Saving Faith

SERMON TOPIC: Saving Faith

Speaker: Ken Paynter

Language: ENGLISH

Date: 24 March 2019

Topic Groups: FAITH, SALVATION, REPENTANCE

Sermon synopsis: You are saved by faith. 
You cannot be saved by works.

Romans 4:1-5 NKJV What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something of which to boast, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

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Saving Faith.

Faith or Works.

Luke 7:36-50 (A sinful woman)

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears.

Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them..

Faith or Works.

Luke 7:36-50..... When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is, that she is a sinner. Jesus answered him, Simon, I have something to tell you. Tell me, teacher, he said.

Faith or Works.

Luke 7:36-50.....

Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more? Simon replied, I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.

You have judged correctly, Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

Faith or Works.

Luke 7:36-50 ...Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Then Jesus said to her, Your sins are forgiven..... Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

Faith or Works.

What is your definition of a good man?

Perhaps it is someone who keeps the commandments.

Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not give false testimony, Do not steal.

Jesus spoke to a rich man who fitted into this category.

Faith or Works.

This man kept the commandments.

Luke 18:18-25.

A certain ruler asked him, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honour your father and mother. All these I have kept since I was a boy, he said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

What kind of people go to Heaven?

There are prophets, miracle workers and those who have cast out demons who will not go to heaven

Matthew 7: 21-23.

Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you.

Away from me you evildoers!

What kind of people go to Heaven?

Luke 23:39-43. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! But the other criminal rebuked him. Don’t you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.

What kind of people go to Heaven?

Remember that despite the saying; “All roads lead to Rome”, there are only two ways a broad one and a narrow one.

Matthew 7:13-14.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Proverbs 14:12.

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

What kind of people go to Heaven?

It is important to note that we as humans are not experts in judging character, as unlike God we cannot see a man’s heart .

When Jesus was called good teacher he asked why do you call me good. It’s no wonder Jesus asked this question as we tend to call people good very often. I myself have heard it at many of the funerals I have attended or conducted regardless of whether the person accepted Christ as Saviour and repented of sin.

Luke18:18-19.

A certain ruler asked him, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

Why do you call me good?

Jesus answered. No one is good except God alone.

Aren’t most of us good?

We may call ourselves good but God says we are not, in fact we are the exact opposite.

Romans 3:9-12. What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written:

There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

v23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Saving Faith.

You are saved by faith.

You cannot be saved by works.

Saving Faith.

Romans 4:1-5 NKJV

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something of which to boast, but not before God.

For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Saving Faith.

James 2:14-17.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, Go, I wish well: keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Are we justified by faith or by works ?

Romans 3:20.

Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight.

Rom. 3:28.

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Rom. 4:3-5.

And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.... But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.

Saving Faith.

James 2:18-22.

But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.

You foolish man do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did…

NB: v24: You see a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

Are we justified by faith or by works ?

James 2:24.

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

James 2:26.

So also faith without works is dead.

Does the Bible Contradict Itself?

It is a fundamental Christian belief that we are justified by faith. Justification means that God declares a sinner to be righteous. He does this by crediting the righteousness of Jesus to the sinner.

This is done by faith. That is, when the sinner puts his faith in the sacrifice of Jesus and trusts in Him and not himself for righteousness, then God justifies him.

Faith and works.

James uses the example of someone who says he has faith in James:14. He then immediately gives an example of what true and false faiths are.

He demonstrates what an empty faith is, (v 15-17) and gives an example of the type of faith that isn't much different from the faith of demons (v 19).

Then he gives examples of living faith by showing Abraham and Rahab as the type of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds.

James is examining two kinds of faith:

One that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive.

Faith and works.

James 2:19.

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

James says the demons believe in God, that is, they have faith, but the faith they have is useless.

It does not result in appropriate works, it is only a mental acknowledgment of God's existence.

Two words are worth introducing here:

Ascentia and Fiducia.

Ascentia is the mental assent—

The mental acknowledgment of something's existence. The demons acknowledge and believe that God exists.

Faith and works.

Fiducia is more than mental acknowledgment.

It involves a trust in something a giving over to it, a complete believing and acceptance of something.

This is the kind of faith that a Christian has in Christ.

A Christian, therefore, has fiducia, that is, he has real faith and trust in Christ and not simply an acknowledgment that He lived on earth at one time.

The Five Solae of the protestant reformation.

The Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged from the Protestant Reformation intended to summarize the Reformers' basic theological principles in contrast to certain teachings of the Roman Catholic Church of the day. "Sola" is Latin meaning "alone" or "only" and the corresponding phrases are:

Sola Scriptura: by Scripture alone.

Sola Fide: by faith alone.

Sola Gratia: by grace alone.

Solus Christus: through Christ alone.

Soli Deo Gloria: glory to God alone.

According to Martin Luther, justification by faith alone is the article on which the church stands or falls.

Sola fide, justification by faith alone.

This is the doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, and some in the Restoration Movement.

It asserts God's pardon for guilty sinners is granted to and received through faith alone, excluding all "works".

All mankind, it is asserted, is fallen and sinful, under the curse of God, and incapable of saving itself from God's wrath and curse. But God, on the basis of the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ alone grants sinners judicial pardon, or justification, which is received solely through faith.

The big difference is that some see faith as been passive, merely receiving Christ and all his benefits, while others believe that genuine faith is accompanied by action.

