#psalmonesermons

The case for eternal security aka once saved always saved.

Is it possible for a true born-again believer to lose their salvation and end up in the eternal lake of fire, separated from God forever?

The question usually arises when someone we know or even perhaps ourselves, who previously professed Christianity but is now living far from Jesus and does not seem to even care.

As we begin this important study it is crucial to remember that not everyone in any given fellowship may be truly born again! Our question in this study is focused

on those who have truly been born-again.

This study has three parts to it.

1. The need for holiness in the believer’s life.

2. Bible evidence to support ‘once saved always saved’.

3. Responses to those scriptures which appear to contradict this.

It is clear from the teaching of the Bible that the Lord wants and indeed expects us to lead holy lives that bear fruit. It does matter how we live in every area of our lives, and we must not grieve the Holy Spirit who indwells us by living in constant sin. The grace of God and His righteousness in us are not a license to sin. Even if we do stumble our hearts should be quick to confess our sins to the Lord.

Background

Calvinists and Armenians

Calvinists (John Calvin 1509-1564) generally believe in Eternal Security. They believe that God knew everyone who would believe from before the foundation of the world, and because of this He called and chose each one. In this viewpoint God has done all the work for salvation in the past and the people will be saved in the future. One drawback from this point of view is that because it is so focused on the past it leaves out how the believers live in the present. When taken to extremes this could be taken to mean that it really does not matter how the Christian behaves and hence opens the door for widescale immorality.

Arminians (Jacob Arminius 1560-1609), on the other hand, concentrate much more on the present. They also believe God has called and chosen us, but that this calling works only on a day to day basis. So, if we live a holy life today, we are still saved, but if not, we are in instant danger of losing our salvation. Some Arminians become very legalistic and keep long sets of rules perhaps even to the extent of keeping all the law of Moses. Some are in more bondage to the law than any legalistic Jew!

Most of what the Calvinists believe is scripturally correct, but a balanced biblical viewpoint must take the present into account. Jesus is alive today and .... He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:23-25).

Israel needed a high priest to represent the people to God and in the same way Jesus Christ our high priest makes daily intercessions for each one of us.

Our eternal security and salvation do not only depend in what the Lord has done in the past but also on the fact that Jesus Christ is interceding for us today. This means there is a present aspect to our salvation.

In other words, if Jesus stopped interceding for us perhaps, we might lose our salvation. Praise God however that He can save us to the uttermost (panteles) meaning completely, utterly, or finally, or even better everlastingly (forever).

This present aspect of our salvation means that God requires something from us today!

Our present-day sin is still loathsome to God.

Although Jesus paid the price in full for all our sins when we sin today, Jesus has to say to His Father ‘I suffered and died for that sin’. So, there is still a reaction in heaven when we sin though He graciously forgives us when we repent. Our sins are still of real significance today and we must remember that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The basis of our eternal security is founded in two equally important things.

1. The work and calling of God in the past

2. The living intercession of Christ for us.

If we remember both aspects, they will keep us from extremes of considering sin unimportant or trying to live under the Law. Our love and gratitude to Jesus will lead us into greater holiness. Some Arminian preachers are frightened to preach on God’s grace in case it will promote sin in the believer’s lives. The Bible however teaches that as we acquire an understanding of the grace and love of God and a revelation that Jesus is constantly interceding for us, then we will be inspired to lead holy lives. The supporting scriptures for this motivation to holiness are given below [1].

From these scriptures it is clear that God does not employ fear or outward things to spur us on to holiness but rather it is the truth inside us that will cause a response from our hearts. We respond to God’s love and grace. Those forgiven most, love most!

Holiness needs a new nature.

No matter how good on external appearances people are, only the new birth can really change their nature. People who have only received the Gospel in their heads are often more difficult to convert because they think they are already saved.

Amen

Personal prayer

This study is continued in Part 4B

[1] Titus 2 11-13. Ephesians 2:8-10. Romans 6:11-15. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20. Ephesians 3:20 -4 22. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12. Collossians 3:1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 1 John 3:13.

Blessing others from the presence of God

Our lives ought to be lives of fellowship with God and with each other (koinonia) so we must become more aware of God and His people.

