The sermon preached by Gabe Stalnaker focuses on the essential doctrine of the nature and attributes of God as outlined in Hebrews 11:6, which states that without faith it is impossible to please God. Stalnaker emphasizes the necessity of acknowledging God's existence and attributes, asserting that belief in "He is" encompasses the understanding that God is sovereign, Christ is fully divine, and that salvation is entirely an act of God's grace. He supports his arguments with various Scripture references, such as Acts 9 and Ephesians 2, to demonstrate that belief in Christ's divinity and lordship is foundational to the Christian faith. The practical significance of this sermon lies in the assurance that true faith rests in God's sovereignty and grace, leading believers to a deeper understanding of their salvation and peace in Christ.
Key Quotes
“Either a man or a woman will believe that he is, or a man or a woman will believe that he is not. There’s not any gray area. There’s no middle ground.”
“He is the third part equal member of the Trinity, God Almighty come down, the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells.”
“False religion is built on and it believes that I am able. That’s what it tells people. You’re able.”
“Every soul that he has purposed to subdue unto himself, he will subdue them.”
The Bible teaches that without faith, it is impossible to please God, as stated in Hebrews 11:6.
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith for coming to God, declaring that one must believe that He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This underscores the Reformed understanding that true faith is a gift from God, leading individuals to recognize His sovereignty and the necessity of His grace for salvation. The foundation of our faith is not our abilities but who God is and what He has accomplished through Christ.
Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17
The Bible states that Jesus is Lord of all, confirming God's sovereignty over everything.
Scripture clearly identifies Jesus Christ as Lord of all, as seen in Acts 10:36, affirming His reign and authority over all creation. The belief that Christ is sovereign is fundamental to the Reformed faith, which acknowledges that nothing happens outside of God's divine will. This sovereignty is not contingent on human acknowledgment but is an inherent aspect of God’s character, reminding believers that He is in control and everything unfolds according to His plan.
Acts 10:36, Philippians 2:9-11
Understanding Jesus as our Savior is crucial because He is the one who reconciles us to God through His sacrifice.
Ephesians 2:13 teaches that through the blood of Christ, those who were once far away have been brought near, establishing Jesus as the only mediator between God and man. This understanding is essential as it highlights the grace of God in salvation, showing that it is not through human works that we are saved, but through faith in Him who has accomplished our redemption. The sovereignty of Christ as our Savior provides the assurance of our salvation and emphasizes our dependence on His complete and sufficient work.
Ephesians 2:13, John 14:6
Christ being our peace means He reconciles us with God, abolishing enmity and creating unity.
In Ephesians 2:14, Paul states that Christ Himself is our peace, having broken down the wall of separation caused by sin. This signifies that through Christ, we experience reconciliation with God and with one another. The concept of Christ as our peace is vital in the Reformed perspective, illustrating that our hope and comfort come not from our actions but from His perfect sacrifice and authority over our lives. He is the true source of peace for believers, ensuring that we are united with God and each other.
Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 1:20
Acknowledging Jesus' divinity is crucial as it affirms His authority as God and the basis for our salvation.
Recognizing Jesus as divine is foundational to Christian faith, as highlighted in John 1:1, where it is stated that 'the Word was God.' This truth affirms that our salvation rests not only on His teachings but on His very nature as God Himself. Denying His divinity undermines the gospel, as it diminishes the significance of His sacrifice and authority. The Reformed faith emphasizes that our assurance of salvation is based on who Christ is—fully God and fully man—and His ability to redeem us from sin through His death and resurrection.
John 1:1, Colossians 2:9
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