Sunnyside Church of the Nazarene
Sunday, March 1
- Build Your Kingdom Here
- All Who Are Thirsty
- Forever Reign
- Holy Spirit
- Spirit Of The Living God
- Resurrecting
- 1 March 20Discover the Gospel 5.3Turn to Titus 2 … we’re continuing our rediscovery of the Gospel. The reason I chose this passage (vs 11-4) is because these 4 verses provide perhaps one of the most concise descriptions of the expansiveness of the Gospel. I believe we need to consider what these 4 verses say about the Gospel and apply it and use what we’re learning to evaluate our own lives and our church.
Titus 2:11–12 ESV For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,Christ came into this world not only to save - but to free the captives, destroy a spiritual enemy, and also to change us. His suffering and death and resurrection was not only to give us a “get out of jail free card,” (i.e. go to Heaven instead of Hell or to make our lives comfortable and easy). Scripture is clear - when we come to Christ we are to turn away from a harmful lifestyle (that’s what sin does - it destroys relationships), and turn toward a healthy lifestyle - one the emulates Christ.This tells me that …3. The Gospel is about Transformation.The word training in verse 12 refers to transformation. It’s a very concise word in the Greek. It’s a verb (action), present tense (always occurring), and it’s in the active voice (we participate in the activity).We have a responsibility to participate with God in our transformation to being like Jesus.Training in vs. 12 specifically refers to engaging in activities that elicit a change in behavior.I need to be doing things that help me live like Jesus. It’s not just about gaining knowledge - but rather knowledge that manifests in action / behavior. For instance, if we study the Bible - that’s great. But if it doesn’t produce fruit in our lives, if it doesn’t transform our hearts and behaviors - then what we’re not doing what verse 12 says.So the Gospel is about transformation. Take 1 Cor. 6 for instance.1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.Romans 12:1 commands us to be transformed. 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Peter 1 tell us to be holy, to be sanctified. 1 John 2 tells us to live like Jesus. Question: What kind of god would command his people to change without empowering them to change? There are “gods” that do that, but not our God. He empowers us for what He calls us to be and do!When we speak of transformation, we often speak of our part - Bible Study, prayer, spiritual disciplines etc., and we should. But,The greatest factor in our transformation and empowerment is not in what we do, but in Who we receive - the Holy Spirit.God plants His Spirit within us when we are saved, no doubt. But, just as we receive the gift of salvation, we also are to receive the gift or the baptism or the infilling of the Holy Spirit. What that means is some of us are saved, but we’ve never fully surrendered and received the fullness of God’s Spirit.Look at John 20. This is resurrection Sunday. Jesus just came out of the tomb and spoke with Mary Magdalene.John 20:19–22 ESV On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.Breathe - to exhale or expel breath into or onto (someone or something). Jesus is breathing into them. They had to receive. Both breathe and receive are in the aorist - a “snapshot” of an event at a particular time. This happened at that time - not for later. Some believe this was the moment when the disciples transferred from an OT salvation to a NT salvation.Look at Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8. This is the day of Jesus’ ascension.Luke 24:49 ESV And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”Acts 1:8 ESV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Then in Acts 2:1–4, the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled or baptized, immersed with the Holy Spirit and were empowered with spiritual gifts and boldness to proclaim the Gospel. We see this in Acts 8 as well - the Gentiles were saved but they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.The Gospel is about transformation! Some of you are struggling with transformation. Struggling to overcome sin and habits and demons from your past (metaphorically and real). Struggling with fear and hopelessness and _______. Is it possible, that some of us have never received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! We have never surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ - laying down our all to receive His all!(Pause and listen to the Spirit)Back to Titus.Titus 2:11–13 ESV For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,Waiting. Eager anticipation. Looking forward to. Looking forward to what? Jesus! The Christian longs to see his or her Savior, Jesus! This tells me that …4. The Gospel is about Expectation.Expectation, or in more Biblical terms hope plays a major role throughout the Bible. The Jews hoped in God for their deliverance - looking forward to a Messiah. The Christians - same thing, only now we’re anticipating His return. Or at least, we should be. Christians are to be the most hopeful people in the world - not optimistic, but hopeful.Hope is not optimism. Optimism is choosing to see how circumstances may turn out for the best. Optimism really is in circumstances.Biblical Hope is in a person.Hope is in God, His character (esp. faithfulness), His promises, and in a risen Savior. Hope is believing that God will make all things right.1 Peter 1:20–21 ESV He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.Only you know if your hope is in Him. Only you know if you are anticipating His return. This anticipation for Jesus is not necessarily about End Times stuff. It’s really about love and relationship. “I’m in love with Jesus and I’m eager to see Him - whether I go there, or He comes here first. And I’m eager for others to know. In the meantime, this world is messed up, but God will make it all right in the end.” That’s hope and expectation.Rick Feightner (5 - 10 minutes)The Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ is about incarnation, inclusion, transformation and expectation. Would you use today’s message as a reality check? How am I being incarnational? How am I including? Am I being transformed? Have I been baptized in the Spirit - or am I still trying to live the Christian life on my own? Do I have hope and expectation for His return?Receive Jesus. Be filled with His Spirit. Titus 2:11–12ESV
1 Corinthians 6:9–11ESV
John 20:19–22ESV
Luke 24:49NLT
Acts 1:8NLT
Titus 2:11–13ESV
1 Peter 1:20–21ESV
- We Believe (NB)
Sunnyside Church of the Nazarene
503-771-3934
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