Comfort Doctrines (4). Comfort Doctrine A teaching that gives false spiritual comfort to one who...

Comfort Doctrines

(4)

Comfort Doctrine A teaching that gives false spiritual comfort to one who does not want to be held accountable for sinful activity.

Comfort Doctrines

(4)Are we

saved by works?

(2)

Salvation by works Good works outweigh evil works – enough

Works based religions Minimalism Picking and choosing Do some Christians have a problem with this?

Understanding Grace God’s grace the PRIME factor in our salvation!

Our Salvation

Understanding Grace The importance of grace

Eph. 2:8-9 Rom. 3:23-24 Titus 2:11-13A gift offered but not forced upon us

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksThere are works that do not save

Ephesians 2:9 Romans 3:20 Romans 4:2-4

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksBUT there are commands that MUST be obeyed

Gal. 6:2 – law Gal. 5:6 –working1 John 5:3-4 –commandments, Rom. 6:17,18 – obeyed, Heb. 5:9

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksHow do we reconcile these texts?

We must identify the types of works addressed!

Our Salvation

Understanding WorksTypes of works Gal. 5:19-21, Rom. 13:12-14 – works of the flesh

Gal. 2:16, Rom. 3:28 – works of the law

1 Thess. 1:3, 1 Cor. 15:58 – works of faith

Our Salvation

Understanding Works OBVIOUSLY, works of the flesh are not what is discussed in Eph. 2:9

Works of the law – ARE under consideration! (prime example – the Law of Moses)

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Moses: Could not forgive sins permanently Heb. 10:1-4, 11

Required sinless perfection Gal. 3:10-12, Jas. 2:10-12

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Moses: IF kept perfectly he could brag Rom. 4:2

But NONE kept it perfectly (except Jesus) so it could not justify Heb. 7:11-12, 8:7, etc.

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Faith – (Necessary obedience)

God offers us the gift of salvation, but we must BY FAITH accept it.

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Faith – Does not require sinless perfection Rom. 3:23-24, Heb. 10:11-14, 17 (we can be forgiven)

Provides permanent forgiveness – Eph. 1:&

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Faith – Has conditions Rom. 6:17, Heb. 5:9

If not a Christian – obey the gospel

If a Christian - Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:9

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Faith – You CANNOT trust in yourself for salvation!

You trust in God and therefore obey Him! Cf. 1 Pet. 3:21, Jas. 2:14-26

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The Law of Faith – There is no place for boasting! Eph. 2:9, Rom. 3:27, Luke 17:10

Our Salvation

Understanding Works The difference between “works of law” and “works of faith”

One involves entitlement, the other involves obedience One is about you, the other is about God

The difference is ATTITUDE!

Our Salvation

Understanding Works Abraham an example of works of faith!

Rom. 4:4 Unable to justify himself (by works)

But he was NOT perfect

Our Salvation

Understanding Works Abraham an example of works of faith!

BUT he trusted God to take care of him (Faith)– Rom. 4:3

Our Salvation

Understanding Works Abraham an example of works of faith!

Justified by faith that included works Jas. 2:18-24He obeyed God – Heb. 11:8, 17

He did not EARN His salvation, but he achieved it by obedience

Our Salvation

Understanding Obedience What is obedience? “to comply with, or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes or instructions of”In Greek – to listen to, hearken – with the idea being that you submit to what you hear

Our Salvation

Understanding Obedience Examples of obedience Children obey your parents – Eph. 6:1

Obey the law – Rom. 13:1, 5 Reward for compliance, punishment for disobedience

Our Salvation

Understanding Obedience Obedience NOT about earning something as in wages (Rom. 4:4)

Obeying God based upon belief in Him and His word. Understanding of reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience (2 Thess. 3:14)

Our Salvation

What does God demand? He demands a faith that obeys!

Does it involve works? YES!

Are they meritorious works? NO!

What does God demand? He demands reverence – Heb. 12:28

He demands that we seek Him first Matt. 6:33, 10:37-39, Lk. 14:33

What does God demand? He demands holiness – 12 Pet. 1:13-16, Heb. 12:14

We must QUIT sinning – 1 John 1:5-7, 3:4-9

He demands purity – 1 John 3:3

Comfort in Obedience Let us NEVER reason that our salvation is about our works. It is about obeying God.

We find comfort because we know He is pleased with us when we obey

Comfort in Obedience We find comfort because we CAN be forgiven!

If we refuse to obey God we ought to be afraid!

Will you obey God’s will

today?