The righteousness of Christ and his church Ephesians 6 :10 &11.
Before I address the subject of the righteousness of Christ I want to be clear on a couple of things.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
We are all seeking His kingdom to see people changed and see Him glorified.
Our theology in this church is that you are saved by faith once and forever. You can not lose your salvation if you have been truly born again.
See Romans 6 and 8.
I always look at the way a father or mother loves their children. I qualify that with “though you are evil know how to give good gifts therefore how much more will your father in heaven give you the Holy Spirit”.
The story of the prodigal son shows how much a Heavenly Father still runs after his wayward son when he is on his way back to the family home.
What a secure place to be in.
The second point is saved by works or by faith?
Tim Keller: “If you are saved by works there is a limit to what God can ask of you. Like a tax payer. You’ve paid your dues but can’t ask just anything. But if you’re saved by grace , there is no limit to what He can ask of me and my obedience is unconditional. I owe Him everything, I don’t have the right to make all the decisions in my life. I’ve got to do what the Lord says motivated by joy.”
“Jesus did not redeem us to make us workers, He redeemed us to make us worshippers and then out of the blazing worship of our hearts, springs our works.“ AW Tozer
Religion says “I obey therefore i am accepted." Christianity says “I’m accepted therefore I obey. “
I want to look righteousness and how to stay guilt free in your walk in life.
Remember righteousness is the breast plate that guards your heart.
There is a song Before the Throne of God - that has the lines: “When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see him there, who made an end of all my sin”
How do we counter the temptation or accusations of Satan?
Go back to Peter’s preach. Know the truth. Read you bible and let the Holy Spirit guide you.
Like our conscience we get warnings. Stop!
But if you make a mistake, don’t justify your action.
Admit you’re wrong. But if Satan tempts you to despair remind him that the cross was the place of his defeat and where you are fully forgiven.
If it is an habitual sin then put in place with people you trust a plan to flee from that sin.
Use the washing liquid of the Holy Spirit to help convict you and also soften your heart.
Not used on Sunday but feel free to reflect on these notes.
As a church.
This is more difficult to explain.
However we have to remember that the things we do in this church are not to earn our salvation, but to show we love Him by being obedient.
That can come from basic Christian values or from prophetic words.
Jigsaw came out of the bible Isaiah, confirmed by prophetic words: Isaiah 58:6-12
Evangelism comes from the great commission. Alpha story eating round tables.
He hasn’t told me to stop.
Questions
1.Have you always known that once you are saved you are always saved? If not, are you fully convinced now?
2.I used the A.W. Tozer quotation. “Jesus did not redeem us to make us workers, He redeemed us to make us worshippers and then out of the blazing worship of our hearts, springs our works. “ AW Tozer. It is so easy to slip into works or a feeling of obligation so please give yourself a check up.
3.I used the example of washing your clothes regularly. Is this something you struggle with? Pray for each other and ensure you ask the Holy Spirit to help you.
4.If an habitual sin is a problem for you, find someone you trust to work out a plan to break that habit