1. CHARACTERISTICS OF ROM. 5:8-9.

2. THE TEST OF FAITHFULNESS. MATT. 22: 37-39.

3. OBLIGATIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP. LUKE 9:57-62; 14: 27-33

            The object which the Gospel is to attain, the way in which it is to attain it, and the history of its attainment of this object in past ages, have occupied my attention in three former lessons, on the Gospel, 1, 2, and 3. I wish now to speak of the characteristics of the blood and the Gospel from Rom. 5:8-9. The Gospel itself which results in the Divine grace and mercy to man, and the unsearchable need of blood shed as being expedient in regards to man’s salvation. Much is said about the results, 1 Cor. 15:54-57, Eph. 1:7, John 17:20-24, Rom. 5:8-9, Rom. 7:4-6, Rom. 15:1-4.

            I call your attention at this time to Rom. 5:8-9, “ But God demonstrates His Love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."

            The above, which I selected to use, contains Paul’s description of the blood and the Gospel. We were helpless, we could not save ourselves, Paul describes us as being far away from God, without God’s love; but said Paul,” at the right time.” Christ through His blood saved us.

For thousands of years people has shunned the blood, as not being essential to our Salvation, Paul had this problem when he carried the Gospel to Corinth. Paul knew that the philosophical inhabitants of Corinth sought after wisdom. He was aware of this, and aware that they expected him to develop some scheme of philosophy which would furnish for them rules for their own speculations.

            However, in opposition to this desire of theirs, the Apostle professes to them the single determination with which he came to them, which was to make known to perishing transgressors, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and His blood their only hope for salvation.

            Paul left no room, regardless of their philosophy, to change the regulations of the Gospel, It is the same today. People do not seek the Gospel as it was preached by the Apostles; they look for a regulative system, which they can choose what they want to accept. Rather they seek for a mystic Gospel, which will allow them the choice of when they assemble, and what they want to do to support the local Churches. For sure they held the belief that once they were baptized for the forgiveness of sins; they could go on with the same old life style! During the restoration in this country, many of the reformer's came from Europe had already decided that baptism was not essential to salvation, in short, once saved always saved! These people missed the mark when they used 1 John 5:18-20, to prove that once you were born of God, you could not sin! And then to use 1 John 3:9 is unbelievable to say the least. Such Paul over comes, with the help of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 3:9 speaks clearly of the birth of Christ, not man's.

            So, Paul joins with the Holy Spirit, and begins his preaching, his preaching of the Gospel rejected all the enticing words of the Greek wisdom. All the false and delusive words of persuasion which other teachers were accustomed to use. But Paul’s message to them depended for its whole success, upon the demonstration of the Divine Spirit, and the power of God. Paul did not attempt to flatter them upon their own understanding, or to submit to the decisions of their natural and darkened reasons, the truth which he was sent to teach, he taught.

            He told them of their sins and dangers, and he held out to them freely the Gospel, which divine grace, had provided for their needs. Such preaching which dealt only with men as poor and depraved creatures, which he addressed them from an eminence of authority, to those who were lost, and regarded their understanding as foolishness. Their proud hearts despised him for the bold declarative assertions, which he made of the necessity of man, and of the abundant mercy of God. Paul says, we speak wisdom to you.” And to those who are able to understand. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.” 1 Cor. 2:6-9, “ yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away.”

            Paul was speaking to every kind of believers, every kind of sinful creatures. Every kind of unbelievers, Corinth was a seaport city, which produced every kind of sin imaginable, yet Paul had a cure for all their sins. “ The blood of Christ.” “ While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

But most people have so many obstacles, which hinders them in a life in Christ, that it is almost impossible to really teach the Apostles doctrines. It has been many years since I have had someone to ask me what can I do for the Lord’s Church, rather the statement is what can the Church do for me! The Scriptures show evidence of ancient Church members, who for the lack of anything else to complain about wanted the day of worship changed back to the Sabbath!  The same kind of people is out here today. In the early Church the people met on the Lord’s Day to sing, to worship God, to study God’s Word, to have lunch together, to enjoy fellowship with each other, it was the Lord’s Day, all day long. Note: this was God’s plan. THEN, it began, the services is too long. The preacher has no sense of time, he preaches too long. I don’t believe all that he says as to why Christ had to shed His blood on the cross! Why don’t we just have the Lord’s Supper, and have a 15-minute sermon, and go home, I can worship God at home as well as I can at Church! And, O, I get so tired sitting on those pews; I have problems with my legs, and my feet hanging down hurts real bad! --- But, these good OLE boys and girls gets home they can sit the rest of the day on benches in the yard entertaining friends, and never complain!

