Attribute: The Patience of God, Merciful and Gracious, Slow to Anger

This sermon was originally presented on May 31, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14

Solus Christus is Latin for 'Christ alone.'  The single most important element of Christianity, and that which makes it unique, is that it centers completely on Jesus Christ.  And the single most important element in a discussion of Jesus Christ is the fact that He was God in flesh.  The nature of Jesus Christ, therefore, is a central and determinative issue.

More than in the other gospels, John presents Jesus as being divine, God in flesh.  He signals this in the first sentence of the book.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (Jn 1:1). 

It is the divinity of Christ that people often stumble over, like the Jewish leaders did when they saw Jesus (cf. Jn 5:18).  Many people today would say that Jesus was a great teacher, maybe even the greatest.  But they would not agree with the idea of His being God. 

C. S. Lewis wrote, "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.'  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher" (Lewis, Mere Christianity, 52).

Solus Christus declares that the gospel of God's salvation rests on Christ alone.  This truth is founded on the nature of the person of Christ.  Only if Jesus is God in flesh do Christ's life and death mean eternal life for those who trust in Him.  And faith is only as valid as the object of faith.  Thus solus Christus excludes every belief system that denies the divinity of Jesus and proclaims Christianity, alone, to be true.

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Bethel Baptist Church is pleased to present the Reverand Greg Hands during Pastor Cosand's absence. 

This sermon was originally presented on May 24, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 19:7-11

There are many truths that are held in connection with the doctrine of sola scriptura.  The inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible issue from the idea that God has given us one book as His revelation.  In practical terms there are many today who would hold to the inspiration of the Scriptures, but not to their sufficiency  to speak to the issues of the day. 

What is needed is a fresh commitment to the notion that the Word of God is completely sufficient for today's questions and problems.  What we see in Psalm 19 is a multi-leveled declaration that the Bible is: 

(1) complete so as to revive us (Psa 19:7);

(2) reliable so as to make us wise (Psa 19:7);

(3) right so as to cause us to rejoice (Psa 19:8);

(4) pure so as to enlighten us (Psa 19:8). 

The Bible contains everything we need, both to view life and to live life properly.  We neglect it to our own ruin.  It is one thing to affirm that the Bible is a supernatural book, given by inspiration of God.  It is another thing to taste its nectar and know that it is a delight to the heart.  May God help us to know, in our minds, in our affections, and in our experience, that the Word of God is sweeter to our soul than ripened fruit is to our tongue, more necessary than our daily food, and more precious than our children and grandchildren. 

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 11:1

In this passage Paul concludes his discussion of eating food offered to idols, which has taken up chapters 8-10.  This issue falls into the category of 'things of indifference.'  Regarding the food itself, it would not have been sinful to eat such food, nor sinful not to eat such food. 

There are two principles cited in this passage which should govern our behavior when it comes to 'things of indifference' … (1) we conduct ourselves in a certain way for the sake of others and (2) we conduct ourselves in a certain way for the sake of God. 

"Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor" (1 Cor 10:24).  We must be willing to adjust our behavior and speech with the consciences of others in mind.  Exercise of Christian freedom is not the goal of the Christian faith.  The good of others is the goal.  "All things are lawful, but not all things build up" (1 Cor 10:23).

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).

Christianity is not just a set of doctrinal assertions … it is a way of life.  It is a way to think and talk and work and relate to others.  It is a perspective of life and death … of heaven and hell … of God and man … of sin and forgiveness.  To live for the glory of God has a way of governing absolutely everything we do and say and think.  It is the path of joy and life.

This sermon was originally presented on May 17, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:12-17

Theologians sometimes refer to five 'solas' upon which the Christian faith rests.  The wording used in the days of the Reformation is Latin and that wording is often still used today to name these great doctrines.  These five doctrines are sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), sola fide (faith alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone).

Imagine a magnificent, ancient temple and a foundation upon which everything rests.  That is sola Scriptura.  Everything that we believe, obey, embrace deep in our souls is based on the foundation of sola Scriptura.  Upon this foundation are three massive pillars, framing and upholding the gospel in its most basic form:  sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus - salvation is from grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  And finally, when the foundation is in place and these three immovable, sturdy pillars are in place, then the roof and the pinnacle rest above the structure, pointing upward.  That is soli Deo gloria, "for the glory of God alone."

The foundation for everything we know about God and His salvation is in the Bible.  Because the Bible was inspired by God (cf. 2 Tim 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:21,22), the Bible is a unique book.  It is different from every other religious book.  It is the only unerring source of specific information concerning the person of God.  The Bible is our ultimate authority for faith and life.  The Bible, alone, is absolute truth and thus it is the final and decisive judgment on every aspect of our lives.  Let us learn to say genuinely, with David, "Oh how I love your law!  It is my meditation all the day" (Psa 119:97).

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Paul has been writing about the issue of eating food that had been offered to idols and that topic will have taken up three chapters (chs. 8-10) before he is done.  In today's passage he plainly writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Cor 10:14).

