Justification By Faith (Saved & In Love) - Dr David Antwi

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[0:40] Let's look at Romans chapter 3, verse 24. It says that being justified freely by his grace. Say, I'm justified. I'm justified. Being justified freely by his grace.

[0:51] Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who God set forth as a propitiation by his blood through faith to demonstrate his righteousness.

[1:02] Because in his forbearance, God has passed over the sins that were previously committed. Amen. So, three major words here. Justification. Let's say justification.

[1:17] And then redemption. Say redemption. Then propitiation. And last week, I took some time to explain propitiation. Okay. What's the idea behind propitiation?

[1:29] How many of you remember? Remember? To what? To appease the justice of God.

[1:41] Yes. Remember I spoke about expiation and propitiation? Expiation has more to do with the justice of God. And I spoke about how propitiation is to awaken the love of God.

[1:55] You remember? But you're right. It's okay. It's okay in many instances when you say propitiation is to appease the justice of God or the wrath of God. You know, just to propitiate.

[2:05] Make him, ah, okay, now I'm at peace. I don't have a problem with you again. Like, ah, that's kind of propitiation. It conjures the imagery of satisfying someone who is previously upset.

[2:22] Right? So we spoke about propitiation. Now, there's one more word which is in Romans chapter 8. I want to stay on a little bit. But today we are going to learn some interesting things.

[2:34] Matthew chapter 13 verse 44. All right. It says that. Is it okay if we read it together? All right. Let's go. Let's read it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and hid.

[2:50] And for joy over it, he goes and sells all the years and buys the field. Interesting. He said the kingdom of heaven, all right, which is kind of the same as the kingdom of God.

[3:03] It's like treasure hidden in a field. But the man found it. And he notices the treasure in the field which others haven't seen. Goes home and that's what?

[3:15] What does he do? He sells all the years. His wedding ring, his iPad, his shoes, his suits, his new car, his sound system.

[3:27] He sells everything he has to raise enough money to go and buy that field. Why? Because he knows the field has treasure and the treasure in that field outweighs every other thing he owns.

[3:44] But people don't know so it will be undersold. So he went buying it with his eyes. He said that's how being born again is like.

[3:56] That's how being justified is like. Verse 45 says that. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls.

[4:11] Who when he had found one pearl of great price went and sold all that he had and bought it. Do you realize that there is always selling here?

[4:23] Something must go because of something you found. Justification by faith will always result in something going. The kingdom of heaven, justification by faith, it's just like that.

[4:40] It says that you find something. You go and notice that this thing has got all that you've got. You go back. Sell everything you've got so you can attain and acquire that.

[4:57] Let's look at the next, the last verse. And let's see if it also has got something to say in that regard. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind which when was full, they drew to shore and they sat down and gathered the good into the vessel and threw out the bad.

[5:23] There must always be thrown out something. Verse 47.

[5:34] He said the kingdom of God is like a dragnet. What's a dragnet? A fishing net. The one you throw into the sea to catch. So it's just like that.

[5:46] You throw it. So really, the nets did a lot of gathering. But I gathered all kinds of stuff. God gathered you with everything.

[5:59] Just us. Just us. Okay. So you didn't have to do it. You were just gathered. Justification by faith. You were just gathered. No. Let me pause to say this.

[6:14] See, when we talk about saving faith, saving faith, the faith that saves us, let me put it there. The faith that no one can be saved outside of faith. So the fact that you are saved stands to imply you have faith.

[6:28] But remember, noticia, ascensos, and what? Fodukia. Please, clap for yourself.

[6:39] You are just amazing. Noticia is the content. Ascensos is the ascent, acceptance of that this fact is true.

[6:51] And so, noticia is a chair. I can sit in it. It's a chair. This is a chair. I accept it's a chair. Can I actually sit on it?

[7:03] This is a chair. I would want to sit on it. You know, I accept that it's a chair. And then, Fodukia is, okay, I'm going to rest my entire posterior on it, knowing that it won't hurt me.

[7:15] Okay? So then you commit to it. So the saving faith that saves us, that brings us justification, has content. You can say, the man asks for, what must I do to be saved?

[7:27] He said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. You and your household. Many people say, I can't believe in Jesus Christ. In what sense? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. But, okay, how do you, what do you, what do you know about Jesus to believe in him?

[7:38] That's why the church must take time to teach about Jesus Christ. I can't wait for sola Christos, Christ alone. We must take time to teach about Christ. So people know this Christ they have believed in.