We all pray for family, friends, workmates, neighbours etc. but do we bless them from God’s presence?

Ffald-y-Brenin is a Christian Retreat Centre and House of Prayer in the hills by the sea in North Pembrokeshire, Southwest Wales, UK. This retreat centre has been experiencing a power and unusual presence of God for several years now.

One of the teachings coming out this centre is that as well as praying for our family, friends, neighbours, workmates etc. we should bless them in the name of Lord.

This seems to work best when we know the presence of the Lord strongly.

In Numbers 6:22–27, we find the great Aaronic blessing.

This is the blessing Moses instructed his brother, Aaron, to place on the people of Israel;

22 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25 the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

I pray this over my loved ones every day, perhaps you would consider praying this too for your own loved ones?

A prayer might be (for someone who has no money)

Dear Lord, we ask in Jesus’ name for our friends 'John and Helen' that you provide all the material things they need today such as finance, a roof over their heads, food on the table etc. Amen

However we also have the power to bless (especially from the presence of God) which might sound like this,

Lord I bless 'John and Helen' in the name of Jesus Christ with every material blessing they need, I speak plenty over their lives, that they might have more than enough and be able to give to others as well.

Let's finish our devotions today by praying/pronouncing a blessing over someone you know.

Amen

Let's do it now!

Personal prayer

Practicing the presence of God (a)

Did Jesus observe and practice the presence of God?

John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father works hitherto, and I work.

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

20 For the father loveth the son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

21 For as the father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

So was Jesus continually aware of the presence of God?

v.17 Jesus was continually aware that the Father was at work.

v.19 The Son only does what He sees the Father doing. -This supports the idea of Jesus being constantly aware of God the Father, so that He could do the same things

I personally believe that Jesus Christ lived His whole life walking in the Spirit with a tremendous sense of the presence of the Father, especially after His water baptism.

Jesus lived a spirit-filled life and only at His death on the cross for you and me, was the awareness of the Father's presence broken with these words...

My God, my God why have you forsaken me:

What a price to pay!

Amen

Prayer

Nicodemus comes to see Jesus: John 3:1-4

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee- which means he was a deeply religious man, who scheduled prayer 7 times each day, he also visited the temple 3 times a day, and would include discussions on theology and perform charitable deeds on a regular basis.

Nicodemus was in the ruler of the Jews, a ruler of the people, in other words, a top man and a VIP. Some historians think that Nicodemus might have been part of the Ben Gurion family who were a wealthy and powerful family in Israel in those days.

Nicodemus as a Pharisee would have known the Law and the Prophets' scriptures and would certainly have learned them by heart.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

v2 Might have been to avoid public scrutiny or might have been both men were busy during the day. Nicodemus calls Jesus rabbi meaning ‘professor’ or ‘teacher’ indicating that he was impressed with Jesus’ learning at a soulish level. However, intelligence is soulish, and Nicodemus did not call Jesus Lord.

When Nicodemus called Jesus Rabbi (a teacher from God) he had got it right thus far, for the many miracles Jesus did were a proof that he was messiah.

The miracles of Jesus included those prophesied in the old testament for example from Isaiah 29:18-19 (deaf, blind healed etc.), and in Isaiah 35: 4- 6 (deaf ears opened, mute healed, and the lame leaping etc.). These miracles were prophesied some 700 years BC. Another miracle Jesus performed was to heal people with leprosy. Nicodemus would be aware that although the priests routinely diagnosed leprosy as in Leviticus 13, no one until Jesus had actually cured leprosy (see Leviticus 14). Modern medicine has only found a cure for leprosy in the last twenty years.

When John the Baptist-heard of the works of Christ-he sent messengers to ask Jesus are you the expected Messiah…? Jesus answered in a spiritual manner-quoting the miracles! Nicodemus wants to talk theology, but Jesus wants to talk spiritually to him (remember Nicodemus has only a dead spirit).

v3 Jesus tells him, Amen, Amen, your spirit needs to be born again (regenerated or made alive) or you cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus’ dead spirit needed to be regenerated i.e. brought to life.

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

v4 Nicodemus responds from his soul asking if Jesus meant a physical rebirth showing that Jesus’ words sounded crazy to him -he did not understand what Jesus was telling him.

