Biblical Christianity
Biblical Christianity • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Pray
Pray
Christianity’s Position
Christianity’s Posture
Christianity’s Pride
Christianity’s Plea
In there are four distinctives of a believer’s life that will help you recognize Biblical Christianity.
Pray
My charge for this session is to define for you Biblical Christianity.
Honestly, this is a bit of a daunting task. The reality is that after a lifetime of preaching and teaching we couldn’t even begin to touch all of the facets of Christianity. I hope to just scratch the surface with you today, but to do so in a way that will help identify the Authentic from the Counterfeit.
It is unfortunate that my country, while there are certainly good things that come from it, exports a lot of garbage and filth. Included in that is a false, counterfeit Christianity. The constant preaching of “Your best life now, you’re the captain of your ship and you control your destiny, God wants you to be healthy, wealthy and prosperous proclaim many preachers today.”“Speak into the future and command your destiny now” and other such heinous and egregious mis-representations of Christianity.
In fact, the most recent development was that our President officially brought a prosperity Gospel heretic, Paula White, on staff in the White House as an official spiritual advisor. She will now be what many in the world see as a spiritual leader, besides the fact that she is out of place as a woman and so-called preacher, she teaches another Gospel and so many will look at her a say, ahh, so that’s Christianity. She is nothing more than a daughter of Satan at this moment in time, peddling the prosperity Gospel, no different than Binny Hinn and the like. She does not, in any way, represent Biblical Christianity.
“Speak into the future and command your destiny now” and other such heinous and egregious mis-representations of Christianity. In fact, the most recent development was that our President officially brought a prosperity Gospel heretic, Paula White, on staff in the White House as an official spiritual advisor. She will now be what many in the world see as a spiritual leader, besides the fact that she is out of place as a woman and so-called preacher, she teaches another Gospel and so many will look at her a say, ahh, so that’s Christianity.
America is in trouble and the spiritual climate seems to be getting darker and darker. Losing ground, so to speak. While I think Africa is in a place where it is gaining ground, I’d like to implore you to learn from what you have seen and are seeing in America. Learn where the church went wrong, learn where the compromises were, and guard yourselves from those things, because sin is not unique to any peoples. The same sin that tempts Americans will tempt Africans and every other group in the world. But we are not ignorant of the Schemes of the devil as Scripture declares, but we must certainly be watchful. Mostly, bad theology comes from America these days, with the exception of a few strong Godly men.
Counterfeit Christianity is everywhere, it is nothing new, it has been around since the beginning, starting with the serpent in the garden. Modern day time is no different.
I’m afraid that my country, while there are certainly good things that come from it, exports a lot of garbage and filth. Included in that is a false Christianity. Your best life now, you’re the captain of your ship and you control your destiny, God wants you to be healthy, wealthy and prosperous. Speak into the future and command your destiny now and other such heinous and egregious mis-representations of Christianity.
If you were to ask the average person where I live in the southern part of the US, if they were Christian, the great majority of people, in fact, almost everyone would say, “yes.” I live in what is called the “Bible-Belt.” Given what I’ve seen here in Uganda, you might have that same response, I see Jesus, and God on everything, it seems.
If you were to ask the average person where I live in the southern part of the US, if they were Christian, the great majority of people, in fact, almost everyone would say, “yes.” I live in what is called the “Bible-Belt.” Given what I’ve seen here in Uganda, you might have that same response, I see Jesus, and God on everything, it seems.
So you meet someone while you’re walking down the road, conversations starts up and at some stage they tell you that they are a Christian. Instantly, your heart leaps and you think, “this is great, another brother in Christ,” but as the conversation continues you get the sense that something just isn’t right about this Christian. They have foul language, you find out they have no real love for the church, they are clueless as to what is in the Bible. You decided to ask the big question, “what makes you a Christian?”
Let me tell you some of the Answers I’ve heard, “I’m a Christian because my parents raised me Christian,” another says “ Because we are all God’s Children.” Yet another replies, “I’m believe in God and I’m a good person.” Another says, because I believe in the Bible.” Someone else says, “ I believe in Jesus, that makes me a Christian.” You soon realize that none of these answers are the Gospel. Even the person that simply says I believe in Jesus, well what does that mean? There was no repentance for sin, no talk of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, no talk of Him bearing our sin and paying the penalty that we deserved and being made righteous before a Holy and Just God.
