Tag Archives: Saving Faith

Luke 19:1-10 – “The Seeking Savior”

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My sermon notes for Sunday morning, Sept 8th.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. We provide the preaching each week through YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

Luke 19:1-10

INTRO

  • Entering the city of Jericho Chapter 19… who is this Jesus
  • An encounter with a tax collector

Zacchaeus the sinner – vv. 1-4

His Status

  • Chief tax collector
  • Rich
  • Powerful
  • Opposite social spectrum than the blind beggar

His Conviction

  • Conviction… climbing the tree to see Christ.
  • Seeking the Savior
  • All the stuff in the world is not enough once you realize who you really are.
  • He was looking for answers.
  • His heart/mind had him seeking after Christ.

His Response

  • Received Him with joy

Jesus the Redeemer – v. 5

His Acknowledgment

  • Zaccheus. He knows His name….
    • Supernaturally, knew His name

His Request

  • Hurry, Come Down
  • I must stay at your house
  • Demanding a response. COME
  • Come unto me – Matthew 11:28-29

Zacchaeus the Redeemed – vv. 6-10

The crowd rejected – v. 6

  • Grumbled (against who Jesus was and what He does)

Zaccheus received Christ

  • Behold, Lord
  • John 1:12

Zaccheus committed His life to following Christ

  • He became a giver (stewardship)
  • He made restitution (made things right with others)
  • Sanctification…initial and ongoing!
  • Personal holiness

Confession and Change

Acts 11:18 – When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

The What Now

JESUS IS ENOUGH

He Came to seek and to save

  • Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost” (19:10), which includes tax collectors and sinners (5:27–32), sinful women (7:36–50), prodigal sons (15:11–32), poor men like Lazarus (16:19–31), Samaritans (17:11–19), those dependent as children (18:15–17), and those who are blind (18:35–43)[1]
  • 1 Peter 2:9 – Called you out of darkness into the light
  • 1 John 4:19 – We love because He first loved us

[1] Thomas R. Schreiner, “Luke,” in Matthew–Luke, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. VIII, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 1012.

Luke 18:35-43 – “Your Faith Has Made You Well”

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My sermon notes for Sunday morning, Sept 1st.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. The church provides a live stream of the service each Sunday at 10:30 on Facebook. We also provide the service through YouTube by Sunday afternoon.  You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

Luke 18:35-43

INTRO

  • A miracle as He enters Jericho.
  • He is demonstrating His power and Lordship as He draws closer to Jerusalem… and the Cross.
  • This is the last of four notable miracles recorded by Luke that took place on Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, which began in 9:51 (cf. 13:10–17; 14:1–6; 17:11–19).[1]
  • We can learn much about redemption as we observe the words and actions of the blind man.

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me

He acknowledged who Christ was

  • Jesus, Son of David
  • Messianic Title. Royal King Luke 1:32-33
    • He was blind…YET COULD SEE
    • Where did he hear this….THE HOLY SPIRIT

He acknowledged His need

  • Blind – Physically and Spiritually
  • Mercy – compassion, pity toward someone in need. Because of someone’s sin.. GRACE AND MERCY

Cried out… twice

  • Was not going to be held back
  • Ran to him Mark 10:50
  • Compare him to the rich young ruler. Luke 18:18-25
  • The contrast is obvious between these two beggars and the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18–27). The beggars were poor, yet they became rich, while the young man was rich and became eternally poor. The beggars claimed no special merit and openly admitted their need, while the young man lied about himself and bragged about his character. The young man would not believe, so he went away from Jesus very sad; but the two beggars believed in Jesus and followed Him with songs of praise. “He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away” (Luke 1:53).[2]

Lord, let me recover my sight

Lord

  • He knew Jesus could do. Acknowledging His Lordship over His life/condition.

Recover your sight, your faith has made you well

  • Faith – Saving Faith (Trust in who Christ is)
  • Ephesians 1:15-23 – having the eyes of your heart enlightened.
  • The OPPOSITE – Ephesians 4:17-24 (From WED)
  • Luke 19:10 – Jesus came to seek and to save the lost

He Followed Him, glorifying God

His life was changed forever.

  • FOLLOW HIM! – obedience
  • PRAISED HIM! – worship

John 10:27–30 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (ESV)

John 12:25–26 – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (ESV)

[1] John MacArthur, Luke 18–24, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 58.

[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 251.

Roots of the Faith – Conversion (Repentance & Faith)

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My notes for Wednesday night, July 10th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. Our study over the next few months will be “The Roots of the Faith.” This study will focus on key biblical truths that will transform our thinking and allow us to faithfully live out the Christian life. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

Resources for this Study

50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith – Gregg R. Allision

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine – Wayne Grudem

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth – John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue

Conversion

Conversion is the human response to the gospel, consisting of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.[1]

Conversion is our willing response to the gospel call, in which we sincerely repent of sins and place our trust in Christ for salvation.[2]

Ligonier – What is True Conversion – Steven Lawson

The Call to repent and follow Christ (follow – belief, trust)

  • Matthew 4:17-22
  • Luke 24:44-49
  • Acts 2:38
  • Romans 10:9-17

True and false repentance and faith

  • 2 Corinthians 7:9-11
  • James 2:19
  • Matthew 13:18-23
  • 1 John 2:18-19

Turning from sin – Repentance

  • My life is sinful
  • Sorrow and guilt
  • I am turning from my sin
  • There must be a dramatic change

Turning to Christ – Faith

  • Understanding who Christ (His person and work)
  • Trusting in Him as a Person to save. (Personal)
  • MORE THAN JUST BELIEVING…TO REALLY BELIEVE RESULTS IN CHANGE.

