FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH!....+ a work?

There are times when I sit to type on topics such as this one, that I feel like shutting down the computer and not even starting, or to start with an apology to all of those who have such a wonderful gift of expressing truth in eloquent words. 'I ain't that way.' Mine will not use such voluminous vernacular, but simpler words from the heart.
We begin a study today on the topic of salvation, or how one obtains salvation. I am Baptist! I am unashamedly Baptist! I become more Baptist with every sermon I study! Being a Baptist, I believe in salvation by grace through faith! I believe salvation is a gift of God! I believe that salvation is obtained not of ourselves, not of works! (Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5) I believe that even the faith that saves me is not mine own, but a faith of God that He gives to me (Eph. 2:8). In other words, I believe that all my good works are filth in the sight of God (Is. 64:6), and that I at my best, fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). No baptism, church attendance, sacrifice, or good deed can earn my way to Heaven. It is totally by His grace and faith! I believe this salvation is free to each and everyone as He died for the sins of the world (John 3:16) and is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9). I also believe that every good Baptist has 'Amened' every word I have typed and we all in one 'baptiminical' voice cry out

"FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH AND THAT NOT OF OURSELVES, IT IS A GIFT OF GOD. NOT OF WORKS!"

But it is then, I pick up one of our many tracts such as this one and read the back after our Gospel message is shared only to read, "If you will accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please pray this prayer with all your heart..."
Did we just add a work? Did we just put a standard by which to accomplish this work? Do we not 'assure' people of their salvation by pointing back to this work in saying, "Well, was there a time when you prayed and asked the Lord to save you?" Have we inadvertently added a work and as a consequence confused and robbed people of their assurance or (may God forbid) robbed people of their salvation?

A Church in Action V

We conclude our look at a church in action from Acts chapter 2. Here we see an example of what a church should be today. The beginning of the church, the role of the church, the reason for the church, ordinances of the church, and authority of the church is so discomposed today. There is only one type of church, a local visible one. It is these churches that the Lord loves and gave Himself for, gave His authority to, commissioned, and cherishes and nurtures. Therefore, the church has a great responsibility of which we must take seriously.
We have seen thus far that the early church was....
1. A Place of strong preaching (vs. 22-28)
2. A Place of conviction (vs. 37)
3. A Place of proper leadership (vs. 38)
4. A Place for the strengthening and protection of families (vs. 39)
5. A Place for Godly living (vs. 40)
6. A Place of growth (vs. 41)
7. A Place of proper doctrine and teaching (vs. 42)
8. A Place for Fellowship (42)
9. A Place of Prayer (vs. 42)
10. A Place for fear and discipline (vs. 43)
11. A Place of miracles (vs. 43)
12. A Place of unity (vs. 44)
We will conclude our study by seeing five more aspects of the early church.
13. A Place of sacrifice (vs. 45) Here we read how that the early church 'sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need.' This verse does not demand communism or socialism (sorry President Obama fans), but rather suggests that the church should be a body that will sacrifice what ever it can to provide and care for the brethren. All we have belongs to God, therefore, if there is a need in the church that we could help provide for, we should set out to meet it. They sold their land, their possessions, their goods, in order to put food and clothing on one another's back. In this country we have been spoiled with much, but it is not too far fetched to for see a day soon when we may be called upon to do the same. Look at your church with me. There are some who own land not used, cars undriven, clothes unworn, cable television brought in, boats at dock, and more...will we be willing to part with them for that one sitting in the pew who has been unemployed for 2 years? Will we be willing to sacrifice? Most churches are feeling the affects of our current recession in their tithes and offerings. Will the typical member be willing to cancel their Internet and cable to make sure the pastor and church needs are met? Stay tuned....
14. A place of Joy (vs. 46) They ate and fellowshipped "with gladness and singleness of heart." Every pastor prays for this spirit in their church each week. We have already seen the need for unity and fellowship, but there should be with these a great joy. For too many, the church represents hurt, bitterness, betrayal, criticism, and division; when there should be a joy associated with one's local church. Now if that bitterness or hurt is because of one's sin and the church taking the proper stand, then the trespasser needs to blame themselves for their ill feelings. But far too many church's business meetings, services, and fellowships end up in divisions, fightings, and over criticism. Oh that we knew joy!
15. A Place for Praising God (vs. 47) The early church Praised God! That was their purpose, their motivation, their joy, their objective, their goal, their satisfaction. Oh that every member of every body dedicated and purposed themselves to praising God. There is too much man praising, ministry praising, and talent praising in our churches today. The day Cozaddale Baptist Temple greets me in a service to a standing ovation is the day that I should resign. We do not praise men, we praise God. Our churches are not about size, oratory skills, amounts of ministries, or drama or music entertainment...it is about praising God!
16. A Place that has favour with the community (vs. 47) Now obviously, a church preaching against sin, sharing the Gospel, and living separated lives will be offensive to some. But by this, I believe what is meant is that the members of this church were outstanding citizens in their communities. At work, they were the best employees. At the market, they were the honest ones. At the civic meetings, their words were respected. At the park, they were trusted. Integrity, character, patriotism, a work ethic, were all expected as the normal from folks from this church. Our churches ought to have great testimonies to the community.
17. A Place where souls were saved (vs. 47) The text reads that "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Where these 17 attributes are being practiced, I believe the Lord will bless those churches with souls saved consistently. We 'amen' the fact that God will not ever put on us what we can not handle, then we wonder why souls are never saved. Could it be that our churches can't handle such responsibility? Our churches are not proper? Understand, by 'church' I do not refer to any other denomination but New Testament Baptist. Our churches are losing ground, our churches are growing dead, our churches are impotent, our churches are becoming flesh pleasing instead of Spirit pleasing...why? We have gotten far away from what a church truly is to be.
May we think on these things.

