Gospel Salvation

This is an overview of The Gospel. It is a short explanation of what I see to be the Message God in His love for us is or has conveyed to each one of us. This short overview by no means captures the complete context or scope of His communication to us.

In and of itself can bring no-one to salvation, but instead is intended to be starting point, pointing to a place to start - The Word – which can and DOES bring salvation. It has the power unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

The  Power in The Word is the same Power that led the Israelites out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, established nations, performed many miracles as He led His children into the promisedland. It is the same Power that raised Christ while conquering sin and death, the Power that rent the temple veil from top to bottom, performs miracles in my and your lives. The Power that brings you, I, and all who accept it SALVATION!

This is intended to be a starting point for your own study(s).  The study of one word or subject can well lead to the study of another (Isa. 28:10).

There are many, many levels, of revelation to The Word. When we have one level of understanding with a particular verse then and only then can the Holy Spirit take you to a new level. When we are faithful to study and seek His Truth and Wisdom – He will!

Matthew 5:18    For truly I tell You, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

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     The Mosaic law is a set of rules God gave to the Israelites so they could live by them and thus have the best God could give them. However, don’t get caught up in the Old Testament being abolished by Christ thing. Jesus tells us that He (Jesus) did not come to abolish the Law, but fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). The only thing that has been abolished by Jesus’ coming is eternal damnation (if you accept Christ) as well as sin and death – NOT THE LAW!

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           Jesus always kept the Mosaic Law – God established out of reason and prescribed the precepts of living for His chosen people.

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        The Law and The Word are God’s communication and instruction with authority to us. They are the same, the big difference being what He has said and what He is saying to us.

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           Jesus is speaking here of the infallibility and the eternal nature as well as the ultimate authority of the Word.

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           He is telling us, that it’s if it’s in the Word, it’s true, it will be done and that’s final.  There’s nothing anyone can do about it.  Since God said it-it will be done.

John 1:1    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

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          The essential Word (logos) of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. His intent and further communication with mankind. In this sense Jesus is the final account or word.

• ·        In my own personal study what God has said vs. what He is saying have the same Authority.

• ·        It's hard to imagine eternity in the past tense. When we think of eternity, we tend to think future tense. God makes it clear to us, however, that His eternal existence was before the creation of man. Before you and I existed.

• ·        God makes it very clear that before you and I existed He was.

• ·        The Word being God, existed before us, created man, created the animals, created the plants, the Moon and stars and everything that exists.

·        Since God is perfect and the Word is God, The Word is perfect also.

John 1:14   The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

•     John 1:1 in context with John 1:14 clearly references Jesus.

•    Since The Word is God and perfect and reveals His Glory, we can’t speak of the Word without talking about His Glory. 

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   Hebrews 1:3      Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

These verses and many others tell us beyond doubt, God’s Glory is revealed in Jesus, who is The Word and God Himself.

This brings up of two very interesting Greek words; logos (Strong’s G3056) and rhema (Strong’s G4487).

 Very simply, logos refer to a collection, a disposition, used for Christ in John 1:1. Rhema is the specific word being said.

The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," (Eph 6:17) here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.

One of my friends, who’s teaching I gladly absorb, one time asked the question with a follow-up statement – “if The Gospel is as simple as ‘love your neighbor’ why can’t that be printed on a business card sized piece of stock and handed out like tracks? Everyone would then have The Gospel!” (Rhetorical but still a great question, all rhetorical questions have answers you know)

I can give a way over simplified, extremely partial answer to this question having to do with logos and rhema. Keep in mind there are many more facets to the answer and this question touches more subject matter than this.

My reasoning goes something like this: every play in football is designed to score.  Every verse in the Bible is designed to win the salvation of that reader.  The situation determines the effectiveness of that play in football or the verse in the Bible.  With every situation the play or verse will be more or less effective. That doesn’t mean the play or verse is or isn’t effective or relevant, it just means that in that situation another verse or play might be better. The effectiveness is determined by the situation. 

So it is with logos and rhema. Logos is what has already been decided by God and the communication of it. Rhema is individual instruction applied to the situation within the specifics of logos.

