Baptist Christian Church

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Romans 3:21-26

We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. After having studied Rom. 1:18-thru chapter 3, we have come to see clearly that all mankind stands condemned before God because all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. Paul now turns his attention to the very heartbeat of salvation. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul is going to explain exactly what salvation is, how it is received, and how it is revealed. When justification is used in Scripture, it means, “GOD declares a person to be legally released from all charges.” In 3:21-26 Paul explains how justification is received, and in 3:27-31 he explains

1. HOW JUSTIFICATION IS REVEALED! Paul begins with the negative, telling us how justification is NOT revealed. Justification is not revealed through the Law, but apart from the Law. Notice how Paul wastes no time in setting the most fundamental principle of justification. There is no simpler way to say man can’t earn his salvation. Let me explain to you why the false doctrine of salvation by works is both blasphemous to God, and dangerous to those who practice it.
   1. All people are born already being guilty of breaking God’s law. Read Rom. 3:9-12, 23; 11:32 and Gal. 3:22.
   2. Salvation by works makes Man the giver of justification, not God. The bottom line is the doctrine of salvation by works is blasphemous to God because it ultimately says to Him, Your way of salvation by faith alone is not good enough, I have to add my works to my faith so You will be impressed with me! Do you see how the arrogance of a sinful nature is putting “me” first and making God’s grace secondary? Think about it!
   3. Works allows boasting. Those who have been saved longer can say, I have done more to impress God than you have, so I have a higher standing than you. God is an equal opportunity Redeemer! Furthermore He never withholds any blessing from anyone who deserves it. Even if a person comes to Christ later in life, they can receive more blessing that all they could ever ask or imagine!
   4. Works encourages or promotes bondage to others. Those who say they have been saved longer can, and do, tell others, you haven’t quite got it yet; or you have not worked hard enough, long enough to be where I am; or you aren’t as blessed as you see I am because you are still committing to many sins! Now Paul states positively how justification is received when he says in v. 22 “the righteousness of God is appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ.” Here is the easiest way to see what Paul is saying. But now the (ESV) righteousness of God has been made known, through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. You really don’t have to look all that closely to see the Law has nothing to do with justification. Read Gal. 3:1-25 where Paul explains this same truth to them. In v. 24 he tells them “the law was put in place to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” Eph. 2:8, 9 clearly state justification/salvation is “…a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Nothing can be a gift if one has to do anything to earn it. Justification can received only as a gift of God’s amazing grace. Paul also explains justification is:
   5. Available to all as a gift. 23, 24. So just as “all” have sinned, “all” are justified as a gift. Notice that the period comes after “through redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” In order to receive God’s gift of justification you must stop trusting in your own idea of how to get on His good side and doing things you think He will like; and you must start trusting God’s Perfect Son! Paul now tells us justification is revealed
   6. As Acknowledgment of God’s judgment – 25. The 1^st word is propitiation which one excellent theologian defines as “a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor.” God’s forbearance is defined as “God restraining Himself from punishing sin to its fullest extent until Christ was on Calvary.” Because Christ hung there in your place and satisfied God’s wrath, He is now able to offer you a full pardon through Justification from God. Finally Paul brings us to the climax of this revelation:
   7. As Announcing God’s Righteousness – 26. In the truth that God’s justice and love meet at the Cross clearly helps us understand, as one writer says, “the problem of how a holy God can receive into His presence those who by nature are unholy has been solved. God offers His righteousness to those who will receive it, not as something to supplement their own good works but as a gift that alone can place them in a right standing with God.” Only a God Who is holy in all His perfections could conceive and execute a plan that would at the same time, completely satisfy the demands of His holy Law, and demonstrate His infinite love for all people everywhere – that would instantly remove their sin, clear their name, and draw them to Christ for salvation.

If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.

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Matt. 28:19-20

We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. This is the second half of the message centered around the dedication of our new addition. We have learned God has given us a Mandate that instructs us to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek His face, and to turn from our wicked ways. Now we are going to see how God instructs His people to plant and water so Christ Jesus can build His church. We have studied God’s mandate, now let’s turn our attention to:

III. GOD’S METHOD. We believe God will give us the people He has planned to bring to us, but He will only do that through our cooperation with Him. Here are a couple truths you need to remember:

1. You remember God never asks us to do anything He knows we can’t do, right? He may ask us to do something we have never done before, and that may be hard, even very hard, for us; but if God prompts us to do anything, rest assured it is something we can do!
2. God also never asks us to do anything without giving us specific, clear, and often detailed instructions.

