Grace and Righteousness
Grace and Righteousness6
I Will Clothe Thee With Change of Raiment
By A.B. Simpson0PHP 3:8COL 3:12A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the Christian life is a manifestation of the grace of Jesus Christ, urging believers to 'put on' the Lord Jesus and His righteousness. He highlights that qualities such as mercy, kindness, and love are not inherent but are gifts from Jesus, as Paul instructs the Colossians to embody these traits. Simpson reflects on Paul's journey, noting that even after years of faith, Paul considered everything a loss compared to knowing Christ. The sermon calls for believers to be clothed in Christ's righteousness and to align their hearts with His love. Ultimately, it is a reminder of the transformative power of Christ in our lives.
"Three Dimensions of Christian Living"
By A.W. Tozer0TIT 2:11A.W. Tozer emphasizes the three dimensions of Christian living: sobriety, righteousness, and godliness. He explains that grace teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, urging them to have the backbone to stand firm against societal pressures. Tozer highlights that true Christian living involves a balance of self-control, justice towards others, and reverence for God. He encourages Christians to embrace a life of positive action, living soberly and righteously in a world that often promotes the opposite. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a vibrant faith that reflects God's grace and leads to a life of freedom and purpose.
Not Law but Promise Galatians 3
By John Nelson Darby0GEN 12:1GEN 22:16JHN 1:17ROM 3:20ROM 7:6GAL 3:10GAL 3:19GAL 3:26EPH 2:8HEB 11:8John Nelson Darby emphasizes the stark contrast between the law and the promise in Galatians 3, illustrating that the law brings a curse while the promise offers grace and blessing. He explains that the law, which demands human obedience, cannot provide righteousness or life, whereas the promise, given to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ, is based on faith and God's grace. Darby argues that the coexistence of law and promise is impossible, as they represent two distinct systems of God's dealing with humanity. He highlights that righteousness comes through faith in Christ, who bore the curse of the law, allowing believers to receive the blessings of the promise. Ultimately, Darby calls for a clear understanding of our relationship with God, which is rooted in grace rather than obligation to the law.
The First Man and the Second
By John Nelson Darby0GEN 3:6ISA 53:5JHN 14:6ROM 5:122CO 5:21EPH 2:8COL 1:20HEB 10:141PE 2:24REV 21:27John Nelson Darby emphasizes the contrast between the first man, Adam, who fell into sin and was cast out of God's presence, and the second man, Christ, who restores believers to a heavenly relationship with God. He explains that while Adam's disobedience brought sin and separation, Christ's righteousness allows believers to be made the righteousness of God. Darby highlights the importance of recognizing our sinful nature and the need for repentance, as well as the grace provided through Christ's sacrifice, which enables us to return to God. He warns against the lies of Satan that lead us away from God's goodness and stresses that true happiness is found in submission to God's will. Ultimately, Darby reassures that through faith in Christ, believers are forgiven and brought into the presence of God, free from sin and judgment.
Romans Iv.
By John Owen0ROM 4:2John Owen expounds on Romans chapter 4, emphasizing that Abraham was justified not by works but by faith alone, which serves as a model for all believers. He clarifies that the works referred to are not those of the Jewish law but rather moral obedience, which does not contribute to justification. Owen argues that justification is a gracious act of God, where faith is counted as righteousness, and that all men are ungodly before justification, highlighting the radical nature of God's grace. He asserts that faith itself is not a work that earns righteousness but is the means through which God's righteousness is imputed to us. The sermon concludes by affirming that God justifies the ungodly, a truth that challenges conventional views on the necessity of good works for salvation.
Emblems From the Mount
By A.B. Simpson0HEB 12:18A.B. Simpson emphasizes the contrast between the terrifying presence of God at Mount Sinai and the grace-filled access believers have to God through Jesus Christ at Mount Zion. He reflects on how the law reveals our unholiness and incapacity to meet God's standards, leading us to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and righteousness. Simpson illustrates that while God's holiness is consuming, it is through Christ's sacrifice that we can approach Him without fear, being covered by His blood and empowered by His Spirit. The sermon encourages believers to embrace God's holiness and grace, recognizing that true strength comes from Christ living within us.