Sermon Central
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The Rewards Of Faith
Contributed by Brian Menear on May 6, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Everyone asks "whats in it for me". This sermon answers those questions in regards to faith and belief in Jesus Christ and God.
The Rewards of Faith
Job Interview Illustration- What’s in it for me? How will this affect my life, family, etc…What are the benefits. Always asked in regards to jobs, hobbies, marriage.
Faith and belief in God brings the ultimate benefit. To understand and appreciate this benefit we must understand why we need it in the first place.
Everyone at one point or another and maybe even now fit into 1 or more these verses.
We know this to be true Romans 3:23
God gave us rules to live by and guide us. Mosaic Law, Leviticus, 10 commandments, 613 laws in all.
Complicated, cumbersome, further complicated by the Pharisee and religious leaders by the time of Jesus.
We are incapable of following or keeping the Law-Romans 3:18
No fear, Proverbs “fear/knowledge”
Pharisee-Knew Law like back of hand. Jesus said to them in so many words “You know the Laws but your hearts know nothing of God or why I need to be here”
Knowing the Law and disobeying it is worse than not knowing it at all. All will be judged. Even without knowing the Law you know right from wrong.
“Conscience”- placed there by God. But we still do things we know we shouldn’t do.
Romans 2:17-24 Represent! Keep if real!
So now we understand the Laws purpose-Romans 3:19-20
We are sinful and unable to obey and keep the Law.
What hope do we have? What way to be right?
Best and most famous “but” in the Bible Romans 3:21, 22.
Doesn’t matter who we are, what we’ve done.
(Church clothes Illustration) Romans 3:24
How did God do this?----Justification
Justification- the process by which sinful humans are made acceptable to a holy God.
Galatians 2:16, Galatians 5:1, 5:4
Justification means “you’re OK”
Sanctification- the process of God’s grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God’s righteousness. Accomplished by the Word of God (John 17:7) and the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:3-4), sanctification results in holiness, or purification from the guilt and power of sin. Nelson Student Bible Dictionary.
What about my works and efforts for “good”?
Works mean nothing, only faith matters.
Romans 3:27, 28
Romans 5:1, 2
We have the greatest reward of all waiting for us. It doesn’t matter what happens now. We have Heaven and eternity with God waiting for us.
What then are the Rewards of Faith?
1. We have a new life.
2. Presence of the Holy Spirit.
2. We have a new peace.
3. We have a new hope.
1. What does New Life entail?
A) Set free from sin
Since God provided a way for us to be made right with him through Jesus, we are joined to him through his death/resurrection/baptism.
Since we have been justified, we begin the lifelong process of being remade/reformed into the image of Christ through sanctification.
B) Set free from the Law
Paul made it plain and clear- the law cannot save. We cannot earn enough credit to enter Heaven. No matter how many good deeds we do. It is all worthless before God of we are not right with God.
C) We are set free from death.
God has done what the law could never do. If we are right with God by the blood of Jesus, then when we die or Jesus returns, we will be raised to glory in Heaven.
2 Presence of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God is available and actually at work in everyone who belongs to Christ. Even after we die the Spirit will raise us up to glory in Heaven. The Spirit is also our comforter and guide in time of trouble while we wait.
3 New Peace
Because of the Holy Spirit we have peace in all our tests, trials, and tribulations.
We have peace that surpasses all understanding.
4 New Hope
Because of our faith in Jesus Christ and our right standing with God, we have a new hope. Hope in all the promises we learn from the Word of God. Plans of protection, courage, and prosperity. We also have the hope of the future return of Jesus. Our King will return to rule for eternity and we will rule with him.
If we are in right standing with God we have this hope of his return. If we are not in right standing we should fear his return and judgment. I want everybody here to be in right standing with God.
Altar Call songs
Here I am to worship, you are my king, I’m Headed your way.