In Part 3 we continue to explore the fascinating dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus in

Part 1/7 The human need for security

There is something deep in the heart of man that longs for security, a form of security that can protect us from evil, hurt, harm or loss that applies to our spirit, souls, and bodies. A security that is ever present with us today and will go with us throughout this life and into the next. Does it exist? Most forms of security have their Achilles’ heel and be definition cannot be totally secure. Prisoners escape from secure units and military bases get broken into.

Everybody is talking about security these days, national security from terrorism, building security, airport security, social security, insurance, pensions and securities, social security from cradle to grave or from the womb to the tomb. The list goes on.

To these ends the nations of the world spend countless billions of dollars and yet for all this there are very few guarantees.

The only sure type of security is found in God himself, tonight we will explore what God says about his security in these days of insecurity.

Where can we find real security?

We begin our bible study by looking at the first two of seven places where you can find the security of God. Together these seven form a composite picture of the total security of God.

Security in focusing on the eternal things.

Security found when you build on the Rock.

Security found in using the Wisdom of God.

Security in life and in death.

Security in times of difficulty/trouble.

Security in doing the will of God.

Eternal security

1. Focusing on the eternal things

2 Cor 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

We need to fix our hearts and minds on the eternal things which are from God and are invisible but the natural things of this world are generally discoverable by our five senses. Examples of the eternal things might include faith, immortality, eternal life, our heavenly crowns etc. We ought to view the natural world through the lens of the eternal.

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Here are some examples of setting your heart/mind on things above:

Put to death the earthly (Col 3:5-8)

Put on the new man (Col 3:11)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Col 3:15)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col 3:16)

Give thanks to God (Col 3:17).

See also 1 John 2:16-17 and Isaiah 40:6-8

We must keep our focus on the eternal things which provides us with a strong sense of security knowing that God hold our future and eternity in his hands.

2. Security found when you build on the Rock.

Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

1 Cor 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the Rock, the bedrock, only on him can we build a secure and solid foundation for our lives.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--

5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

The precious cornerstone- we shall never be ashamed!

Refuse to put your trust in yourself.

Commit your life to God.

None of man’s efforts to provide security are all-embracing, at best they can bring partial security and on temporary basis.

Look at the foolish man who built his house on the sand. He is the man who either does not know God’s word or does know but does not practise it.

What foundation are you building your house tonight?

Build on the Rock, by putting the words of God into practice then you are building on the rock a solid foundation for today, tomorrow and eternity.

Amen

Personal Prayer

In Part 2 we consider the security we find in using the wisdom of God and where we can find security in life and death,

The Race of Faith

This message is a word of encouragement for us in our Race of Faith! Our key scripture is from Hebrews 12:1-3 which tells us that we are in a race, but not a race in the sense of racing to work or to the shops to get that item we forgot. Our race is a lifelong race of faith which is a marathon not a sprint!

Since our context is the book of Hebrews, we will recall that the two of the main themes of Hebrews (unknown author):

1. Jesus Christ is elevated as superior to anyone and anything else, in order to show that he is worthy of our total trust and devotion.

2. All believers are challenged to remain faithful to Jesus despite persecution.

This helps us to keep our reading of the scriptures in context.

Hebrews 12:1-3

1.Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking* unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3.For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Our race of faith that began the moment we asked Jesus into our lives, whom the author of Hebrews calls both “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” So, the race we are running requires. v1 So like any athlete, we will need to be disciplined; to stay focused and to make sacrifices in order to finish the race in the way Jesus intends us to. The race we are running is the race of faith that began the moment we asked Jesus into our lives, whom the author of Hebrews calls both “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” So, the race we are running has: ✓a starting line, where Jesus is present (coaching us for the race ahead / firing the starting gun) as the pioneer of our faith ✓and a finish line, where Jesus is waiting for us (cheering us on) as the perfecter of our faith. ✓And on top of all that there is a prize (eternal life) that will help us be serious in running our race to finish it well.

