Baptismal Exhortation

Baptismal Exhortation

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(Based on the Form of Administration of the Sacraments used in the French-speaking congregation in Geneva, Switzerland, at the time if John Calvin)
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Scripture Reading: John 3:1-8
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The Lord Jesus told us how spiritually poor and wretched we all are, even as we were born, by telling us that we need to be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus that, in order to enter the Kingdom of God, we must all be born again. This gives us clear evidence that the way we were born into this world was corrupt and altogether accursed and sinful, and it leads only to death. It is by this that he exhorts us to humble ourselves before him and be displeased with our sinful state and seek his grace and kindness. Only through his grace and power can we ever be rid of our old perverse and corrupt sinful self. Yet, this truth stands as supremely important: we can never receive his saving grace and power until we get rid of all the other things that we trust in, whether it be our own goodness, our own knowledge, our self-confidence, or anything else. No matter what it is, it can never save us, because only Christ and his righteousness can save those who are as sinful and corrupted as we are.
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However, after Christ had shown us how wretched and miserable we are as sinners and what a hopeless estate we are in because of our sin, Christ himself also consoles us with the promise of his mercy and grace. The promise that he gives us here in the gospel is the promise of regeneration, or causing us to be born again by water and the Spirit, and bringing us into a new kind of life, which is the entrance into his kingdom. The regeneration of which he speaks consists of two parts. First, thecompletely renunciation of ourselves—all our wisdom, all our pleasure, and all our will; in other words, we die to ourselves and all our own sinful purposes and desires. Second, we seek to follow the light given to us in God’s Word, seeking to be obedient to his commandments in all ways by the leading and guiding of his Holy Spirit.
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Now, both of these aspects of regeneration are found only in Jesus Christ himself. His death is such that, when we participate in him who has suffered and died for us, we do, in a very real sense, bury our old selves and our sin, having put it to death in the death of Christ, so that our old carnal desires would be more and more mortified. Just as our old self and all its old desires are buried with him, so our new man, the new principle of life, is born in us as we are raised up with Christ in his resurrection, so long as his Spirit is the one who is leading, guiding, and directing us in our lives to produce faith and obedience in us.
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But as important as the renovation of our old nature is, the most important element in the salvation that we have in Jesus Christ is the forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. Because of God’s mercy and Christ’s work on the cross, our Lord completely blots out our sins, and he even tells us that he remembers them no more, so that we no longer come under the judgment and condemnation of God, which we rightly deserve because we are sinners in God’s sight, both by birth and action.
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All these graces come upon us, God tells us through the words of the Gospel writer John, by water and the Spirit. In other words, when God is pleased to incorporate us into his body the Church through baptism, he attests to us the washing away of our sins and the new birth by the Holy Spirit. God himself has ordained that the element of water symbolize and authenticate to us that, just as water washes the body from all its uncleanness and filth, so God himself is willing and able to wash us clean from our sinfulness and corruption to purify our dirty souls. He also uses it to symbolize the union we have with Jesus Christ who died and was and resurrected, so that we would always remember to account ourselves as dead unto sin and alive unto righteousness.
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So it is that, in baptism, we receive great grace and benefit, provided we do not destroy the virtue of the sacrament by our ingratitude and unbelief. In baptism, God gives us sure evidence that he is willing to be forgiving toward us, not imputing our sins to us. He also promises that he will assist us in our lifelong battle against the world, the flesh, and our Archenemy, Satan, so that we will gain ultimate victory over them and live in the freedom of his glorious kingdom, the Kingdom of Righteousness.
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Because we know that all these things are accomplished by the grace of Jesus Christ alone, we can be assured that the virtue and benefit of baptism is all in him and not in any power of the water itself. In fact, we have no other washing but the washing of his blood, and we have no other rebirth and renovation than Christ’s own death and resurrection. But God has chosen to communicate these awesome benefits and blessings through the sacraments he has given to his Church. So these things are ours if we will receive them from his gracious hand, because he has already given them to us and given us good reason to believe that these promises are true.
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However, God was not pleased only to bring each one of us into his family and kingdom by his grace, he extended his goodness even further, by making the wonderful promise to be our God and the God of our children to a thousand generations. So it is that, even though the children of believers are sinful and corrupted like all men who are descendents of Adam, God still accepts them because of his Covenant and adopts them into his family, the Church, as well. This is the reason that, even from the time of Abraham, God commanded that all the children born into the Church would receive the sign of the Covenant—in the Old Covenant, it was the sign of circumcision, but in the New Covenant, it is the sign of baptism, both of which have the same meaning.
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Now of this we are certain: Jesus Christ came to earth, not to make God’s grace less than it was to the Patriarchs and to the Children of Israel, but to make it greater and with farther-reaching effects. Therefore, it should not be doubted among Christians that God includes children in his New Covenant just as well as he did in the Old Covenant among the Hebrew people. This we know by the testimony of the Apostle Paul as well; he tells us plainly that the children of believers are sanctified from the womb and set apart from the children of pagans and unbelievers. It was for this reason that when the people brought their children to Jesus to have them blessed, he willingly received them, even rebuking his disciples for trying to send the Covenant Children away. He said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven.”
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By saying plainly that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the little children of those who trust in him, by laying hands on them as he did, and by commending them to God his Father, Jesus clearly teaches that we must not exclude them from his Church. So, in order to be obedient to Christ, we will receive this child into his body, the Church, so that it may become a partaker of the blessings which God has promised to believers through the ministry of the Church.
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In Union with Christ,Wm. M. Austin, III (Trey)Pastor, Coeburn Presbyterian Church (PCA)Coeburn, VA
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"He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,and for his children it will be a refuge." Proverbs 14:26, NIV

God Triune In The Beginning - Now And For the 21st Cantury

In the spirit of breaking from the simplistically stated Biblical subjects, I now present to you a very focused and needful treaty on our Triune God by one of the greatest theologians of our day Dr. Francis Nigel Lee. Please read and enjoy your time and the mental stretch and exercise in which you are about to initiate. Steve


GOD TRIUNE IN THE BEGINNING — AND FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

by Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Nigel Lee
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http://www.dr-fnlee.org/docs5/trinity/trinity.html
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God Triune Himself has never changed. From eternity, God the Father and the Son and the Spirit has always been an un-begun and a never-ending Harmony —Jehovah 'Elohiym. Gen. 1:1f; 2:4f; Ex. 3:14f; 6:3; Isa. 6:3; 11:2; 63:7-10; Mal. 3:6; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 17:1-5; Heb. 9:14; Rev. 1:4-6; 4:2-8; 5:6f; 22:16-19f…………

