THE GREAT NEED IS NOT TO DO, BUT TO BELIEVE
ROMANS 6:12-23
Introduction:
Key verse: vv. 17-18; Ephesians 1:13
Much of Christianity today is based on experience rather than faith in Jesus Christ. That is the basis for the modern day charismatic movement. Emotions play a big part of our lives and those emotions can get in the way of knowing and serving God in a manner that is Scriptural.
Satan is very subtle and uses emotion to accomplish his purposes among mankind. He is no fool, but rather, an accomplished deceiver who knows man’s weaknesses.
I. THE REPEMPTION OF CHRIST IS NOT JUST AN EXPERIENCE
A. It is the Great Work of God, which He has been done through Christ, John 6:29, “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
1. The Scriptures testify of the work of Jesus Christ, John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
2. This the Prophet that Moses spoke of, Deuteronomy 18:18-19, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”
3. This is the Beloved Son of God, Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
4. This is the Christ, the Savior of the world, John 11:27, “She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”
B. I have to build my faith upon God’s work,1 Corinthians 3:10-11, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11- For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1. Gold, silver and precious stones are the building materials that will stand the test of fire, 1 Corinthians 3:12-14, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13- Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14- If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”
2. Wood, hay, stubble are materials based on personal experience that will be burnt up, 1 Corinthians 3:15, “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
C. It requires me to measure every type of experience by our Lord Himself, John 13:15, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
II. IF I CONSTRUCT MY FAITH ON MY EXPERIENCE
A. It produces the most UNSCRIPTURAL type of faith…
1. That DENIES the Word of God, 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
a. The works of that person denies the Lord, Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
b. They show a reprobate worldly mind, Romans 1:28, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”
2. That makes God a LIAR, 1 John 5:10, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”
B. It produces an ISOLATED LIFE,
1. My eyes are fixed on my OWN WHITENESS, Matthew 23:27, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
2. That IMPLIES salvation by works, Romans 4:2-5, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
C. It produces a SECLUDED WASTED LIFE.
1. It is USELESS to God, Jeremiah 13:10, “This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination [stubbornness] of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.”
2. It is a life blind to truth, Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did , so do ye.”
III. IF I CONSTRUCT MY FAITH ON WHAT GOD HAS DONE
A. We believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
1. The Philippian jailer believed and was saved, Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
2. John the Baptist’s preaching of Jesus caused many to believe, John 10:40-42, “And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.”
B. We trust in His Word, 2 Corinthians 1:9, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:”
1. They are blessed, Psalm 2:12, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
2. They remember the name of the Lord, Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
3. They have put their trust in the Lord, Psalm 56:4, “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
CONCLUSION