1 Corinthians 10:14-22 is about idolatry.  Idolatry comes in many forms.  Calvin calls human nature an 'idol factory.'  The essence of sin is an attitude that gives glory to something other than God, putting that something (or someone) in His place.  To belittle God is to scorn His glory.  This first command reminds us of who God is and of who we are.  It teaches us to bow before the Almighty in adoration, trust, thanksgiving, and homage. 

This passage ends with a reference to the jealousy of God … "Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?" (1 Cor 10:22).  When the Bible speaks of God being a jealous God (Nah 1:2; Exod 34:14) we must not think of the kind of human jealousy that is borne out of insecurity, mistrust, and selfishness.  God's jealousy is His altogether appropriate desire for His creation to honor Him as God and not replace Him with lesser things.

The first commandment forbids us to have any other god before YHWH.  The positive implications of this command is that we acknowledge and worship Him … esteeming, honoring, loving, delighting in, obeying, calling on, pursuing Him … with all our might, while we live. 

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

1 Corinthians 10:13 is one of the most familiar verses in this letter, and for good reason.  It contains a strength-giving promise for grace in times of trouble.  "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

As an instruction, Paul cites the accounts of the Israelites in the wilderness … warning the Corinthians that they could incur God's judgment if they commit the same sins their fathers were guilty of.

The great spiritual privileges of Israel are noted in verses 1-4.  But spiritual privileges, alone, do not insure a vital relationship with God.  In verses 5-10 we have the recounting of Israel's neglect of their privileges … seen in their repeated and varied sins. 

Finally, in verses 11-13, we have a sober warning and a wondrous promise.  "Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed, lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12).  Paul does not differentiate between the kind of falling exemplified by Peter and the kind of falling exemplified by Judas.  One application of this warning is to unbelievers, to turn from their sins, lest they fall eternally. 

A second application of this warning is to Christians, to look to God in their many temptations and afflictions.  He promises His children the strength to endure life's trials.  In another place Paul speaks of being "afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair . . . struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8.9).

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

In the preceding passage, Paul cites his willingness to forgo his right to receive financial support from the Corinthians.  He had done this because, in this instance, the gospel was heralded with greater power.  In the present passage the apostle describes what his life looks like when it is governed by the greatness of the gospel of Christ.

One way his life was affected was that he lived in terms of practical flexibility.  Though Paul is free from living his life according to the opinions of others, he subjects himself to all for the sake of the gospel.   "I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them" (1 Cor 9:19).

Paul's life goal is the conversion of lost people to the light of Christ.  Within the limitations of the Christian faith, Paul would be as 'Jewish' as necessary in order to win Jews to Christ.  When Paul preached the gospel to Gentiles, he reasoned with them without quoting the Old Testament.  "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22)

A second way Paul's life was affected by the gospel was in terms of personal discipline.  He was careful to guard himself, lest he tarnish the gospel and disqualify himself from being a herald of the truth. 

Let us be so consumed by the glories of the gospel that we look for ways to spread its truth.  And let us be so taken by the gospel of Christ that we carefully guard ourselves against anything that would mar the name of Jesus. 

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

In discussing the issue of eating food that had been offered to idols, Paul emphasizes our commitment to one another.  Our love for each other must govern our behavior, especially when we have differences of opinion.  The apostle ends his exhortation by saying, "If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble" (1 Cor 8:13).

There were no chapter divisions in the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians.  1 Corinthians 9 is a lengthy personal illustration of the importance of giving up our rights for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the welfare of others.

In a series of 17 rhetorical questions Paul highlights the fact that, as an apostle, he had the right to be supported by the church in Corinth.  "The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Cor 9:14).

Paul said, "We endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ" (1 Cor 9:12).  The 'obstacle' Paul wants to take away is someone thinking that he preached the gospel merely to get money. 

What is at the center of the apostle's heart is the value of the gospel of Christ.  Everything in Paul's life is governed by the life-giving message that Jesus died to bring us to God.  The reason we are still on this earth, and not in heaven, is that we might live in such a way to point people to the light of the glory of Christ.  Like Paul, let us bring everything in our lives in line with the reality that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. 

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

In his discussion of the issue of eating food that had been offered to idols and then sold in the marketplace, Paul responds to the notion that there are many gods.  In 1 Corinthians 4:6, we have a declaration that proclaims at least three massive truths.

"For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth . . . yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Cor 8:5-6). 

First, we have the declaration that there is only one God.  This truth flies in the face of the common polytheism of the first century or the twenty-first century.  Polytheism is as old as the human race … whether it was the pantheon of Egyptian gods or the proliferation of Hindu gods.

Second, we have the declaration that this unique God is the source of everything that exists … "from whom are all things."  This truth disallows any idea of the origin of the universe that excludes a Maker.  If there is a Creator, then we are responsible to Him.

Third, we have the declaration that this unique God is the purpose for life … "for whom we exist."  We exist for God … not in the sense that we meet some unfulfilled needs He has, but to put His pre-eminence on display (cf. Col 1:16-18).