A Church in Action IV

Thus far we have seen the church in action in the book of Acts as being an example for us in that it was:
1. A Place of strong Gospel preaching.( vs. 22-28)
2. A place of Holy Spirit Conviction (vs. 37)
3. A Place with Biblical Leadership (vs. 38)
4. A Place to build and strengthen Families (vs. 39)
5. A place of Godly living (vs. 40)
6. A Place or growth (vs. 41)
7. A Place of Proper Doctrine (vs. 42)
8. A Place for Christian Fellowship (vs. 42)
We continue our look at the Acts church by seeing
9. It is a place of Prayer (v. 42) One cannot read the accounts of the early church without seeing a consistent practice of continual prayer. The early church spent more time praying together in one week than most churches today do in a year or more. It was this prayer time that unified the people (1:14) (maybe we would have less division if there was more prayer). It was this prayer time that brought power (2:2) (maybe we would see the power of God moving in more services if we spent more time praying.) It was this prayer time that brought miracles (12:5). It was this prayer time that gave boldness (4:29) and many were saved. One person said it this way, "Little prayer, little power; much prayer, much power." We at one time had a mid-week prayer service, but now it is a Bible study. Every great revival was birthed in prayer. I believe it would do all of us good not only to pray, but to bow the knee. I understand it is not necessary to be on one's knees in order to pray, but bowing the knee shows submission and reverence that is lacking in most churches today. We do not understand what it is to take the time to get on our knees and pray continually in faith. Truly it still 'availeth much.'
9. A Place of Discipline (vs. 43) The text reads that 'fear came upon every soul." There is a lack of reverence and recognizing of God as authority in most 'believers' lives. When the church lost this fear, it was discipline (5:11) that brought it back upon the church. I recently preached a sermon on proper church discipline (http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?keyword=cozaddalebaptist&keyworddesc=&currsection=sermonssource&SourceOnly=true&keywordwithin=church+discipline) Sadly, many of todays 'IFBaptist' churches no longer practice discipline. Discipline is greatly frowned upon by too many pastors and most members. Recently, a former IFB pastor called me after practicing church discipline upon a member of our church (that he was involved with) and threatened me to stay out of his business and to cease 'your unBiblical view and practice of discipline. God will discipline, not you!' Sadly, this view is shared by many IFB. The church has been instructed to practice discipline. This should be done as led by the Lord, consistently, and properly. I will not re-preach my sermon, but encourage the inquisitive to listen to it. I do not believe it is the duty of the pastor to discipline, but the entire church-a process everyone is involved in. A proper obedience to these instructions would again establish fear in the church, leading to a holiness and power too few churches enjoy today.
10. A Place of miracles (vs. 43) Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. I do not believe in the Benny Hinn gifts of healing (if that were true, I wish he would visit Cincinnati Children's Hospital), tongues speaking, visions, etc...but I do believe in a God who can still work miracles. And, I believe our churches do not see such workings of God enough because of our lack of faith. Oh that we had faith that moved mountains.
11. A Place of Unity (vs. 44) The church in Acts was an example to us in that it was a place of great unity where they were together and had all things common. There was a true, sincere desire to love one another, provide for one another, and bear one another's burdens. The gossip, divisions, fightings, criticisms, etc were absent from the early church (probably due to the previous 10 attributes discussed.) A few months ago I was reading a Sports Illustrated magazine article where the author compared a dividing front office of a franchise like 'nothing he had seen since his days in the Baptist church.' How sad....how true? Our churches should be a place of unity!

