Sovereign Grace Chapel, located
at 135 Annabel Lane in Beaver, West Virginia, invites you to
listen to a gospel message concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. If you have a Bible handy, I
would encourage you to take that Bible, open it up, and turn to
Philippians chapter three. That's Philippians chapter three.
This is the epistle to Paul, the apostle to the Philippians,
and I will read the first nine verses of Philippians chapter
three. The apostle Paul wrote these
words. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write
the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for
you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil
workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision,
which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus,
and have no confidence in the flesh, though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that
he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I am over. Circumcised
the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
and Hebrew of Hebrews, as touching the law, a Pharisee, concerning
zeal, persecuting the church. touching the righteousness which
is in the law, blameless. But what things were gained to
me, those I counted lost for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I
count all things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I've suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dumb that I may win Christ. And here's my text, here's where
my title's coming from, here's my text. and be found in him,
that is, in Christ. That's the nearest antecedent
to it. And be found in him, that's in
Christ. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ. The righteousness which is of
God by faith. You see it? That's my title for
this morning. The faith of Christ. The words faith, faithful, faithfully,
faithfulness, all of these words are used approximately 350 times. I didn't sit down to count them
all exactly, but it's approximately 350 times. And on top of that,
you can add all the words believe and the words that are related
to believe, like believed and believing and believed. Just think of how many times
this word faith and believe is used in the scripture. Now, with
that being a fact, it's just an actual fact, one would think
that people should know something about what faith is, right? I
mean, it's mentioned so many times in the Bible. So many people
go to Sunday morning, Sunday evening services, maybe Wednesday,
Tuesday, Thursday evening services, and hear about the Bible and
hear about faith. And you'd think that men and
women would know something about faith, what faith is. Yet, the
more I study, the more I see about faith, the less I realize
of what faith really is. It is such a vast subject, such
a vast thing. And there's a reason for that.
But let me go on. Sadly, the more I study, the more I realize
the ignorance which is rampant amongst professed possessors
of faith. Hear what I said? The more I
realize that ignorance is rampant amongst professed possessors
of faith as to what it is that they profess, they really possess.
And people say, I have faith. But they don't even really know
what it is. They have no idea what it's all about. Yet I also
know by God-taught experiences throughout all the years I've
tried to preach the gospel that the problem is not just an academic
lack of understanding faith. That's not really it. It's rather
this, here's the problem. Men and women, now listen to
me now, don't turn the dial, don't go away now. Men and women
reject the truth about faith because when they hear the truth
about it, They sense they do not truly have it, but they are
hell-bent on clinging to their profession of it and not seeking
to possess faith as faith really is. Now I know that's a long,
maybe convoluted sentence, but let me read it again, because
this is something that men and women lack today. They talk about
possessing faith. But when they begin to hear what
faith really is, they know they don't have it. But they're not
satisfied with that and they say, well, God give me faith.
Now listen to me. I know this. Men and women reject
the truth about faith because when they hear the truth about
it, they sense they do not truly have it, but they are hell-bent
on clinging to their profession of it and not seeking to possess
faith as faith really is. So they create a faith that strokes
their ego. They create a faith that strokes
their sense of self-worth. But let me give you five things
about faith. Briefly, I'll try to be brief
here. Five things about faith. Living faith and dead faith. is distinguished by James in
Holy Scripture. Now hear what I said. I said
living faith, that is a faith that comes from God, and dead
faith, that's what James calls it. Dead faith, that is what
is worked up inside of fallen Adamic humanity. Living faith
and dead faith is distinguished by James. James says this in
James chapter two, verses 14 through 26. It is a profound
passage of scripture. And James makes this statement,
faith without works. That is faith that is not alive. It doesn't have action that follows
with it. Faith without works is dead,
dead. Number two, living faith. What about a faith that comes
from God? A faith that has life, life from
God in it. Living faith has Christ as its
author, as its finisher and as its object of concern. You hear
what I said? So we've got living faith and
dead faith are distinguished in the scripture. Living faith
is, living faith is, as Christ as his author and finisher and
the object of his concern, because Hebrews tells us, in Hebrews
chapter 12 and verse two, those who do believe are to do this,
they are admonished and commanded to do this, looking unto Jesus,
that's faith, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith. So we see that living faith and
dead faith is distinguished in the scripture, and living faith
has Christ as its author, finisher, and as its actual object of concern. But there's another. Living faith
is intrinsic, is intrinsic to God alone. Now why do I say that? I say that because Galatians
chapter five, you can go back and read it sometime. Galatians
chapter five, verses 22 and 23, lets us know this. Paul makes
this statement, or he writes these words. the fruit of the
spirit. And there he's talking about
clearly, if you look at the context, the spirit of God, who is God
himself. He is called the spirit of Christ.
