The sermon titled "Storm Warning #91" addresses the Reformed theological doctrine of justification by faith, emphasizing that sinners are justified solely through the righteousness of Christ. The preachers present key arguments about the absolute necessity of Christ's righteousness for salvation, citing Scriptures such as Jeremiah 23:6 and Romans 3:24 to underline that complete justification comes from God alone. They argue that any attempts at self-justification are futile and stress the importance of recognizing Christ as our righteousness, as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 1:30 and Philippians 3:9. The practical significance lies in the assurance that believers can find rest in Christ, who fulfills the perfect standard required by God, ultimately leading to a transformative relationship with Him and the promise of eternal life.
Key Quotes
“A perfect righteousness is needed to grant us admission to heaven. We, moreover, know that we cannot find this righteousness within ourselves.”
“Salvation is holy of grace, not only undeserved, but undesired by us, until God is pleased to awaken us to a sense of our need of it.”
“If Christ is not God manifest in the flesh, the eternal Yahweh come to earth, then we have no salvation.”
“Today is the day of salvation. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ while he may be found, and seek him while he is near.”
The Bible teaches that true righteousness comes from God and is imparted to believers through faith in Christ.
According to Scripture, righteousness is essential for justification before God. We learn from Romans 3:24 that we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. This righteousness is not something we can summon from our own efforts; our own righteousness is insufficient. Instead, as stated in Jeremiah 23:6, it is the Lord who is our righteousness. This highlights that the perfect righteousness required to enter heaven is not found within us but is a gift from Christ, who fulfills these requirements perfectly.
Romans 3:24, Jeremiah 23:6
Christ is called our righteousness because He fulfills all the requirements of God's law on our behalf.
In 1 Corinthians 1:30, we are told that Christ Jesus is made unto us righteousness. This means that through faith, His perfect obedience and His sacrificial death are credited to us. If Christ were not our righteousness, we would remain in our sins and unable to attain the holiness required by God. Furthermore, Philippians 3:9 emphasizes that we need a righteousness that comes from God, through faith in Christ, rather than relying on our own works. Thus, acknowledging Christ as our righteousness is fundamental to our salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:30, Philippians 3:9
Salvation is by grace alone, as it is a gift from God that cannot be earned by human merit.
The concept of salvation by grace alone is rooted in biblical teaching, particularly Ephesians 2:8-9, which states that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. In addition, throughout the sermon, the emphasis is placed on God's unmerited favor and gracious choice in electing His people for salvation. This underscores that salvation is entirely God's doing, reflecting His wisdom, power, and goodness, rather than any achievement on our part.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Understanding God's sovereignty reassures Christians that their salvation is secure and ordained from eternity.
God's sovereignty is crucial for Christians because it reflects His control over all aspects of life, including salvation. The sermon highlights that if God began a good work in us, He will complete it, as stated in Philippians 1:6. This means that our salvation is not subject to our failures or actions but is secured by God's eternal decree. Sovereignty assures believers that their eternal destiny, including justification and glorification, has been decreed by God before the foundation of the world, which brings immense comfort and security.
Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 1:4-5
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