19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
The demons in believe God is real, that God is one, and they shudder. One thing is certain if you do not know the Gospel, you are not saved, if your salvation experience did not include a deep sorrow and acknowledgement of your sin against a Holy God, that was followed by repentance and believing on Christ for salvation, knowing that he bore your sins and without Him, you could not be saved, then YOU ARE NOT SAVED. Loving Jesus, isn’t the way to salvation, Repenting and believing on Him is the only way to salvation.
, is the clear Gospel, turn with me there and let’s read it.
1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 30 Why are we also in danger every hour? 31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” 36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
I’ve had conversations missionaries, that have been in the field for over 30 years, who could not actually tell me the simple Gospel! Cultural Christianity has become the norm, but when one evaluates Cultural Christianity, what you find is that it lacks all real understand of what it means to be an authentic Christian. So, we have a Christianity that makes no real demands on the individual, family, or church. Many times , this version of Christianity is based on simply being a good person, and of course much of what is defined as “good” comes from the cultural and it is nothing more and mere moralism.
This is not Biblical Christianity. It is the devil’s design and playground, perhaps the devils greatest work in our time is Cultural Christianity and the Prosperity Gospel. It says that you can have all you want, wealth, riches, cultural relevance, if you’ll believe in a man called Jesus, no repentance required because this God loves everybody just the way they are and if you following Him he’ll make your dreams come true. This is not Biblical Christianity. Do the scriptures not say that we are made a new Creation, that we are changed, not the same.
Biblical Christianity is not earned by works, but works are a guaranteed fruit of repentance. We are saved by Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Christ Alone, but there is always evidence of that salvation. We are made new, the old man passes away and there is fruit. If a man says he is saved and never grows, never changes, and is the same “old man” he has always been, he did not have a true conversion experience.
Biblical Christian always changes people. Always. We were once dead in our trespasses, now we are alive in Christ. We once hated God, now we love God. We once loved our sin and sought it out, now we hate our sin and fight against it. We were spiritually blind to the things of God, now we see. We had limited capacity to love, now we can love with the love of Christ. Biblical Christianity changes the person.
It might be a slow change, for many it will be messy, and they will fight and as Paul Washer says, “it may be that they take three steps forward and two steps back, but there will be evidence of God working in their lives. If their is no evidence, no fruit, no changes in desires, no love for the things of God, no concern for God’s people, no love for the church, no desire to pray and study scripture, then it’s not Biblical Christianity.
Biblical Christianity is centered on Christ Jesus, period. Everything points to Christ. The Old Testament looked forward to Christ’s coming, the New Testament looks back at what he Accomplished and today’s believers look to His return. There are so many counterfeit versions of Christianity Today that it’s almost impossible to keep up with them, try as we may. The greatest defense against heresies and false Christianity is to know what Biblical authentic Christianity looks like. So with that introduction, let’s turn to our passage for this time together.
We can start reading from verse one.
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
We are going to spend the rest of our time together on verse 3.
In there are four (4) distinctives of Bible Christianity that will help you recognize an Authentic Expression of the Christian Faith.
Christianity’s Position
Christianity’s Posture
Christianity’s Pride
Christianity’s Plea
Let’s give a little background of Philippians: This was the Apostle Paul’s first church in Europe, dating from Paul’s second missionary journey. If you will recall this is where the Apostle Paul had cast out a demon possessing a merchant’s slave girl, which led to Paul and Silas who was with him to be beat and imprisoned. Paul had visited the city several times it seems and in this letter he was addressing several issues one of which is to warn the Philippian believers against false teachers, which brings us to our text.
3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
Christianity’s Posture
Christianity’s Pride
Christianity’s Plea
For we are the true Circumcision - Now that is an interesting statement, what on earth is Paul referring to, and how does that help us understand Biblical Christianity.
Paul was directing his attention here to known Judaizers, these were people who were teaching that, in addition, to salvation by faith, there were additional Jewish traditions that had to be kept, one of which was circumcision. Paul actual goes on in verse 5 to mention his own circumcision and then goes on to make a point that it was useless in terms of salvation.