Discipline With A Purpose - God's Way In All Circumstance

Discipline With A Purpose – God’s Way In Any Circumstance

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Steve Horne
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I hear often that God’s people within different churches especially if they are not geographically located in the same area cannot follow practices of Church Discipline. Also I have heard that online chat and blogs etc are not the church and therefore church discipline cannot happen. In these diverse situations what I hear is that each person must be good as a Christian and follow the command of loving one another.
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HERE IS THE TRUTH: All Christians are in the Church. Therefore God’s process and construct of discipline amongst God’s people cannot be set aside. It is God’s process. Outside of this process there is none unless it is a man made process. A man made process is not the way of Christianity. Now what do you do? Follow God’s process. You may need to call the brother or sistere on the phone and talk with them. You may need to do a three way calling if someone will not repent if they are in sin or are deficient in doctrine. If the sin continues then you and the witness may need to contact the pastor or elders of the persons church and bring formal charges. Below I set forth the basics of church discipline.
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As has been set forward in another writing there are three things which identoify the church. We are people that 1. hold to the word of God; 2. partake of the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism; and 3. practice God’s process of church discipline. .
The practice of church discipline has been established by God “tell it unto the church” (Matthew 18:17). Our Lord taught that this is the way of unity and peace in the church. It is the true church that maintains discipline over believers guarding their souls (Heb 13). Any group that calls itself a church, or is part of the body of Christ and does not exercise love for the people in helping restore them to righteous living, guiding them in their life, is not maintaining the practrice of a true church or church member in the body of Christ. It is only the true church that cares enough to help restore the believing brothers and sisters in a desire to honor God bring forth purity.
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1. Matt. 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.


2. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ , To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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The authority of the church does not rest in the personal and individual manmade authority of the elders or pastors. The authority of the church leaders is a derived authority. Christ is King and Head of His church (Eph. 5:23; Col 1:18). He has given the Bible as the rule of all faith and practice. The leaders of the church must learn how God’s process of discipline is established. Then they are to to, teach the layity how to proceed in God’s process so that when needed there is discipline being directed in its processes from the Word of God alone. In the church there can only be a speaking where the Bible speaks and teaching what the Bible teaches with authority. Therefore the church and the members are to be directed by the Word alone in all matters in life and godliness. This truly glorifies the Lord and maintains purity in His, one and only church. .Church discipline has a lofty goal. It is properly administered for the maintenance of the the glory of God, the purity of the church and the reclaimation, restoration and reconcilation of the erring brethren. Therefore as you approach a brother and sister that is erring either in life or in doctrine you need to include these levels and aspects of church discipline as needed:
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Teaching = It is is teaching the person what the Bible says concerning their sin, and how to change

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Convictiing = It includes the need to convince or persuade of the need to turn from sin to loving the living Lord unto holiness ;

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Admonishing = Discipline through admonishment includes all three of these encouraging, rebuking, warning,

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Excommunicating = Hopefully restoration will be accomplished before this step is taken. This is the farthest end of an extreme measure which includes expulsion from the Lord’s table

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Restoring = This is the goal of church discipline. It is an acceptance and compassion for a Christian brother or sister that has repented in order for there to be no grief.

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From the teaching of Scripture there are four major steps in the practice of church discipline. The following are the biblically steps of church discipline and restoration from Matt. 18:15-17. Read the passage from the gospel of Matthew and see if you can pick the three steps..

1. Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

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Did you identify them? If not here you go:
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Step 1. Private meeting = there is to be a private meeting between you and the person that has caused an offense concerning doctrinal error or delinquent in proper Christian living. “…., go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone”.
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Step 2. If restoration fails in step one then you must move to a second step where you “take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. The taking of others with you is for the purpose of supporting you in persuading the person to be restored. But sadly if the persuasion fails and the brother or sister does not repent the they are there in order to establish witnesses if the person does not repent and does not want restored in this second step.
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Step 3. If this fails the discipline of the non-repentant brother gets very serious. It is here that you must get all of the information together and “tell it unto the church”. This does not mean that you tell the issue to the congregation but it is simply that you tell it unto the church leaders, i.e. elders. They must take up the process of discipline from this point forward. They are the church court and have the spiritual oversight of the people of the church. The church members are to “Obey … leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. ( Heb 13:17). They are the leaders who speak the word of God and watch over the souls of the congregation. Perhaps the person will obey his or her leaders and submit to them and be restored. And if the person does this discipline ends since restoration would have been accomplished.
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Step 4. If sorrowfully the above steps fail and “if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” This is the final discipline step that must be done, called excommunication. It must be accomplished for two major reasons: a. in order that the spirit of the person may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 5:5) and for the purging of sin out of the church to keep it a pure as humanly possible (1 Cor. 5:7).
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The person that is delinquent in doctrine or in godly living, the person that has been sinned against, those brought in for support and witness and the elders of the church are all to be directed and guided not by their own thinking but by the word of God. If this is not done then there is no evidence that the people or the church leaders are Christian but show themselves to be self judging and at best just pragmatic people whether they stumble upon doing what is wrong or right. When one fails to be directed by the word, judged by the church and found to be in sin they are not to partake of the Lord’s supper They are living as the unsaved. Where there is no church discipline there are all kinds of evil. Humanism prevails, sin is in the camp, the leaders have no place to stand, doctrine can go anywhere since it is not checked, there is no growth at all and no watching over the souls of the people of the church.
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Church discipline by the word of God and by the church and its people following the above steps is a must. A congregation or faith group that does not practice church discipline is missing a critical mark of being a true church.
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Conclusion .
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Do you need to rethink how you are approaching others in your church or online in chat rooms or across the country where you may have lived and or visited and there are unresolved sin. Go ahead, put you plan in place and use God’s process. After all this is how peace, unity and the glory of God and the purity of His church is maintained.

Tools of the Faith

Tools of the Faith
Steve Horne
I love the fact that we are not left by ourselves in our Christian faith. We have the blessed Holy Spirit, the church and the gifts that are given to the body of Christ.(( 1 Cor 12>>). In all of this we have also been given tools for a living, working and active faith. Just as an electrician has a screwdriver, wire cutters, voltmeters and the carpenter has a hammer, tape measure and saw so God has given the Christian certain  tools of the faith. These tools are:
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1. The Word of God – The Bible


