Calvary Baptist Church

Sermon Notes 100426 AM
Where Darkness Never Dwells
1 John 1:5
Theme:
The pure sinlessness of Jesus Christ

Introduction:
§§- Similarly, when we are faced with confusion or moral dilemmas, turning to God’s light can provide clarity and guidance ensuring that our actions, decisions, and interactions are saturated with His truth and purity. (Jn 8:12)

The message of righteousness:
Righteousness = conformity to God’s standard of holiness. (Ro 3:21-23)

I. The Message We Have Heard – “we have heard of him” (1 Jn 1:5)
A. The reliability of the message – 1st hand source (Rev 1:1-3; Heb 1:1-2)
B. The reliability of the messenger – 1st hand knowledge (Heb 2:3-4; Acts 4:18-20)
§ - The message of the Word of God (BIBLE) has both absolute authority and reliability! - Darkness does not dwell in the Word of God, because it is truth!

II. The Message We Have to Share – “and declare unto you,” (1 Jn 1:5)
A. A pattern of multiplication (2 Tim 2:2)
B. A pattern of projection (Jn 1:40-42)
§ - The message of the Word of God is to be shared as obedience to Jesus! (Mt 28:19-20) - Darkness does not dwell where the Word of God is declared!

III. The Message We Have Illuminates – “that God is light, and not darkness” (1 Jn 1:5-7)
A. Light describes the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Jn 8:12)
B. Light declaration of God in creation (Gen 1:3-4)
§ - The message of the Word of God, as light; illuminates, guides and nourishes life - Darkness does not dwell where light dominates!

CONCLUSION:
§§- Light describes the pure sinlessness of Jesus Christ through whom eternal life and righteousness is imputed (charged) to the believer.
- As darkness never dwells in Christ, neither should darkness have a place in our lives.

1- Listen to the message of Christ and His righteousness
2- Share the message of Christ and His righteousness
3- Radiate the message of Christ and His righteousness

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”
(Ro 3:22)

"This is one of the greatest mysteries in the world; namely, that a righteousness that resides with a person in heaven should justify me, a sinner, on earth!”
~John Bunyan

Sermon Notes 092726 PM
The Victory of the Believer
Galatians 5:16-17
Theme:
Having victory over the flesh and its works

Introduction:
§§- The Christian is able to have victory over sin and satanic influence by the indwelling Holy Spirit. (1 Jn 4:4).

Reasons for dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit:

I. The Believer Faces an Impossible Heavenly Standard – “shall not fulfill lusts” (Gal 5:16)
A. Because a believer is a citizen of heaven (Eph 2:3-6; Phil 3:20-21)
B. Because a believer is a member of the family of God (Eph 2:19-21; 3:14-15)
C. Because a believer is a member of the body of Christ (Eph 5:30-32) (Eph 4:7, 10-13; 15-16)
§ - The believer, a child of God, is to act according to his heavenly position. Since this is a supernatural manner of life we cannot depend upon our self-will to walk in the Spirit.

II. The Believer Faces Satan: the god of this world – “flesh lusts against the spirit” (Gal 5:16)
A. The believer faces spiritual conflict (Gal 6:7-9; Eph 6:10-12; Jude 9)
B. The believer to be equipped with the whole armor of God (Eph 6:13-18)
§ - The believer faces the world-ruling foe, and cannot claim victory through their strength, but the battle is the Lord’s (1 Sam 17:47)
- The unbeliever is blinded to the light of Jesus Christ (1 Co 4:4)

III. The Believer Faces the Old Nature that Overpowers – “ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Gal 5:17, 24-25)
A. Believers are to walk in the spirit (Gal 5:16)
B. Believers are to dethrone the sin-nature (Ro 6:12; 8:12-14)
§ - The believer’s greatest battle is themselves!
The believer battles the lust of the flesh when they fail to walk in the Spirit!

CONCLUSION:
§§- Each step of the believer’s life is to be dependent on the indwelling Holy Spirit to have victory over the flesh and its works.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Cor 15:57)

"Long-lasting victory can never be separated from
a long-lasting stand on the foundation of the cross."
~ Watchman Nee

Sermon Notes 092026 AM
Ordinance, Obedience and Compliance
John 14:15
Theme:
Ordinance, Obedience and the Observance of the Lord’s Table

Introduction:
§§- The ordinance of the Lord’s Table was instituted by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion as being symbolic of the believer’s participation in the benefits of His death. (1 Co 11:26)

Ordinance, Obedience and Compliance:

I. The Meaning of Ordinance – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)
A. To set God’s people with unique identity apart from the world (Lev 20:7-8)
B. To provide God’s people with wisdom and guidance (Ps 119:91)
C. To identify God’s people with His Son and indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 14:15-17)
§ - An ordinance is an authoritative rule, decree, or religious rite established by God to guide the conduct, worship, and covenant life of His people.

II. The Meaning of Obedience – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)
A. Obedience is hearing God’s voice (Ps 18:44; Jer 7:23; 11:4,7)
B. Obedience is an expression of the heart (Ro 6:17)
C. Obedience is valued above sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22)
§ - Obedience is the authenticating mark of the believer (1 Jn 2:3-5)

III. The Meaning of Compliance – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)
A. Compliance is conforming to a law, rule, or request (Est 1:19; Dan 6:8)
B. Compliance is driven by the desire to gain a reward or avoid a minor social friction.
§ - Compliance is keeping the law because it is the rule w/o regard to human interaction.

CONCLUSION:

§§- Observance and the obedience of the ordinance of the Lord’s Table demonstrates our love relationship with Jesus Christ as we celebrate the benefit of our salvation through Him.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:
and his commandments are not grievous.”
(1 Jn 5:3)

"If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies
that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow
because of our indifference to its meaning and importance."
~ Erwin W. Lutzer”