Now if you’ll remember, back in circumcision was first given.
11 “And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.
Here Paul makes a distinction, he says “for we are the true circumcision” meaning that the christian does not merely have an outward symbol of the need for a clean heart, which is what circumcision was, it was an outward symbol of the need to be separated from sin and cleansed. Paul, referring to the Judaizers, who taught a works based salvation, says they are of the false circumcision and that Authentic Biblical Christians are of the true Circumcision.
In other words, Biblical Christianity is such that the believer, no longer needs cleansing, because he has been made clean through salvation by faith in Christ, demonstrated through repentance and belief, bearing fruit. This is Biblical Christianity’s Position. We are no longer looking to a messiah that will one day come to offer the remission of sins by faith through repentance, we look to a completed work o the cross, having been made clean. Our position is that of imputed righteousness, our works being as filthy rags, but His works being perfect and acceptable. We are now made alive, Christ’s righteousness counted to us, though we are still sinners, we have been made saints. Our position is no longer in the world, but now in Christ. This is a mark of Biblical Christianity, what was once lost is now found, what was once dead is now alive, and what was once at enmity with God is now adopted as sons of God through Christ Jesus.
We are the true circumcision
25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Biblical Christianity’s Position is that of having been cleansed and because of that God is praised, because it is not a work of man. This circumcision, this cleansing, this imputed righteousness come from the work of the Holy Spirit and God receives all of the Glory. Any version of Christianity that promotes Glory to men or praises works as a means of salvation, or attempts to elevate man in any way is not Bible Christianity. Man is nothing without God and whatever good that does come from man is from God. Man deserves nothing but hell and damnation and yet God in His infinite mercy chose to save some for Himself. He did this through His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and now our position is one of favor with God, because of Christ.
Our position of cleanliness is something that should be noticeable. Biblical Christianity compels one to hate filthiness, to loathe sinfulness. To despise those things that are wicked and unjust. A cleansed heart cannot bear fellowship with a filthy heart. A Christianity that is content to attached itself to the world, to look like the world, to act like the world, to think like the world is a Christianity that is has never been cleansed, it is no Christianity at all. It is a false system, a satanic copy cat to deceive those who are unregenerate and even the elect if possible.
This unclean version of Christianity, or what is called Cultural Christianity is rampant everywhere. I don’t know of a place on the globe you could go to and not find it. It’s the prosperity Gospel, it’s in much of the Charismatic church, it plagues the legalistic churches, it’s Roman Catholicism and it’s not Biblical.
We see that Christianity’s Position is in Christ, having been cleansed.
Continuing in our passage, we see Christianity’s Posture.
Christianity’s Posture
3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
Continuing in our passage, we see Christianity’s Posture.
Not only are we the true circumcision, that is, having been made clean, but we are those who worship in the Spirit of God. This is the Posture of Christianity, we’ve looked the Position of Christianity, this is the posture of Christianity. It’s a posture of Worship in the Spirit of God. The Greek word here for worship means to render respectful spiritual service. The Oxford dictionary defines worship as an excessive devotion to something. In other words, Biblica Christianity is marked by it’s reverent, respectful, and deep devotion to God.
This isn’t some ambiguous characteristic that is hard to spot. In fact, I’d imagine it doesn’t take more than one or maybe two visits to any given church to see whether Christianity in that place has a reverential posture of worship towards God or not. If you go into a service and people are out of order, disorganized, everything looks like chaos with people speaking gibberish, rolling around on the floor and acting like idiots, that is not a place where deep devotion to God lies.
Or perhaps, the service is all about how God wants men to be happy, how God wants to give you planes and nice cars and doesn’t require any sacrifice, you don’t have to pick up your cross, you can carry it in your pocket, this too, is not a place of Biblical Christianity, Joel Osteen comes to mind, or T.D. Jakes, man is worshipped in those places, not God.
This is why we adhere to what is called the regulative principle of worship. The regulative principle of worship, looks at Scripture and asks the questions what does God desire and Ordain as proper worship, and those are the things we do. We are mere men, we are nothing, we are simply clay, saved by God’s grace and slaves to Christ.
