In his sermon titled "Every Sinner's Need," Clay Curtis explores the theological theme of the necessity of revelation and the transformative work of Christ in the hearts of sinners. He emphasizes that every sinner inherently responds to the gospel with skepticism or hostility, as illustrated by the reaction of the people in Nazareth (Luke 4:22-24). Curtis presents three primary needs: the need for Christ to speak effectually to the heart, the need for Christ to be divinely revealed as the Son of God, and the need for a new spirit to replace the old, self-centered nature. He supports his arguments through scriptural references, including Ezekiel 33 and 1 John 4, demonstrating how spiritual blindness and pride hinder true belief and the necessity of divine intervention for genuine faith. The practical and doctrinal significance of Curtis's message lies in recognizing that salvation is entirely the work of God in Christ, thus leading believers to depend solely on Him for regeneration and sanctification.
Key Quotes
“This is every sinner's natural response to the gospel, to Christ and his gospel.”
“We can't believe if we're looking for the honor and praise of men.”
“Salvation is by revelation. We need him to be revealed in us, that he is the Son of God.”
“He is the righteousness that we must have. He is.”
The Bible emphasizes that every sinner needs Christ to speak effectively to their heart, revealing Himself and giving them a new spirit.
In Luke 4:22-24, we see that the natural response of every sinner to the gospel is skepticism, but what every sinner truly needs is for Christ to speak powerfully into their hearts. He must reveal Himself to us in His fullness, so we can come to know His person and work. Moreover, since our natural hearts are proud and selfish, we need Christ to create in us an entirely new spirit that aligns with His love and grace. This transformation begins with a revelation of who Christ truly is—God’s Son and our Savior.
Luke 4:22-24, 1 John 4:15, Matthew 16:13-16
We know Jesus is the Son of God through His revelation by the Spirit and the acknowledgment of His divine nature.
Understanding who Jesus is requires divine revelation. As stated in Matthew 16:16, Peter declared Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, prompted by the Father’s revelation. It is not through human reasoning that we grasp this truth but through the Spirit's work in our hearts. In 1 John 4:15, it is emphasized that 'whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him.' Thus, true knowledge of Christ comes from recognizing His divine identity and our reliance on Him for salvation.
Matthew 16:13-16, 1 John 4:15
Believing in Christ is essential for salvation because He alone accomplishes what we cannot do for ourselves.
Belief in Christ is central to salvation as He is the one who fulfills the law and bears the righteousness necessary for our justification. Romans 8:3 speaks to this, noting that what the law could not do, God did by sending His own Son. If any part of our salvation depended on our actions, we would not be relying on Christ alone. Thus, our faith in Him secures not just forgiveness of sins but also the righteousness we need to stand before God, highlighting the all-sufficiency of Christ's redemptive work.
Romans 8:3, 1 John 4:10
The Bible teaches that believers receive a new spirit from Christ, enabling them to love and live according to God's will.
A new spirit is vital for every believer as it transforms our hearts and compels us to live righteously. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, meaning that the old ways of sin and selfishness have passed away. This new spirit not only inclines us to believe in Christ but also empowers us to love as He loves, reflecting His nature within us. Without this transformation, we remain in our natural state, which is hostile to God. The work of the Spirit in granting us a new heart is crucial to our relationship with God and our capacity to live out His commands.
2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 4:10
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