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 by ffranklin

Our Foundations in Jesus – Faith Toward God

foundations

Jesus opened His ministry with this stunning statement:

“Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”

Whoa, whoa! Wait a minute! This lesson is about FAITH. So why is the first word “REPENT”?

That is because without true repentance, we cannot have faith in God. And without faith, we cannot come to full repentance.

faithrepentancediagramThe two go together, each strengthening the other. Without faith, we cannot repent in the true sense. Faith gives us a reason to repent. Conversely, faith cannot reach full strength unless we repent — to let go of ourselves and our own shortcomings.

When you stop focusing on yourself and look to God (Jesus) alone, faith can rise.

So, what is faith?

Synonyms would be: assurance, believe, or belief. Science might say: Faith is accepting as real something which can be neither proven nor disproven.

The Bible has this definition: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

… substance of things hoped for… “Hoped for” is a thought; “substance” has mass & body. Faith brings things from thought or the spiritual realm into reality. It goes from wishing to being able to see and handle something.

  • Faith is not a part of our natural sense, but is found in the Spirit realm. (Capital S, as in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
  • Faith starts in the Spirit and manifests (appears) in the natural realm (where we live).
    • i.e., the evidence of things not seen: that in which we have faith shows up physically.
  • Faith is real. It affects people, events, and even the future.

What faith looks like

Read the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. She petitions a judge to give her satisfaction against someone who has wronged her, but the judge ignores her. She refuses to give up and the judge finally rules for her just to get rid of her. At the very end of the passage (v 8b) we see “… when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

When we analyze this parable, we see a stark comparison of the spirit realm vs. the natural realm.

parabletable

In the physical world, this widow never had a chance. But her great faith gave her victory first in the Spirit realm, and then victory in the natural realm when the judge ruled in her favor. “The substance of things hoped for…” The widow’s hope in getting justice became real.

1 John 4:4 says it: “… you have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

Faith on the Eternal Scale

True faith in Jesus comes not from mere intellectual assent.  It means that we trust with all our hearts that Jesus alone is responsible for our salvation. That starts with a conscious decision to accept Jesus as Savior. Just let Jesus in and let Him work.

For Biblical proof, read the following passages. I’m not quoting them here; you’ll remember them better if you look them up.

2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 12:3, Matthew 17:20, Romans 1:17

How do we grow in faith?

Romans 10:17

  • “Faith comes from hearing the good news about Christ”. (NLT) The words of Jesus spoken into our hearts through reading and meditating cause us to grow in faith.
  • We can get the word of God from…
    • Reading scripture
    • Bible studies, or reading in a group with discussion
    • The message in a solid, Bible-based church

Three steps to grow in faith

  1. Heart a truth from God’s Word
  2. Receive that Word
  3. Apply it to your life

Here’s a great example: read John 4:4-30. It is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. She had faith in Jesus based solely upon the words He said to her. It changed her life, and we may safely assume the lives of everyone in her village as well.

The principle still works for us today. How about you? Have you let Jesus into your life?

Click here to return to the index of Foundations teachings.

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 by ffranklin

Our Foundations in Jesus – Repentance

foundations

“I’m sorry; I’m sorry!” yells the bully who has been caught in the act.

Rrrright… he isn’t sorry one little bit. He is just trying to escape punishment. If we believe him and let him go, the first chance he gets he’ll take it out on the kid he bullied.

The whining bully is not repentant. His apologies are insincere — try that with God!

Repentance is a word and a concept that is often misunderstood. Too many think that it means to be sorry and to feel bad about having done wrong.

This is far from the truth.

Repentance is a turning of the mind, a change of heart, and a change of actions. God wants us to turn to Him. This means repentance of our former ways.

For some, that is a big change in life; for others, not so much. But the point is that we recognize our nature as sinful — i.e. imperfect — and ask Jesus to forgive us and enter our hearts.

More than feeling sorry

Repentance before God requires a sincere change of mind. “I’m sorry” must be real. It must be a complete understanding of your sins and a true turnaround.

What does the Bible say about repentance?

  • Repent in the New Testament comes from the Greek “metanoein” meaning to change one’s mind. This is a change in thinking; it is internal.  
  • Repent in the Old Testament means to turn back, or return. It involves a physical change or action; it is external.