2. The Sacraments – Lord’s Supper and Baptism


3. Prayer

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Years ago I really learned the necessity of using these tools when I heard my son counseling a Christian brother. The first thing my son pointed out was simply that the tools of the faith were not being used. There fore as a house could not be built nor maintained properly without tools so a person of faith cannot grow and live properly without the use of proper tools of the faith. Now let‘s look at these tools of the faith briefly so that we may remember to use them in our faith.
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A. The Word of God – The Main Tool
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It is through the hearing and reading of God’s word that our souls are strengthened and our lives sanctified. Paul committed the elders in Ephesus to the word of grace: Acts 20:32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Jesus prayed  John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Peter called for Christians 1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. The word of God is to become effective in the life of the believer for growth in living so that they will die more and more to sin and live more and more as Christ  would have them live; that is live righteously. Let’s then see how we are to approach the reading and teaching of the Bible.
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Believers are to use the Bible diligently and carefully reading and applying it to their life. This tool of the faith is to be studied, memorized it, and meditated upon.  Lay it up in your mind so you can recall it often. It does no good just to read it but it is useful as we not only listen to it, and talk about how wonderful it is but do what this perfectly law of liberty says to do. (Jas. 1:22)
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The Bible is a tool of the faith to be used on a regular basis. Therefore create a plan for reading the Bible and follow it. For example read the Gospels, Old Testament history , Paul’s letters, O.T. Poetry, N.T. General Epistles, O.T. Minor Prophets, Acts, O.T. Major Prophets, Revelation). There is a lot there and a lot that will be difficult to understand due to the historical time, culture and geographical differences. Therefore I suggest having a good Bible dictionary, concordance and a good commentary from solid biblical scholars in your home to help you through some of the more difficult aspects of the Bible. Read always with prayer asking  the Holy Spirit to give you understanding (illumination) so that you can understand and apply the passage being read to your life (1 Cor.2).  
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When reading and hearing the word of God pay attention to it approaching it with “ diligence, preparation, and prayer. Take note of what you hear in the scriptures and “receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God”. “Meditate” upon it and hide it in your heart in order to bring forth a life glorifying to God. You will find this to be the main tool of the Christian in gaining understanding of the faith and in how to live a life glorifying God.
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B. The Sacraments – Baptism and Lord’s Supper Declaring and Sealing Grace and Salvation
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I have met many Christians that have had great doubt about their salvation. Each person brings their own state and difficulties such as some have been in a depressed state, a few have gone to very weak churches. Weak in the sense tat they have not had good doctrinal training. But all of them, without fail, have not had a clear understanding of the sacraments and their use. Therefore they had not been able to utilize and incorporate the sacraments into their lives.
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Some churches teach against the idea of sacraments in the church. So you may be asking, “What is a sacrament? I have never heard of them.” Or perhaps you may feel that you cannot believe in them since your church has touched that there is no such thing. Either way, since they are biblical, the fact that they are not taught to you causes the Christian to miss out on using the tool of the sacraments.  
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Even though the word Trinity is not in the Bible does not mean there is not such thing. So goes the term sacrament. The doctrine of the trinity is defined within the scripture so is the doctrine of the sacraments. So then what is a sacrament? A sacrament is a sign and seal used by God in order to give a clear message of what he does for us and His church and to place His stamp on us to mark us out as his people.  

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Sacraments are a sign and a seal. Signs are used by God throughout the Bible. A classic example in the Old Testament is circumcision  So you see God giving a sign and a seal of the reality of the covenant of grace is not new to God’s people. The sign of the sacrament tells us “what is”. For example the sign of Moses rod turning to a snake let Pharaho and his entourage told that God had spoken to him (ex. 4:1-5). Also when Jerusalem was destroyed it was made know that the mediatory reign of Christ in heaven would begin (Mat. 24:29-34).  Abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. Remember he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness ( Rom 4:11, 9).   The in the New Testament there are the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper which God uses to communicate to us a full and complete salvation by grace through the redeeming blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.  
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The sacraments are not only signs used by God to communicate to His people but they are seals gioven by God to benefit the persons receiving the seal. Think of a college student that has completed class work for their bachelors degree. The seal or stamp on the certification of diploma does not make him / her educated. The seal is from the collegiate board authorities officially declaring the person educated. The person could be educated without the seal. The seal is useful to the recipient in that it convinces others when they see it being hung from the office wall the person is educated.  
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There are two sacraments given to the people of God in the New Testament: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. In these sacraments God uses common elements such as water, bread and wine to communicate grace to His people. In these sacraments God gives the church a nonverbal proclamation of the gospel. This is the same gospel as the one we hear proclaimed by the preaching of the Word and which we share with people as we witness and evangelize. In other words the sacraments nonverbally proclaim full salvation and that by God’s grace to the recipients and members of the church.  
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Sacrament # 1 Baptism – Salvation is of God the Author and Finisher of Our Faith
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Baptism is a sacrament which signifies (tells us what is) the full salvation we have in Christ Jesus. It is an outward sign of an inward work of grace by God through Christ’s redemption by the work of the Holy Spirit. Being united in Christ we are buried, planted, and crucified (Rom.6). But notice: we do not bury ourselves, nor do we plant ourselves, nor do we crucify ourselves but it is God that does the work of uniting us to Christ. Baptism therefore is a sign of our full salvation:
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1. Our effectual calling,


2. Our being regenerated by the Holy Spirit,


3. Our conversion including repentance and faith,


4. Our justification and


5. Our adoption into son ship

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Baptism signifies that we are united to Christ.. The sinner is dead, but being one of Christ’s own, there is regeneration which makes the sinner alive. Once made alive in Christ there is an action and expression of repentance from sin and faith placed in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This expression comes from God to those redeemed, given new life and united to Christ (Matt 1:21; Acts 11:18; Eph 2:8-10). Baptism, therefore, declares by sign and authorized by a seal that we are in union with Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
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The seal of baptism authenticates God’s covenant promise that He will be our God and we will be His people (Gen. 15-17; Mark 10:14; Acts 2:28-39;1 Cor. 7:14  ).  This seal grants to us blessings in that we are placed into the body of Christ, the Church. In this we have all the blessings of the church: the Bible to guide us, the Holy Spirit to give us power and energy to will and do the Father’s’ pleasure, and the confirmed promise that God will continue to work in us progressively to die to sin and live in newness of life.  
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Sacrament # 2. The Lord’s Supper – Christ Died For His Church
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The Lord’s Supper is the second sacrament established by God in the New Testament for His church. This sacramental meal communicates to the Church that Christ body was broken and that His blood was shed to redeem His people.  The bread signifies the broken body Christ and the wine represents the shed blood of Christ. It is this meal that signifies God’s covenant of grace upon the lives of those that believe. (Matt. 26:28) Here is what the Apostle Paul said of the Lord’s Supper:
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1 Corinthians 11:23-33  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.     
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The Lord’s Supper signifies or speaks to us concerning:

1. Christ broken body  and shed blood


2. Our need to remember the Lord that bought us and that we are His  and we partake of the sacrament  “in remembrance of me”


3. The Gospel evangelistic message in the meal since by partaking   “ye do proclaim”


4. The  need for self examination  and self judgment for growth in sanctification: “let a man examine himself, and so let him eat”


5. Declares that the church is a community: “ tarry for one another”  


6. A meal of condemnation to those that partake of it unworthy “drink this cup of the Lord, unworthy, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord”

