The sermon titled "Things We Most Surely Believe," preached by Clay Curtis, primarily addresses the certainty of the Christian faith as articulated in Luke 1:1-4. Curtis emphasizes the importance of divine revelation and the unique role of Luke, a Gentile and physician, in conveying the humanity of Christ and His work of salvation. Key points include the necessity of being taught by God through the Spirit, as articulated in 1 John 2:20, which asserts that believers have an "unction" from the Holy One and thus know the truth. Curtis connects these truths to the doctrines of grace, affirming that salvation is solely a gift from God and not based on human effort. He underscores the practical significance of faith as a relational trust in Christ rather than merely an intellectual assent to doctrines.
Key Quotes
“For God's saints, by divine revelation, by the Spirit of God revealing Christ in us, there are things most surely believed among us.”
“It's not what you know. It's who you know. It's not how much you know. It's who you know.”
“If our gospel be hid, it's hid to them that are lost.”
“We most surely believe we have to have Christ. That's what he makes you know and keeps you knowing.”
The Gospel of Luke emphasizes the humanity of Christ and His compassionate ministry as the Son of Man.
The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a Gentile physician, who was a companion of the Apostle Paul. This Gospel focuses particularly on the humanity of Christ, showcasing His compassion, healing, and identification with humanity, highlighting His role as the Son of Man. By documenting the accounts of eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, Luke aimed to provide certainty about the truths contained within the Gospel, allowing believers to know the assurance of their faith. The overarching theme is the declaration of those things most surely believed, intended for all chosen children of God who are loved by Him.
Luke 1:1-4, 2 Timothy 4:11
Our certainty of salvation comes through the revelation of Christ in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
The certainty of our salvation is not based on our own understanding or works but is a divine revelation through the Holy Spirit. When Christ is revealed to us, we see our true condition as sinners in need of grace, and we come to know that our faith and repentance are gifts from God. This understanding comes to us from the Holy One, who teaches us the truth of the Gospel and assures us of our salvation. It is by being taught of God that we truly grasp the implications of Christ’s sacrifice and recognize that our salvation is entirely by grace through faith.
1 John 2:20, Ephesians 2:8-9, Luke 1:1-4
Grace is vital for Christians as it is the foundation of our salvation, emphasizing that we can do nothing to earn it.
Grace is essential in the life of a Christian as it encapsulates the understanding that salvation is a free gift from God, unmerited by our actions. According to Scripture, we are saved by grace through faith, which itself is a gift. This truth leads believers to recognize that they have no part in their own salvation, which results in glorifying God for His mercy and grace. The acknowledgment of grace fosters humility, gratitude, and a deep reliance on Christ as the sole source of salvation and sanctification. It assures us that our standing before God is not based on our performance but on His sovereign choice to save us.
Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:29-30
Preaching is fundamental as it conveys the message of the Gospel and is the means through which God draws His people to faith.
Preaching holds a critical role in the Christian faith, serving as the divinely ordained method for disseminating the Gospel message. Through the preaching of Christ and Him crucified, God brings about the conviction of sin, the illumination of truth, and the calling of His elect. The Gospel is described as the power of God for salvation, which means that it is through the proclamation of this message that individuals are made aware of their need for a Savior. Believers recognize that their faith arises not from their own understanding, but from hearing the Word preached, demonstrating the necessity of regularly engaging with Biblical teaching as a source of spiritual nourishment and growth.
Romans 10:14-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:21
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