As you see here, the Authorship and the Authority are the same. The difference between these two words or thoughts is the body of knowledge vs. individualized application.  

You see, in His love for us, He tells us over and over again, to not only listen to Him, but do what He says.  He tells what to do or choose, then He leaves it up to us. 

Deuteronomy 30: 19 tells us:  This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

So you see if that in God’s love for us, he not only tells us what’s good for us, but also lets us choose because he loves us so much.  We are truly responsible for our own deeds or misdeeds. 

 I can't emphasize enough how important this is.He communicated His Wisdom to us Personally, (through Moses). He sent Jesus (His Word). The written Word (The Bible you and I now have).

Just think, the God who formed the universe by the work of his fingers (Psalm 8), who created man by the Word of His Power (Hebrews 1:3) cares for your and my well being.

In Hebrews 1:3, we see the Word as being unlimited, the word the writer uses is the Greek word rhema, which when coupled with the Greek word dynamis conveys the idea of unlimited power in action.  After all the Word was God and the Word is God.  God describes himself as the Great I Am.   Our God is all powerful, all knowing, indescribable-without description, without superlative-unlimited. 

We must realize, that God’s Word (unlimited Power) and His chosen way to communicate to us are two different things (the same only different).  The Bible, if you’re a nonbeliever, is just another book.  It's just, in that case, a meaningless set of words.

Don't get me wrong, truth is truth whether you or I believe it or not.  The Communication still contains Eternal Truths and is all powerful.  But the individual, that person who the communication is meant for-who God desperately loves, may choose to reject it.   

Remember, he loves us so much, he gives us that choice.

But on the other hand, if we approach the Word of God seeking truth, seeking wisdom, it is literally alive and most importantly our way to know Him.

It is my belief and prayer that with the study of His Word your knowledge and relationship will be started / deepened. I know that Hebrews 11 :6 is without doubt true and it says:

 Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The presence of God is His reward in and of Itself to us. There is no reward greater. We find that out by studying His Word!

The Sacrifice Of God And Man

This study was presented at the Polk County Jail in 2007.  We just touch on some principals and I think, the main concept of the Bible. 

 If we treat others half as good as He treats us, the world would be different place.  We would have no need for jails or police. We would have no need for courts. We wouldn't sue each other. There would be no need.

We can't out-give God. His very nature to give.  Our nature is to be selfish. That is why we must think like Him. So we can mirror his actions - follow His example. 

It becomes apparent that our actions are to mirror God's actions toward us. That may be overly simplistic.

 We readily see, That He expects us to sacrifice or give gifts to others the way He treats us and sacrifices for us.

Rom 12:1-2  21^st Century  KJV

 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God

Beseech – Call near , invite, ask, call you to, intreat, call for, pray, beg, implore urgently

            Rom 15:30,

                       

·        Paul invites us to think about, by begging (he must think what he is saying is important) us in an urgent manner and tells us to listen to his message.

Therefore – so, hence, then

Bretheren –

 1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother

2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman

3) any fellow or man

4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection

5) an associate in employment or office

6) brethren in Christ

a) his brothers by blood

b) all men  - don’t forget “God would that all men be saved”   1Ti 2:4  - Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

c) apostles

d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place

Mercies  –  God’s mercy / save sinners by re-establishing His Kingdom. Gal 2:8-9

1.	compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.

2.	the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.

3.	the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.

4.	an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

5.	something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

6.	at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: They were at the mercy of their captors.   Also, at one's mercy.

Present -  

1.	to furnish or endow with a gift or the like, esp. by formal act
3.	afford or furnish
11.	to represent, impersonate, or act,
16.	a thing presented as a gift
4.	to hand over or submit

Lets take a look at an old testament sacrifice: - it will become clear that a sacrifice is a gift. 

Leviticus 16:7New International Version (NIV)    ⁷ Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting

The idea here is to make a gift of something, to give something, a gift is always free – or at least it is supposed to be. In this case a sacrifice to the Living God, a gift from a man.

The creation is never greater than creator. We know man could never give anything to God. However, in the case of worship (as is the case with all giving) the act of giving is the true gift. 

·         Gift always free next slide next slide.

·         A gift is always given in love. 