[7:50] Say amen. Amen. All right. So, but then, I realize that there is something that most of us are missing. Many people come to Christ because he's a healer.

[8:03] Christ is a healer. And they have sex. When you, when you come to Christ, he will save you from going to hell. How many of you agree with that? So why, why, why would you embrace that?

[8:16] What are some of the things, the benefits you get in Christ when you come to Christ? Yes? You, you have peace. Peace. Okay. Healing. He's a healer. Now, that's a very important one.

[8:30] Some people behave like they don't know about that one. Forgiveness of sins. Ah, does anyone identify with that? Yeah. No, it says, you are forgiving your sins. Why wouldn't you, why wouldn't you like it?

[8:43] And that's the kind of gospel that is true. All right. Prosperity. He said, I am the Lord that healeth. God is able to supply oil. God is a God of prosperity. You enjoy the covenant of prosperity.

[8:56] All right. So these things that we are talking about, it is because we are in Christ. That's why we, we are entitled to them. All right. So there's so much. Now, why wouldn't you want to even enjoy it? Now, I have, I've attended several crusades and done crusades and preached to people.

[9:11] And sometimes the message is, is like, it has this, um, bait. That come to Christ and you'll be free from the sickness. Now, why wouldn't someone come to Christ?

[9:22] What, what you get in Christ, it's so much, it outweighs anything you can invest in. It outweighs everything. Right. But I discovered that there is even more. There is even more when it comes to saving faith.

[9:36] Saving faith is not only about you are saved from hell and I'm, hear me, I'm glad. Saving faith also generates something in you.

[9:47] Remember, the kingdom of God is like a merchant who finds a pearl of great price. After finding it, he goes to do something in order to secure this thing, in order to embrace this thing.

[10:03] Something lives their life. It's a kingdom of God is like a man who sees a treasure in a field. And then with joy, with excitement.

[10:14] Say joy. Joy. Say joy. Joy. With joy goes to sell all that he has in order to secure the land with the treasure.

[10:27] Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8, verse 1. Someone is blessed here. Amen. Therefore, there is now no condemnation.

[10:39] Let's all read it together. Let's go. Therefore, to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.

[10:51] All right. Let's read it again. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. One more time. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

[11:06] There is therefore now no condemnation. Say no condemnation. Say no condemnation. Say no condemnation.

[11:19] There is therefore now no condemnation. Now, we are going to talk about condemnation. That's what we get once we are justified.

[11:33] Justification means no condemnation. Welcome. Justification means no condemnation. Say no condemnation. No condemnation. But there are two types of condemnation spoken about in Romans.

[11:47] Romans. The first type of condemnation actually has a direct relationship with Romans. It has to do with the condemnation that comes between Romans chapter 1 verse 18 to Romans chapter 3 verse 20.

[12:03] I told you I like Romans chapter 3 verse 20. I just want to draw your attention to something quickly. We are going to read Romans chapter 1 verse 18. It spans Romans chapter 1 verse 18 to 3 verse 20.

[12:15] But we will just read 3 verse 19, 20. And then we will read Romans chapter 3 again verse 25 which was the opening text. And then from there we will go and read Romans chapter 7.

[12:28] All right. But this is an objective condemnation. Romans chapter 1 verse 18. Thank you Jesus. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all what?

[12:45] Ungodliness. Ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. All right. This ungodliness and unrighteousness is the ones that we do. How many of us have done ungodliness before?

[13:00] Some of you haven't. I was trying to find out those who have it so you can come and take over and teach us. And unrighteousness. All right. So when we talk about righteousness, this is where the law and people get confused about the law.

[13:14] Because righteousness, the right things you do. Right. Now, you are not saved by your righteousness. The righteousness of the law. The right things you do. Right.

[13:25] Now, so he says, but watch this. This is interesting. But God's anger, God's wrath is revealed from heaven against bad things people do. God is not okay with misbehavior.

[13:39] Oh, I don't want to go into the law. Let me talk about the natural law of God. Watch this. Someone went somewhere and met some Christians.

[13:54] He was invited to come and teach them. And then when he goes in this big house and meets them. And then at dinner, that's when he's coming to do the teaching. After dinner, they all gathered.

[14:05] And then he can see pictures of dead relatives in the house all over. And then everyone brings pictures of their dead relatives. And then they start praying. Oh, maybe my dead relative is called, oh, Joseph.