He is the spirit that moved upon the face of the waters when God
created this world. And again, I say, living faith
is intrinsic to God alone because Paul says the fruit of the spirit
is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness,
and then he mentions this word, faith. Faith. You see, faith
is a quality. It's a perfection. It's a goodness. It's a righteousness that is
intrinsic to God alone. Faith is the fruit of the spirit. That's what he says. But not
only that. We see faith, living faith and dead faith are distinguished.
We see that living faith has Christ as its author, finisher,
and the object of its concern. But we also see that living faith
is intrinsic to God alone. But here's another one. Living
faith cements to Christ the living Lord. You know what I said? I
said living faith, that is, that faith that is of God, that faith
that comes from God, that faith which God gives to men and women
in a blessed act of mercy and compassion and grace. That faith
submits to Christ the living Lord. And you can read that clearly
in Romans chapter 10, verses one through nine. The word of
faith is this. Here's the word of faith. Here's
what faith says. That if thou shalt confess, with
thy mouth, the Lord Jesus Christ. You see it? So we see these few
things about faith. I'm just scratching the surface.
I'm just scratching the surface. We see that living faith and
dead faith are distinguished in the scripture. We see that
living faith has Christ as its author, finisher, and the object
of its concern. We see that living faith is intrinsic
to God alone. But we also see that living faith
submits to Christ the living Lord, risen, exalted, ascended,
reigning Lord Jesus Christ. But here's a fifth thing about
faith. Living faith, of course, that is. Living faith is energized
by true love, not by duty. You hear what I just said? Living
faith is energized by true love. See it? True love not duty. Paul wrote this in Galatians
5 verse 6. Faith, this is the phrase, faith
worketh by love. Now that doesn't mean faith is
active by love, though that certainly is true. But there the word faith
worketh by love could be interpreted as energized by love. Faith is
energized by love, not duty. If you believed on Jesus out
of some mere religious duty because you just don't want to go to
hell, but you want to be able to go to heaven one day when
you die, that is not living faith. That's a faith that is dead. That's a faith that you have
worked up within yourself and you are yet lost in your sins. It is Living faith is energized
by true love, not by duty, even religious duty. So I give you
these things again. Living faith and dead faith is
distinguished in the scripture. Living faith has Christ as its
author and its finisher, and its object of actual concern. Living faith is intrinsic to
God alone. Living faith submits to Christ
the living Lord. Living faith is energized by
true love, not by religious duty. These are just a few of the truths
about faith, what faith really is, where it comes from, where
it goes, what or who that it looks to. I ask you, is that
the kind of faith you claim you have? Do you have that kind of
faith, or do you have some other kind of faith? This is what the
scripture calls faith, that is, that faith that is connected
to salvation. Not wrought by faith, but yet
connected to salvation. Now, as I said, there's much
more. There's much more than what I've given you. I've just
barely scratched the surface. But what about our text? Go back
to it again. Philippians chapter three. If
you were following along, go back to it. Philippians chapter
three. And let's look at this verse a moment. And let's look
at what Paul actually says. Again, I know I say this quite
often probably. It's not what men say about it,
but what does he actually say? You said I'm I've sincerely or
not. I'm not trying to explain to
you what the Word of God says It means what it says. I'm just
trying to proclaim what it says I'm just trying to emphasize
what it says and listen to what Paul actually wrote this is from
the heart of God through the Apostle Paul put down with ink
on some kind of medium, paper or something, skins or whatever
it was, and has been passed down to us even some 2,000 years later. And listen to what he says. And
be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of
the law. Now, you say, but I'm trying
to keep the law. That's just your righteousness.