Read Matt. 28: 17-20. Those verses are Christ’s instructions for us to plant and water, so HE can build HIS church! So what is God’s Method for Planting and Watering?

1. TO BE GOING! It is stated in the Septuagint, which is the Hebrews OT written in Greek, all human life is a journeying, or going. How often have you read where God says, “if you walk in my ways, walk before Me, walk with Me?” All those phrases and passages indicate that people are always moving from one place to another throughout their lives. Today we often use the phrase, we are constantly on the “go!” To walk in the ways of Yahweh, or to follow His commandments, is fundamental for the faith of Israel. For example Dt. 8:6 = So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him.” In the NT the concept of “go” has to do with the mission of Jesus Who “goes” to Calvary for the salvation of His people, and all people of all time. Jesus tells The 12 to go to the lost of Israel preaching and teaching the Gospel. Here is the point: Jesus expects us to be involved in all parts of Kingdom work all the time. One reason we are to be continually on the go doing the work of the ministry is:
2. TO MAKE DISCIPLES. Making disciples can be considered the goal or end-product of teaching. One author says, the main command of Christ’s commission is “make disciples.” The root meaning of the word used for “make” is to be, or to become – a pupil. So one might say a disciple is a person who becomes a student of the Word so they can learn to be a person of the Word. Every member of the Body of Christ responsible for becoming and making disciples. Next, disciples are to:
3. BE BAPTIZED. Baptism by immersion is a public testimony and declaration of spiritual rebirth into eternal life as an adopted child of God. If you call yourself a Christian and you have not followed The Christ Who saved you in baptism by immersion, you have not yet begun to follow Him! NT baptism by immersion is also in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. It is The Father Who chooses and calls to salvation; it is The Son Who redeems; and it is The Holy Spirit Who indwells and guides. Commitment as a true Christian is to all 3! Jesus also tells His disciples to carry on His own mission of:
4. TEACHING. It is vital we see and understand what Jesus told His disciples to teach all those who become God’s children. Disciples are to be taught – (ESV, NKJV) to observe ALL that I have commanded you; (NIV) to obey everything I have commanded you; (KJV) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Earlier I said a disciple is a person who becomes a student of The Word so they can learn to be a person of The Word. Teaching them is how they become a person of the Word. We teach them to be a man or woman of prayer, study, God, which in turn makes them a man or woman of power.

If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.

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We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. This past Sunday we dedicated the new classroom wing God gave us. I can be configured to be as many as six classrooms, or as few as three. When God provides gifts to His children, He always does it in the very best possible way. One of the greatest blessings God has given Baptist Christian Church is that our new addition is completely paid for. From ground breaking to dedication we never had to borrow one penny! It is also a testimony to God’s great provision that we were able to increase our missions budget as we have always done, we were blessed with new members, and our regular giving never suffered. Ps. 50:10 tells us God owns the cattle on a thousand hills; He also owns the hills! The point is that God never lacks or needs anything. He is a God of giving as demonstrated on Calvary and throughout His inspired, inerrant Word. He desires to share with His people blessings that are given in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over into your lap! In the verse before that (Luke 6:37) God gives the prerequisites for receiving His blessings. Though the folks at BCC struggle, suffer, experience all the junk and nasties of this sin-filled world that everyone else does, many of them have given their whole hearts to the Lord as the unchallenged Sovereign of their lives. Those individual commitments on their part are the reasons God is able to bless and provide in the Niagara proportions He does. In 2 Chron. 7:11-18 we find God’s Mandate to His people. Now that our new addition is finished, it is our responsibility to continue to follow God in obedience to His Word and commands. The order of the four steps to cause God to hear, forgive, and heal are our guidelines for the future, as they have been! Someone might ask, “So now will you try to grow BCC larger than it is?” The answer is “NO! We won’t!” If you read Matt. 16:13-18 and focus on v. 18 you will understand why we are not focusing on growth. We are focusing on our God-given responsibility as His adopted children, and that responsibility is found in 1 Cor. 3:5-9. I find it interesting that more often than not God gives His adopted children the easy part of ministry, while He takes on the hard stuff! Any true man or woman of God can share with others the truth of God’s saving grace; but only God can grow a heart! If you look closely at the 2 Chronicles passage you will discover it is conditional before it is certain! God says, “IF My people…” As a God of grace He will not force anyone to accept His offer of salvation or blessing or anything else He offers. To force us to do His will would be Law, and we would be puppets! God created us in His image and likeness which means we are creatures of choice! God simply offers us His partnership in our life, and then allow us to choose whether or not we want what He is offering. Now if just saying, “Yes, I want what you are offering” were the only thing, everyone would take what God offers. The “catch” is we must accept what God offers on HIS terms, the way HE offers it, not on our own terms. Pride is the thing that causes most people to think they can tell God when, what, and how they want Him to work and provide for them. Pride is also what will cause people to spend eternity in hell, because they think they can bribe God into letting them into heaven based on their own merits. Here is a truth for you to think about: no human being has any merit before God. Read Romans 1:18-3:20 for all the details. If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Savior, we would be glad to tell you how, so you can then experience the blessings God has for you, and has shared with us.