[14:20] Oh, Joseph. This business I'm about to do. Help me, Joseph. And so the man asks, hey, hold on a minute. What are you guys doing? So, no, no, no.

[14:31] We are calling the spirit of our dead relatives to come and help us. We love them. I say, but this is not Christian. No, by the help of the Holy Spirit, we are doing it. But then he says, no, no.

[14:44] This is not allowed. Why do you say that? New Testament? No. In the Old Testament, Bible says, no, no. But New Testament is different. We are no more under law. So, that was the law of the Old Testament.

[14:56] But in New Testament, that's fine. This is okay. Like in the Old Testament, Exodus chapter 20, verse 1. It says that, go to the verse 2.

[15:08] It says that, I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of Israel. Verse 3. The first thing he said, you shall not do what? Are we under law?

[15:19] Are we under law? So, then you can go and have some ghosts in your house and still, because that's the law. Does that make sense? Then if you are not under law, then someone can say, I'm not under law.

[15:31] That was another law. That's what God gave them, the decalong. So, I, this does not affect me. Because, Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith.

[15:41] I am justified by faith freely. So, it doesn't matter what law I don't obey or I can do anything. It's called antinomianism. I can do anything and I'm fine.

[15:54] There are, what theologians call, the, um, um, this, there are some laws God gave them, which is, it's more of a reflection of his nature.

[16:08] Whilst other laws like, that shall not eat pork. And all those things. Those ones were, um, I've forgotten the real theology. But, but it's like, he, he, he, out of his choice, okay, Phil, okay, you guys shouldn't eat this.

[16:22] It may have benefits for them not eating it. But it doesn't impact directly our holiness. But the other ones are, it's, it's out of, it's called the, God's natural law.

[16:33] It's based on his holiness. So, you can't say, I am born again. I'm justified not by the works of the law. So, I can do anything. We just read that the, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against unrighteousness.

[16:47] So, what you do matters. Oh, am I, am I, am I getting across that? What you do matters. Don't say, okay, now I'm saved. I can do anything.

[16:58] And it does, God doesn't mind because, bro, Jesus has done all the good things. So, I'm just saved because I have faith in Jesus and I can do anything at all. No, when you are born again, the kingdom of God is like someone who finds a land and goes to sell some rubbish stuff.

[17:17] Tell someone, sell those stuff. Sell those stuff. Tell them, give it up. Give it up. All right.

[17:28] So, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness. Watch this very carefully. Now, that is a depiction of the condemnation.

[17:40] It's called objective condemnation based on the things we do. So, from Romans chapter 1 verse 18 all the way to chapter 3. Let's look at chapter 3 verse 19 and 20.

[17:50] All the way, it's talking about the things that we do. The things that we do. The works of the law. The works. Our works. Our works. And because we fail in these works, it brings down the wrath of God on us.

[18:06] Now, we know that whatsoever the law says to those under the law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become what? No. Think about it. This is not subjective.

[18:17] It's objective. What you do. The law has said this so that it doesn't matter what you do. You are guilty. So, that guilt is based on law that you have faulted. Because you can't pass it.

[18:29] Do you understand that? And so, that kind of condemnation is objective. It's based on the things that you have done. Oh, Jesus. I like this. The remedy for this kind of condemnation. Before I say that, look at Romans chapter 5 verse 16.

[18:43] Romans 5 verse 16 and verse 18. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation.

[18:58] Okay. But the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. Verse 18. He's talking about Adam's sin. Adam did something.

[19:08] So, it's usually the subjective. It was the doing that brought the condemnation. Does that make sense? Alright. Now, therefore, as one of a judgment came to all men.

[19:20] How did judgment come? One man's what? So, someone did something. So, this judgment we are talking about is based on someone's action. So, as to what?

[19:32] Resulting in what? Condemnation. So, this condemnation is as a result of someone's action. The remedy for this condemnation is Romans chapter 3 verse 25.

[19:46] It's the blood. That's where redemption comes in handy. Redeemed by the blood. Alright. So, redemption means that you are in debt.

[19:57] In those times, in ancient times or times of antiquity. You, you, you, you, once you owe someone, the belief doesn't come for your TV because you don't have a TV. It's coming for you and your sons and your daughters.

[20:09] But, no, but for the sons. It's coming for you and your children. Now, and they take your children, if you can't pay, they take them to the slave market. If you have money, you can then call maybe a relative who is nest of kings to go and buy that person, pay the money.

