First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
|
Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
|
Click above for First Baptist email access.
|
“Re…” Titus 3:4-7 Mark Howdeshell (16 September 2007) Titus 3:4-7 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Introduction “Re-s…”--- That sounds almost as crazy as last weeks message. What in the world is a “RE”? !!!??
But first…….A mini-sermon about lyingA minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the
sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."
Heart of the Matter As we look at our message today, consider the following sequence: remember, repent, redeem, reborn, rejoice, and remember. These are six critical steps in the life of every believer. These are the six steps we want to look at this morning. Review of Last Message Last week we looked at the cause and effect passages of the Bible and how some of them are written to speak to us in a powerful way. We continue to study His Word. John 16:1--- “All this I have told you SO THAT you will not go astray.” The Meat of the Message For the next few minutes, I’m going to discuss the 6 “Re-s” vital to a Christians life. It is imperative that we are fully aware and that we understand the importance of these steps so that we can share these steps with those that God puts in our paths to witness to. 1. Remember—comes from the word to be mindful….again. Many places in the scripture tell us to remember. We are to remember our transgressions, our longing of the Father, and our inadequacy to do anything about it. Meanwhile, we don’t want God to remember our sins and our shortfalls. · Eph 2:11-13 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. · Ps 25:6-7 6 Remember , O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. 2. Repent—comes from the word meaning to feel regret. As we remember, or as someone reminds us of our sins, we should regret our actions towards God. As we regret, and as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, then we must repent, or turn away from, our past and turn towards our future with God. · The sentence for refusing to repent is harsh…and final. i. Luke 13:1-5 1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent , you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent , you too will all perish." · The guidance is clear… i. Acts 2:37-39 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." ii. Acts 3:19-21 19 Repent , then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. 3. Redeem—comes from the word meaning “retake.” Jesus died for us to “retake” us back into His kingdom. We are fallen and have no hope of eternal grace without the redemption of Christ. · Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 4. Rebirth or reborn—“BORN AGAIN!!” The renewing of our spirit to be in unity with Jesus. To be born again is to be saved and eternally secure in our salvation with him. · Titus 3:3-8 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. · John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again ." 5. Rejoice—comes from the word meaning “to welcome, enjoy, or to be glad”. We have been BORN AGAIN!! REJOICE!!! YELL IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP!!! I’VE BEEN SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS!!! · Luke 6:23 "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. · Phil 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! · Phil 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice ! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 6. Remember—I included remember again because those that don’t remember their past failures are doomed to repeat them. We are told not to dwell on them, but to learn from them. Our promise from God is that He will no longer remember our failures. For that we can be thankful!! · Heb 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." · Luke 17:20-35 20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." 22 Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot's wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." The Bottom Line We are told to “Remember Lot’s wife!” Remember the lessons of your youth, the lessons from those that came before us in the Word, and remember Christ’s sacrifice for you. Never forget His unending love in your life. The 6 “Re-s” …. Remember, repent, redeem, reborn, rejoice, remember. Words to live by!!! INVITATION: This morning’s invitation is focused on remembrance. As we go into our time of invitation, I invite you to remember. The altar is open is open if you remember regrets that you haven’t laid at the Father’s feet. The alter is open, if you feel the need to publicly praise Him for a blessing that you remember. The alter is open, for you to draw closer to Him. |
|
Send mail to
webmaster@firstbaptistfairbanks.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