            Readers, I say this with love in my heart for the very worst sinner, but when a person comes to God, he accepts God on His terms, not our and if your plans is to try to change His terms, and requirements, FORGET IT. God’s plans were completed before the world was, Heb. 4:3.

            Paul dealt with all this, and kept the faith. O, yes there was those who hated him so much on several occasions they almost beat him to death 2 Cor. 11:20-31. And all the time Paul realized that he could not change not even one ordinance. Therefore, Paul had been crucified with Christ; the old man of sin had been destroyed, Rom. 6: 6. Therefore Paul did not let sin reign in his mortal body that he should obey its lust. And then after most all of his problems, he had told these sinners at Corinth, that they should imitate him as he also had imitated Christ, 1 Cor. 11:1.

            Learn from Paul, as the Corinthians did, the wisdom that Paul spoke of was the wisdom that would come in the Christian age, and Paul refers to the age to come, which they did not understand because rejection stood in their way. Paul continues to teach “God wisdom in a mystery, the hidden mystery which God predestined before the ages to our glory.” And then Paul begins here to speak of prophecy that was given from Genesis 3:15, the seed of the Gospel, the seed of salvation, Christ was here promised to be victorious over Satan. Without the shedding of blood, there could be no Redemption of those held in bondage by Satan. Without the shedding of blood, there could be no forgiveness of sins. Without the shedding of blood, there could be no Redemption under the New Spiritual Covenant. Without the shedding of blood, Satan would still be the Prince of this world; Christ paid the price demanded by Satan for the release of those in bondage. And little did he know that the death of Christ would mean his demise. Rev. 21:10.   

            “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9.

            Those who love Him, will obey Him; those who obey Him, will walk around Heaven with Him. But to obey is to obey all that the Gospel requires. Hearing the truth as it is written. Believing that which is written, repenting, of past sins. Acts 2:38, Confessing your sins, being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of sins, believing always that you can so sin as to fall from the saving grace of God.

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace,” Gal. 5:4, Rev. 2:5, Rev. 3:5. This is a part of the Gospel that was brought to light by blood. Jesus said to this honest person, “ Let your light so shine that those round about will see your good works and glorify God.” Matt. 5:16, “ Good works,” is not forsaking the assembly of the Church, Heb. 10:25. " Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. “ Good works is helping in the Church, you may can lead singing, and you may just be one who keeps the building clean, you may be one who could cut the Church lawn, be on time, stay alert, and learn by asking questions. Fulfill Gal. 5:22-26.

            Paul wants you to know as a new convert, that even in his day there was the political system to deal with, if you are a true child of God you will not become entangled in Church politics, and cliques. The Jewish people were neglectful in performing God’s will. They could not, and would not understand; they had written their own laws, rules and regulations, Therefore, they could not see what God had prepared for them if we look closely, we can see the same conditions today in the Church. The rulers of the Church, which is usually the Eldership, has fallen into the same religious trap, that the rulers of Israel fell into.

            Very little of the Bible is today being used in the government of the Church! But tradition and personal opinions are the guide.

            Its nothing new, every Church which the Apostles wrote to had problems, with the New law of the Gospel, people are still having problems with the New Covenant, and so, man thinks he has the ability, and knowledge to straighten out the laws of God! But Peter had something to say about those who would make their own interpretations of God’s Word, knowing that they would, he warned against such. 2 Pet. 2:20-21, “ BUT KNOW THIS FIRST OF ALL, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This prophecy, this Gospel was given by God and was sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ. No man can interpret that which God has published; He is therefore required to study God’s Word, 2 Tim. 2:15, to find God’s interpretation of any subject. The prophets, as well as the Apostles did not confine their teaching to just one subject; but to many, so, the key to understanding is to study what each prophet, or each Apostle said about certain subjects. Man can translate God’s Word, but to interpret His Words is to show his lack of confidence in the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that such attitude would show malice against the Holy Spirit, which would result in blasphemy.           