Combine the two and we have God’s complete picture of His meaning of repentance. It starts in the heart (mind/thinking) and manifests as action. First we change inside, and then our behavior outside follows suit.

Thus, repentance is not merely feeling bad about having done wrong, but is a visible change in one’s life. 

What repentance looks like

The classic example of repentance is the story of the Prodigal Son which can be read in Luke 15:11-32.

Here are the main ideas to get.

  • The younger son represents us
  • His actions – a real foul-up –represent our need to repent.
  • The father in the story represents our Heavenly Father — God.
  • The son truly saw his sorry plight as he worked in the pigpen. He realized deep inside that he was wrong. This shows his inward change.
  • He returned home and confessed his sins to his father. That is his outward change.
  • The father totally restores his son to his place, illustrating the unconditional love our Heavenly Father has for us.

If you want to go to Heaven, all you have to do is live a perfect life with no mistakes from conception to death. Uh, no. That never works. (See Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God)  But all is not lost. You can still go to Heaven. When you repent in the true sense of the concept and ask Jesus into your heart, He will say yes. He forgives all sins and you become as perfect in His eyes. On your own, you can be pretty good by man’s standards, but never as perfect as God. Therefore — no Heaven for you. With Jesus in your heart, you are welcome in Heaven and will enjoy eternity in paradise with Jesus.

God’s kindness when we repent

There are scriptures which further testify to God’s heart and acceptance when we repent.

  • Romans 2:4:   “God’s kindness is intended to turn you from your sin.” (NLT)
  • 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.”   
    • Confession is part of the process of true repentance and God will respond positively.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:8-10:   God, too, is sorry to see us in a sinful state. That helps us to be truly repentant and that in turn leads to salvation.
    • God makes it safe to come to Him; true repentance guarantees His acceptance
  • Being sorry in a worldly way leads to death and eternal separation from God.
    • (See Proverbs 14:12:   There is a path … that seems right, but ends in death.)

Now let us deal with a mistake most people with no religious affiliation and even many organized religions make: trying to earn your way to God.

Can we earn our way to God?

No. The term for that is Dead Works.

Dead works are any action meant to please God or gain His acceptance, but which is done apart from the direction of God.

Have you ever tried to please God by:

  • Giving money to a charity, including a church
  • Helping the needy
  • Trying to live a good and moral life
  • Showing up in church and participating in service and activities

These activities are all good in themselves. But they are only our own efforts to please God, and that won’t cut the mustard.   See Isaiah 64:6:   “When we display our righteous deeds they are nothing but filthy rags.”

Our best intentions and best efforts to please God on our own all come to nothing.

People seeking Heaven often improve their lives so they do far more good than bad. They hope this is enough to please God so He will accept them into Heaven. But what does God tell us in scripture?

  1. God is absolutely perfect. No flaws, no mistakes, not even a slip on the ice. He is so perfect, human minds cannot conceive how perfect.
  2. It follows that Heaven is perfect as well, as it is God’s home and He created it.
  3. If God were to allow a person who is “good enough” to enter Heaven, then Heaven itself would become “good enough”. And that can never happen. Not on God’s eternal watch.
  4. So if you want to go to Heaven, you have to be as good as God. The only way to do that is by repentance of sin and acceptance of His gift of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.

 

The only way to God

Good News:  Since we cannot reach God by our own efforts, He reached out to us with a clear path to connect forever. Here is the way:

Ephesians 2:8-10:

  • We are saved through faith and not by our works
  • We cannot earn salvation; it is a gift from God
  • We receive the gift merely by asking with true humble faith

Repentance from dead works – as from sin – is a turning or change of mind from actions performed apart from God.

When you ask God for direction, you give permission to God to guide you into His will. And that makes all the difference.

Click here to return to the index of Foundations teachings.

 

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 by ffranklin

Our Foundations in Jesus

This series was authored by Reach Out Church’s Ford Franklin

The elements of our Christ centered foundation

Your foundation in Jesus has six points, which are found in Hebrews 6: 1-2. They are:

1. Repentance
2. Faith toward God
3. Baptisms
4. Laying on of hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal Judgment

Quality. Reliability. Longevity. These are words we associate with the best. The best can be counted on. It lasts. It does not let us down. Be it people or things, we look up to and revere the best.