A Church in Action III

Brief report from Mexico:
The Lord truly blessed while we were in Mexico. Our missionary, Bro. Steve Harris and his wife, were truly gracious hosts. The Lord's hand was evident throughout the trip. We saw, at best count, 65 professions of faith while in Mexico. This is from door to door visitation, church services, and Pastor Ismael witnessing to his lost family. There were 8 first time visitors at the church's first service, and four of them were saved Sunday. The Lord truly blessed and we give Him the honor and glory. Most of this could not have been done without the sacrifice and time spent with us by Pastor Perez from Hermosillo and his group of Bible Institute young people. Praise the Lord!

Time to get back in the saddle though, so let us review:
The church in action in Acts 2 is an example for us today. We see that that church was a place:
1. Where Proper Gospel Preached (vs. 22-28)
2. Conviction was evident (37).
3. Proper Leadership (38)
4. Families were strengthened (39)
5. A place of Godly living (40) We continue our study now to the sixth example this church gives us:
6. A Place of Growth (vs. 41) People were being saved and baptized and added to the church. I do not believe that a church has to be large in number or buildings to be blessed of God. I do not believe that there is a magic number where when attendance reaches, the church has made it. Matter of the fact, I have met few, if any, churches that hold to strong Baptist doctrine (Salvation, church, closed communion, alien baptism, etc) that are "mega" in size. A preacher once stated, "Just because something is growing, doesn't mean it is alive and doing well. I pass many swelling opossums on the side of the road, but they aren't alive, they're quite dead." Having said all that, I do believe a church should be a soul winning church and should be seeing people saved. Should be seeing people baptized. Should be seeing people discipled. Should be seeing new faces and babes in Christ within the church. The church should be a place of growth.
7. Proper Doctrine (vs. 42) We read that the church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. As just stated, there are certain doctrines that a true New Testament church must hold to to be a true New Testament church. This will be a constant battle to stand as such, thus we read that they continued "steadfastly." A church must hold to the doctrine of Scriptures. That our Bible is the perfect, preserved, inspired, Word of God. That God is the Author of the Bible and the Holy Spirit moved holy men of God to give us God's Word. We believe that the only correct translation is the King James Version. We reject the modern paraphrased versions, common versions, and others that delete the pure meaning of redemption and the Deity of Christ. Our Bible is the final Authority for all faith and practice. A church must hold to the doctrine salvation. That salvation is by God's grace and that it is free to all through the Gospel. That the individual must accept by faith that salvation, and that by rejecting it, they are condemning themselves to a Devil's Hell. It is God's will that all should come to repentance and have the gift of eternal life. Repentance and faith are solemn and inseparable prerequisites for salvation; that they are inseparable graces wrought in the heart by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit, and as the sinner is deeply convicted of his guild and helplessness he turns in repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving Him as personal Saviour and Lord and is immediately born again! This salvation is eternal and cannot be lost!The church must hold to the doctrine of the church. That the church is a local, visible assembly of called