[20:24] So, he, like, that's the story of Ruth. Okay. Ruth and Naomi. Boaz had to go and pay and redeem Ruth. And Boaz becomes a type of Christ for us in the New Testament.

[20:36] So, Boaz goes and pays and redeems Ruth. In the same way, once you're on the slave market, once you belong to somebody, the first thing is someone in your bloodline, your family line, nest of kings, will have to come and pay the ransom and redeem you.

[20:50] We, because of our sins, our doing, we became enslaved. We became enslaved to what? Sin. Enslaved to what? The wealth. Enslaved to the devil.

[21:01] And enslaved to what? The judgment of God's law. All right. So, the judgment. And Jesus Christ had to pay. He became our ransom. So, he paid his blood to redeem us based on our works.

[21:17] And based on all that had gone in our life and Adam's works, to pay for the debt we owe to redeem us, for us to be now free. Okay.

[21:27] So, the answer to that condemnation is the blood of Jesus. According to Romans chapter 3, verse 25, he says that he paid his blood by his blood.

[21:38] Put verse 25. He said, whom God set forth as propitiation by what? By his blood. Through faith. To demonstrate the righteousness of God. Say, I have been set free.

[21:50] I have been set free. So, the blood of Christ works. Yes. Now, how about, so that's the objective condemnation. How about the other one? Subjective.

[22:00] What's subjective condemnation? Look at Romans. That's the one we're talking about in Romans chapter 8, verse 1. He said, now, therefore, there's no more condemnation.

[22:11] There's no more condemnation. Look at Romans chapter 7, verse 17 and 18. I have to rush through these scriptures quickly because I'm ending on somewhere in Colossians and Philippians.

[22:23] Ah, I like those ones. That's the scriptures I'm ending with. Wonderful scriptures. I love them. Because, remember the opening text. That's the kingdom of God is like.

[22:34] A man who finds a field and a treasure in the field goes away with joy. So, if you have for do here, the fact that you put your trust in it.

[22:47] Jesus saves you from all that. He saves you from hell. Saves you from sickness. Heals you. Gives you the blessing of prosperity and all that. That's all. That can make people just want Jesus for what he is.

[22:58] Sometimes, I'm so tired. I don't know how many of you have experienced this before. Sometimes, you're so tired. Oh, possibly. Yes, at the airport. When you are transiting and you are so tired. You're sitting there.

[23:09] That hard. I don't know what they normally make of some of those chairs. Hard. You see, anyway. You sit there. And you see some people asleep. Do you think they believe that the chair they are sitting on can sustain their weight?

[23:23] Yes. That's why they sat on it. They believe that they can sleep on it and it's not poison. But guess what? They are not sleeping on the chair because they love the chair. Giving all other options, that's the only thing they will choose.

[23:37] I'm leading somewhere now. Giving all other options. Maybe they won't choose that one. But sometimes, in the absence of other options, we choose not.

[23:48] Now, the saving faith. The faith that saves us. When you are born again. The subjective condemnation you are delivered from. I'm going to show you what it does to you. Am I making some sense now?

[24:00] Romans chapter 7, verse 17 and 18. Can you please, let me take my own Bible as well. Verse 17. But now, it's no longer I who do it. But sin that lives in me. Verse 16.

[24:10] Okay, let's look at verse 16. Look at verse 16. If then I do what I do not want to do. I agree with the law that it is good. Say, the law is good. The law is good. All right.

[24:21] So, why are you doing what you don't want to do? Verse 17. But now, it's no longer I who do it. Ah, but who? See? So, it's like something is in me and it's making me do some stuff.

[24:33] Which I don't want to do it. So, besides the fact that I'm condemned for what I do, it looks like this condemnation won't end. God's, the wrath of God is revealed against all unrighteousness.

[24:49] Am I right? So, then as long as you keep doing unrighteousness, you stand the judgment of God. That's what I'm saying. You can be born again, but if you keep doing unrighteousness, punishment will come.

[25:02] Because God is a God of justice. But, so, if it's not me, it's like how many of us want to do good? And you find yourself doing, that's why I don't subscribe to all these kind of deliverance things so strongly.

[25:17] In that sense, where someone is messing up or someone is not behaving right and there are responses. I think I need deliverance.

[25:28] So, then immediately I say, it's not me. Ask for me, I don't want to do it, but something is making me do it. So, you can't condemn me for that. Or I can't be held accountable. That thing, please, if you can deliver me from that thing, I'll be free.