If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.

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We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Today and on July 4^th we celebrate America. This weekend is to remember all those who have served, and those who are now serving, in our armed forces. I am glad to see that now our country often recognizes those in our armed forces as heroes! Many of us remember a time when soldiers who returned from war to America, were scorned and spat upon by those who were too cowardly to fight to keep freedom alive! Every man and woman who serves America today with dignity and honor deserves to be designated a hero. One of the primary reasons I say this is because now, no one has to serve! Those who serve choose to do so. God’s army is also composed entirely of people who choose to serve Him. God does not draft people into His army. That is because His army is composed only of those who are saved, and God never forces anyone to be saved. I believe God created Man to live in freedom. Scripture teaches that God’s freedom is true freedom! I’m using that pastor’s outline and title as we consider the question: what kind of war memorial are you building? Let’s begin with:

1. THE SOLDIER’S DRIVE. Read 2 Tim. 1:8-14. Listen these words as I read them: “I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.” What is it that drives a person to become a soldier? Paul’s drive was, in part, because of his conversion. He tells us in Gal. 1:15-17 after his salvation, he did not immediately begin to minister. Rather he went away into Arabia for a period of time. Is it possible for a person to be saved without being converted? Yes, but it is a twisted life of hypocrisy and legalism. Believing and trusting in Christ’s redeeming work for the forgiveness of sins does result in salvation, but it does not automatically result in establishing Christ as the Sovereign Lord and sole Governor of one’s life. So the question at this point is: As a result of your salvation have you made Christ the Sovereign Lord of your life, and given Him sole governing authority that drives you to serve Him as a proper Ambassador? Paul’s drive was also a result of His call. Read 2 Tim. 1:8, 9. You will note Paul is not speaking of himself only! Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he tells us “we” are all called to a holy calling. When God calls a person to become one of His children, the individual has the option to refuse the call, and instead of going to jail, they get to remain in prison and the chains of sin and darkness. So: if you are one who knows you have been called by God to serve in His kingdom, does the knowledge of that call drive you to give all you have for Him who gave all He had for you? Notice also:
2. THE SOLDIER’S DURATION. 2 Tim. 1:12; 2:3, 4. Every soldier understands once they have taken that oath of enlistment they are a soldier for the duration of their contract! From enlistment to discharge a soldier is expected to endure whatever they encounter! Paul is telling Timothy and us we need to plan and prepare to endure through all difficulties! Paul’s confidence is in Christ’s endurance. Paul had committed his life in ministry for Christ as long as Christ allowed Paul to minister. More importantly Paul had committed his eternity to Christ. The most amazing and peaceful truth is that as long as Christ is God, your eternity is secure in Him. Notice also Paul’s concern for the Christian’s enlistment! As soldiers we are committed to Him as His servants now. We are to obey His “Constitution” The Bible, and His orders as long as we are alive here. So we are to consider ourselves career soldiers. As such we should be diligent in our service and work as hard as we can for advancement and promotions to the highest rank possible. Next is:
3. THE SOLDIER’S DRESS. 2 Tim. 3:14-17. When Paul tells Timothy to be “thoroughly equipped or furnished” he is telling him to be properly outfitted. So what is the Christian soldier’s dress? We are all clothed in Christ’s righteousness; however, we are to dress for battle every day. Read Eph. 6:12-18. Finally notice
4. THE SOLDIER’S DECLARATION. 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Paul declares his allegiance to Christ and His Gospel through to fight for the message of Christ! Paul never let the threat of physical consequences keep him from his call as an ambassador for Christ. Paul also declared that to finish in ministry for Christ. May it be every true Christian’s delight to receive the reward which is the crown of righteousness laid up for them to be awarded with the words “well done thou good and faithful soldier of the Cross!”

If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.