The Nature of Saving Faith #2
INTRO
I. THE CONTENT OF GOSPEL FAITH (vv. 9-10).
A. Jesus is Lord.
B. Jesus is alive. 1 Cor. 15:3-8.
1) There a connection between the Lordship of Christ and His resurrection.
The Lordship of Jesus, in a Messianic sense, was bestowed on Him at His resurrection. See Acts 2:30-36; Rom. 1:4; Phil. 2:9-11.
2) Why does Paul focus on the resurrection and not mention the cross of Christ?
The emphasis here on Christ’s resurrection does not put the death of Christ in the shadows but rather highlights its success.
3) The resurrection of Christ is inseparably tied to the whole of our salvation.
Justification- Rom. 4:25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions,
and was raised because of our justification.
Sanctification- Rom. 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Glorification - Rom. 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.
Perseverance- Rom. 8:34 "Christ Jesus . . . is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."
II. THE CAUSE OF GOSPEL FAITH (vv. 9-10).
A. The human perspective.
1) The heart is the heart of the matter when it comes to true saving faith.
2) What is the heart? The heart is the whole inner person of the soul. This means that faith cannot be a superficial acknowledgement or mere mental consent of these truths.
B. The Divine perspective.
1) The problem with the heart of man. Rom. 1:21; Rom. 2:5; Jer. 17:9.
2) God must give a new heart. Rom. 2:29; Ezek. 36:26.
The result of this new heart, is faith and obedience, Rom. 6:17.
III. THE CALL OF GOSPEL FAITH (vv. 12-13).
A. The nature of the call.
B. The grace behind the call.
C. The scope of this call. "Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." (vv. 11-13). Two proofs that Christ’s salvation is for whoever that calls on the Lord
1) The character of God – "the same Lord is Lord of all" v. 12.
2) The promise of God – vv. 11, 13.
D. The focus of the call. "the Name of the Lord".
IV. THE CONCLUSION OF GOSPEL FAITH.
A. "will not be disappointed" (v. 11).
B. abundance of riches (v. 12).
C. salvation (vv. 9-10, 13).
V. THE CONFIRMATION OF GOSPEL FAITH.
"For Moses writes." "For the Scripture says." Notice that Paul backs it all up with Scripture, vv. 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13. (Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Joel.)
CONCLUSION