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. God sovereignly saves by granting faith and repentance through the preaching and acceptance of the gospel, converting people into true followers of Jesus Christ.
On the third Sunday of Advent we deal with one of the great themes and one of the great characters in the Bible, joy and John the Baptist. God brought John into the world, like certain angels, to give us “good tidings of great joy.” John’s job was to pave the way for the first arrival of Jesus Christ.
