WE BELIEVE THAT WE MUST BELIEVE (JOHN 5:21-27)

SERIES: THIS WE BELIEVE, PART 9

GCEFC: AUGUST 29, 2010

INTRODUCTION

1. We’re near the end of our summer series on the doctrinal statement of the Evangelical Free Church, with only this week and next to go.

2. Today we’re taking a departure from the given order of the articles. This week and next we’re switching articles 9 & 10.

3. Can we do that? Yes we can. We got special permission from the home office so it’s okay. Actually we aren’t changing anything but the week of focus.

4. This morning we’re receiving communion, so we’re taking article 10, which deals with the centrality of belief. An appropriate theme for a communion Sunday. Next Sunday we’ll take up the ninth article of faith as the last.

5. The doctrinal statement is about belief. It’s about what we believe as a church family. What we believe about God, about the Bible, the Human Condition, Salvation, the Church, the Christian Life, and Jesus’ Return.

6. Now all of these beliefs are important. But article #10 takes belief to a higher plane. What we believe in the other areas is important. But the belief of article 10 is determinative.

7. As you know, life consists of many beliefs. Some beliefs are of little consequence.

a. We believe it’s not going to rain, so we don’t take an umbrella. And we get temporarily wet. Not a big deal.

b. We believe that our favorite team is going to win the game. They lose. But we recover pretty quickly.

c. We believe we have enough gas in the lawn mower to finish cutting the grass. But we run out, and have to walk back to the shed for more. Not really a life-altering thing.

8. But some beliefs are important.

a. We believe we’re going to have consistent employment, so we take out a home mortgage. If we keep the job and the funds come in, all is well. But if we lose the job and can’t find another, our investment is in danger. Our belief has big ramifications.

b. We believe our spouse will be faithful to us as long as we both shall live. If they aren’t, our lives experience great upheaval. Our belief in faithfulness is critical.

c. We believe that a car ride will take us to our destination safe and sound. But such a belief has huge potential to alter our future and our lives. Just ask someone who’s been in a serious car accident.

9. We have lots of beliefs. Some are not so important. Some are very important. Some are so important they’re kind of scary.

10. So all of the doctrinal statement is about belief. Literally every one of the ten articles of faith begins with…We believe.

11. But the 10^th article not only tells us what we are to believe. It tells us that our beliefs regarding the issues are not only life-determining—they’re eternal destiny determining.

12. I’m reminded of Jesus words in LU 12. He says: I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

13. So there are things we believe that are of little or no consequence in this life. And there are things we believe that are of great consequence in this life. And there are things we believe that will impact our lives from now into eternity. Those are the beliefs we should be most concerned with. That was Jesus’ point.

A. GOD COMMANDS US TO BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

1. So what is the first thing that article 10 tells us we are to believe? Pull out your bulletin insert and let’s see.

2. It says: We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel. There are really two critical beliefs here.

a. First we must believe that God commands everyone to believe the gospel.

b. And second, we must believe the gospel.

3. There are many verses that confirm this truth. But let’s take a verse from the passage just read. JN 5:24: I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

4. Well that’s clear enough. Jesus says that whoever believes what he says. And believes in what the one who sent him says—has eternal life.

5. It’s a promise that’s granted now. It results in eternal life. It allows the one believing to escape condemnation. And it provides a means by which the one believing can cross over from death to life.

6. This sounds like an incredibly good offer to me. But it requires an important response. That response is…belief.

7. Now surely over the years you’ve heard me and others explain that biblical belief is not simply intellectual cognition of factual data. It includes this, but it’s more.

a. For example, until you understand what an airplane is and basically how the concept works, you will not likely get on one of those big iron things.

b. But you must also believe that an airplane will take you from point A to point B safely. It’s not just the idea of an airplane—it’s the practical reality of flying.

c. But you can believe in the idea of an airplane. And believe in the reality of flying in an airplane. But until you actually sit down in one and have it leave the ground—you really don’t trust in the airplane.

8. Biblical belief is trust. It requires information. It requires mental assent to facts. But in the end, biblical belief requires a commitment of trust.

9. To believe in Jesus is to trust him. To commit yourself to him. To believe the gospel is to believe the good news about Jesus. That he died for your sins. That he rose from the dead. And that forgiveness of sins and eternal life are yours through believing faith.