[25:40] It's like you say, I need deliverance for oversleeping, over speeding. I'm sleeping tomorrow, I need deliverance. Just wake up. Like my dad would pour water on you in the bed and you would see if the deliverance you need or you can get up.

[25:57] You will get up. So, stop saying. I think demons are troubling me. Every job you get, you go and fight with your boss. And you are saying that, Pastor, I think this thing is a deliverance.

[26:10] I think it's your character. Alright, let me leave that. That's not the main thing I was talking about.

[26:21] So, it says the things I want to do, I don't do. Alright, now look at verse 18 of Romans chapter 17. Verse 18 says that. So, Romans chapter 7, verse 18.

[26:32] For I know that in me, that is my flesh, nothing good dwells. For to will is present with you, but how to perform what is good, I do not find.

[26:44] And then when you read from verse 20 to 24, he's painting a picture of someone who is frustrated, struggling. The point here is that he's painting a picture of someone who wants to do what is right, but can't find the ability to do what is right from within.

[27:02] So, when you read from verse 20, verse 20, it talks about, if I do what I will not do, it is no longer I, but sin that dwells in me. Verse 22. So, it's like something is making me do it, something in me.

[27:14] For I delight in the law of God according to my inward man. Verse 23. But I see another law in my members. Say members. My members. You know what members are.

[27:25] Yeah, don't members. Troublesome, you know. He said, but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind. My mind has the desire, but there is something else in my members.

[27:37] So, three laws have been referred to right now. Did you notice that? Who can enumerate them? The law of what? The law in my members. The law of my mind.

[27:47] And the verse before. The law? The law of sin. All right? The law of sin. Which is the law in my members. So, watch this. Go to the verse. I want to show you something. Verse 22. Verse 22. Verse 22. Quickly, quickly.

[27:58] Verse 22. It says that, I delight, I delight what? In the law of God. So, there is the law of God. Law of God. Can you please come quickly? Okay. So, there is the law of God.

[28:09] 23. The law in my members. Membership law. Okay. Law in my members. That's law in my members. Uh-huh. And then what?

[28:21] Law of my mind. The law of my mind. Ready? The law of my mind. Okay. And then what else? Law of sin. The law of sin.

[28:32] Okay. So, it's like bringing me to captivity to the law of sin. Sin. Please come. So, the law of sin. This is an illustration. Just illustration.

[28:42] Okay. All right. So, deal with you and finish you up. Consume you. Devile you. And now, this is the law of my mind. Okay. I want to do the law of God.

[28:56] But there is this law in my members. So, try and prevent me from touching this one. Okay. So, it makes the law of sin always have me. Right. So, the law of my mind wants to do this.

[29:09] But the problem is the law of my members. Yes. Can someone identify with what I'm talking about?

[29:20] The law of your members. What are your members? Not church members. I'm not talking about church members. I'm talking about your body members. Body. Body. Body. This. You know.

[29:31] The law of my members. They are always there. Sometimes, even when I want to pray. I'm praying. Someone told me. Pastor, anytime I close my eyes and pray, I will see all kinds of naked objects before me.

[29:42] Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! The law of my members. It's disturbing me. And I see the law of God. I want to reach out to the law of God. But the law of my members.

[29:53] And it makes me, verse 24, a wretched man. Look at verse 24. He said, oh! Wretched man that I am.

[30:05] Who will deliver me? So what is the answer for this? What is the answer for this mess I've planned myself? Dealing with all kinds of laws. Good law of God.

[30:17] Law of my mind with my good will desire. Law of my flesh. The members. Making me subject to the law of sin and death.

[30:31] Chapter 8, verse 1. Then he said, verse 24, he said, who will deliver me? Thank be to God. Go to him. He said, there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Now, this condemnation is a subjective condemnation.

[30:43] It's not based on what you have done. But it's based on, there's something ruling inside you. And that is what is bringing you under condemnation. He said, once you come in Christ, he says, there's no more condemnation.

[30:56] Do you know what? Look at verse 2. Look at verse 2. Quickly. He said, for there's another law coming here. Did you see that? For the law of this. Okay. Laws. Come back quickly. The laws.

[31:06] Can we have you quickly? Everybody in your position. And now, this is the law of the spirit.