            The Apostle Paul made it clear in 1 Cor. 11:19, as he said, “ For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you.”

            So, What kind of people was in the Church, that the Church took action against? What were they guilty of? Paul tells us in Gal. 1:6-10, Please read this, it could save your soul one-day.

            I have given to you the reader provisions of the Blood and the Gospel, that I did not give to you in the first three lessons on the Gospel.

            Once you receive the Gospel in full obedience as God’s Word provides, then the blood of Christ upon your repentance and confession continues to cleanse you, 1 John 1:6-10.

            If you think the Gospel is not important to you, give heed to the example which follows,

You the reader send me your full name, and address, phone number, date of birth, and I will open a checking account in your name in the local Bank here, I will open the account with Ten Thousand dollars, and send to you all the paper work. Would you use the money to help feed your children, and to put them through school?  You have no husband to help, and you are not receiving child support. How important would this be to you? WELL, this is nothing compared to what the Gospel can bless you with; for eternal life far exceeds 10,000 Dollars. Why do you wait, or why do you join some religion, which God has not authorized. Christ purchased the Church, or Zion from God, Acts 20:28, And in Heb. 12:22-23, Notice what The Apostle says, “ You have come to Mount Zion and to the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, to the general assembly and Church of the first born.”

            Acts 4:11-12, “ He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very corner stone, and there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

            SO, you have everything you need to become a Christian, WHAT HINDERS YOU?                                                                                                 

            THE TEST OF FAITHFULNESS, Matt. 22:37-39, 2 Cor. 13:5-6.           

            Let us now lay our thoughts upon father Abraham, and his faith, Gal. 3:6-9, “ Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith that are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand to Abraham saying all the nations shall be blessed in you. So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham the believer.”

            Take note, “ Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith that are sons of Abraham.”

            James 2:17-18, “ Even so faith, if it has no work is dead, being by itself, but some one may well say, You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Eph.2: 8, “ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

            Now we open the discussion of “ faithfulness,” which in the Scriptures alone a book could be written, but this is written, that the reader may gain a better insight into being faithful to our Lord, and to His Church. It is unfaithfulness on the part of members that is causing the Lord’s Church to suffer in attendance, in workers, in servants. Instead of building up the Church, some are building down the Church. I pray that in this dissertation I may be able to encourage each reader to be a better servant and stop giving excuses as did the Disciples of Christ in Matt. 8:18-23. Christ did not accept excuses then, and will not accept excuses 2,000 years later!

            Referring back to one of my text for this lesson, I have considered carefully every implication that Matt. 22:37-39, offers, it would fill a book. So, allow me to be brief and say that when we can love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, we will not find time to be unfaithful. We will be a workman in the Lord, When the Church has set a time to meet for the study of God’s Word, we will not hear excuses, our works will be seen by those around us, and God will receive praise, and the Church will grow. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather grapes. In Luke 6:41-42, Jesus had severally condemned harsh and unjust criticism. Matthew’s record of this principle says, “ judge not, that ye be not judged.” Righteous judgment that is, that judgment which is based upon truth is not condemned by Jesus. Rather, what he does condemn is rash and unjust judgment. Men rashly and unjustly judge others when they condemn them without honest and fair hearing. One should not draw conclusions, without really knowing the facts in the case.

            We are now seeing the “ Test of faithfulness,” Certainly one should not condemn others when he himself is guilty of something just as bad or even worse. Each person is warned that he who is guilty of censorious judgment will be properly punished for his unjust condemnation of other people. One is truly a hypocrite, that is, he is only pretending to be what he seems to be, when he is much more ready to see the very small faults in the lives of other people than he is to see the large ones in his own life. It was very easy for David to see the sin of a man who had taken one ewe lamb from his neighbor. But it was extremely hard for him to see the sins in his own life when he had taken a man'’ wife and had murdered her husband, 2 Samuel 11:2-12,23.

            God tested the faith of David, by sending Nathan the prophet to David. David saw his sin, and repented; but suffered the consequences of that sin. God forgives the act of sin; but never the

Consequences, we suffer them as long as we live.