Obstacles in our Race of Faith

Hebrews 12:1 …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us…

a. Weights: are otherwise legitimate things that hinder us in our race towards God

b. Sin

c. Losing the plot

Let us consider these three points; — First, there are hindrances on our race which are not necessarily sins. Secondly, If we would run, we must put aside these. And lastly, If we would put them aside, we must look to Christ. The Greek word "ogkos" refers to a weight or burden, suggesting that believers must identify and eliminate distractions or hindrances in their spiritual journey. As we all know too well, life itself will provide us with plenty of obstacles along the way, distracting us with all that the world wants to offer us - things that seem more appealing and alluring. This could include our amusements, entertainments, pastimes, and hobbies etc. Self-examination is required.

And then there is outright sin - the sin in our lives holding us back, entangling us as if somebody had tied the shoelaces of our running shoes together when we weren’t looking, it's sin that comes to entice us with the promise of something more gratifying or rewarding, but in the end it’s real aim is to disqualify us completely and take us out of the race.

In the meantime, perhaps some of us will not have even realised we are actually in a race, wondering why everything is so tiring and why we have not progressed in our faith as we would have hoped to; others will be running at a good pace, calm, focused on Jesus for the distance. We must keep our eyes and focus on Jesus otherwise we might lose the plot and not finish our race of faith.

Amen

Personal Prayer

In Part 2 we find the tremendous encouragement that the Lord has provided for our race of faith.

Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23

Isaiah 7:14 says The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.

Permit me to explain

These gracious words were spoken by the Hebrew prophet Isaiah about 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. This prophecy like some other old testament prophecies seemed to have a double fulfilment.

That is the prophecy was fulfilled in the days around when it was first given for King Ahaz.

However, its second and much greater fulfilment came several hundred years later when Jesus Christ was born.

We know this Immanuel prophecy about was about Jesus because the Gospel of

Matthew 1:23 quotes the prophet Isaiah 7:14 scripture as follows;

Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Please note that both spellings are acceptable that is Immanuel and Emmanuel.

So, what does Emmanuel or 'God with us' mean?

Emmanuel in a sense is an overview of God's full plan of salvation for mankind.

First God becomes an actual man of flesh and blood, he can feel pain and the full range of human emotions.

This brings God in a new way into a full identification with mankind.

He now knows exactly what it is like to be a human being.

This baby born in a manger, grows up to become the Messiah the Saviour, who at the end of his life saves mankind from our greatest foe...not the Romans, not the Egyptians, not the Russians… mankind's biggest foe is sin or we could say acting against God's wishes.

This unique baby went on to provide a way back to God for mankind for all of us have gone astray.

Imagine that, God the Son was with us and is still with us!

What does that mean to you?

Yes, that little baby in the manger, grew up to become the suffering Messiah who has provided a way back to God for all who want it.

We can rejoice in Emmanuel

We rejoice that God is with us.

We can rejoice in God’s greatest ever gift Christmas gift- Immanuel, Jesus Christ who came to take our sins. If this is new to you then check out the teaching below 'How to be born again'.

Amen

Personal prayer

Security found in using the Wisdom of God

In Part 1 we considered developing our security in God by focusing on the eternal things and by building on the Rock. Now in Part 2 we consider the security found in the wisdom of God and then proceed to consider security for life and death.

3. To find the wisdom of God we turn to Proverbs 1:7, 20-29.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares.

23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 "Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.

29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,

This reveals that it is only the wisdom of God in your life that will provide a full and total security for your life. Such wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. In this passage Wisdom explains the terrible consequences of ignoring her advice.

4. Security in life and in death

Psalm 23 gives a wonderful explanation of how the Lord cares for each one of his sheep all through each life and in their death.

23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

You shall not want in this life nor the next.

We don’t need to fear even when we are dying for surely, we will dwell with God in his house forever. The death of the righteous is further described in1 Thessalonians 4:13

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

In the above passage 'fallen asleep' means died. Whether we are already dead or are still alive when the Lord descends with the trumpet call both the righteous dead and the righteous living will be with him forever. What a wonderful promise for our security in life and in death'

See also

Proverbs 14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

When calamity comes- the righteous will have hope

Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The eternal hope is our security.

Hebrews 6:18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Please note that God cannot lie and He has said our Hope in Him is a refuge.

Hope in Him is an anchor for the soul holding us steady when we are tossed to and fro by the storms of life. We must refuse to be driven by our fears/insecurities even at the point of our death.

Amen

Personal Prayer