We do not get to worship God in any way we choose, we worship God in those ways in which He decides is appropriate and to ignore those forms of worship is to have a disrespect for God. There are two basic theological principles of worship. The normative and the regulative. The normative says you can do anything that scripture does not prohibit and the regulative says you may only do those things which are prescribed. As far as I am concerned the normative principle tends elevates man, by taking liberty from the silence in Scripture. I believe it is humanistic in that it gives man the power to determine how he will worship God and not the highest form of worship.
The regulative principle says, God is the Sovereign of the Universe, and He has given us instructions for worship and we will humble ourselves before a mighty God and submit to those things which He deems worthy of worship. How presumptuous is it for a man, to tell God, how he will worship him? Can you imagine having a conversation with Jesus and saying, well, Jesus, you may want worship this other way, but you didn’t specifically say we couldn’t have a fog machine so this is how our church is going to worship you, you’ll just have to deal with it, because it’s how we are going to do things.
In my opinion that is what the normative principle does. The discussion used to be a debate between the normative principle and the regulative principle but so many in the church has lost their reverence for God that we don’t even have debates on the principles of worship anymore. People just simply do whatever seems right in their own eyes, and if you look around it is not difficult to see the lack of a Biblical Posture of worship in the church today.
Churches have rock bands, fog machines, and stage lights for worship and it looks exactly like a wordly concert that is far from any type of Biblical Christianity. There is nothing reverent, nothing respectful, in making a rock show the form of worship on the Lord’s Day. Preacher, Guard yourself from the temptation to incorporate new styles of worship, new ways of worship or traditional cultural dynamics in worship that may not fall in line with what is prescribed as acceptable worship.
It is interesting that worship is one of the first things a worldly, seeker sensitive, church changes. When you can no longer tell the difference between a worldly concert and worship service, you know that God is not in that place. When an unbeliever can come into the house of God and feel like he is at home during worship, like it is familiar to him, rather than having the sense that something Holy is happening and a sense of absolute reverence and awe, then God is surely not in that place.
Biblical Christianity displays the awe of God in an attitude of deep devotion and reverence. Jesus, is not just our friend, but He is our savior and our Lord, we are slaves of Christ and we worship Him as the one who bore our iniquities, gave His life for ours and purchased us with the price of His blood. Casual Christianity says worship can be relaxed, haphazard, emotionally charged, sporadic and spontaneous while Biblical Christianity says the worship of God must be precise, reverent, done in humility, and with a certain fear and trembling before a mighty God. The life of a true Christian will recognize that man is absolutely nothing, dust and depraved, and that God is Holy and righteous and that we deserve Hell and damnation and yet He loved us and sent His son to die on a cross for us so that we might be reconciled to Him and able to be adopted as children. The true Christian, although imperfect and broken and needy will have an ever growing sense of the Majesty and Holiness of God. That understanding may begin small, but over time, for the true believer it will grow.
If there is no sense of deep devotion, if their is no Awe of God, no zeal for Christ, no longing for the fellowship of believers, no desire for church, no fear of God, then it is not Biblical Christianity. Christianity has a Posture of Worship.
Not only does Biblical Christianity have its Position in Christ because of the true Circumcision and a Posture of Worship in the Spirit of God, but thirdly, Biblical Christianity has great Pride.
3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
Our Passage says that we glory in Christ Jesus. The greek word here for Glory means, “to boast with exultant Joy.” Exultant means to be filled or express great joy of triumph. In other words our boast is in God, Biblical Christianity has its Pride in Christ. Everything we have, everything we are, every blessing, every good thing comes from God and the true Christian give God all of the Glory and keeps non for himself.
Christianity’s Pride
Biblical Christianity’s Pride in Christ is exactly the opposite of the fallen world’s pride. The world says, take Glory for yourself, give yourself credit for the man you are today, praise yourself a little, you deserve what you have accomplished, while Biblical Christianity says about the Christian, “Everything you are is because of the work of Christ, the love of God, and to Him alone, deserves praise and honor.