[31:17] The law of the spirit of life. Please come. The law of the spirit of life. In Christ Jesus has made me free. So, because of this, that keeps blocking me. The law of sin and death has me.

[31:30] But the law of the spirit of life. The life that comes into me. Empowers me to be able to go freely and walk with God. And set me free from the law of sin and death.

[31:40] Because that's the ultimate result of this thing. This law of my members prevents me from getting the law of God. So, I become a subject. Now, redemption delivers me from all these influences.

[31:53] And gives me the law of the spirit. So, the spirit of life in Christ Jesus is what sets me free from every law. As a matter of fact, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus also embodies this.

[32:06] So, as soon as I have this, I have that. Do you understand? Now, let's watch this very carefully. So, when you are justified, what actually happens to you is that the law, the spirit of life in Christ Jesus comes into you.

[32:26] So, it's not that Jesus just sets you free from hell. Sets you free from all these things. This spirit of life that comes into you sparks as well.

[32:37] Having set you free from all that sparks a desire in you. So, okay, clap for them. What's a good? Back to your seat. Now, so, watch this. Because if you are saved, saving faith, okay?

[32:50] Saving faith is not only going to get something. Ask amount of fact. The faith that saves us. I was saying earlier, but I didn't finish saying it. The faith that saves us is like a gift. We didn't have to do anything.

[33:02] You see? So, our gift to accept the grace of God. Or the faith is not classified. Watch this. Why are we not justified by love?

[33:14] Why are we not justified by kindness? Why are we not justified by forgiveness? Or we love God. We have kindness. Or we have mercy.

[33:25] We are never justified by any of these things. Because all those things conjure imagery of actions. You have to do something. But we are justified by faith. So, faith for justification is more of like, it's not an active one.

[33:38] It's not like you are doing something. It's just, it's accepting. That's why we talk about noticia. You remember? Ascensus, Fodukia. It's accepting all that Jesus has done.

[33:48] And endorsing it and committing yourself to it. But it doesn't end there. Once the spirit of life comes into you. Watch this. It generates love. There is, watch this.

[34:01] That's why all I'm trying to say. The title of my message is, Saved and in Love. When you are saved, Love is awaking for Jesus in you.

[34:13] So then you are not sitting on the chair, Because that's the only option you've got. You are sitting on the chair, Because it's the most prized thing in your life. There are two different things.

[34:24] Don't serve Jesus just because he saves you from hell. When you are genuinely saved, It's not because that Jesus is your healer. That's part of all that. But church, let us begin to make use of, Okay, let me show you something.

[34:39] 2 Corinthians, I didn't tell you I'm going to read 2 Corinthians. But I think it's good to read it. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 4. Interesting things that are in the Bible. Look at this one. It's interesting. Talking about unbelievers.

[34:50] Okay. It says, Whose minds the God of this age has blinded? Who do not believe? You see? Those who don't believe, Their minds are blind. Who is the God of this age?

[35:02] Satan. The God of this age. Blinded the minds of those who do not believe. Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God to shine in their, The gospel of the glory of Christ.

[35:16] Now watch this. When you are born again, Hey! This is all I want to say, Rose. When you are born again, You see Christ differently. Christ means a whole lot to you.

[35:27] Completely different. Because all of a sudden, There is this dawning of light. Of the glory of God. In Christ. Or the glory of Christ. You see Christ different from any other person sees Christ.

[35:41] How is that people are born again in church? And Christ really doesn't mean anything to them. Apart from a healer. Apart from a savior. Apart from a savior. He can move me a mountain.

[35:52] Apart from a prosper. He will make you prosper. He will find you a wife. He will find you a husband. He will bring you deliverance. That's all part of it. But you know what?

[36:03] When you are really born again, What you see, Because of the spirit of life, That comes in you, It begins to make you see Christ in a different way. Christ becomes your all in all.

[36:15] He is my light, My strength, And my song. In spite of anything that I may not even see in my life, The fact that I have Christ, He is the most treasured thing in my life.

[36:26] Then you are talking about someone who is really saved, And is moving on. And is growing in Christ. The more you grow in Christ, The more Christ, I will show you some of that last scripture. But before then, Let's finish with 1 Corinthians chapter 4.

[36:37] Let's go to verse 5. Look at verse 5. This is a nice one. For we do not preach ourselves, But who? Christ Jesus. The Lord. And ourselves, Your Savior.

[36:47] Both Savior for Jesus. Go to verse 6. Verse 6, The last one. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts, To give us the light of the night.