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Baptism and the Lord’s supper are visible tools given by God to help the Christian community grow in grace and knowledge of Christ. They are not to be used apart from the Word of God but with the word of God. The Word of God and the Sacraments are both equally to be used. They both are given by God and therefore are part of the fait, the church and worship. In the use of the sacramental tools the Lord imparts blessings for spiritual nourishment and growth in grace bring spiritual growth, life and peace. The blessing come because they are a visible sign that declares the salvation we have by the shed blood of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, a sign of being set apart from the world of non-believers by having the seal of God upon us, being placed into the family of God, the church and a visible reminder given to us often to judge ourselves regarding the faith and our love of the brethren, etc.    
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There is as much blessing received in them as there is in the hearing and reading of God’s word. The sacraments are in essence God’s word to us and also to others (see Lord’s Supper). When we understand them and their meaning then we can in faith appropriate the grace that promised in them. The blessing  is no greater than that of the hearing of the Word. The blessing that comes from them s based upon the word which gives understanding to their meaning so that the believer can rest upon and obey the promises and duties required in each symbol. There is no reason to ever neglect the means of grace in the sacraments. To do so robs believers and the church of great blessings.
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C. Prayer – A Tool Used To Talk To God
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Prayer is another one of the tools that God gives to His people for growth in the Christian life. Jesus is our example and as He  was given to much prayer so should all believers. Prayer is the means of communication to God. It is the drawing near to God with the result that He will draw near to you (Jas. 4:8). It is the tool we use as believers in crying out to “Abba Father’ in their times of distress and grief. In prayer we also cry out asking forgiveness for the sins committed, as well as crying to Him for comfort in this pilgrimage we are on toward the celestial city.
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What is prayer ? Prayer is asking the Father for the things that are promised in His word.  It is the coming to God with our desires, confessing our sin and acknowledging his mercies. Christ said “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer”. The writer to the Hebrews said that Jesus is passed into the heavens and we can come to Him boldly in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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The tool of prayer is to be used so as not to be overtaken by besetting sins. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”( Mark 14:38). Also when there is a need for wisdom the tool of prayer should be used since there is a promise that the omnipotent God will give that wisdom when needed. James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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The believer should be disciplined to use this great tool. We are to always to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). Luke 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1). So lets be faithful in our prayer life consistently coming  “unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20).  
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Conclusion
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The three main tools given to God’s people in the walk of faith are the Word of God, Sacraments and Prayer. Each tool has its own use and strength that it brings to each Christian. All however point to the salvation we have in the blessed work of the Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of spiritual growth and stability of of the believer. Therefore use the Word of God for specific direction, the Sacraments as a visible confirmation of your salvation and Prayer in communicating to God, interceding for others, giving thanks, and asking for wisdom and help in time of need.
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To the non- Believer you do not have these tools to use. But perhaps God is working in your heart showing you that you have sinned against God. I then ask that you believe the gospel. The gospel is that Jesus died for sinners on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). His death was a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2). This is the only way to be saved.Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He is the only way to the God the Father (John 14;6). He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). It is only through Him that you can be saved from God's wrath (Eph. 2:3). He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:2). He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair. He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24) that those who trust in Him would be saved.
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If you are not a Christian, and want to be delivered from the righteous judgment of God which is coming upon you due to your sin against Him, then come to the One who died for the sins of the world. Come to the One who died for sinners (Matt. 11:28). Turn from your sins. Believe and trust in Jesus. Receive Jesus, who is God in flesh, who died and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4) as your Lord and Savior. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Receive Christ (John 1:12). Only He can wash you clean from your sins and only Jesus can deliver you from the righteous judgment of a holy and infinite God. Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you - He will.
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If you pray and ask Jesus to deliver you from your sins and save you from God's wrath then you now have these tools to be used. If you prayed and asked Jesus to deliver you from your sins and save you from God's wrath, then please let me know and lets celebrate and praise God together for your spiritual resurrection and new life in Christ. Lets work together so that I can direct you to a Bible beleiving Church in your area to get started in this new life of faith in Christ.

Let's Evangelize

Let’s Evangelze

The Canons of Dort which framed what is commonly called the Five Points of Calvinism in the 2nd head of doctrine, article 5, expressed the importance of evangelism; ".. the promise of the gospel is that whosoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish, but have eternal life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of His good pleasure sends the gospel."

BIBLICAL FOREKNOWLEDGE DEFINED

BIBLICAL FOREKNOWLEDGE DEFINED


Paul declares, "For whom God foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son . . . and whom he foreordained, these he also called; and whom he called, these he also justified; and whom he justified, these he also glorified."

NOTE: If ever a verse would seem to support the view of based on God looking down the halls of history to see what man would do this would be it. However for God to “know” or to “foreknow” is used many times in the Bible as an idiom meaning “to love beforehand." Please not the following Biblical situations where the term “know” is used:

Adam and Eve:

When the Bible says that Adam "knew" Eve, it does not mean for a moment that Adam knew how tall she was and what kind of a temperament she had. No, it means that Adam loved Eve.

God Knowing the Righteous:

When David says that God "knows the way of the righteous, but that the way of the wicked will perish" (Ps. 1), he is not saying that God knows the righteous and does not know the wicked. God knows everything and everyone, including the wicked. David obviously means that God loves the way of the righteous and hates the way of the wicked, whom He will punish.

Also Mat 7:22-23: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and did many miraculous works in Your name, did we not? "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you*; be departing from Me, the ones practicing lawlessness!'
(Mat 7:22-23)

God’s Love for Israel:

A similar use of the word is understood, when God says through Amos, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (3:2), He is not denying His omniscience, and saying that He does not know anybody else intellectually. We know clearly that this is a figure of speech for saying, "You only have I loved of all the families of the earth."

Paul Uses The Term Foreknew In The First Chain Of His Order Of Salvation:

In the same manner, when Paul says in Romans 8:29, "whom God foreknew, he also foreordained," Paul is using the Biblical idiom of "know" for "love," and he means, "whom God loved beforehand, he foreordained."

What Paul is saying here in Romans 8 is that the golden chain of salvation begins with the eternal, electing love of God and goes on in beautifully unbreakable links through foreordination, effectual calling, justification, to final glorification in heaven.

This passage leads to the conclusion that in a most powerful way with the rest of Scripture foreordination of the believer is based on God's eternal love. Therefore thank we our God that there is that unbroken chain of salvation. Anyone who believes on Christ can know that he is in it.

Gods Orderly Work of Salvation

God's Orderly Work of Salvation

Only the just God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can save anyone from the guilt of sin and the punishment of it. This God that saves men is the Triune God of heaven. The Trinity is the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. In the salvation that God provides it is the Father that has chosen His people from the before the foundation of the world and has predestined them to be conformed to the image of Christ. The Son, the second Person of the Trinity, gave Himself in their place to redeem them from the judgment of a just God, thereby bring the forgiveness of sin. In the shedding of His blood He purchased those whom the Father has chosen; they are bought with the blood of Christ. The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, enlightens the sinful mind to the truth of the purposes of God in the death of the Son Jesus. He then sets a seal on them, securing and establishing them in the salvation Christ purchased for them.