Today we will learn more about the best of the best – Jesus Christ. We will see how to form a solid bond with Jesus Christ, who is God. Accepting Jesus into our hearts assures us of going to Heaven, but we can also improve our walk with Him and our lives on His earth by forming a closer and greater fellowship with Him.

In Hebrews 6:1, there are six points outlined which show us how to form this fellowship with Him. What happens if a carpenter builds a house on a weak or crooked foundation? You needn’t be a professional builder to know that that house cannot stand. Without the support of a solid foundation, it will fall more sooner than later – if it goes up at all.

It’s the same with learning. You cannot build a solid education on a poor foundation. Try going to high school without first attending grade school. You’ll flunk for sure.

What do we build upon?

Likewise, trying to be a strong Christian without a foundation is a tough road. When you accept Jesus into your heart you can be sure of going to Heaven, but there is so much more! Reading your Bible is essential to knowing Jesus. Attending church services regularly and having fellowship with believers is important for growing your knowledge of and relationship with Him. Yet even these can be better – rock-solid – when you have a firm foundation in Jesus. God Himself told us in Scripture to establish foundations in the Old Testament: “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Look, I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.”  Isaiah 28:16 We also find this wisdom in the New Testament. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 3:11 The rocks and cornerstones in these two Scripture verses represent Jesus. He is our rock, our cornerstone, and our tried and true foundation. When we build our lives as believers, we must rely upon the solid rock of Jesus to assure success. Those who build upon Jesus can be excited for this life and the life to follow in eternity. Many people believe there are two ways to get into Heaven. • If you live a perfect life with no mistakes, no matter how small from conception to death, you get to spend eternity in paradise right alongside Jesus. • If you have already messed that up (hey, we all have) you get a brand-new first time. Jesus wipes away your past and gives you a fresh start with zero bad history. Now that is exciting! (For scriptural confirmation, see Romans 3:23, 10:13)

Why we must have our foundation in Christ

As golden as life with Jesus is here on earth, there will be storms until we join Him face-to-face. Here’s how we can successfully deal with the travails that come our way: “Everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house upon a rock. The… winds blew and beat against the house, but it did not fall because it was built on the rock. But those who do not put my words into practice are like the foolish man who built on the sand. The wind blew against the house, and it fell with a great crash. “ Matthew 7:24-27 The houses represent peoples’ lives and the storms represent the troubles that happen. Storms hit believers and non-believers alike, but in the Scripture, the one house survived because it had a solid foundation underground. This foundation is Jesus, living “underground” in your heart. When you build your foundation upon Jesus you are secure … not from being battered, but secure from falling into destruction. Your foundation was laid the day you accepted Jesus. It is up to you to strengthen that foundation and the building above by acting upon it. Remember: Jesus is your foundation, and the building is your life.

In our six postings on our foundations in Jesus, we shall examine each in more detail.

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 by ffranklin

Our Foundations in Jesus – The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands

foundationsTo summarize the events of Genesis 48:8-20… Jacob said: “Joesph, bring your sons to me.” And Jacob placed his hands on the boys’ heads and prayed: “May God bless these boys, and multiply their descendants greatly throughout the Earth.” 

Jesus says in Mark 16:18, “They will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.”

And 21st-century science tells us what mothers have known since Eve: touching babies relaxes them, makes them calm, and helps them to grow into confident adults.

The laying on of hands makes a difference

People lay hands on other people just about everywhere in the Bible, and it always leads to some benefit. But we can’t do that today, right? Like Pastor Vic says, “Some say that the blessings petered out when Peter petered out.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) Pastor Vic also adds: “Oh no they didn’t! Hands and blessings are as powerful for us as believers today! It says so right in the Bible.

We will investigate the Biblical basis of laying on of hands for:

  1. Blessings
  2. Healing
  3. Baptism in the Holy Ghost
  4. Spiritual Gifts
  5. Commissioning ministers

1. Blessings

First, look up and read Genesis 48:8-20, which was summarized at the top of this article. This is only one Scriptural example of blessings by laying on of hands

By calling blessings from God and laying on hands (touching the recipient with the whole palm and fingers — not just tips), one multiplies power and faith. This often transfers the benefits of one’s powerful faith to another person.