Saving faith consists of intellectual, emotional, and volitional elements: knowledge, assent, and trust, respectively. The mind embraces knowledge, a recognition and understanding of the truth concerning the person and work of Christ. The heart gives assent, or the settled confidence and affirmation that Christ’s salvation is suitable to one’s spiritual need. The will responds with trust, the personal commitment to and appropriation of Christ as the only hope for eternal salvation. Each of these components requires further elaboration.[3]

Repentance and faith continue throughout the Christian life

  • Progressive sanctification
  • Daily growing and changing into the likeness of Christ
  • 1 John 1:9

[1] Gregg R. Allison, 50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2018), 234.

[2] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 861.

[3] John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), 596.

The Essentials of the Gospel

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What are the essential components of the gospel? – Karl Graustein

  1. The character of God.
    The Bible describes God as holy (Ps. 99:3, 5, 9; Rev. 4:8), righteous (Ps. 11:7), just (2 Thess. 1:6), and perfect (Matt. 5:48). He hates sin and has nothing to do with it. In fact, He pours out His justified wrath on sin (Rom. 1:18; Eph. 5:6).
  2. The character and nature of man.
    At the same time, the Bible describes man as having a sinful nature (Ps. 51:5), hopelessly separated from God. We are unable to please God in and of ourselves (Rom. 8:8). We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We cannot save ourselves, and we deserve the wrath of God (Rom. 2:5).
  3. God’s love for man.
    Yet despite our sinful ways, God has shown His great love for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8). In His mercy, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us. On the cross Christ paid the full penalty for our sins and became the object of God’s wrath (2 Cor. 5:21).
  4. Man’s response to God.
    If we confess and turn away from our sins and believe in Jesus Christ and the work He did for us on the cross, we can be saved (Mark 1:15; Rom. 10:9). If we possess faith to trust in God and the love He showed us through Jesus Christ, we are genuine Christians. We are justified – we receive forgiveness of our sins and are credited with Christ’s righteousness, Jesus’ life of perfect obedience (Rom. 3:24-27). In short, God restores our relationship with Him and adopts us into His family because of His grace and not because of anything we do (Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:5).

Luke 9:37-45 – “Keep the Faith”

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Luke 9:37-45

INTRO

  • From the mountain top to real life
  • We dare not stay on the glorious mountain top when there are battles to fight in the valley – Warren Wiersbe
  • We must keep the faith as we live the life!
  • A divine encounter that teaches us about faith.

The Father and his Son

The father’s concern

  • Loving father
  • Desperate. Only son. Needed help from outside his control.

The Son’s need

  • Physical
  • Spiritual
    • Under the rule of Satan
    • Spiritually dead

The Disciples

Faithless and twisted

Faith

  • Belief and Trust

Saving Faith – Ephesians 2:8-9

Sanctifying Faith – Galatians 2:20

Twisted

  • Distort, Pervert
  • Faithless… twisted life of trust

Luke 9:1 – And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, (ESV)

The Savior

Rebuked the unclean spirit

  • Reminded him who He was
  • Showed His authority

Restored the son

  • Healed
  • Gave back to father

Reminded the disciples

  • No faith without the cross
  • Suffering servant
  • Provides the disciples with the means to live out the disciple life
    • Sins forgiven
    • Clothed with His righteousness

The What Now

  • Jesus sends us out to do ministry in a fallen world
  • Keep the faith and stay on track (keep following Jesus)
  • We have the authority and power to live faithfully
  • Jesus is the answer to the evils of the world

Luke 7:18-35 – “From Doubt to Faith”

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My sermon notes for Sunday morning, June 25th.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. The church provides a live stream of the service each Sunday at 10:30 on Facebook. We also provide the services through YouTube by Sunday afternoon.  You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.

Luke 7:18-35

INTRO

  • John is in prison and sends messengers to Jesus
  • Are you the one?
  • Doubt and true faith
  • When we have doubts.
  • Keep believing and trusting the Gospel

John’s Apprehension – vv. 18-23

Are you the one – v. 20

  • The forerunner of Christ
  • Preaching repentance.
  • Currently imprisoned. Matthew
  • Doubt and discouragement

Doubt is not unbelief

  • Moses – Numbers 11:10-15
  • Elijah – 1 Kings 19:1-12
  • Jeremiah – Jeremiah 20:7-9; 14-18
  • Paul – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Tell Him what you have seen and heard – v. 22

  • He did not REBUKE him but REMINDED him what he already knew
  • The words and deeds of Christ
  • The working and miracles of Jesus

Blessed is the one who is not offended – v. 23

  • Not “scandalized”
  • Do not fall for it
  • Keep trusting.
  • Remember who you are
  • Remember who Christ is

Jesus’ Affirmation – vv. 24-30

John was:

  • Not wavering in the wind – reed in the wind
  • Not living in luxury – soft clothing
  • A prophet – seeing the Messiah in person
    • Not from a distance (OT prophets)

It was not John the person, but rather JOHN’S FAITH that made him the person he was.

Yet, today (NEW COVENANT) BELIEVERS ARE GREATER! Our faith in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. – v. 28

  • John was greater as prophet because he got to see Jesus.
  • We are great today because we get to experience the redemptive work of Jesus!

Jesus’s Accusation – vv. 31-35

Children playing a game – v. 32

  • Not happy when you should be
  • Not sad when you need to be.
  • Fickle. Never satisfied.

Lack of faith was the problem – vv. 33-34

  • The did not believe John
    • Believe and be baptized
  • The did not believe Jesus
    • Believe and follow

Wisdom is justified by all her children – v.35

  • Wise unto salvation – 2 Timothy 3:15
  • Justified-Right
  • Children. Follower of John and Jesus

BY FAITH THEY TRUSTED IN THE MESSAGE AND RESPONDED.

HEARING – BELIEVING – TRUSTING – LIVING

FAITH OVERCOMES DOUBT