The Foundation of our Faith
I. God is the Creator (Gen. 1:1)
A. He is the owner (Malachi 3:8-10)
B. He is the Lord (Ps. 2:1-3)
II. God is the Provider
A. God provided all Adam needed (Gen. 2)
B. God now provides all we need (Matt. 6:25-34)
III. Man is a Debtor
A. As a steward we must all according to God's will (Gen 2:15)

Conclusion:
What are the Fruits of our Faith?
One thing we will see is PEACE instead of ANXIETY!
Matthew 6:19: So where is your heart?!

One aspect of loving God is "with all your mind."

• General Definition
• Three-fold Meaning
• Peace with God: Reconciliation
• Peace with Self: Tranquility
• Peace with Men: Concord/Harmony
Between Christian & Pagan
Between Jew & Gentile
Between Husband & Wife
Between Fellow Christians
• Being a Peacemaker
• Does not retaliate (evil for evil)
• Does not judge or offend
• Avoids contentious words
• Prays for peace
• Puts away anger

Meaning of Joy (Greek: Xara): Joy is delight at something esteemed good in possession or in prospect.
Xara denotes both the state and the object of joy

Objects of Joy:

• The Person of God

• The People of God

• The Power (Gospel) of God

Observations on Joy:

• Joy linked to thankfulness

• Joy opposed to selfishness

• Joy consistent with trials

Works of the Flesh can be grouped in this way:
• Vices against Purity
• Vices against Spirituality
• Vices against Community
> VICES AGAINST SOBRIETY

-- Vices against Sobriety
1) Methai: drunkenness
2) Komoi: revelries; carousing; rioting

-- And the like
1) Ephesians 5:3-4
2) Colossians 3:8-9
3) 1 Corinthians 5:11

-- Shall not inherit
1) Tell you before
2) Those who do/practice

Conclusion: Change the tree and you change the fruit

Works of the Flesh can be grouped in this way:
• Vices against Purity
• Vices against Spirituality
> VICES AGAINST COMMUNITY
• Vices against Sobriety

-- Vices against Community
1) Hatred
- Exthrai: hatreds; animosities; enmity
2) Contentions
- Eris: contentions; strife; disputes
3) Jealousy
- Zelos: jealousy; envy; rivalry
4) Wrath
- Thumoi: wrath; outbursts of anger
5) Selfish Ambition
6) Dissensions
7) Heresies

Works of the Flesh
I Sexual Sins: fornication, uncleanness, lewdness
II Spiritual Sins: idolatry, sorcery, enmity
A Eidololatreia: idolatry; idol worship
1 Two kinds: Spiritual; Formal
a Spiritual Idolatry
i Its meaning
ii Three rivals to God
- earthly things
- people
- yourself
b Formal Idolatry
i Its meaning
ii True worship; Spirit & Truth
B Pharmakeia
1 Medical Use
2 Moral Use
3 Religious Use
C Exthrai
1 Enity or Hostility
2 Link to idolatry
D Conclusion
1 Modern man and idolatry
2 Christian man and idolatry
3 Victory over idolatry

Works of the Flesh
• Porneia: fornication; sexual immorality
• Akatharsia: uncleanness; impurity
• Aselgeia: lewdness; lasciviousness

Meaning of Spirit & Flesh
• Old Man & New Man

• Outward Man & Inward Man

• Natural, Spiritual, & Carnal

• Spirit & Flesh

The Spirit
• The Holy Spirit Himself
• The Union of Holy Spirit and Human Soul

The Flesh
• Not the "old man" of "old nature"

Meaning of Liberty
• Liberty from Curse
• Liberty from Sin
• Liberty from Satan
• Liberty from Law (Galatians 5:1)

Goal of Liberty
• Negatively: "Use not as an opportunity to indulge the flesh"
• Positively: "In love, server one another"

Loving Service
• Motive: love
• Fruit: service

David Vaughan speaks from Galatians 5:1-15, highlighting verse 9.

Galatians 5:9: A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

• Doctrine is a sacred trust of the Church. (1 Tim 3:15, 1 Tim 6:20, 1 Tim 1:1-3, 2 Tim 2:2, 2 Tim 1:13-14)

• Doctrine is a mark of devotion to Jesus. (John 8:31-36, John 14:15, 21-25, 2 Cor 11:3-4)

• Doctrine determines worship – false doctrine leads to idolatry. (Romans 1:18-23)

• Doctrine determines practice – idolatry leads to immorality. (Romans 1:18, 2 Tim 2:15-17)

The nature of God is important. If you have a different Jesus, then you are worshipping a different God.