            As was so characteristic of Jesus as a teacher, He gave an illustration of the significance of which the people could quickly grasp. All men know that the nature of a tree is seen in its fruit. A good tree will not bear bitter fruit; a bad tree will not bear good fruit. Men expect to find neither figs nor apples on a thorn bush. The first chapter of the Bible makes clear that plants and trees bring forth after their own kind. Gen. 1:11-12. This original decree of God has never been repealed. ALL ABOUT US, we see untold millions of examples of this law without a single violation. So, in using it to illustrate the point, Jesus was using a fact, which even very naïve persons understood. Therefore, there was no ground for anyone to misunderstand His point. A good tree is one that has the nature to bear good fruit. A corrupt tree is one that has the nature to bear corrupt fruit. Because man has the freedom to choose what he shall believe and do, a bad man may become a good man. The point is that men do not become deliberate workers of evil until their hearts have become corrupted, and this is when the test of faithfulness begins with the Christian. Paul informs us in Gal. 6:1, “ Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are Spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourselves, lest you too be tempted.”

            Continually God tested the faithfulness of Israel, read the prophets and learns that God tested this people, and they failed the test, the grim reaper took them by the millions, this should be an example for us to learn from. God is showing us that the “ Test of faithfulness,” is a part of the Gospel, which can save us, provided we follow His rules and regulations. Don’t go out and join some Church that offers you entertainment that you like. Or perhaps they use psychology on you and have you come to the Alter and pray through, or “ all you have to do is to come to the front and advertise to the Church that you believe in Christ, then pray for Christ to come into your life. All of this is supposed to produce Christianity, and faithfulness in you. But you are sadly wrong!

The Gospel has never taught such. And those who follow the above conditions have fallen into the same religious trap that the Jews fell into, before God fulfilled His promise to destroy them, their City, their land, their Temple!

            Take time, read your Bible, see in God’s Word what it takes to become a faithful child of His. Work out your salvation, by using God’s written Word as your guide, read Rom. 16:16, Matt. 16:18, Acts 20:28, Col. 1:16-19, Eph. 4:4-5, then Acts 4:11-12.

            OBLIGATIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP, Luke 9:57-62, 14: 27-33.

            Yes, when one takes that step to become an adopted Son of God, Rom. 8:12-17, he must heed the words of the Apostle who follows the commands of Jesus. In Luke 9:57-62, Christ would not accept excuses under no circumstance, and so the Apostle says, “ So then, brethren we are under OBLIGATION, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” Rom. 8:12, Then he explains why, 1 Cor. 6:18-2O,” Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside of the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, who you have from God, and that YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. “

            This will help the new convert to adjust to a life in Christ, as well as the seasoned Christian. Christians no longer lives according to the desires of the flesh, Christ purchased you, He redeemed you with His blood. Peter said, “ Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers. But with precious blood, as a Lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ,” 1 Pet. 1:17-18.

            All that we owe Him is to obey Him; in just as a 5-year-old boy would obey his father. For the majority, I believe that the father would do some serious corrections, if he came in and found his 5-year-old son, drinking beer, and smoking a camel cigarette!  WELL THEN, expect the same from our Father. Now let us consider some first things, things which will lead us to the above OBLIGATIONS, “ But seek ye first His Kingdom, and His Righteousness; and all these things will be added to you.” Every person has some one thing, which is most important in his life. First in the life of every person is either God or some god. This god may have popularity with one’s fellow man. It may be of gaining of land, wealth, money, houses, and etc. It may be sensual pleasures. Whatever is first in ones life becomes a sort of spring- board from which all of his decisions are made.

            A passage, which might us to understand the full impact of thew text above. Paul said, “ be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the spirit shall of the spirit reap eternal life. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”, Gal.  6:7-9. Christians have an OBLIGATION to serve Christ in this life

According to His rules and regulations. But one last thing to remember is that Christians must pave the road to heaven with good works, and faithfulness to His Church.  NOW, the road to hell you can carry all the baggage you want, and be as unfaithful as you want. The final decision is ours, and it’s in this life that we prepare for Heaven, or the lake of fire!