It won't cut it. And let me tell you, you're not
keeping the law. You don't keep the law, and neither do I. and
be found in him, Paul wrote, not having my own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ. Take note, he does not say faith
in Christ, though men must have faith in Christ. Don't misunderstand
me here. But that's not what he wrote.
So that's not what he meant. He's not talking about faith
in Christ. He says, but that which is through, that is that
righteous, not legal righteousness, not law righteousness, but a
different kind of righteousness, yes. But that which is through
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Do you see it? Isn't that amazing?
And just a brief lesson for you. I'm no Greek scholar, but I do
know this, and I know how to study those who are Greek scholars,
and I have seen that when it says faith of Christ, it is in
the possessive sense. It means Jesus Christ's actual
faith. Has anyone ever told you that?
Has anyone ever preached that to you? Most people have never
heard about such a thing. I never did years ago when I
was raised up in false religion. Oh, it called itself Christianity,
but false religion. I'm never told about the faith
of Christ. I was always browbeat that you
better have faith in Christ. But this is what Paul says. Look
at what he, the word of God says. And be found in him that is in
Christ. Not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, he said, I counted that, but done. You
hear? Dung, the verse just before it.
Not having my own law, my own righteousness, which is of the
law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. The righteousness
which is of God by faith, that is Christ's faith. That truly
is astounding to me. You see, faith is not, that is,
living faith is not something we create. Living faith is not
something you work up. Living faith is not something
you pray down. Living faith comes from a living
source. And you and I, by nature, are
not alive. We're born dead in trespasses
and in sins. So can I say, faith is not, that
is, living faith is not something we create. As a matter of fact,
now listen to me. and we'll give you something
here that may astound you at first, but if God gives you eyes
to see and ears to hear and a heart to perceive, you'll get it, you'll
understand it. Faith is not even something God
creates in men and women. boys and girls. Did you hear
what I just said? Faith is not something, it's
not even something that God creates in men and women. God does not
create His perfection. Remember, faith is a fruit of
the Spirit. He doesn't create faith. Faith is a perfection
of God. Faith is intrinsic to God alone. And God doesn't create his perfections. He is eternally perfect in all
that he is. So again I say, faith is not,
that is living faith is not something we create. Nor is this faith,
this living faith, something that God creates in men. Faith,
that is this living faith as opposed to a dead faith, a man
wrought faith, a worked up faith. You see, this faith, this living
faith is an intrinsic part of who God is. It is uncreated and
it is eternal because God is uncreated and God is eternal. When a person has living faith,
God gave it to them from himself. in measure. Now you hear what
I said? He gave it to them. If anyone has this living faith,
this faith is a fruit of the spirit. It doesn't say faith
is a fruit that God works in you. Faith is a fruit of the
spirit and he gives it to men and women at his sovereign discretion
and pleasure, but he only gives it to us fallen sons and daughters
of Adam in measure. And the scripture actually declares
this. Paul wrote it, Romans chapter 12, I believe it is. If you're
following along, or if not, just listen to what he says. Romans
chapter 12, and listen to what Paul wrote. He said, verse one,
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God. What mercies
of God? The mercies he just talked about in the preceding four or
five chapters. Go back and read those sometime. I beseech you,
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service. This is just reasonable service.
This ain't going overboard. This is reasonable service. And
be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove, not do, but prove. Now granted, we want to do God's
will, but that's not what Paul's talking about here. He told us
what to do, but look at what it says, that ye may prove what
is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say,
through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man thee, and every man there is these believers. That's
who he's talking to. Not talking about everybody out
there in the world. He's talking about two believers. And as God
hath dealt to every man thee, The measure of faith. Do you see that? The measure
of faith. Now, hear me now. The faith of
Christ, and that's what Paul wrote. Let me get back over here
to my text. Philippians chapter three, verse
nine. I said the faith of Christ. Christ's personal, actual faith. Do you know what I just said?