The flesh has pride in itself, the Christian only has pride in the person and work of Christ. The flesh finds its pride inwardly the Christian has to look outside of himself. The flesh boasts in its own strength while Christianity boasts in Christs strength.
tells us plainly, the difference between the focus of the world, or flesh, versus the focus of the Christian.
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
What are the things of the flesh? There are certainly to many to list, but at the heart of everything fleshly is a pride that stems from oneself. Remember, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and What…the pride of life. Listen to .
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. 22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Biblical Christianity is exactly the opposite. We understand that as fallen beings, in a broken world, we will still struggle with many of these things. The difference is just that. Christianity wrestles against wickedness, confesses it, repents of it, and constantly seeks the face of Christ as our only source of Strength and hope to overcome sinfulness. We will never completely be rid of it on this side of Glory but the true Christian despises his sin and fights against it, while the flesh loves its sin and gives into it willing.
Listen to , its a long passage, but it’s worth it. It’s a great comparison between the two, worldliness and Biblical Christianity.
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Verse 1 - Our Pride is in Christ, for we have been raised up with Christ. The Christian life will always seek the things above. The Christian life is constantly thinking of and contemplation the things of God. Something a cultural or worldly, so-called, “Christian, rarely does.” Because Cultural Christianity isn’t christian at all.
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. 22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Our Pride is in Christ and not in ourselves because we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God, the only reason we have life is because of God. The only thing we contributed to our salvation was our sin and that is nothing to be proud about. Christians such have great pride, but in Christ. We Glory in Christ, we boast in Christ.
Every counterfeit of Christianity boasts in the works of the flesh. Christian counterfeits will entertain anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech. Think about that, there have been several pastors that had to step down because of these very things. In fact in the past month a very famous Pastor was fired for his anger and abusive controlling nature, James Mcdonald of Walk in the Word ministries. Mark Driscoll was another pastor fired because of angry abusive behavior.
Biblical Christianity takes pride in Christ because He did what we could not.He made us new, the old self is laid down, abandoned, crucified with Christ. Authentic Christianity has a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The true Christian has nothing to boast on other than Christ. We Glory in Christ, not only do we boast in Christ, giving Him all of the credit for who we are and what we have in him, but we do so with a great Joy. The peace of Christ should rule in our hearts, the word of Christ should dwell within us and this should bring us a great Joy.
How could anyone truly contemplate the great Salvation we have and not find a deep Joy that comes from knowing our Savior and Lord gave His life to purchase ours from an eternal punishment. And not because we deserved it, but because God loved the Son and gave us to Him. How could any mature Christian not boast in Christ?
It ought to be that nothing in Heaven or Hell could keep us from boasting of the Lord, from demonstrating our Joy for what He has done. There is no such thing as a redeemed, regenerated Christian that is ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hardly think that the Christian that never shares his faith is christian at all. How can one be ashamed of the very Gospel that saved him. How can a man filled with the Holy Spirit, be ashamed of that same Spirit that works in him, I don’t believe that man is Christian at all. He still needs the Gospel.
Listen to these Statistics. Now these are from the American Church, but it illustrates a faith that has no zeal for Christ.
This is from a major Christian polling firm. They say this
Millennials are unsure about the actual practice of evangelism. Almost half of Millennials (47%) agree at least somewhat that it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.
Millennials are consider people around the age range of 24-36, and almost half of that age group, in America, that claim to be Christian say that is is WRONG to witness. Unbelievable. In other words, the commandment to go and make disciples means nothing to them, but not only that, they have judged that it is wrong! These people are ashamed of Christ, and be assured, Christ is ashamed of them and has nothing to do with them, these people aren’t saved. You can’t be saved and ashamed of the Gospel, you can’t called Christ your lord and reject Him at the same time.
Biblical Christianity boasts with joy in Christ, it is not ashamed of Christ.
The research goes on to say that 27% of ’ers (37-53) believe it is wrong to share the Gospel with others, 19% of Baby Boomers (54- 72) believe it is wrong to share the Gospel with others and 20% of Elders (73+)
This was a survey done of people who claimed Biblical Christianity, this is why we need to know our faith. We need to know what the Bible teaches, because like Matthew Gospel tells us, not everyone that says, “Lord Lord, will enter the kingdom of God. He will say to many of them, “Depart from me you workers of iniquity, for I NEVER new you.”