B. IT REQUIRES REPENTANCE

1. The next point is that response to the gospel requires repentance. ACTS 3:19 says it clearly: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…

2. Repentance is one of those common biblical words commonly misunderstood. To repent means to change one’s mind, to change direction, to reconsider.

3. We cannot be saved apart from repentance—that much is clear. But what is equally clear is that repentance is not a separate condition of salvation.

4. There’s only one condition for salvation—faith—trust/belief. That’s not 3 conditions, it’s one—they all mean the same thing.

5. Repentance is part of the process of exercising faith in Christ, but it’s not a separate part.

6. For example, if I need to go over here for some purpose, notice that by coming over here I have left being over there. Notice when I turn to face west, as I am now, that I am no longer facing east.

7. Coming over here implies that I’ve left over there. Turning west implies that I’ve turned from east. To repent means to change my mind and direction about faith in Christ.

8. You can’t exercise faith in Christ without repentance, because repentance means that I’ve changed my mind about Christ. It means the obstacle to faith has been removed.

a. For an atheist the obstacle is belief in God. Until an atheist turns from that mindset, he won’t be exercising faith in Christ.

b. Others have the obstacle of self-righteousness. They think they can be saved by their own goodness. This is an obstacle to faith that must be turned from before saving faith can be exercised.

9. But we do a great disservice to evangelism when we tell someone they must repent of their sins to be saved. That they must stop sinning or they can’t be saved.

10. Well what a ridiculous thing to tell an unbeliever. You’re a believer—so have you stopped sinning yet? So why tell a potential believer they must do so?

11. But wait a minute. We only have to tell a potential believer that they must promise to stop sinning in order to be saved. It’s a matter of their desire.

12. So why exactly would we ask an unbeliever to make a promise that we know they cannot possibly keep? And if the promise is not genuine—then how could it save anyway?

13. Are we saying that the way a person is saved is by making a disingenuous promise to God, or an impossible commitment to God—then God will save them? Is that the idea?

14. In order for a person to be saved, there is one condition and one condition alone—they must believe the gospel. They must trust in Christ, which is the gospel. They must exercise saving faith, which is the gospel.

15. In order to do that, they must reverse their current belief, position, commitment, loyalty, and direction. Trusting in Christ will always involve repentance. It can’t help but do so. But it’s neither a separate act nor is it a separate condition for salvation.

C. OTHER TRUTHS

1. The rest of the statement we’re going to go through quickly, as we’ve covered the most important part already.

2. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily.

a. The entire 15^th chapter of 1 Corinthians deals with death and resurrection—58 verses. But we’ll let V50 suffice: I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

b. Our physical bodies are not equipped for eternity. So when Christ returns, if we’re already dead, then our bodies will be radically changed.

c. If we’re alive our bodies will also be radically changed. Let’s just say a dead body’s change will be more radical than a living body. But both changes will be drastic.

3. God will judge the world. ACTS 17:31: For God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.

4. Of course, believers will not face this judgment, because believers have already been judged at the Cross and acquitted from their guilt through faith in Christ.

5. Believers will go into life eternal, while unbelievers will be condemned to an eternity without God and without hope.

6. MT 25:46: Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. The condemnation of unbelievers the Bible calls Spiritual Death, the Second Death.

7. As you’ve heard me say before: Those who are born twice only die once. But those who are born only once must die twice.

8. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. 2 PET 3: That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. (sorry Al Gore) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

9. And all to the praise of God’s glorious grace. Amen. So let me do a New York Minute summary:

a. God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel.

b. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for your sins, rose from the dead, and you can be saved for eternity by trusting in him.

c. Repentance is required for salvation, but it’s not a separate condition—repentance occurs when we turn from what is keeping us from saving faith and trust in Christ.

d. God will raise the dead bodily and transform the living bodily—equipped for eternity.

e. God will judge those who reject his only means of forgiveness—the substitutionary death of our sin bearer, Jesus Christ.

f. Believers will be ushered into an eternity prepared by God. Unbelievers will be banished from God’s presence forever.

g. There will be a new heaven and new earth in which sin, disease, hate, death, tears, heartache, mourning, pain, destruction, and sadness no longer exist. Sign me up!

h. And through it all—God will be glorified and praised.