For Jacob and his grandchildren, it bore great fruit in the later generations as they multiplied to become a great nation.

2. Healing

Healing refers to body, spirit, and soul. The Bible has many passages wherein people are healed of physical afflictions after prayer with the laying on of hands. Read in full the passage Mark 16:15-18, excerpted above. There’s more, but first this:

Healing happens to those who believer. Belief is the only qualification for the one doing the praying. It is not the physical act of laying on of hands that does the healing. Hands are the outward sign of one’s belief that the sick person will get well.

In Luke 4:38-40, Jesus lays hands on Peter’s mother-in-law and heals her of a fever. Because of this demonstration, lots of people came forward and were healed.

Later, in Luke 13:10-16, Jesus heals a woman with a twisted back. Verse 16 tells us that the woman is freed from an evil spirit. This often happens. The illness is demonic, and laying on of hands in faith casts out the demon. But, oops, you have to fill the space or the demon can move back. Quickly fill yourself with the Spirit of God for permanent results.

For more examples, see Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 6:1-6, and Acts 28:7-10

3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

When you ask Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit immediately moves in. But there’s more. With an extra measure of faith, you can receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. While some gain that all by themselves, more usually comes with the laying on of hands to add the faith of others to yours.

There are early examples in Acts 8:14-21, where we see that the Baptism is a gift from God and cannot be bought with money. And in Acts 19:1-6, there were believers who had been baptized by John but had never heard of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then they gladly received it.

4. Spiritual Gifts

All Spiritual Gifts come from the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t mean we all get every gift. God knows what He is doing, and He gives to each the one or two best suited to that person’s nature. One thing that is sure — God will give us exactly what He knows we need to serve Him best. Then we must step out and put faith into action without faltering.

  • Stephen, in Acts 6:1-8, received gifts, stepped out in faith, performed marvelous works and wonders, and then got clobbered by skeptics. The Devil was at work, trying to keep people from receiving God’s best and from spreading the Good Word.
  • Timothy got the gifts and Paul admonished him to never forget it. Timothy used his gifts in the face of opposition, and came out ahead.

We too have a choice to use the gifts or not, and in secular society there is pressure to just not do it.

5. Laying on of hands to commission ministers

Being a minister is not just a job. You don’t choose it from a list at the guidance counselor’s office. Ministry is a calling; it summons you, not the other way around. Therefore, when those who commission new ministers by laying their hands on them, they are not doing it of their own. It is in agreement with the Holy Spirit.

See 1 Timothy 5:22. “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”

This admonishes church leaders to be careful about laying on hands to ordain new ministers. If Timothy commissioned someone who did not follow sound doctrine, then Timothy would be responsible and share in the sin.

Today, we might call that aiding and abetting, or being an accomplice after the fact.

Exercise faith today

So — the laying on of hands has many purposes in the body of Christ. Just remember it is the Holy Spirit working through us and nothing of our own power.

Try it out. You are not testing God, just merely convincing yourself. Lay hands on people and expect them to be healed in the name of Jesus. Bless your spouse and children that you will grow in faith toward God as the Holy Spirit works through you.

Remember what Jesus said in Luke 16:10 about being faithful in little things and later receiving greater blessings. Start small. Grow. You’ll get there.

Click here to return to the index of Foundations teachings.

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 by ffranklin

Our Foundations in Jesus – Baptisms

foundations Dunk, drizzle, splash, sprinkle… It seems every church has its own way of baptizing and its own philosophy of when and why it should happen.

  • Does it wash away some vaguely-defined “original sin”?
  • Does it make you a Christian?
  • Is it essential for salvation?
  • Does it save you all by itself?
  • Is it more proper to pour a small amount of water over a baby’s forehead, or should we dunk adults in over their heads?

All that folderol is religion. Religion is a man-made philosophy of pleasing God. In an earlier article we spoke of pleasing God as “dead works.” What does the Bible say about baptism? There are four types of baptism in the Bible.