Another Survey was done by this same group. The survey title is: Churchgoers: Have you heard of the Great Commission? So this is a survey of those who attend church on some sort of regular basis.
This is compared to a little over one-quarter of (27%), and one in five Boomers (19%) and Elders (20%)
51% said NO, they did not know what the Great Commission was! 25% said that they had heard of it but couldn’t tell you what it was. 6% said, “I’m not sure.” 17% Could describe the Great Commission.
That means that 83% of the people that they interviewed that attend church on somewhat a regular basis, have no clue what the Great Commission is. Is this Biblical Christianity? How can it be? 83% of people do not even know the basic command for every believer. This is the American Church, and while the numbers represent a selection of people, it is probably very close to being accurate.
How can we even say America is a Christian nation when we look at numbers like these, well, to tell you the truth I don’t believe that America is a Christian nation any longer. Christianity has larger been replace with a counterfeit. Preachers have become soft, afraid to preach the Gospel, afraid to offend anyone and look where that has gotten us. Most people in the church do not even know what the great commission is. Preachers are to blame for this and one day, they, and we too, will have to answer to God.
America has lost
How many missionaries are there out there that have no clue how to communicate the Gospel. I laughed at Voddie Bauchaum when he talked about being able to throw a rock from where he was in any direction and hit a young foreign female that was a missionary, until we started meeting and talking to missionaries and i’m appalled at how many missionaries are in the field doing absolutely nothing more than what the world could do.
Even here, humanitarian aide is what most missionaries do, and many never even share the Gospel, those aren’t missionaries, those are humanitarian aide workers. I’m not saying that those things shouldn’t be done but the primary task is the Gospel, then good works should follow. Many of the younger people I’ve heard of going to the mission field are afraid to share the Gospel, many don’t even know the Gospel. No clue about the great commission, they just want to come “love people.”
How can anyone be a Born Again, mature believer and not know the The great commission, as we call it. The great command? Now, I’m not talking about a new believer, but someone that has gone to church with some regularity for years, how is it possible that they have no clue what is meant by the great commission.
Let’s just go to the great commission quickly and read it.
16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Really it’s no wonder so many don’t believe in sharing their faith, they have no clue what is in the Bible. This wasn’t a good idea, a loving suggestion, a hopeful wish, this was a command and is a command for every believer. To ignore this, is to ignore this is to ignore one of fundamentals of the faith. Does this type of Christianity Glory in Christ Jesus?
Christianity’s Position is that of having been truly circumcised, cleansed
Christianity’s Posture is one of reverent Worship
Christianity’s Pride, rests in Christ Alone
and lastly Christianity’s Plea
3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
and put no confidence in the flesh. The word Plea can mean several things, but one of the definitions is: a statement in which a person says that he or she is guilty of a particular crime.
Biblical Christianity’s Plea is really summed up well in the 5 Solas of the Reformation. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Sola Scriptura, and Soli Deo Gloria.
Sola Gratia - By Grace alone, We are saved, not because we deserve it but because God has chosen to extend His grace to us, through Christ.
Sola Gratia - By Grace alone, We are saved, not because we deserve it but because God has chosen to extend His grace to us, through Christ.
Sola Fide - It is by Faith alone that we are saved. Our works, our righteous deeds are as filthy rags, contributing nothing to salvation.
Sola Fide - It is by Faith alone that we are saved. Our works, our righteous deeds are as filthy rags, contributing nothing to salvation. Solus Christus - It is in Christ alone that we are saved, by no other name can one be redeemed, regenerated or renewed.
Solus Christus - It is in Christ alone that we are saved, by no other name can one be redeemed, regenerated or renewed.
Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone is the only source of Inerrant, infallible, and absolute truth, containing the Gospel message that is the power unto salvation and wholly sufficient for everything the believer needs for life and Godliness.
Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone is the only source of Inerrant, infallible, and absolute truth, containing the Gospel message that is the power unto salvation and wholly sufficient for everything the believer needs for life and Godliness.