out believers into a public place of worship. That service to our Lord is done through the church. The idea of a universal or invisible church is a false teaching and contrary to Scriptures. That our Lord began the church with His disciples and His Authority to fulfill the Great Commission is given to that church. Only that church has authority to baptize. The local church should observe the Lord's Supper (closed). That the church is not governed by an ecclesiastical hierarchy, and that the will of the local church is final. The church should hold to the doctrine of the second coming. That our Lord will rapture the saints before a tribulation period. That there will then be seven years of tribulation upon this earth. During that time, all saints raptured or having prior died will stand before God and experience what is called the Marriage supper of the Lamb. Here the churches (those that held to proper doctrine) will make up the Bride of Christ. The angels, O.T. saints, and saints of the present age who did not hold to New Testament doctrine will be guests at the marriage supper. Following these seven years, the Lord will return with His saints to rule and reign for 1,000 years on this earth. Satan will then be loosed and then a final judgement. We then shall forever enjoy a new Heaven and a New Earth for all of eternity.Time does not allow me to also write of other doctrines the church should uphold: virgin birth, creation, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Devil, Hell, Fall of man, giving, missions, separation, etc A church should uphold these doctrine to be a true New Testament church. A church should teach these doctrines faithfully, discipiling their members in a knowledge of God. It is a lack of knowledge of the Law of God that is destroying our churches today (Hos. 4:6). A church should be a place that upholds proper doctrine! (Scripture for above doctrines: John 3:15-16, 1 Pt. 1:5, John 1:12, Acts 3:19, Eph. 3:21, Acts 2:47, 1 Tim. 3:15, Acts 8:1, Matt. 3:13-17, 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-34, Rom. 6:34-35, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-55, John 20:27, Jude 14-15, Titus 2:13).
8. A church should be a place of Fellowship (vs. 42) The church should be a place where brothers and sisters in Christ can exhort, rebuke, strengthen, and encourage one another. A place where you enjoy your company. A place where the brethren can break bread (eat) with one another. Pray for one another. Sing with one another. Laugh with one another. A place of wonderful loving fellowship. For this is indeed what eternity will be, what a shame to avoid it now!?

Gone To Mexico

Please pray for myself and 13 others from our church that are gone to Mexico this week to aid our Missionary Harris. Please pray for Providence, Protection, Provision, Position, Promotion, Promise, and Praise to our God. We left Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. and should return next Monday (11/9) late. We truly covet your prayers as we are gone. What a privilege to go to the field!

A Church in Action II

We continue our study on the church. We have seen that our Lord began the church with His disciples. We have studied some promises our Lord made to the church, and we left off examining in Acts 2, a New Testament church in action. A model, in many ways, for our churches today. We read how that the church should be
1. A Place where the Gospel is Preached (vs. 22-36)
2. A Place of Holy Ghost Conviction (vs. 37)
3. A Place with proper leadership (vs. 37-38)
At this point we began to look at proper leadership, a place I believe many of our churches lack in today. We saw our Lord's qualifications for a pastor, and left off with qualification number 16 from 1 Timothy 3

16. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (vs. 4) Realizing the principles and severity of our Lord's qualifications, we must take this one serious. Thus far, we have covered 15 qualifications in 3 verses. This one qualification itself takes two verses to administer. God takes this serious. I know there are arguments from all sides, but isn't it sad that we can just take the previous 15 qualifications without discussion or argument, but this one cause so much division? I realize that my children are young and I have already been 'warned' that I may eat my words, but I like to think I can stand on God's promises. Here are the facts about this qualification:
a. Need to rule our own house well. We ought to be able to be a Biblical father, husband, laborer, steward, financier, home repair man...take care of the house and home.
b. Have our children in subjection with all gravity. A pastor's children should be in subjection (obedience) with all gravity (the word gravity is defined as 1) the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity
2) honour, purity)
A pastor's child, while not perfect, should be one that has learned obedience and subjection to our Lord and His Word and is saved, reverent, respectful to the things of God. Lives a life of honour and purity to our Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 1:6 states it this way, "having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." This indeed is a great responsibility. People will cry, "That's a high standard!" Shouldn't a pastor hold just that? The reality, I believe, is taught in the very next verse (vs. 5). If we as pastors cannot take care of our home, can not raise our own children whom we live with every day to serve God...how can we take care of the church and train others to do so? Then comes the arguments:
"Children have a free will!"Yes, and so does everyone in our churches. That is God's point. If we can't influence our own children who we live with to do right, how can we expect to influence others?
Eli "restrained not" his sons.I guess the argument is, if he would have tried to restrain them that God would not have removed Eli? Really? Is that the best we can do? The word restrain there means "to grow weak or to grow faint." Had Eli done his job as a father, he would have broken their sinful will. He would have weakened their rebellious spirit. In other words, Eli was removed because He didn't train them right. And, can we really use a Temple priest as a model for a New Testament pastor? Can we use the Temple as a model for a New Testament church? While I am sure there are principles, they are completely different entities."God was a Father to Adam and Eve and they didn't do right!" Really? The excuse we will use is justifying our self by a 'failure of God?' Doesn't it just seem wrong? For those who love justifying that, then lets be technical: Adam and Eve were grown adults and not children. Theirs was not a matter of a life of disobedience, but rather an act of it. No child, even a pastor's child will be perfect, it is the act of subjection and obedience and reverence to the Word of God that is expected. It is sad we even have to 'defend God' so that pastor's can justify their wrong. I just think that an honest examination of this passage in 1 Timothy reveals that pastors should be above reproach and an example in all areas to the church. Greater and wiser men than I will argue many points, and I believe we all should just stop and read the verse and follow it.
17. Not a Novice (vs.6) A pastor should be one who has matured in the things of God and not a babe in Christ. The danger, as our Lord puts it here, is that a novice will be lifted up with pride thinking himself to be something, and it is then the Devil has his way.
18. Must have a good report of them which are without. (vs. 7) The pastor should have a good testimony with the lost. Not that he is going to be loved and never offensive, but that he is known for being honest, have character, and a good man. The Word of God, which he should preach, is offensive and is sure to make the world upset at times, but the person is one that has lived a life demanding respect for the Lord.
Titus 1 gives us a few more qualifications which we will quickly list:
19. Steward of God.
20. Not self willed (vs. 7)
21. Not soon angry (vs. 7)
22. Holding fast the Word as he hath been taught...sound doctrine...convincing the gainsayers. (vs. 9) When a pastor leaves sound doctrine, he disqualifies himself from being a pastor. Every pastor should be able to use the Word of God effectively. Our Churches suffer from a lack of proper leadership!

The church in Acts 2 was also:
4. A Place for Families to be strengthened. (vs. 39) A church should be a harbor for the home. A place where each can be taught their Biblical role, exercise their Biblical duties, and build their faith. The Word taught in our churches should be promises and principles that are true for dad and mom, brother and sister, grandchildren, and generations to come. It is sad how many of our young people are lost to the world right from a church pew. It was not so with this church.
5. A place of Godly living (vs. 40) The world then and now was indeed an 'untoward' generation. The word there means 'crooked, perverse.' The church ought to be a place that saves people from that kind of life. Holiness seems today to be viewed as what is keeping folks from church; in Acts 2 it was seen as the reason to come to church. We've come along way?.....

