Are you Lost by faith?
Our theme this year is from Ephesians 2:4-5 which states, “4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)”. Those truly in Jesus, believe Jesus. Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Now then, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17), the word of God is “truth” (John 17:17), and if we cannot believe “truth”, we cannot be saved. Sadly, there exists today a deluge of “faith systems” by which many will lose their soul. Listen and meditate on Paul’s warning, “…all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:9-12).
When your faith is in the teaching of someone other than God, your worship is in vain. “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Mark 7:7 NIV). Saying boldly, “I believe in Jesus”, and not believing His word is how the Devil wins souls—when you believe the lie and have not the love of the truth! Example: the LORD said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16). Almost all religious leaders today boldly say “that is not true!” Why? Because they too are following a pattern, believing a lie set by someone other than God. They quote Eleazar Wheelock who in 1741 started the whole movement of the adult confession for salvation, “asking Jesus into your heart”, teaching salvation comes through “faith alone, and nothing else”. Teach this and you’re not quoting the Word of God you are quoting, James Kennedy who in the 1990s, quoted Billy Graham who in the 1950-90s, quoted Bill Bright who in the early 1950s, quoted Billy Sunday who in the 1900s quoted R. A. Torrey who in 1899, quoted Dwight Moody from the 1860s, who quoted Charles Grandison from 1835, who quoted a minister named Eleazar Wheelock from 1741. Now a plethora of men perpetuate this false teaching, the faith that causes one to lose their soul is the faith one has in men, and not God.
Fact: Our LORD said: “…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:33). Truth: (1) The only place in all the Bible using the words “faith” and “alone” is in the book of James. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Truth: Do you see the black and white contrast in the words of Jesus who said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16) and men who say, “Whoever believes is saved and you don’t have to be baptized” (See list of these men from previous paragraph).
Two directives of faith: The wide gate “faith in the word of man” where “many”, that is the majority will enter: The narrow gate, “faith in the Word of God”, where few will enter (Matt. 7:13-14). When faced with choice, the word of man, or the Word of the LORD who will you follow? Jesus makes it clear that most will walk away from Him who has, “the words of eternal life” (John 6:63-69).
How is it that good, honest, caring, and sincere people can believe such lies? Simple, they’re not diligent in studying the God breathed word (2 Tim 3:16) that unequivocally teaches at the time of baptism your sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), you’re added to the church which is the body of Christ (Acts 2:41, 47; Col. 1:18, 24) and you’re are saved (1 Pet. 3:21), by the precious blood of the Lamb (1 Pet. 1:18-19). The LORD said “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God”?
When the Devil, through men, teach concerning “works” you’ll only hear quoted, “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:9). The claim is “works” of any kind have nothing to do with salvation. But we must rightly divide the scripture (2 Tim. 2:15). In Ephesians Paul defines the works by saying, “and that not of yourselves” (v.8), not from man. The command to “rightly divide”, means to present one’s self “approved unto God” which requires a knowledge of His will, known only through diligent study of “all scripture”. Therefore, when James wrote, “…a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” we must conclude he is not talking about works of merit as Paul, but of faith. Belief and obedience to the Lord’s commands. We must do whatever He says (John 2:5). Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus commanded: “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved…”. The work of faith: Believe then with good conscience be baptized (1 Pet. 3:21). James said, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God” (v.2:23). Abraham did everything God asked him to do. Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John” (John 4:1-2), commanded baptism be taught to all men, (Matt. 28:19-20). Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Are you really His friend if you don’t obey His command? Do you believe the Words of the LORD or of man? Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Jesus taught “Whoever serves me must follow me…” (John 12:26). Let’s make it simple, “let God be true but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).
The Psalmist said, “As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him” (Psa. 18:30). Men today are like those Jews who commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Their reply was, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-19).
Not being diligent to study for yourself, the word of God is the door the Devil uses to reach your heart, cause you to “believe the lie”, and perpetuate that lie for the rest of your life. Jesus told of two men one rich, the other a poor beggar named “Lazarus” who both died. The rich man in torment wanted Lazarus to be sent to warn to his five brothers, don’t follow after me. Abraham said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:19-31). We have someone who came back from the dead with a message of hope, Jesus. What He said and taught is recorded in your Bible. He is speaking to you right now through His Word, plainly and clearly affirming what you must do to be saved. Will you be saved by faith in the Words of the LORD or lost by faith in the words of false religious leaders? The choice is yours I hope you chose the Word.
Love
Dave Scarpino
“28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29)
Our faithful Creator is worthy to be praised in this assembly. All praise to Him who reigns above in majesty supreme! He gave His Son to die, for all mankind, that He might redeem all. Our blessed Redeemer suffered and died for our sins and is now risen and sitting at the right hand of God as Head of the church. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, knowing that He is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
Times of Our Services
- Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:00 AM
- Sunday Morning Worship 9:50 AM
- Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 PM
- Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7:30 PM
What Must I Do to Be Saved?
- Hear the gospel————————————– John 6:45; Romans 10:17
- Believe the gospel———————————– John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6
- Repent of sins—————————————- Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30
- Confess Christ—————————————- Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10
- Be baptized——————————————- Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38
- Remain faithful unto and until death——— Revelation 2:10; Matthew 10:22