Christ's personal, actual faith. And be found in him, Paul writes,
Philippians three, verse nine, and be found in him, not having
mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which
is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of
God by faith. So what can I say? The faith
of Christ is his obedience to the Father. Christ's willing
submission to do what the Father gave Him to do in His condescension. Jesus Christ believed God fully. We are given the measure of faith. He had faith without measure,
for he is God. And God alone possesses faith
in its fullness. But he does possess it in its
fullness. And thank God he in free, sovereign
grace and mercy is pleased to look upon some of us fallen sons
and daughters of Adam and give us the measure of faith. Christ's faith, again, the faith
of Christ, Christ's faith is possessive, he possessed it.
It was his faith. Hear me now, the faith of Christ
is his obedience to the Father, his willing submission to do
what the Father gave him to do in his condescension. He believed
God, as I said, fully. And he believed God in heart
and mind and deed fully. None of us do that. And anyone
who's honest, anyone who truly has a God-given faith knows that
we don't do that fully, but he did. So again I say, he believed
God fully in heart, mind, and deed. This, now listen to what
I'm about to say, this is the righteousness Paul says is essential
righteousness. Now, do you hear what I just
said? Because I have just repeated what Paul said, just in slightly
different words. Listen to what Paul said. And
be found in him, that is, in Christ. not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. That is the nearest antecedent
to that faith is Christ's faith. So again, I say Christ believed
God fully. He believed God in heart, mind
and deed fully. His faith truly was energized
by love. His faith truly was not dead
faith. His faith was accompanied by
the work, and he did the work God the Father gave him to do.
And listen, I'll say it again. This is the righteousness Paul
says is essential righteousness. The faith of Christ. Do you hear it? Has it dawned on you? Has God
Almighty opened your eyes? Has He opened your ears? Has
He opened your heart? Are you saying preacher? I think
maybe I get that. I think maybe I understand that.
Let me give it to you again. This is the righteousness Paul
says is essential righteousness. The faith of Christ. Now, do
not misunderstand me. Yes, it is only for those who
have faith in Christ. That is, they believe, and we'll
see that in a moment. I'll show you that. It actually
says that in the book. Paul says that in another book.
What can I say? This is the righteousness Paul
says is essential righteousness, the faith of Christ. Yes, as
I said, don't misunderstand me. It is only for those who have
faith in Christ, that is, they believe Christ, but they're believing,
that is, their submission to Christ, their trust in Christ,
all these are included in faith. And we've looked at some of these
things. They're believing Christ, their submission to Christ, their
trust in Christ, their reliance upon Christ is in his faith. You hear what I said? It's in
His faith. Living faith doesn't look to
itself, it looks to Christ. Living faith looks to its author
and finisher. Living faith looks back to him
who is the object of that faith, and the provider of that faith,
the giver of that faith, and the sustainer of that faith.
Believing Jesus Christ is to submit to his faith as our righteousness. Thus, We read these words. I
told you, it actually says this in the book. If you're following
along, turn to Romans chapter three. Romans chapter three.
And this is what it says, verse 19. Now we know. Now we know
that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are
under the law, that every mouth may stop, and all the world become
guilty before God. As my late pastor Earl Cochran
used to say, the law tells me shut your mouth before God. That's
what it says. Therefore, by the deeds of the
law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight, for by
the law is the knowledge of sin, do you see it? But look, but
now the righteousness of God, do you see that? but now the
righteousness of God without the law is manifested. being
witnessed by the law and the prophets. This righteousness
is not against the law of the prophets. It's neither the law
of the prophets against this righteousness. The law and the
prophets testify of this righteousness. It's God's righteousness. You
hear what I'm saying? It's God's righteousness, but
now the righteousness of God without the laws manifested,
being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness
of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon
all them that believe, for there is no difference. You see, I
told you it said it. Right there it is, I told you it said it.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a perpetuation
through faith in his blood. See, here's God, the Father's
faith in the Son's blood. Oh, what a glory, whom God has
set forth to be a perpetuation through faith in his blood, to
declare the righteousness for the remission of sins that are
passed through the forbearance of God, to declare, I say at
this time, his righteousness, that he might be just and the
justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. I would encourage you
to listen, same channel, 12 noon every Sunday, I would encourage
you to listen to a portion of one of our Sunday morning broadcasts.