Grace Through Faith, Not by Works; Key Doctrines series

 

So, we’ve covered Jesus’ birth, as well as His death, burial, and resurrection. We’ve also shown that it’s important to realize His death was for our sins – He took the punishment we deserved for our sins. Our sins may not seem like much, but even if you tend to be very well behaved, or the kid you witness to does, remember this.

Some years ago at camp, a 10YO girl was there from another church. The staff didn’t’ know her, but she was doing so many verses, and behaving so well, such a leader they figured she had to already know Jesus as her Saviour.

Finally, the last night, she came forward at the invitation. Surprised, they asked why she thought she needed to be saved. Her answer: “I’m a Pharisee.” She saw she was doing it all to please people, and relying on her own good works to get her to Heaven. Even if she was like Nicodemus, and just realized she couldn’t do it on her own, she knew her heart was wicked.She knew she needed to trust Jesus to save her. She called on Jesus that night to save her from her sins. So, think about what you live for, and urge others to, also: That if you’ve never trusted Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection to save you, you can right now and He will.

What does skating have to do with the other crucial doctrine, which is Jesus’ return?

The doctrine of imminence – that Jesus could come back for us at any time – should make us want to share the Gospel. And, our skate rally, which I’ll share more about in a separate page, is a vital way to bring people to hear the Gospel.

Knowing Jesus will return isn’t vital for salvation. Some saved people don’t know. But, it’s easy for them to fall into the trap of thinking we can make a perfect world. We can’t, though. Imperfect people can’t make something perfect. It’d be like me trying to teach you to do surgery. I know more about medicine than most, though Robbie I imagine you wish you didn’t have to know so much. I could share basics about the knee, for instance, from my uncle and a cousin have said. But, I couldn’t repair or replace an actual knee.

Now, I can tell you if a doctor says you tore rotator cuff in your knee, run away as fast as you can. Your rotator cuff is in your shoulder. We aren’t perfect, but adults are here so you can grow. It’s just you need to know what the Bible says so you don’t fall for false doctrine. Just like you can trust a layman’s advice: “Never trust a doctor who would do rotator cuff surgery on your knee.” We adults should know where to turn if we don’t know, like I would my cousin Dan Myer or others at Akron area’s Crystal Clinic. (There’s a Canton location, too.)

The ABCs of salvation may not contain Jesus’ return, but you can see in the Bible He will rule for a literal 1,000 years. (Rev. 20) All animals will be peaceful – we can’t tame all dogs, we sure can’t tame lions, wolves, etc. like Is. 11 says it will be. There is no perfect system - we are people with sin natures. Yet when Jesus sets up His government, His reign will be a time of perfect peace and justice. If someone commits a crime, for instance, they won’t get away with it. We will rule and reign with Him, and we’ll be led by the Holy Spirit. Humans tend to let people get away with evil, though, if it suits them.

This is why we can’t “fix this world so Jesus can come.” Yes, we should try to make things better, but our reason can’t be to do it for Jesus. Our reason must be so we can be the salt and light of the world. We should make things better for others so they see a reason to want to go to Heaven, so they see a difference between us and the world. “If these people are this nice and friendly now, Heaven will really be wonderful,” they should say. This is why Jesus said we should be known by our loved toward one another. (John 13:35)

Traci Warner is a prime example. She is a medical missionary in Nicaragua. She helps people through her medical work, but it’s not just about making their lives better here. It’s so they see the love Jesus has for them. It’s just like when Haven of Rest helps women, or Pregnancy Choices helps young mothers. Or when we have our skate rallies. The purpose is to show something about Jesus’ love and care for them.

This world will get worse. The Bible says there’s a way out, though. That is to make sure we have a home in Heaven. And, to be telling others about Jesus so they can trust Him to save them, too. That’s why we have our Gospel skate rallies and other activities.

Remember salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. There can be no works in it – if there is it’s not full grace. Grace is a free gift. We can’t do anything for Jesus – He did it all Himself.  Yes, we serve Him because we love Him, and He rewards us for our service when it’s for Him and not for selfish reasons. But, we can’t add anything to His great gift of salvation. And, people who think they can bring His kingdom now are often trying to earn what we can never earn on our own merit.

I reference a Gospel skate rally here and maybe a couple others where we had them.