2025-07-13 Sermon Notes

• We can be forgiven.
• We can be reconciled to God.
• We can be given a new nature.

• How can we enter into this great salvation?
• A: All of this comes simply by faith.
  • sola fide.
  • It is not something we can earn or acquire by our merit or strength.
  • This is the free gift of God.
  • It can be received immediately by anyone, even the most vile sinner.

• This is the most vital and urgent question.

• A Christian must have been called by God.

  • Galatians 1.6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news",

• Others have been called ineffectually.
  • This call does not lead them to belief.

• There is hearing and truly hearing.
  • Many may audibly hear the words but have not truly listened to their contents. There minds and hearts are closed and they are not really listening.
  • John 5.24 "Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
    • Jesus here is talking about people who really hear the word of God.
  • Ephesians 4:20-21 But you didn't learn Christ that way, if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
  • Luke 8.18 Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has."
  • 1 Thessalonians 1.5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
    • The Word of God (God's calling) was not mere words.
      • It came in power. It had an effect. It was effectual.
    • Example: Jesus called Lazarus from the dead. This is the power of God's calling.
    • It is God who calls, and it is God's power who works in you.
    • ❓: Have you ever felt this power of God's calling you? Has it disturbed and gripped you? Effected you deeply.
      • These Galatians heard the Gospel of Christ in that way: with power.
      • when the calling is effectual it is always personal.
    • A Christian is not only receptive to the Gospel but they are persuaded by it:
      • They begin to understand the Gospel.
        • It is illuminated to them by God.
      • They realize the Gospel is not theoretical, "up in the clouds".
        • No it is specifically about you and you're life.
      • ❓: Has the Gospel become clear to you?

Galatians 1.9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

• Their mind has been changed.

• A Christian then realizes:
  • How they spoke foolishness
  • How they sinned against God
  • This is called repentance.
  • The prodigal son realized "Oh what a fool I've been."

• This does not mean that you are in any way saved by your actions.
  • Rather, if you were really saved by the Gospel, then your actions would naturally changed.

• ⭐❓: Have you ever really thanked God for saving you?

• A Christian knows that this world is broken.
  • We are in it, involved in it, and we will share in its fate of destruction unless we flee from it by clinging to Christ.
  • If you were in a burning building wouldn't you flee to safety? Why would you stay?
• Paul:

  • Galatians 6.14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

• Seek Him, your Savior.