Faith and works.

Justification by faith alone has been opposed by Roman Catholicism, which says that a combination of our faith and good works provides for our justification.

One impetus for this understanding has been Rome’s fear that the doctrine of justification by faith alone would encourage people to live immoral lives.

Rome fears that this doctrine might lead some to think that the casual acceptance of Jesus without any change in one’s life is the kind of faith that

justifies.

Faith and works.

In order to meet such objections, the Protestant Reformers were careful to outline the biblical definition of faith in their writings.

True faith always leads to a changed life.

The definition of biblical faith given by the Reformers showed that faith is not merely a casual acceptance of Jesus, faith has three essential aspects:

notitia, assensus, and fiducia.

nōtitia: notice, acquaintance (KNOWLEDGE)

assēnsus: agreed with, assented to, approved (BELIEF)

fiducia: trust, faith, confidence, credit (COMMITMENT)

Faith and works.

In order to meet such objections, the Protestant Reformers were careful to outline the biblical definition of faith in their writings.

True faith always leads to a changed life.

The definition of biblical faith given by the Reformers showed that faith is not merely a casual acceptance of Jesus, faith has three essential aspects:

notitia, assensus, and fiducia.

nōtitia: notice, acquaintance (KNOWLEDGE)

assēnsus: agreed with, assented to, approved (BELIEF)

fiducia: trust, faith, confidence, credit (COMMITMENT)

Revelation, Illumination and Appropriation

Faith and works.

There are people who say that they are Christians but are not manifesting any of the fruit of Christianity.

Can this faith justify?

Can the dead ‘faith' that someone has which produces no change in a person and no good works before men and God be a faith that justifies?

Absolutely not.

It is not merely enough to say you believe in Jesus.

You must actually believe and trust in Him.

If you actually do, then you will demonstrate that faith by a changed and godly life.

If not, then your profession is of no more value than the same profession of demons: "We believe Jesus lived."

Faith and works.

James actually quotes the same verse that Paul uses to support the teaching of justification by faith (Romans. 4:3)

James 2:23.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example.

Religion says:

If I am good, God will love me.

True Christianity says:

Because God loves me, He will make me good.

Two kinds of belief - Ascentia and Fiducia.

Ascentia is the mental ascent, the rational acknowledgment of something's existence.

The demons acknowledge and believe that God exists but do not act based on that belief.

Fiducia is more than mental acknowledgment. It involves a trust in something, a giving over to it, a complete believing and acceptance of something.

This is the kind of faith that a Christian is supposed to have in Christ. A Christian has to have fiducia; not simply ascentia or an acknowledgment that Christ lived on earth at one time. Therefore, we are justified by faith. That is, we are made righteous in the eyes of God by faith as is amply demonstrated by Romans. However, that faith, if it is true, will result in deeds appropriate to salvation.

Works are evidence of True Repentance.

Titus 1:16.

They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him……

1 John 2:3,4.

We know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commands. Whoever says I know him but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in that person.

Zacchaeus is a prime example of how entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ changes your behaviour.

Luke 19:7-10.

Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house…..

Works are evidence of True Repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11.

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it, I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while, yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.

For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

Works are evidence of True Repentance.

Matthew 3:7-10. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Works are evidence of True Repentance.

Acts 26:19-20.

So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

Acts of Repentance (The Mirror and Daily Mail)

A THIEF felt so guilty about a watch he had stolen, he paid for it 30 years later.

Shop owner Colin Brook, 60, was stunned when the man he remembered stealing the gold piece in the early 1980s, walked in, owned up and handed over £100.

Colin, of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks, said: His face came back to me after he said, I’m the man who pinched your watch and I’m here to pay for it.

He said he couldn’t walk past my shop without feeling guilty. Then we shook hands and off he went.

Acts of Repentance (The Mirror and Daily Mail)

A thief proved it's never too late to make amends after returning stolen money to a taxi driver 12 years later.

Abubakar Lorgat, 49, had his wallet stolen in 2004 and lost a weekend's takings. However, the taxi driver said he had forgotten about the incident until he received an anonymous letter of apology and five £50 notes through the post at his home in Blackburn, Lancashire.

The thief wrote: I am really sorry about this and hope you find in your heart to forgive me.

The rare act of repentance has warmed the dad-of-four's heart and has been praised 'as the right thing to do' by community leaders.

The importance of works.

The letters to the seven Churches in Revelation have a common opening address in each one.

Revelation 2:2.

Revelation 2:9.

Revelation 2:13.

Revelation 2:19.

Revelation 3:1.

Revelation 3:8.

Revelation 3:15.

I know your works.

How can we say works are not important?

What has God given to prepare us for good works?

2 Timothy 3:16-18.

All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 4:11,12.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

Jesus’ example.

John 13:12-15.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. Do you understand what I have done for you? he asked them. You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus’ example.

Titus 2:14.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24.

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love good works..

1 John 2:3-6.

We know that we have come to know him, if we obey his commands. The man who says I know him, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him..... This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Two kinds of works.

Saving Faith.

You are saved by faith. You cannot be saved by adding works to faith.

Galatians 3:1-7 NKJV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you:

Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

You are saved by faith which works by love!

Galatians 5:6.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

GOOD WORKS ARE THE RESULT OF REPENTANCE AND SALVATION, NOT THE REQUIREMENT.

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