1. Faith's Content 2. Faith's Quality 3. Faith's Hope. What is the place of faith and works in the life of the true believer? What is saving faith?

Often called "The Heart of the Gospel", these verses define some of the aspects of our salvation that we may tend to overlook. This message looks to define these terms and to challenge us to rise to what Paul sees as a necessary implication; no boasting in anything except the gospel for our hope and salvation.

Justification, Redemption, and Propitiation. O, my!

A sermon by Rev. Richard E. Clayton, Jr.

Sermon on Mark 14:43-52

Maybe we Christians think we are better than other people since we have been enlightened by the gospel of Christ. The Bible teaches that we are not, in and of ourselves, in our own personal behavior, any better. We must beware of thinking that we gain salvation through our behavior because this can lead to legalism, false pride, and the preaching of a false gospel to the world.

What was the advantage of the means of grace in the Old Testament? What is the advantage of the means of grace in the New Testament? First, it exposes the participants to the word of God but without faith these things are not beneficial unto salvation.

Salvation has always and only been a matter of the heart from the fall of Adam to this very day. Circumcision was a sign and seal of actual regeneration. It was a form and shadow of the reality in the Christ to come. New Testament baptism represents the same thing. Salvation has always and only been a matter of the heart obtained by faith through grace in Christ alone.

This is a sermon about Christian introspection. Are you a true believer or hypocrite? The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, gives us opportunity to examine this to do something about it.

All will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Judgment is based in works, even our consciences stand against us. The law demands perfection. The only perfect person was Jesus. The believer is clothed in His righteousness and has his conscience renewed.