1. Comfort Doctrines (4)

2. Comfort Doctrine  A teaching that gives false spiritual comfort to one who does not want to be held accountable for sinful activity.

3. Comfort Doctrines (4) Are we saved by works? (2)

4. Salvation by works  Good works outweigh evil works – enough  Works based religions  Minimalism  Picking and choosing  Do some Christians have a problem with this?

5. Understanding Grace  God’s grace the PRIME factor in our salvation! Our Salvation

6. Understanding Grace  The importance of grace  Eph. 2:8-9  Rom. 3:23-24  Titus 2:11-13  A gift offered but not forced upon us Our Salvation

7. Understanding Works  There are works that do not save  Ephesians 2:9  Romans 3:20  Romans 4:2-4 Our Salvation

8. Understanding Works  BUT there are commands that MUST be obeyed  Gal. 6:2 – law  Gal. 5:6 – working  1 John 5:3-4 – commandments, Rom. 6:17,18 – obeyed, Heb. 5:9 Our Salvation

9. Understanding Works  How do we reconcile these texts?  We must identify the types of works addressed! Our Salvation

10. Understanding Works  Types of works  Gal. 5:19-21, Rom. 13:12- 14 – works of the flesh  Gal. 2:16, Rom. 3:28 – works of the law  1 Thess. 1:3, 1 Cor. 15:58 – works of faith Our Salvation

11. Understanding Works  OBVIOUSLY, works of the flesh are not what is discussed in Eph. 2:9  Works of the law – ARE under consideration! (prime example – the Law of Moses) Our Salvation

12. Understanding Works  The Law of Moses:  Could not forgive sins permanently Heb. 10:1- 4, 11  Required sinless perfection Gal. 3:10-12, Jas. 2:10-12 Our Salvation

13. Understanding Works  The Law of Moses:  IF kept perfectly he could brag Rom. 4:2  But NONE kept it perfectly (except Jesus) so it could not justify Heb. 7:11-12, 8:7, etc. Our Salvation

14. Understanding Works  The Law of Faith – (Necessary obedience)  God offers us the gift of salvation, but we must BY FAITH accept it. Our Salvation

15. Understanding Works  The Law of Faith –  Does not require sinless perfection Rom. 3:23-24, Heb. 10:11-14, 17 (we can be forgiven)  Provides permanent forgiveness – Eph. 1:& Our Salvation

16. Understanding Works  The Law of Faith –  Has conditions Rom. 6:17, Heb. 5:9  If not a Christian – obey the gospel  If a Christian - Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:9 Our Salvation

17. Understanding Works  The Law of Faith –  You CANNOT trust in yourself for salvation!  You trust in God and therefore obey Him! Cf. 1 Pet. 3:21, Jas. 2:14-26 Our Salvation

18. Understanding Works  The Law of Faith –  There is no place for boasting! Eph. 2:9, Rom. 3:27, Luke 17:10 Our Salvation

19. Understanding Works  The difference between “works of law” and “works of faith”  One involves entitlement, the other involves obedience One is about you, the other is about God  The difference is ATTITUDE! Our Salvation

20. Understanding Works  Abraham an example of works of faith!  Rom. 4:4  Unable to justify himself (by works)  But he was NOT perfect Our Salvation

21. Understanding Works  Abraham an example of works of faith!  BUT he trusted God to take care of him (Faith)– Rom. 4:3 Our Salvation

22. Understanding Works  Abraham an example of works of faith!  Justified by faith that included works Jas. 2:18-24 He obeyed God – Heb. 11:8, 17  He did not EARN His salvation, but he achieved it by obedience Our Salvation

23. Understanding Obedience  What is obedience? “to comply with, or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes or instructions of” In Greek – to listen to, hearken – with the idea being that you submit to what you hear Our Salvation

24. Understanding Obedience  Examples of obedience  Children obey your parents – Eph. 6:1  Obey the law – Rom. 13:1, 5  Reward for compliance, punishment for disobedience Our Salvation

25. Understanding Obedience  Obedience NOT about earning something as in wages ( Rom. 4:4)  Obeying God based upon belief in Him and His word. Understanding of reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience ( 2 Thess. 3:14 ) Our Salvation

26. What does God demand?  He demands a faith that obeys!  Does it involve works? YES!  Are they meritorious works? NO!

27. What does God demand?  He demands reverence – Heb. 12:28  He demands that we seek Him first Matt. 6:33, 10:37-39, Lk. 14:33

28. What does God demand?  He demands holiness – 12 Pet. 1:13-16, Heb. 12:14  We must QUIT sinning – 1 John 1:5-7, 3:4-9  He demands purity – 1 John 3:3

29. Comfort in Obedience  Let us NEVER reason that our salvation is about our works. It is about obeying God.  We find comfort because we know He is pleased with us when we obey

30. Comfort in Obedience  We find comfort because we CAN be forgiven!  If we refuse to obey God we ought to be afraid!

31. Will you obey God’s will today?