Soli Deo Gloria - Are boast is in Christ, it is to God alone that Glory is given, all things made by Him and for Him that his Glory might be displayed for all to see.
The plea of Christianity is that man is nothing, worthless, and utterly depraved. Our plea is that we have fallen short of the Glory of God. Our plea is that man is in a desperate state, having been separated from God by the fall of man in Adam and that we have no hope within ourselves to change our status. We are guilty, this is the plea of Christianity.
Soli Deo Gloria - Are boast is in Christ, it is to God alone that Glory is given, all things made by Him and for Him that his Glory might be displayed for all to see.
This is totally antithetical to what the world says, to what humanism says, and to what much of those within the christian church say. The world and humanism says that the chief end of all things is the happiness of man. The world says that man is mighty and can lift himself up out of the muck and mire and can become great. Humanism says that greatness and achievement lies within man. False Christianity places its confidence in the flesh, Biblical Christians Pleads guilty before God and puts no confidence in the flesh, relying solely on Christ and the finished work of the cross.
We are saints, and yet we are sinners. There are no good men, according to Christ. There are only pitiful, wretched, weak men obtain their righteous through Christ alone. The are no Great men of God, there are only weak vessels that surrender to God in loving service. But this isn’t the kind of talk you will hear from much of the Christian world today. Pentecostalism, Charismatics, Prosperity Gospel Churches are filled with the belief that you are really ok, that you aren’t that bad, or perhaps even that you are good and deserve God’s blessing, this isn’t Christianity, It.Is.Blasphemy
No confidence in the flesh, here Paul is speaking of unredeemed mankind, of course in Christ we are overcomers, we are righteous, we are sons and heirs, but our Confidence is solely and wholly in Christ. The Jews placed their confidence in outward signs such as circumcision, and good works, keeping the law, and the like and here Paul makes it clear that the Christian has no confidence in these things, but Christ alone.
Brothers, Biblical Christianity’s Position is that which has been cleansed by our Lord, made new, a new creation, it is evidently and noticeably different. A version of Christianity that doesn’t bear the fruit of having been made new, is a counterfeit.
Biblical Christianity’s Posture is one of deeply, devoted, reverential, purposeful, orderly worship. Anything else is a false version of Christianity. Christians worship in spirit and truth and they worship a Holy, High, Sovereign God.
Biblical Christianity
Biblical Christianity’s Pride is one that boasts Joyfully, willingly, and obediently In Christ. True, authentic Christianity speaks of Christ Unashamed, Unabashed, unapologetic, unflinching, impenitent and unblushing. The counterfeit boasts of sensual feelings, wealth, health, prosperity, and unity, but not in Christ alone.
Biblical Christianity’s Plea is that apart from Christ humanity is wretched, at enmity with God, and deserves hell and damnation, but God graciously call the redeemed to Himself, sending His on Son to die on the cross to be our propitiation, that is to take our penalty on Himself, the penalty of death and imputes His own righteousness to us, that we may be adopted as Sons forever. This is our plea. Any version of Christianity that makes another plea, is false, to be damned and shunned.
There is no doubt that much of what we see today is a counterfeit Christianity, so how do we combat this. How do we turn the tides, how do we overcome the evil one who revels in counterfeits, disguising himself as an angel of light and deceiving even the elect if it were possible, the answer,
Let us preach the Gospel as it is written, unashamedly, un-apologetically, and boldly. Let our Churches preach that we are cleansed only by the finished work of Christ on the cross, let our Posture of Worship be reverent, deeply devoted, let us determine to worship the way God has ordained for us to worship. Let our churches boast, not in ourselves, but in Christ alone. Let every pulpit speak of the Glories of Christ, the sinfulness of man, and the Majesty of God. Let our churches Plead with the world, insisting that they recognize their depravity, calling them to repentance, calling them to believe on Christ and turn from their wickedness that they might be saved. Brothers, let us do these things and do them well and the gates of Hell might be pushed back, that our congregations might be truly saved and that above all, Christ is glorified and lifted up for all around us to see.
By Grace alone (Sola Gratia)
Through Faith alone (Sola Fide)
In Christ alone (Solus Christus)
According to Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)
For God’s Glory alone (Soli Deo Gloria)