Foundations to build our lives upon so we can go on to a better understanding of what the message of the Bible is.

Hebrews 6: 1,2 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.   Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds…

  1. Believe in Jesus?

We here so much and I have even said it, “Ask Jesus into your heart and you will be saved and go to heaven.”

EXAMPLE: put toast in a toaster and then we are good for life.

First foundation is repentance from dead works.

What was the first message of John the Baptist?  Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 3: 2)

What was the message of Jesus? From that time Jesus began  to preach saying “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17)

So this foundation is more than just believe in Jesus, but repent but repent from what?

2. Dead Works

What are dead works?

  1. Sin when it is fully grown brings forth death James 1: 15
  2. wages of sin is death Romans 6: 23
  3. Death came into the world through sin and so death spread to all men because all sinned Romans 5: 12
  4. Sin leads to death Romans 6: 16
  5. Law of sin and death Romans 8: 2 so sin is dead works

Assemblies of God has a definition of sin that it holds out for us as ministers.

Galatians 5: 19,20 those who participate in these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

We now have a problem.  I have asked Jesus into my life and yet if I do these things, I will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Where is grace and forgiveness in this?

Back to the foundation stone.

3. Repentance Defined.

1 John 3:6-10 Repentance is a lifestyle change.

Jesus called people to more than just a belief system, he was calling us to a transformed life that renounced our old way of living.

what about tossing rocks?

One verse many people know in the bible is he who is without sin cast the first stone.

  1. Story from the woman caught in adultery. but a verse many don’t use is Jesus response to her.  John 8: 11 Go and sin no more (radical lifestyle change)
  2. No Condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.Romans 8: 1 goes on to say who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit
    1. Walk make due use of opportunities Damnation sensitive
  3. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth 1 John 1: 8
    1. Don’t let anyone deceive you with empty words because of such things the wrath of God is coming.
      1. Me too for abused women
      2. Children abused sexually
      3. Children addicted to drugs
      4. How long before God comes to bring justice to these areas
  4. BUT rather than deceive ourselves, If we confess our sins, he is able and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1: 9
  5. If we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2: 1

4. New Clothes.

Revelation 19:7-9 New clothes which are the righteous deeds of God’s Holy people.

Matthew 22: 1 – 14 Are we clothes with the righteousness of God or are we trying to stand in our own power.

More than just a one time toasting, but a lifestyle of pursuit and repentance when we fail.

I will rejoice greatly int he Lord, My should will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.