[36:59] Did you see that? Did you see that? When you get born again, Something happens to you. Something happens to your heart. God shines in your heart. So it's not a matter of some mental assent, Ideologies.

[37:10] Something actually happens to you in your heart. If you are born again, Your heart changes. That's why I said, Oh, Taste and see. The Lord. It's more of an experience. Something happens to your heart.

[37:22] You have a changed heart. If you don't have a changed heart, Changes like that, You are not born again. And you are not justified. Because this justification, Faith that brings justification, It doesn't start from us.

[37:37] Natural mind, Watch this. Natural men can't appreciate Christ. They may appreciate the benefits of Christ, But not Christ. But it takes a safe person to appreciate Christ, Even in spite of benefits.

[37:50] For me to live is Christ. To die is gain. Nothing else matters. Nothing else matters. It says that, It says that, Altogether lovely.

[38:01] You have this, Oh, About Christ. Something engulfs your heart about Christ. That you sell everything you have. He didn't get it.

[38:12] He didn't get it. You are willing to leave that boyfriend, Just to hold on to Christ. If it means you sell the computer, Or you give it to someone, You will do it.

[38:26] Because Christ matters, To you more than any other thing. Brothers and sisters, Heaven is real. And I don't want to be, It's good we have to teach about heaven, And all that.

[38:39] I don't want to, Oh, We are going to heaven, So keep your garments clean. That's good. It's more than that. Light, Verse 5 again, Verse 6 again, 2 Corinthians chapter 4, Verse 6, It's strong.

[38:50] It says, For God who commanded the light, To shine out of darkness, Has shown in our hearts, To give us the light, Of the knowledge, Of the glory of God, In defense of Christ Jesus.

[39:01] We see Christ Jesus differently, And it means everything to us. Are you saved? Your understanding of who Christ means to you, Changes radically.

[39:13] That makes sense, Philippians, My last quotation. That makes sense, In Philippians chapter 3, From verse 7, When the apostle, Made this statement, He said, But what sin soever were gained to me, These I have counted loss, For who?

[39:34] Christ. For who? For Christ. What have you counted loss for Christ? Opening text, For the kingdom of God, Is like a man, Who finds a treasure in the land, Or in the field, And immediately, I like that, Matthew chapter 13, Verse 44, Profound.

[39:53] It says that, Again, The kingdom of heaven, Is like, Like treasure hidden in the field, Which a man found, And hid. Watch this, The next few statements, What have you said?

[40:05] And for joy, Over it, Joy. It conjures excitement. Going to church, Doesn't become a chore for you anymore. People don't understand, Why do you have to go to church like that?

[40:18] Because you love Jesus. Because I love Jesus. Jesus. When, When we go to church, Why is it that? You're always kneeling down. Why do you, Why do you get so excited in church?

[40:30] You have to recompose. Sorry, I can't help it. I'm in love. I'm saved and in love. Because it says, For joy, Over it, Goes and abandons every other thing.

[40:42] Sells it all. And comes back to, By the field. Philippians chapter 3 verse 7, As I read earlier, And it says that, Whatsoever were a gain to me, I count them lost for Christ.

[40:56] When you bring them in life with Christ, Nothing else matters. Someone will tell you that, Listen, If this is how you're going, The man said, You've been waiting, You've been waiting for your future wife, Or future husband.

[41:08] And then this man shows up, Or this woman shows up, And he says, It's kind of everything you want in a man, Or everything you want in a woman. But, He too likes you, But the only thing he likes is, He believes you don't have to go to church every time.

[41:26] You don't have to go to church every week. He says, Just twice a month is okay. And he said, If that's what you're going to do, If you're going to go to church, Then I don't think it's going to help our relationship.

[41:37] And you know, In as much as you like him, And he seems to be everything you want in a man, You look at him, And he says that, You are Christ. You are Christ.

[41:49] You are. And, And then the law of sin, And your members keep telling you, Are you really sure you want to let this man go? Because remember, For the past eight years, No one has shown interest in you.

[42:04] And are you ready to go for the next eight months, And something is challenging you. You are looking at this lucrative opportunity, That this, This, This, This, This, This, This, This, Not anti-Jesus, But less Jesus-like.

