Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
INTRODUCTION
The revival begins tonight and I was sitting at home contemplating what God had done in my life. What was it that most touched me. Was it the things I had been able to do for the Lord? Was it beinging called into the ministry? What was it that touched me the most. Let me compare, if you will, my life and the Saviors, or if it pleases you, your life and the
Savior.
One of the first things we notice is that we are human. This is evident. But what about our Savior. Was He human? What does Scripture say?
In Gal. 4:4 we read the following; "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"
So Jesus was born of a woman, made human, under the law. What else makes us human. Well, after we are born, we grow. In Luke 2:52 we read, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Now, grant you, some of us have more
stature than others, but that bears little on what we are discussing this morning.
What are some of the other qualities that make us human? We hunger, we thirst, we get tired. Right. Let's see what the scripture has to say about this.
Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
John 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
So it was that Jesus was hungrey, He thirsted and He became tired or wearied.
There are many things that are simular. We cry and the shortest verse in the Bible declares; John 11:35 Jesus wept.
The Bible says that we are made up of body, soul and spirit. We now know that Jesus had a body, He was human and Scripture tells us in Matthew 26:38 and Luke 23:46 that He too had spirit and soul;
"Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me."
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
My friends we now know that Jesus is human. He was born of a woman according to the law. He grew, was hungry, thirsted, got tired, wept, had a spirit and a soul.
Now we move from the obvious to what should be, but sometimes is not the obvious. You & I sinned. He didn't. That makes Him perfect and you and I not.
Romans 3:23 says that all of us have sinned and come short of the the glory of God. Sin makes us less than perfect. But, pastor, I confessed my sins and was saved, so now I am perfect. Let's read what Romans 3:25 say about that. "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins
that are past, through the forbearance of God."
What does it say? It says that at the time of salvation, your sins were forgiven, they are under the blood, no longer there. Forgotten. But, those are the sins of the past. What about future sins? Well they are under the blood the moment we declare that before God and ask His forgiveness. This is a daily process. Sometimes and minute by minute process. As with prayer, you must first take your request to God before He can answer it.
There are several different stories about how one of the most popular hymns in Protestantism (JUST AS I AM) came to be written. I have come across a couple of them which describe the author's visiting some church where the minister was preaching an evangelistic sermon, and responding to the preacher's appeal to give her life to Christ just as she was.
The problem is that the author was forty-five years old, and an invalid, when she wrote the hymn in 1834. It first appeared in 1836 in "The Invalids Hymn Book." She could not have attended anybody's evangelistic service. In fact, the hymn was born out of her frustration that she was unable to DO anything for God. Her name was Charlotte Elliott. The "true story" of how the hymn came to be written comes to us from her niece.
At the time of the writing, Charlotte was living at Westfield Lodge, in Brighton, England. Her brother, the Rev. H.V. Elliott was arranging a bazaar in order to raise money to assist in the building of a college where the daughters of poor clergy might be educated at low expense. Miss Elliott, being ill and unable to assist in the final preparations, lay on her bed, feeling sorry for herself at her seeming uselessness.
On the day following, when all of the other members of the family were at the opening of the bazaar, Charlotte Elliott sought God's forgiveness, forgiveness of her sins. Even the sin of feeling sorry for herself.
At that moment, a feeling of peace and contentment suddenly came over her, and she realized that God had accepted her just as she was. She didn't have to DO anything... except be open to God's unconditional love for her at that moment of forgiveness. In gratitude, she wrote her famous hymn. Later on, her brother said, "In the course of a long ministry, I hope I have been permitted to see some fruit of my labor, but I feel far more has been done by a single hymn of my sister's."
You see, we have sinned, we are sinning and we will sin. Jesus didn't.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He lived without sinning, that we might have eternal life. But some of us are bound by the burden of sin, saying all along, "I can not sin, I'm saved." This is not of God, it is of the devil. He is the father of lies and this is the greatest lie he is telling today. That a Christian cannot sin.
Did you hear about the farmer who bought him a long, red Lincoln Continental? It was his only extravagance and he kicked the cows out to garage it in the barn! The farmer used it for trips into town, for Sunday afternoon drives with his wife and for family vacations. But he never really knew what all he owned! Let me explain what I mean!
After owning the red Lincoln several years his oldest boy turned 16 and commenced to driving himself. The boy was behind the wheel now, the farmer was a passenger. And every time they went somewhere the boy would show the father something new his car could do.
Once he put in a cassette tape and his dad said, "What's that?"
The lad taught his father about the car's cruise control, automatic light dimmer and the seat recliner button. The farmer learned of that hidden map light, the air-conditioner and even stereo radio. And though he'd owned the car for several years, it was only after he started asking questions that he began to learn the things it'd do.
So it is with many Christians. They still don't understand about Grace and Freedom. They still live pre-Christian lives even though they have been forgiven, they have a need to continue to seek His forgiveness, that they might have the joy to go along with the Grace. They might as well still be driving Model T's instead of the modern Lincoln God has given
them.
Back to our comparisons. I'm going to die. You are going to die.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
But, as we know from Scripture, Jesus died also.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
We too, will be raised. John 5:28-29 "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Yes, we all will be raised. But not all will go to heaven. The same is true of believers. All will go to heaven. But not all will enjoy the journey until we get there. Why? Because we are not living the life Jesus would have us to live. First, we do not confess our sins daily as we should. Secondly, we are not out in the fields, do His work, until He comes.
James 2:26 says; "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Works will never get you to heaven, but as a Christian, works will help you enjoy the journey. Works are the result of true salvation. Jesus came that you might have life and have it more abundantly. He has provided it, we need to live it.
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
I'm not perfect, but I know Him. Do you know Him who is perfect? Do you know Him, but your faith is dead?
Would you like to know Him? Would you like for your faith to be alive? Do what Charlotte Elliott wrote, come "Just as I am". Come just as you are.
Do you need a church home, would you like to move your membership to ____________. Come.
Do you wish to pray for the Church. Come.
What ever the need is this morning. Come.
I love, Jesus loves you. The person in the pew next to you loves you. Do not be afraid. You are among friends. Discover what the Red Lincoln can really do. The hymn says,
"What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus. This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus. This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Are you ready to come. Come. Come to the One who is perfect.