A Church In Action

Thus far, we have seen what a church is not, where the church started, and some Biblical facts about the church. We will now direct our attention to an early New Testament Baptist church in action as found in Acts chapter 2. Here, the early church was being blessed and we see what was truly important to the church then, that should be important to a church today.
1.There was Preaching of the Gospel (vs. 22-36) Here Peter was preaching the Truth. Here Peter was not preaching wishy-washy sermons. He was not worried about not offending any lost person with the Truth, nor offending another brother. He preached the Truth as it is to sinners as they are. He says in verse 23, "Ye have taken..." Christ was crucified because of our sins. "Ye have crucified him (vs. 36)". He preached the death, burial, resurrection, and glory of Jesus Christ. He preached the Gospel. If we desire to be a true Biblical church, we need more preaching of the Gospel-the Truth. It may be offensive to a lost person, but it is what this once lost person needed to be saved, and it is what they need too.
2. There was Holy Ghost Conviction (vs. 37)The preaching of the Truth brought conviction. I remember days when my grandfather would preach when the conviction of the Holy Spirit was seen and experienced by all. When people were white knuckled as they held on to the pew. When people cried out in despair as they saw their sinful state. When preaching of the cross and its agonies brought shame and reproach. Hot tears would flow down cheeks. People had to go to an altar to get right with God. People dare not leave with their sin still active in their life. When was the last time we saw that conviction steadily displayed in our churches. Getting God's people to give a testimony seems like pulling teeth at times. Churches have not had people at the altar for weeks and months. People can hear the Word of God concerning their sin and leave unmoved. A church in action with God's hand moving will be a place of conviction.
3. It had proper leadership (vs. 37-38)Peter and the rest of the apostles were the ones the people looked to for counsel and wisdom. A church with God's hand upon it will have Biblical leadership. It is blasphemous to God at the amount of 'disqualified' men in the pastorate today. The Books of Timothy and Titus give us distinct qualifications that should be met if one is to pastor. Please let me preface that I know that there is no such thing as a perfect man, but God does not require a pastor to be perfect, but He does require the following things from a man to be a pastor: (1 Tim. 3)

1. Be a Man (1)A woman cannot be a pastor.
2. A God given desire to pastor (1)A desire not given by a parent, friend, or relative, but by God
3. Blameless (2) Again, not that he is perfect, but that he is not continual in a sin, unrepentant. That he not have ruined his testimony. I believe adultery permanently disqualifies a man, for that wound and reproach is not wiped away (Prov. 6:32-34).
4. The husband of one wife (2) Again, not a woman (for how can a woman be a husband?). A pastor cannot have been divorced. These qualifications may seem extreme, but it is because the role and office of a pastor is of great importance to the Lord's church. The testimony must be one that is above reproach. Because the husband and wife are one flesh, and due to the fact that it is the testimony that is to be protected, I also believe that the wife of a pastor should not have been divorced. One may argue that I am adding to Scripture, but taken in context with the purpose of the qualifications, I believe one can see the importance of testimony.
5. Vigilant (2) On guard against sin
6. Sober (2) Control of ones flesh
7. Of Good Behavior (2) Behaving Good
8. Given to hospitality (2) Accepting people into their homes, their lives, and their hearts.
9. Apt to teach (2) A God given ability and desire to teach the Truth
10. Not given to wine (3) Abstain from alcohol
11. No striker (3) Not a Quarrelsome person, looking to hurt others
12. Not greedy of filthy lucre (3) The pastor should not be pastoring for money. Consumed with making money and building earthly treasures, for he will be a most miserable person.
13. But patient (3) Fair gentle gracious
14. Not a brawler (3) Thinking himself to be a tough guy, invincible
15. Not covetous (3) Of others possessions, churches, abilities
16. One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity (4)........to be continued, and this is a big one!!!!!