[42:17] He's just trying to prove it. He's just trying to send, Sell to you, And submit to you. When you look at that, And you can look at your Jesus, And you look at him, And you look at Jesus, You look at this woman, Who any man, In fact, Rich man, Well, Multi-millionaires, Who want to give anything, Buy house, Buy plane, And judge for, And this woman turns her back to all these things, And looks at you, Who is working somewhere, And your paycheck is not even enough, To take care of your phone bills, Let alone your rent, And you look at this woman, Says that I love you, But you know what, If you can just tone down this, Your bible thing, Or Jesus thing, You look at Jesus, And you look at this opportunity, And in the face of opportunity, You remember what Paul said, My richest gain, Philippians chapter 3, Verse 7, My richest gain, He said, Whatsoever was gained to me, I count lost, This thing, Anyone would die for it,

[43:18] But guess what, I will not die for this, I'm going to die for Jesus, Because Jesus means, Everything to me, Not only forgiveness of sins, Not only saving from hell, Not only prosperity, Not only breakthrough, But Jesus means everything to me, I am in love with Jesus, Can't you see that, And I will not give up Jesus for anything, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, I was telling you about the story, I can't say it, Because not, About, Margaret, This, This, This soldier, Who was captured, In captivity for years, And was all he wanted, He was about to marry this woman, And went to war, And was captured, And was writing letters to Margaret, One day if I come home, Writing sweet letters, Margaret, And when he was in prison, When they were making them labor hard, Beating them, One thing on his mind, Margaret, I love Margaret, I love Margaret, And he dreamed, One day I will see Margaret, One year, Two years, Three years, Ten years still, He hasn't seen Margaret,

[44:18] And he was in captivity, And his colleagues were dying, And what kept him alive, Was he wanted to see, I love Margaret, I love Margaret, And one day, Another stronger army, I think the second world war, Set them free, And he went home, He went, Everywhere was bombed, Everywhere, Couldn't find anything, Then he remembered Margaret, How he saw, The house was still there, And he knocked, He knocked, He was so happy, He's going to see Margaret, Say Margaret, Say Margaret, He knocked, Someone said, Who is there?

[44:49] He said, I think that's Margaret, I can hear Margaret coming, And Margaret came, And he opened the door, He saw Margaret, He said, Margaret, Margaret looked at him, Banned the door, Went back in, All my life, I've been looking for, So Margaret, It's me, Knocked the door, Margaret, Oh, Margaret, Margaret, I love you, Margaret, Guess what, Margaret was with another man, Margaret was with another man, So I said, Go away, Go away, He's giving up everything for Margaret, Margaret, You couldn't wait for me, Margaret, You couldn't wait for me, And it's the same thing with Jesus, And his church, He gave up everything for us, And all he wants, Not because he's a savior, Yes, He's a savior, But he wants us to love him, So that,

[45:49] Like Paul, In Philippians chapter 3, Verse 8, Look at verse 8, Like Paul, You can say, Yet, Yet, Indeed, I also count, I count all things lost, For the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, My Lord, For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, And count them as rubbish, That I may gain Christ, Every other thing is rubbish, Doesn't matter what they promise you, He said, I'm going to give you, I'm going to give you, A whole house, To live in free, For five years, Mansion in Kensington, I'll do this for you, You look at them, And just, But you can tell, This offer is going to take you away from church, This job opportunity is going to take you away from church, You look at it, You look at Christ, He said, I count all rubbish, I'll hold on to my Jesus, I'll hold on to my Jesus, Last verse, Verse 9, And,

[46:51] I want to be found in Christ, Not having my own righteousness, Which is from the law, But that, You see the law shows up again, But that, Which is through faith, In Christ, The righteousness, Which is from God, By faith, So listen, This faith for justification, Justification, That, Saving faith is not just, I just know about Christ, I accept it, It's conjobs that, I love him so much, I'll give anything, I'll give up everything, I'll give up everything, For more of him, I pray that God will help us, I pray that the Lord, The spirit of God, Will awaken this love in us, And help us, To see how altogether, Lovely our Jesus is, And that, According to Colossians, We are complete in him, We are complete in him, Nothing else matters, Nothing else matters, Jesus, You are the center, All other things,

[47:53] Are sinking sand, I pray that God will help us, To lift our eyes, Off material things, Material possessions, And earthly goods, And look at the beauty of Jesus, He's all that we want, I pray that God will help us, To walk with him, That his light, And the light of his glory, Will shine through our lives, To be a blessing to others, In Jesus name, Thank you for listening, For more resources, Please visit caries.org, Or call us on, 0207 740 9960, God bless you,