Faith and Righteousness
Faith and Righteousness5
Characteristics of Effective Prayer
By Mike Bickle2555:29JAS 5:15Mike Bickle emphasizes the transformative power of effective prayer, sharing his personal journey from disdain to enjoyment of prayer. He highlights that prayer is not only about relationship with God but also about achieving results, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the example of Elijah. Bickle outlines four key characteristics of effective prayer: rooted in faith, grounded in good relationships, stemming from a lifestyle of righteousness, and earnestness. He encourages believers to understand that their prayers can have lasting impacts beyond immediate results, reinforcing the idea that every believer can access God's power through sincere prayer.
Isaiah 54:17
By Chuck Smith0PSA 23:1ISA 54:17MAT 7:21JHN 15:14ROM 1:172CO 5:21EPH 6:12PHP 3:9JAS 2:171PE 5:8Chuck Smith emphasizes the identity and responsibilities of God's servants, highlighting that true servanthood involves submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord and trusting in His righteousness through faith rather than works. He explains that obedience to God's commands is essential, and that serving Him entails seeking to please Him above all else. Smith reassures that as God's servants, believers can rely on His provision and protection, especially in the face of spiritual battles against Satan, who seeks to undermine their faith.
Power With God Exemplified in Job
By T. Austin-Sparks0JOB 1:6T. Austin-Sparks explores Job's profound spiritual journey, illustrating how he transitioned from a state of self-righteousness to a deep reliance on God's grace through immense suffering. Job's trials, which stripped him of all earthly possessions and relationships, ultimately led him to a place of faith that transcended his own works, allowing him to stand before God with a new understanding of divine mercy. This experience mirrors the greater humiliation and exaltation of Christ, who also endured suffering to achieve victory over evil. Sparks emphasizes that true power with God is found in serving Him through suffering, which ultimately vindicates God's creation and purpose. The sermon concludes by affirming that through our own trials, we can emerge with a deeper knowledge of God and the ability to intercede for others.
Justification by Faith
By F.B. Meyer0ROM 4:2F.B. Meyer emphasizes the doctrine of justification by faith, using Abraham as a prime example of how belief, rather than works, leads to righteousness before God. He points out that Abraham was justified through faith long before the act of circumcision, illustrating that faith is the key to receiving God's grace. Meyer asserts that this principle applies to all believers, including Gentiles, who can claim the same promises and justifying righteousness through faith. He highlights that justification costs us our pride but was paid for by Christ's sacrifice. Ultimately, Meyer encourages believers to embrace their identity as heirs of God's promises through faith.
Way to Be Holy
By Charles Finney0ROM 8:1ROM 10:4Charles Finney emphasizes that Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness, clarifying misconceptions about the law's abolition and the nature of justification. He argues that the moral law remains obligatory and that Christ's role is to inspire true obedience through faith, rather than merely providing a legal justification. Finney explains that faith in God's character is essential for genuine obedience, as it fosters love and confidence in Him. Ultimately, he asserts that the way to holiness is through belief in Christ, who transforms believers and enables them to fulfill the law's requirements.