  1. The Baptism of John the Baptist/Repentance
  2. Christian Baptism
  3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
  4. Baptism of Suffering

Baptism of John the Baptist/Repentance

John started before Jesus began and was done during Jesus’ time. John preached repentance from sin and that after him would come One more powerful than he. John emphasized that he baptized with water and that the One to come would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  (Read Mark 1:4-8) John was what we might today call a front-man. His job was to get the hearts of the people ready to hear Jesus’ message. When people came to John for baptism, they confessed their sins and committed to change, opening fertile ground in their hearts to receive Jesus’ message of salvation. (Matthew 3:1-3, 7-11)

Christian Baptism

Christians are to be baptized after we have received Jesus. Baptism is an act of outward obedience following the example that Jesus established by Himself being baptized. (See Matthew 3:13-17 & 1 Peter 2:21-22) Christian Baptism identifies us with three events in Jesus’ lift

  • His death (Romans 6:3)
  • His burial (Colossians 2:12)
  • His resurrection (ibid)

Christian Baptism is a public confession that you are committing your life to Jesus. It shows the world that you are a new creature with a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17), and a changed heart  (Romans 2: 28-29). In Exodus we see a grand example of water cleansing. The Israelites passed through the Red Sea unharmed, but their enemy was destroyed in the water. Examples of believers being baptized are found in Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, and 19:5. Read! The catch? OK, no catch… but there are two conditions for Christian Baptism to be effective:

  1. Baptism is not your ticket to God. Repentance is, and baptism is the outward declaration. (Acts 2:37-38)
  2. Believe. Salvation is based upon belief and faith, not proof. God asks only that we accept Him wholeheartedly and He will reward us with eternal paradise. (See Mark 16:15-16 & Acts 16:25-34)

Holy Spirit Baptism

“… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” Acts 1:8a

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a supernatural empowering, released by faith that we may be confident to accomplish all that God calls us to do.

To receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, you must:

  1. Be born again (John 7:37-38)
  2. Have a repentant heart (Acts 2:38)
  3. Hunger after God (Matthew 5:6)
  4. Have faith to receive (Galatians 3:13-14)

Here is a famous (or infamous) before-and-after example of a believer receiving the Holy Spirit. Before: Peter denied Jesus three times, even after declaring that he would lay down his life for Him. (John 18:15-18 & 25-27) After: Peter unashamedly preached in public, saving 3000 people (Acts 2:14-41). He spoke boldly to religious leaders, the same ones he fled from earlier (Acts 4:1-21).

Baptism of Suffering

Hookay… this one takes a greater understanding and faith. While everything will be peaches and cream in Heaven, life on this planet is not so rosy. Christians will be (not might be, will be) persecuted for their faith. Non-believers will do all sorts of nasty things to drag us down and keep us in the slime of sin with them. But with God in our corner, we can persevere. And not merely survive, but emerge victorious. What will we suffer for Jesus?

  • We’re going to face bad treatment (slang: getting “dissed”) for well-doing (1 Peter 2:20 & 3:17)
  • We’ll be persecuted just for believing in Jesus (just read the secular news these days, and compare with 2 Timothy & 2 Corinthians 12:10)
  • We’ll always be tempted; that doesn’t stop (1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 4:1, James 1:12)

What will we NOT suffer for Jesus?

  • Suffer for eternity. Jesus took our place for punishments for sins, so we don’t have to. (Luke 22:44, Isaiah 53, & Matthew 27:27-50)
  • Sickness (1 Peter 2:24 [You’re looking these verses up and reading them, right?])
  • Poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9)
  • Suffer as a murderer, thief, evildoer, meddler (1 Peter 4:12-16)

Remember, Jesus took all these sufferings upon Himself to spare us the same.

Joy in suffering

What’s so… ggggrrrrrrrr… joyous about suffering??? For one thing, we are told in 1 Peter 4:13 that we are to rejoice that we suffer for the name of Jesus. As we suffer for Him, the love of God continues to grow inside us so we can shine even brighter for Jesus, being examples to the people around us. (Romans 5:3-6) Just as a broken bone becomes stronger in the healed place, you can be stronger for having suffered for Jesus. So the story has a happy ending after all.

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