Notice what the Apostle Paul stated in the letter to the Ephesian Christians:

Eph 1:3-14 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ: 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trepasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: {heaven: Gr. the heavens} 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. {trusted: or, hoped} 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The call of God and the work of redemption by God in the elect is not an act simply just done, but it is a labor of divine love that is worked by the triune God toward those called to Himself in fellowship. In this labor of divine love God makes all the provisions which are needed for fallen man to believe in Christ for salvation. In working to redeem men God works in a series of acts: calling, regenerating, justifying, adopting, sanctifying, and finally glorifying those whom he calls His own. Each of these series of acts are distinct functions of divine labor of love worked by God in bringing men to salvation. These workings of God , in man at the time of salvation, may happen almost simultaneously, nevertheless they are in an order and one part of His work must be done prior to the next. An Example is that His calling must always be before regeneration.

God is a God of order. He has shown Himself to be orderly in His work in creation, in the way He established the church to function, and in the works of history, etc. (1Cor. 14:33; Gen 1-3; Gal 4 (in the fullness of time) etc.) Therefore we can only expect the Bible to tell us the orderly way in which He works in man for salvation. In the salvation of men we can continue to see His revealed character for He continues to be the same yesterday and today and forever.

God from eternity past has orderly decreed the salvation of his chosen people from the sin and misery which was brought about due to the fall. Notice the orderly works of God in the following passages:

1. 1 Thess 2:13-14 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews

1. 1 Tim. 1:9-10 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

God has decreed salvation and therefore the Bible declares that men are called "according to His purpose". And His purpose is carried forth and worked in an orderly fashion. "For whom God foreknew he predestined".

It can be understood in the writings of the Apostle Paul that there is an orderly flow in the work and process of salvation from the foreknowledge of God to the completed salvation worked in the believer at glorification. The Apostle uses a broad brush, and not a detailed portrait, (yet an accurate account) in giving the scope of the orderly salvational work of our God to us. Notice the phrases "whom he ...he also" as "phase one" of salvation leads to "phase two" and so forth. It is clear that God first foreknows then predestines so forth and so on it goes in the passages below.

Romans 8:29,30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Here listed are a chain of events and a brief description of their meanings which the Apostle Paul lists are:

• Foreknowledge which is the English translation of the Greek word "prognosis" meaning foreknowledge, forethought, or pre-arrangement. Biblical foreknowledge refers to the redemptive thoughts and special love which God set forth on the people it has pleased Him to call His very peculiar ones. Because of the special thoughts and love He set upon His people they then are predestined. NOTE: See the recent blog “Biblical Foreknowledge Defined” for an understanding of the idiom “to know”.

• Predestinate is translated from the Greek word "proorizo" which means: predestinate, determine before , ordain, to predetermine, decide beforehand. It means to be appointed or ordained beforehand in the eternal decrees of God. God predetermined that those who have the love of God set upon them due to His "prognosis" are to be conformed to the image of the Son, Jesus Christ. Believers are appointed beforehand, by the special love and thoughts of God, to become similar or are to be fashioned like unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Called is translated from the Greek word kaleo {kal-eh'-o} meaning to call aloud by name so as to bear a name. Christians are people specially set aside by God to bear His name and banner, in "prognosis" love, therefore God the Father has predestined the believer to be conformed to the image of Christ, His Son. Therefore they are effectually called to bear His name in all the earth. They are known as His people. Those whom God sets his special foreknowing love upon are those whom He predestines to be changed in character to be more and more like Christ. These people God effectually calls to salvation by the work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit and through the redemptive work of Christ. Thus in the end when salvation has been accomplished in them they are "become the sons of God", adopted into the family and carry forth His righteous name in praise.

• Justified is the English translation of the Greek word dikaioo {dik-ah-yo'-o). The word means: to be rendered in a judicial sense, righteous. Those whom God foreknew and predestined He then regenerates and by the perfect life and blood sacrifice of Christ, judicially declares righteous. He then treats them as if they had never sinned and adopts them into the family of God. In the shed blood of Christ our sins have been atoned and we are no longer enemies of God. We are reconciled and are now His children. What a comfort and a blessing. We are now constituted righteous. God has worked and now has imputed the righteousness of Christ to us. We therefore have the forgiveness of sins, are treated as though we had never sinned and are adopted into the family of God and we will in the day of our Lord be glorified.

• Glorified here comes from the word "doxazo" from which we understand that on the day of the Lord we will be made glorious, adorned with a new body, clothed in majesty given to us by the grace of God. On that day our salvation will be complete in that we will be fully delivered from the power, and presence of sin. He on that day will cause us to likened unto the Son. Therefore we can say that all the ones whom God set His love on, calling them to justification and righteousness will be glorified on the day of the return of our Lord. We will shout on that day in a full measure, "Oh death where is your sting, grave where is your victory" there will be no more death sorrow or tears for our Lord has triumphed in all things. Our Lord will return, we will be raised with a body incorruptible that will never pass away in death, and we will give forth praise to the Lord who bought us and redeemed us.

It is important for us to understand this salvation in an orderly manner for then we have greater assurance in our salvation than we did when we first believed. We also will have grown in our knowledge of the God of order. We will know that it is He who works all things for his own glory. We also can move in this life with greater obedience, praise, worship and adoration to the Sovereign King.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. Amen!

Some of My Favorite Hymns

I am not an artist. I cannot sing. I do love wonderful lyrics in music. So here are a three of my favorite hymns that I love to sing in thankfulness to God. Enjoy!

(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.



And Can It Be

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood! Died He for me who caused His pain! For me who Him to death pursued?Amazing love! How can it be,That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies! Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph triesTo sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above (so free, so infinite His grace!), Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race. ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! ’Tis mercy all, immense and free,For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free,I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine,Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;Streams of mercy, never ceasing,Call for songs of loudest praise.Teach me some melodious sonnet,Sung by flaming tongues above.Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;Here by Thy great help I’ve come;And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,Safely to arrive at home.Jesus sought me when a stranger,Wandering from the fold of God;He, to rescue me from danger,Bought me with His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtorDaily I’m constrained to be!Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,Bind my wandering heart to Thee.Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,Prone to leave the God I love;Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,Seal it for Thy courts above.


Faith of our Fathers

Faith of our fathers, living still,In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;O how our hearts beat high with joyWhenever we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will striveTo win all nations unto Thee;And through the truth that comes from God,We all shall then be truly free.

Refrain

Faith of our fathers, we will loveBoth friend and foe in all our strife;And preach Thee, too, as love knows howBy kindly words and virtuous life.

Refrain

I Know In Whom I Have Believed

I know not why God’s wondrous graceTo me He hath made known,Nor why, unworthy, Christ in loveRedeemed me for His own.

