The Vineyard
I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart
from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
Acts 12.1-24
Pray for God to speak to you through
the reading of His word.
Read the passage.
-
James- Dying for Christ
o
Do you think you would have had the
courage James had, to die for Christ?
o
James died physically, but is his
life really over?
-
Peter- Living for Christ
o
If confronted with a situation like
Peter, could you display the same amount of calm and assurance?
o
What do you think Peter had learned
from Jesus, and from his past experiences?
o
Peter is freed to live, but he
continues to live not for himself, but for Christ. What does that tell you about our allegiance,
and our priorities?
-
Herod- Dying for Self
o
Like many rulers, Herod always sought
his own glory. When he died, what
happened to his glory, his power, and his wealth?
Pray for those in our world today,
who like James, will lose their life for the sake of Christ.
Pray for those in our world like
Peter, who through imprisonment and persecution continue to glorify God.
Pray for those like Herod, who are
living for themselves. Pray that they,
and that we ourselves, will recognize the wisdom in living and dying for God,
rather than ourselves.
SAVING FAITH COMES FROM HEARING GOD'S WORD
ReplyDeleteDo men receive faith, that saves, because God arbitrarily bestows them with faith? Does God predetermined who will be saved and them cause them to have faith so they can be saved? No and No.
Faith comes from hearing God's word preached.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(NKJV)
Romans 10:14 How they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?(NKJV)
Faith comes when men believe the gospel. Faith is not forced on men by God.
MISUNDERSTOOD PROOF-TEXT EPHESIANS 2:8
Ephesians 2:8 is used to prove that faith is a gift from God, however, that is not what is says.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God,(NKJV)
Salvation is the gift from God. Faith is not the gift.
Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Why would Jesus condemn men who do not believe if God is the one who arbitrarily bestows faith on men so they can be saved?
To have faith that Jesus is the Son of God is a choice. To trust in God is a choice. To believe that God resurrected Jesus from the grave is a choice. To believe that Jesus is both Lord and Christ is a choice. God does not force men to have faith. Saving faith is the not a gift from God. Salvation is the gift from God.
WHAT MUST MEN DO TO BE SAVED?
1. Hear the gospel. Romans 10:17
2. Believe. John 3:16
3. Confess. Romans 10:9
4. Repent. Acts 3:19
5. Be baptized in water. Acts 2:38
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY CHRISTIAN BLOG. Google search >>>steve finnell a christian view