Matthew 16:13-18,

v13 “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”... v15 “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Acts 4:12, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

1 Co 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5)  In Christ, we can do all things (Phil. 4:13).

Christ the Prophet

Christ is the Prophet who instructs us in the things of God so we may be healed of our blindness and ignorance.

Heidelberg Catechism calls Jesus "our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption" (A. 31).

2000 BF&M, "Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God…” (II.B)

Deuteronomy 18:15, Matt. 17:5

A Christian can only grow as we listen & heed the instructions and teachings of Jesus!

Christ the Priest

Christ is also Priest — our greatly needed and perfect High Priest!

Heidelberg Catechism, "by the sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us, and makes continual intercession with the Father for us" (A. 31).

1689 London Baptist Confession, "because of our estrangement from God and the imperfection of our services at best, we need his priestly office to reconcile us to God and render us acceptable to him" (8.10).

2000 BF&M, "He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin." (II.B.)

Two conditions of Salvation

1) The first is to satisfy the justice of God through obedience to the law.

2) The second is to pay the price of our sins.

We cannot accomplish either, but Christ did both perfectly.

Romans 5:19, Romans 5:10

Christ the King

Finally, Christ is the King, ruling over all things.

He reigns over the church by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:30–33).

Acts 5:31, “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

Heidelberg Catechism, A 31) Christ is "our eternal King who governs us by His word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in the enjoyment of that salvation, He has purchased for us"

2000 Baptist Faith & Message (IX) "The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King.”

2000 Baptist Faith & Message (IX) “Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ.

Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Five Solas:

2. Solus Christus = Christ Alone

3. Sola Gratia = Grace Alone 

4. Sola Fide = Faith Alone

5. Soli Deo Gloria = To the Glory of God Alone

Sola Scriptura – Defined

Baptist Faith and Message I. The Scriptures - The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

This was Martin Luther’s conviction - Consider 1517, 1519, 1521

October 31, 1517 - 95 Theses nailed to Wittenberg Church door

July 4, 1519 - June and July - Luther and Eck Debate in Leipzig

April 16-18, 1521 - The Diet of Worms

Sola Scriptura – Directs

Directs our worship 

Directs our preaching and teaching

Directs our love for one another

Directs our missions and evangelism

Directs our stewardship of time, talents, and treasure

Directs our spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture engagement, fasting, etc

Directs our church purpose, polity, and practices

The Bible is more than merely descriptive, it is prescriptive and instructive

Sola Scriptura - Declares

It puts the PRO in PROTEST and the PROTEST in PROTESTANT

Pro = for

Protest = usually used as against but actually means “to make solemn declaration or affirmation of”

Many have heard what the church is against... BUT what is the church FOR?

WE MUST BE FOR WHAT THE BIBLE IS FOR!

* We are for the repentance of all people and the regeneration that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is found ONLY in Jesus - He is the way, truth, and life

* We are for a healthy, biblical church designed as He commanded!

* We are for unity between people of different backgrounds, nationalities, skin colors, and languages under the truth of Christ

* We are for LIFE, from the womb until the tomb, because life is God’s gift!

* We are for healthy, biblical marriages between a husband and a wife!

It is time to go back to the simple truth taught in the children’s songs

“The B-I-B-L-E, Yes That’s the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.”

“Jesus loves this I know…. For the Bible tells me so!”

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

How do I go public with my faith?

1) Become a new Creation!

Romans 10:9-10

2) Be Baptized

The first important steps of faith. Baptism is a physical illustration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus instructs every Christ-follower to be baptized to illustrate the fact that they have committed to and are following Him.

Why immersion:

3) Be an Ambassador!

Know the gospel:

Why? Sin/separation, How? Jesus, What? Repent/Believe

Know your style

Romans 10:14, 17 

Know some Methods

1) The Pray and Say 

2) The Romans Road: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9, 10:13

3) The Four Spiritual Laws

4) Steps to Peace with God

5) Way of the Master 

6) The Share Jesus Without Fear

7) The G.O.S.P.E.L Journey 

8) 3 Circle Method

9) 2 Ways to Live

10) One Verse Evangelism Method

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For additional evangelism help go to https://wlbc.life/share/

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

1) HEAD: What do you think about others

Hebrews 9:27, James 2:15-17 , 1 Corinthians 9:20-23

2) HEART: What do you feel about others

Romans 9:1-3, Colossians 3:11-13

3) HANDS: What do you do for others

Romans 15:7, Ephesians 4:29, Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37

Be Active in: Seeing, Serving, Showing, Sharing

What are ways we could demonstrate Care for others this week?

Lifeway Research - September 8, 2022

3 Reasons Your Evangelism Efforts Have Stalled

Our mission requires a…

1) Priority of Prayer

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Zechariah 4:6, Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

2) Consistency of Prayer 

1 Timothy 2:2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

Prayer must be continual and passionate because we are warned…

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

3) Opportunity of Prayer - 37 …“The harvest is plentiful…

Col 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

4:3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Matthew 9 the disciples are praying

Matthew 10 the disciples are being sent out

v5-7 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “...go to the lost sheep….saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The disciples became the answer to their own prayers!

Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Pray  “Lord of the Harvest, Use me”

Who are 3 people you will be praying for to find salvation in Jesus?

The Mission: The Value of the Gospel - Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah 52:7 - How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 

1) Gospel of Peace - “Who publishes peace…”

     a. We were at war with God. 

     b. God was at enmity with us.

     c. Christ is the one who reconciled us.

2) The Gospel of Happiness “Who brings good news of happiness…”

3) The Gospel of Salvation “Who publishes salvation…”

Spiritual forces that oppressed us:

* Sin

* Death - Hebrews 9:27

* Satan - 2 Timothy 2:26, 2 Corinthians 4:4

Christ the Liberator (Isaiah 61:1) 

* Righteousness

* Life

* His Kingdom

Finding Joy - The Book of Philippians 4:10-23

v1  Stand firm 

1) Stay joyful with others by peace

Staying joyful in relationships requires: Commitment, Counsel, Celebration, Character 

2) Stay joyful with God by praying

3) Stay joyful with yourself by practicing

Reflect on the excellent

Repeat the example

How to grow until Glory

1) Evaluation (3:12)

2) Concentration (3:13-14)

3) Cooperation (3:15)

4) Preservation (3:16)

5) Imitation (3:17)

6) Separation (3:18-20)

7) Transformation (3:21)

Finding Joy through Grace, Growth, & Glory (pt1)

The Safeguard of Joy is Grace

1) Grace resists legalism (3:1-6)

2) Grace redefines loss (3:7-8)

3) Grace refocuses on the Lord (3:8-11)

Grace refocus us on a…

· Relationship with Jesus (knowing Christ… found in him… I may know Him

· Righteousness from Jesus (not having a righteousness of my own)

· Resurrection to Jesus (I may attain the resurrection from the dead)