Refrain

But I know Whom I have believèd,And am persuaded that He is ableTo keep that which I’ve committedUnto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faithTo me He did impart,Nor how believing in His WordWrought peace within my heart.

Refrain

I know not how the Spirit moves,Convincing us of sin,Revealing Jesus through the Word,Creating faith in Him.

Refrain

I know not when my Lord may come,At night or noonday fair,Nor if I walk the vale with Him,Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

Grace, Grace, God’s Grace

This blog attempt is to really define what God's grace has accomplished. As I sing Amazing Grace this undersanding is what is in that hymn. Now because it is in a nhymn and stirrs the emotions does not make the doctrine Biblical but I do believe the hymn was written not on emotion but based on the biblical definition of grace. May this writing bless you to grasp the depth of the love of Christ for you!

A. Mans Sinfulness

1. Humanity became corrupted in Adam’s fall (Gen. 3 w/ Rom.5)

1.) Sin brought death and bondage

• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  
• Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
  

2.) Sinfulness of man (depravity) is inherited by all human beings. Adam was the federal head of man and our representative. In Adam sin passed upon all mankind.

• Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

3.) All mankind is corrupt down in the core of their being .

• Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

• Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

4.) Sinful men are not able to do any spiritual good.

• Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

• Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
  

5.) Eternal guilt is placed upon mankind due to Adams sin and each man’s actual sin.

• Psalms 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
  
• Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
  

6.) Depravity is total ( all the parts of man is depraved)

• John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  
• Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
  
• 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

• Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
  
  

7.) Man’s total depravity can only be counteracted by mercy and grace from God.

Man’s healing (salvation) is provided in a sufficient manner in the cross of Jesus Christ on which he shed His blood as an atonement for the sins of His people.

• Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
  
• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  
  

II. Unconditional Election

1.) God was not obligated to save anyone. In His justice he could have left fallen, sinful, depraved man in the guilt of his sin and eternally damned. God however, did not do this and the marvel is this: that He chose to save anyone. This we know he did according to His pleasure (Eph. 1:3-14).

• Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
  

2.) God did not choose His people because of anything He saw in them nor did he see what they would but only because of the pleasure of His good will.

• John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  
  

3.) He chose His people on the basis of His good will.

• Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

• John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Psalms 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

• John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
  
• Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  
• Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
  
• Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
  
• Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
  
• 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
  

4.) Paul gives the order of salvation in Romans chapter eight.

• Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
  

NOTE: Election Affects Worship

(a.) Election effects our worship of God. This doctrine causes His people to magnify Him as the Sovereign Lord.

(b.) Election humbles redeemed individuals. They see the depth of their sin and the great mercy and grace of God in their salvation.


III.Particular / Limited or Definite Atonement

Definition: Atonement is the covering of the guilt of the believer’s sin by the shed blood of Christ. In the atonement Divine justice satisfied, the believer is reconciled, and then is in the favor of God. Jesus paid the full penalty for sin. His blood turned away God wrath from His people (Matt. 1:21).

“For Whom did Christ Die?” This part of the doctrines concerning grace answers the question, “For whom did Christ die?” In history there has been four basic answers to this question. I will list the answers others have given. Answers that have been given are the following:

Answers:

# 1 Statement of an Answer: "Christ died for no one he was just a good person that died for what he believed."

Response: The Christian church has always rejected this answer for there is no Biblical thought nor consideration in this answer whatsoever.

#2 Statement of an answer: "All human beings are saved. If Christ atoned for the sins of all human beings then all individuals are saved. Their sin then no longer offends God and there is no need for a judgment, damnation, or hell."

Response: The church has held on Biblical grounds that not all individuals are saved and that there will be a judgment and an eternal hell (Rev. 20:15; 21:8)

# 3 Statement of answer: "Christ died for all human beings so that all that wanted to could be saved. God only made salvation possible for all people. In Christ’s blood there is value but that value is only applied when an individual chooses to accept it. God’s desire is that all will be saved but he did not accomplish this in the atonement of Christ."

Response: This answer contradicts what God has said in the Bible about human beings (see the sinfulness of man / total depravity). This answer is man’s reasoning concerning the blood of Christ and not based only upon scripture. It is pure conjecture with a few “proof texts” taken out of context.

# 4 Statement of answer: "The blood of Christ was for a purpose and that was to make atonement to redeem the elect."

Response: This is the only Biblical answer to the question at hand. The Biblical answer is outlined in the section below.

1.) God loved some particular fallen men prior to the creation of the world. This was part of His eternal decrees.

• Ephesians 1:4-5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
  
  

2.) Jesus came from the Father to redeem His particular people.

• Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  
  

3.) Jesus prayed only for His people specifically.

• John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
  
  

4.) Jesus did not just make salvation possible but He made it particular. He came for a purpose!!!!

• John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
  
• Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

• 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
  
• Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

5.) Those whom He died for will be saved and none of them will be lost.

• John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
  
• John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  

IV. Irresistible Grace

1.) There is unity in the Trinity in the desire and work. That work will be accomplished because they have decreed it to be so. This section of the doctrine of grace points to the undisputed fact that what God has decreed each member of the Trinity will do. They will accomplish their work to bring the decree into reality.

• 1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
  
  

2.) It is the pleasure of the Father, the first person of the Trinity, that elects and gives some fallen men to the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son Jesus Christ.

• Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
  

3.) It is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son, that makes atonement for those whom the Father gave Him.

• Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

• John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
  
• Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

4.) It is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, that regenerates the heart of the sinner and brings then to repentance and faith for salvation. The Holy Spirit gives those given to the Son by the Father a new heart so that they can in faith believe for the application of redemption.

• John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
  
• Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
  

5.) God’s grace unto salvation is expressed in the gifts of faith, repentance and life.

• Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  
• 2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
  
• Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
  
• Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
  
• Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
  

6.) Those who God has called will have the inward work of repentance and faith and will certainly believe in Christ’s work of redemption.

• Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
  
• John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
  
• Psalms 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
  
• Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
  
  

E. The Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints

1.) This section of the doctrine of grace gives the believer a real hope, a certainty that the destiny of their lives is glory. It is God who will fulfill His salvation in us and carry us to our eternal home to ever be with Him.

• 1 Peter 1:1-9 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ : Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

• Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
  

2.) The believer perseveres in his or her faith because the Lord perseveres with the believer.

• Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

(Look also at the benediction : 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Jude 1:24)

3.) The whole Trinity works in their functions to secure the believer in the destiny set for them by the Father in their redemption. The Lord Jesus carried out the Father’s plan (see atonement).

• John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. ( see Jn. 10:28-29; 17:11-12; 1 Cor. 1:7-9)
  

4.) The Holy Spirit applies and seals the work of the second person of the Trinity.

• Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
  

5.) There is no salvation or security to unbelievers even though they use the name of Christ .

• Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  
• 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
  

6.) By grace God called some from Spiritual death to Spiritual life.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

• Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
  
  

7.) True believers show evidence of the progressive work of God in their hearts and lives. This is called progressive sanctification.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
  

8.) True believers will repent when they sin. They may for a while ignore their conscience but God will by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God convict them and bring repentance.

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  

I do hope this has helped simplisticly clarify God's amazing
grace in it depth and scope as much as can be understood by humans. Now, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Called To Confess Christ In Word And As A Living Letter

Called To Confess Christ In Word And As A Living Letter

God has graciously saved us through Christ and now calls on us to confess Christ. We confess Him formally each Lord’s day during worship as we pray the Lord’s prayer, sing hymns, recite the Apostle’s creed and the partake of the Lord’s Supper. Confessing Christ is also done in an informal manner, in different circumstances, as we share our faith in society with people which are not known to be believers. Our faith in Christ calls us to the responsibility of confessing Him to others. Jesus said that “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32) All varieties of people are to be witnessed to “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” (Rom. 1:14) said Paul. And note that believers in the church, after Christ’s ascension, while in the midst of persecution “went every where preaching the word”(Acts 8”4). So our call is to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts giving answers to those that ask us about the hope we have in Our Lord. This is witnessing.

Witness: To This You Are Called

It is the duty and the desire of every true believer to give witness to others of Christ. No believer wishes to deny their Lord and Savior. You may ask, “Do I have to witness, I don’t know what to do. How can I witness? I support the pastor and elders so they can witness isn’t that enough? So, what does it take to witness?” The Bible tells us, a. how we need to approach witnessing, b. the knowledge we needed to appropriately witness, c. the relationship of our life style in relation to witnessing, etc. Oh! By the way you do have to be a witness. So let us learn so that all can practice and tell the old, old story of Christ.

Witness: Know Christ and the Way of Salvation Both Factually and Experientially:

First there is a certain knowledge that we must know in order to witness about Christ properly. While I want explain them in any detail here I will list the bullet point overview. If you find you need to learn about things or need a refresher course please see your pastor or elders. The basic certain facts are:

1. Who Christ is:

a. Who Jesus is - the Savior , the Anointed One, the Messiah
b. He entered history - birth, life, death, resurrection
c. Why He came – Live holy, Suffer, die for sinners, make propitiation


2. What the Scriptures give concerning the way of salvation (God, Man, Grace, Christ and Faith)

a. Man’s sin - Rom. 3:10-23
b. Sins penalty - Rom. 6:23
c. God’s provision - Jn. 3:16, Matt. 20:28, 1Cor. 15:3


3. God’s requirements concerning man’s response:

a.. Repentance - Lk. 13:3
b. Faith or believe - Acts 16:31

Knowing about Jesus is not enough. There is no salvation in knowing about Him. We must know Jesus personally being in union with Christ in an experiential relationship. In having this relationship with Christ we share Him as the personal Savior for which he is. This experiential relationship helps ensure that our communication is not just a bunch of facts (and there are many) without any relevance to our life now. Hear the witness of the Apostle Paul and how it grips the heart. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. And again, 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Oh may we know and share Christ with persuasive words so as to be blessed by God to see hearts gripped by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the gospel is revealed in them.

Witness: An Open Letter Read by Men

Secondly, our manner of living is very important in the witness of Christ to the world. The life of the believer is read by men who are without Christ and without hope. Many times the unbeliever will not hear us. They may “never listen” to you, attend your Bible studies, read your tracts and writings, or hear music you may sing or listen to. But one thing is for sure they will read your life. Your life may not be an “open book” but you are an “open letter” being read by men. Corinthians 3:2 ‘Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:”
Men will not hear you if you do not live your life being sanctified by the Word. In reading you are they concluding your life is in line with your testimony of Christ the Savior? Does the content of your “life letter” include peace, joy, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit? Is it illustrated with a “picture” of the Holy Spirit’s fruit? (Gal. 5:22-23) What is the reader’s conclusion to the letter they are reading? Are they concluding, “You are a hypocrite?” In the spirit of being against God or not being in the church it is possible that some may insinuate that you are weird, strange, a Jesus freak, etc.! But, but, but even in all of this a life with Christ sanctified in the heart will show stability, truth, joy, peace, and all the fruit of the Spirit above. And now guess what? This is the epistle we want them to read, we are different, we do have answers to life’s most disturbing questions, we can live forgiven, sanctified and in a state of being continually, progressively sanctified. In this we are witnesses being read by all men. In this we have lived with the “rite”, within their mind, to be heard. Therefore, our “life letter” is very important in giving forth the message of Christ and the way of salvation to the world.

Witness: Love People

In a sanctified life giving forth a good witness of Christ there will be a love for people which is a qualification for witnessing. If you do not love people they know it! I was able to explain this to one person recently in this manner: Hugs to all. Everyone needs them. What I meant and went on to explain was simply that people recognizing if you are sincere. People also pick up rather quickly when someone really does not care for them. To love is to take time, energy and thought to determine how to best befriend others. Care and love those with whom you go to school with, meet at the shopping center, work with, see at the park, etc. For an example please read the earlier blog posted entitled "Listening For Gospel Opportunities". We are to love as Jesus loved in not just hang out with the so called “lovely”, “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners” (Matt 11:19). The Scriptures teach that all men are our neighbors and that we are to love them as we love ourselves (Matt. 2:39). While loving men and women that were considered “sinners” our Lord did not approve of the sin of the people whom he associated Himself nor did He let their sin be a stumbling block to His care and love for them. Let us be like Him in our witness; as He loved us in our wretched state, so let us love others in their state and in loving them let’s witness Him to them in our word, life and love.

• Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
  
• Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  
  

Witness: Have A Plan Of Action

I feel it necessary to touch briefly on the methods that can be used in witnessing. The hardest part of doing a task can be getting started. But, before you can even start to begin witnessing I believe one needs a plan of action. Now let us not make this hard or difficult but know a. the message, b. how you are going to approach people in different situations and 3. how you are going to formulate and ask the question of them, “Will they now repent and turn in faith to rest upon Christ for the salvation of their soul”.

One good method and plan in witnessing is to hold and Bible study asking non-believers to join you. In this method I suggest you ask a few, at least two, Christian friends from the church to join with you in the study. They can be a great help in praying for you and the people attending as well as the socializing that you will want to be accomplished. It does not need to be a study running from Genesis to Revelation. It also does not need to be on the subject of the second coming of Christ, nor Old Testament prophecy. I suggest the best thing to do is study one of the Gospels, preferable John or Mark. I would also suggest the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians and 1 John. Perhaps even better for a focus be a study of the life of Christ (Acts 8:26-39). In whatever part of the Bible you decide to study the focus needs to be on Christ and God’s way of salvation. After all the purpose is to bring glory to God and evangelize.
Another method is being part of a church evangelism or evangelism team. With this you can follow up and visit those that visitor the church, relatives and friends of church members, or geographical sections of the city or town you live in, etc. You want to keep records and do follow up as you use this approach. Evangelism explosion is a good program. Also the approach of EEE which is the “evangelizing everyone, everywhere” as laid out by Jay Adams as a wonderful plan for your church and its members to follow. Also John Blanchard an English Baptist minister has a wonderful neighbor approach in explaining Christianity and in giving forth the gospel.

