West Lynchburg

3 consistent standards to set in order in every generation of the church

1) Raise Godly Leaders

- What Leaders are to be:

FAMILY  -  CHARACTER - GIFTING

- What Leaders are to do:

Protect the flock - Rebuke and Restore

2) Reproduce Growing Disciples

Older men - Older women 

Younger women - Younger men 

3) Reach Grace-starved People

Grace redeems us - reforms us - rewards us

Reach people by how we live in this world and by how you lead in this world

117 year anniversary of West Lynchburg Baptist Church

Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Envision a church where…

1) God’s ability is exhibited (v20) - “Now to him who is able to do”

2) Our aspirations are exceeded (v20) - far more abundantly than all that we ask or think

3) The Body is empowered (v20)  - according to the power at work within us

4) Christ is exalted (v21) -   to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

5) Discipleship is essential (v21) -  throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Let's embrace and apply Ephesians 3:20-21 and envision for the next year…

Soli Deo gloria is the motto that grew out of the Protestant Reformation and was used on every composition by Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel with the letters “SDG”

Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

We may often use the phrase glory of God, but what does it mean?

The glory of God is the holiness of God put on display that arrests our attention and our allegiance. That is, it is the infinite worth of God made manifest.

John Piper, “God’s glory is the outward radiance of the intrinsic beauty and greatness of His manifold perfections.”

The joy of the Christian life is in Seeing & Savoring His glory

1) We see God’s glory in His worth

Isa 6:3, John 17:5

Was Jesus’ lacking glory? No… Phil 2:6-7

2) We see God’s glory in His works

2 Thess 1:9, Psalm 19:1, Ephesians 1:6, Psalm 21:5 

Seeing His glory & Savoring His glory!

Ralph D. Winter (Missiologist) “The great sin of the world is not that the human race has failed to work for God so as to increase his glory, but that we have failed to delight in God so as to reflect his glory.”

1) We savor God’s glory in our desire

1 Cor 10:31, Isaiah 43:7

“Theologians of glory” and “Theologians of the cross”

“Theologians of glory” seek power FROM God to become great-known-strong (Philippians 3:19)

“Theologians of the cross” - Jn 3:30

Live as a Worshipper - Romans 12:1 

1 Chronicles 16:10, Psalm 105:3, Philippians 3:3, Philippians 4:19, 1 Peter 5:10

2) We savor God’s glory in our declaration - 

Ps 96:1-3, Isaiah 66:18-19, Matthew 5:16

3) We savor God’s glory in our destination

Colossians 3:4, Romans 5:2, Jude 24, Romans 8:18

David Livingstone (Scottish physician and pioneer Christian missionary) “Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this be only for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in, and for, us.”

Do you see His glory? -

Do you savor His glory?

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 important truths: grace means 1) God is Good 2) We are not

Romans 3:10-12, “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

1) What is Grace?

2) Why do I need Grace?

* So blind that only God could give us sight - 2 Corinthians 4:4,6

* So sinful that only God could cleanse us -Psalm 51:5, 7

* So heart sick only God can heal us - Jeremiah 17:9,14

* So lost that only God could find & save us -Luke 19:10

* So helpless that only God could change us - Jeremiah 13:23

3) What difference does GRACE make?

* GRACE destroys all human self-confidence. - Romans 3:23

* GRACE frees us from earning God’s favor. - Romans 3:24

* GRACE enables us to serve God without fear. - Romans 3:25

“Rock of Ages” - Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace: Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die.

"Grace Greater Than Our Sin”

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

VERSE 3

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe,

All who are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

There are 2 key bible passages that help us with this important doctrine.

1) What is justification?

2) Why are we unable to justify ourselves?

3) How are we justified?

To say that we are saved by ‘alien righteousness’ means that we are saved by righteousness that comes “from another place or person.” It comes not from within us as a result of our good deeds, but from outside of us entirely.

Where can a guilty sinner find righteousness “from another place?” Only in Jesus.

Romans 8:33-34, “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us”

4) Justification includes four truths

Justified by God’s Grace - Romans 3:24 justified by his grace as a gift

Justified by Christ’s Blood - Romans 5:9 we have now been justified by his blood

Justified without Our Works - Romans 4:5 one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Justified by Faith Alone - Romans 3:28 one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

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?