·          What do we call gifts (Christmas, birthday presents – spelled the same way). Remember God’s free Gift in salvation (undeserved) He – presented or gave to us?

·         We can never out give God, in the old test. He put in place a series of animal sacrifices because He had not sent His Son yet to be a perm. Sac for us. Think of that he sent His Son not only to re-establish His Kingdom here on earth but through His Son, a permanent sacrifice or gift was given to each on of us.

your body -  a temple -  1 Cor. 6:19 – A temple is where sacs were made

a living sacrifice – your reasonable service  - acceptable to God

Rom 15:16                  Gal 2:20 – after what He has done for us it’s the least we can do for Him.

                                                We are Crucified with Him – if we are joint heirs with Him Rom 8:17

Like any father all God wants for us is the best.  (His Children)

1.   He thru Paul, tells us to give ourselves over to Him and His way of thinking, His service (by working for Him, in our church, by helping and building each other up, etc. what ever He wants you to do specifically) He speaks to us most of time thru His Word, Pray – listen/spend time being quiet specifically to listen to God. 

2.   He tells us not to be like the unbelieving world but transform or change your thinking to the way He thinks. (He says that the least we can do) – when we do that (the more we think like Him. Or our thoughts line up with His, then it’s easier to discern His voice)

3.   We learn what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God the more we meditate on His Word. It’s a circle of Gods Love toward us: The more we meditate on His Word the more He reveals to us and the more He reveals to us, the more we meditate on His Word.

Consider this in-light of understanding through daily meditation of               God’s Word:

Luke 8:18New International Version (NIV)   ¹⁸ Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

4.   . The more we learn about Him the more we will want to learn - for who can resist then The God of the universe?

(read)  Isaiah 28: 9&10 “line upon line, precept upon precept”

5.   Paul telling us to meditate (think about, mull over, kick around) The Word

6.   When we do this, our view of situations – good or bad, begins to change to the way God see them. This is what He wants for us and tells us to meditate on His Word in many places in the Bible.

The Contrast Between The Book Of Job and The Book Of Psalms

·        Pray

·        Job wealthy and feared God – Bible says complete integrity (Job 1:1-12)

·        Satan tries to drive wedge btwn Job / God – convinces God to allow  

Tests. (I’m always amazed at the access that Satan seems to have to The God Of The Universe. [remember, God is perfect, everything about Him is legal and organized because of His perfection])

·        Story progresses – Job loses: family’, possessions, health

·        people that knew him are convinced that through sin, he brought this on himself

·        his wife in essence tells him he may as well “end it”

·        4 friends come to talk – Job didn’t talk for days

Friends just sat with him – (sometimes we don’t have to say anything to someone hurting. Just being there is what they need)

·        when they finally could talk to him tried to convince him to repent – his bad fortune caused by God punishing unrepented sin.

·        God rebukes Jobs friend for thinking he had something to do with this – good in us always about Him ~ bag always about us or Satan.

·        Job makes the case that he is righteous toward God and better than the unrighteous.

·        Job not so concerned about what he’d lost, but why he lost it.

·        Job asks God  “why”

·        God then rebukes Job tells him don’t worry about it I Am Sovereign – what I say goes – tells Job whats what. 38:1- 41:34 (1:4 – 8 & sample)

·        Job is restored (chapter 42

·        lessons Job learned

1.    God is sovereign – ALL AUTHORITY

2.    Bad things will happen to good people – Gen 3, Satan (always testing, hates God and His people, Satan has limitations)

3.    not that bad things wont happen, how we act when bad things happen – God want us to rely on Him alone.

4.    God then fairness…not fairness then God

·        Psalms are praise, laments, some wisdom (proverbs) all over the place. Not one story…a collection of conversations from the heart.

·        Written mostly through David and son Solomon

·        All Psalms put God first – acknowledge His Sovereignty

·        They never ask “why me, I’m a good guy”

·        Job asks until God sets him straight, “I’m righteous, why me?” – ignore God’s Sovereignty

·        Psalms always seem to say “you are God, WHY NOT ME?”

·        Psalms will ask for help – in doing so acknowledge God is only help

Ask class to draw conclusions btwn Job and Psalms