I have found that in life situations there are different time frames spent in witnessing to people. For example, there have been times when I could and did spend a lot of time in working with people in giving them the gospel then there are times I had to give it forth in a short concise method since I could only spend a short amount of time with someone I met. In each case the way of salvation and the gospel message must always be the same for the message of the gospel never changes. The following list are some of the plans and avenues I have used in witnessing over the years. Perhaps this list will help you in finding avenues to witness as well as being an example of different time commitments needed.

1. Weekly lunches with people at work on a set schedule
2. Family involved witnessing with other families
3. Street evangelism
4. County jail ministry
5. Passing out tracts
6. Coffee House ministry
7. Etc.

Who, where and the circumstances you find yourself in will effect the amount of time you spend with a person in communicating the gospel of Christ. Jesus. We know Jesus spent three years with the disciples evangelizing and training them. We do not know at what time in this ministry they came to truly believe. But we know a lot of time was spent with them. We also see Christ evangelizing the woman at the well, spending much less time with her compared to the disciples (Joh 4:6-25).

Perhaps you are saying, “I don’t know how to approach people in starting a conversation”. Here are a few questions that can help you start a conversation and get to the point in a direct manner opening the topic of conversation to give the gospel.

Are you a Christian?
What is your understanding of a Christian?
Have you reached the point in your spiritual life that you know that your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life?
What is the basis of your assurance?
Should you die tonight, do you think you would go to heaven?
On what basis do you think you would be received?

Which method you use, the time you spend with a person as previously stated depends on the circumstances. But since you are a “fisher of men” called to witness, lay out a plan and go fishing! Ok?

Advanced Care Directives Are Needful

Christian Brothers and Sisters An Advanced Care Directive is Needful! Have You Completed One?

In 1983 I was blessed to be a member of Pinellas Park Presbyterian Church in Pinellas Park Florida with an excellent young pastor the Rev. Joe Easterling. He taught a series in the adult Sunday School class “On Death and Dying” This was perhaps the best class I ever attended. I still have the notes from that class and have used them over the years as I have gone through deaths of family and friends. This class taught what why we die, how we are to approach death, Christ’s conquering death, the need of planning my funeral, etc.

Therefore, it is quite natural for me to “pen” this blog in order to remind you to give advanced medical care directives[1] since sickness and death happens. Now, I cannot begin to tell you how important it is that you give your family and medical care professionals your directions for health care in case you lose the ability to communicate. You have the opportunity to give directions now if you just fill out and file a health care advanced directive form. If you don’t make those health care decisions known rest assured someone will make those decisions for you. If someone decides your care it may not be even be what desire. It may even cause excessive stress on your family and could turn into a legal matter. Remember Terri Schiavo? My desire here is to prompt you to get this done!

Now it is understandable that this can be an emotional thing to do. But to make those decisions now is the responsible thing to do. In completing the form brings peace of mind that you will be taken care of in a dignified manner. Fulfilling this responsibility is the best for you, your family and for your medical care professionals. It is best for you since you know your health care goals, what is important to you and what is in line with your values. It is good for your family and medical care professionals since they are relieved of the extra burden placed upon them.

The choices you make are completely yours. You do not need to consult anyone before filling out your advanced care plan. However in most cases, probably all, it is wise and helpful to consult with close family members or others as needed. So, if you’re uncomfortable and think you need to consult with family, doctor or an attorney it is ok! After all the Bible says “… in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Pro 11:14). Call and set times to meet and discuss your values, needs and set you plan. .

I set down 18 years ago and wrote out my basic desire concerning what I wanted in different medical situations. As simplistic as it is it did help me think through possible issues and circumstances and the role of the church and biblical principles in case of medical extremes. I found writing out what I really wanted helped me in filling out the formal directive form. And I attached it to my form since I have discussed it with both family and my pastor. You may find the following useful as well:



I, (Name)___________________ on (Date) ______________do declare my wants known to my family, church and health care providers who may medically treat any condition of which may be found. I declare my wants and desires in three areas, the first being that of a nature which is found in accident and injury. The second found in the nature of a terminal illness and thirdly the nature of old age and life just drawing to a close.

Whereas I believe God is the giver and sustainer of life and reserves the right to take it and that the family has the biblical authority to make final decisions if I am not able make my own and that the church has spiritual oversight for care and counsel I, ask that any and all final decisions be made for me in the proper order by the family[2] and if need be seeking wisdom and counsel from the elders of a Reformed Conservative Presbyterian Church, preferably the one I would be currently attending[3].

Believing that death is not the worst thing Christians must concern themselves with and believing that this present life has significance and is to be lived to its fullest and not abandoned because of suffering and death faced with realism and with readiness I desire these wants fulfilled as follows:

A. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT

In case of accident and injury there can be advanced medical technology used to support my life while I am recuperating. If however it is determined that I cannot survive without these extreme measures and I am in a comatose or vegetative state after prayers and anointing of oil[4] by the elders of the church and then without healing I desire that my family have me taken off the extreme devises. Please be advised that under no circumstances am I to be given pain medications that do more than is necessary to reduce pain because as much as possible I desire to see, know and communicate with family and friends[5].

B. IN CASE OF TERMINAL ILLNESS

In case I am found to be diagnosed as terminally ill I desire to be given medications either by injections or orally. In the case of cancer I will want chemotherapy and radiation treatment and acceptance of any other medical advancement of these types. I want all to know that I want to be with family, friends and church family as much as possible. I desire no pain medications which do more than is necessary to reduce pain because as much as possible I desire to fellowship with, see, know and communicate with family and friends. If such a time comes where I need extreme measures to continue my life for “just a few more days”[6] I want this not to be done since it is clear the Lord is calling me home.

C. ELDERLY END OF LIFE

In coming to the end of life as elderly person I ask that these things be followed. If needed place me on extreme measures only to help in recuperation, but if there is no recuperation I am to be taken off the extreme measures and let God bring my life to a close. I also desire that family, friends and church family be able to be in my company at my last days and hours before death.

Footnotes:

[1] The forms can be obtained at you local doctors office, or nearby hospital. I also point you to the following website for information on advanced care directives and an excellent form http://cbhd.org.

[2] Proper order is immediate family member if possible and a second one as alternate.

[3] (Name of Church and Elders) __________________

[4] In all cases prayer for healing is expected.

[5] In times like these I have seen closure in otherwise stressful relationships accomplished.

[6] A “few more days” may translate into more pain and increased burden and cost on the family.