Remembering Jesus

- Remember His Incarnation
- + Born of the Virgin (Supernatural)
- + True Humanity (Not Imaginary)
- + True Deity (Equality with God)

- Remember His Sufferings
- + Sufferings of Saviour
- + Sufferings of Satan
- + Sufferings of Sin

- Remember His Atonement
- + Atonement was Necessary
- + Atonement was Vicarious
- + Atonement was Gracious

1) How do you view the Word of God?
2) How do you view the Body of Christ?
3) How do you view our unity with Christ?
4) How do you view the world around you?
5) How do you view God?

A correct view of each of these is a total reflection of being a "man after God's own heart."

So, how can we help ensure that we are becoming more and more a "man after God's own heart?"

1) Through prayer and seeking the Lord's counsel
2) Study the Word
3) Diligence

Old Testament background:
Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-6; 17:15-22; 21:1-12

Application:
1) Those born of the flesh persecute those born of the Spirit (Galatians 4:29)
2) Cast out the bond-woman (Galatians 4:30)
3) Stand fast in freedom (Galatians 5:1)

•Equality of the Sexes
- The Divine Image
- Mutual Honor
- Church Admission
- Gifted Ministry

• Role Distinctions
- Analogy of the Trinity
- The Created Order
- Eve as Helper
- The Fall

• The Fall
- Satan Comes to Eve First
- God Comes to Adam First

• The Curse
- Eve Sins yet Adam Responsible
- Roles Distorted Not Changed

• Redemption (of Women)
- In Home: Wives Submit to Husbands
- In Church: Women Submit to male Elders

• Redemption (of Men)
- Husbands govern with Love
- Fathers rule with Kindness
- Master rule with Justice
- Elders rule by Example

The Galatian Conversion
• Jesus Christ Portrayed
• Response: Faith
• Result: Spirit (Regeneration)

Abraham's Conversion
• Gospel Preached
• Response: Faith
• Result: Blessing (Justification; Spirit)

Comparison
Galatians Abraham
-------- -------
Jesus Gospel
Faith Faith
Spirit Spirit

Contrast
Law Promise
-------- -------
Works Faith
Curse Blessing

Redemption
Basic Meaning
Need for
Result

{Review:}
Three Schemes of Salvation
1. By Law Alone
2. By Grace Alone
3. By Law and Grace

Three Schemes of Justification
1. (If) By Law, (then) By Works, (and) By Man
2. (If) By Grace, (then) By Faith (and) By Christ
3. (If) By Law & Grace, (then) By Works & Faith (and) By Man & Christ

Meaning of Justification
[Definition: Justification is that judicial act of God by which, on account of Christ, to whom the sinner is united by faith, He declares that sinner to be no longer exposed to the penalty of the law, but restored to favor.]
• Declaration
• Pardon (Romans 4:2-6)

Means of Justification
• Grace (not Law)
• Faith (not Works)
• Christ (not Self)

Objections & Answers:
• Contra Holy Living
• Contra James

Confirmed by Conference (2:1-10)
• Time and Place (2:1)
• Goal of Visit (2:2)
• Conflict During Visit (2:3-5)
• Outcome of Visit (2:6-10)
Confirmed by Confrontation (2:11-21)
• Time and Place (2:11)
• Situation (2:1-13)
• Paul's Response (2:14-21)

Outline of Gospel
• Justification is NOT by Works of Law
• Justification IS by Faith in Christ
• All Men in Need of Justification
• Law and Gospel Makes a Transgressor
• Law and Grace is Misuse of Law
• Law and Grace is Rejection of Christ

Divine Origin (1:11-14)
• Not According to Man
• But by Revelation
Divine Transmission (1:15-17)
• God's Gracious Call
• Revelation of the Son
• Commission to Preach
Practical Use
• Personal Testimony
• Personal Relationship
• Personal Proclamation

Next Week:
Human Confirmation (1:18-2:21)

On the Priesthood of Jesus:
Numbers 16:1-5
Leviticus 10:1-3
Hebrews 5:1-3

Two key words: Sacrifice and Intercession (Prayer)

Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-5:5; 7:23-28
1 Peter 2:9-10
Revelation 1:4-6; 5:5,8-10
1 John 3:16

Applying this to you:

Colossians 1:24
Hebrews 2:17; 4:15-16

The throne on which Jesus Christ sits is one of Grace and Mercy!

Ezekiel 22:23-31

Hebrews 2:14, 15

Exodus 34:14

Revelation 5:6

1 Timothy 3:16

Romans 3:21-25

Hebrews 1:1-4

John 3:16

Thank You.

Agape (αγάπη) love is just. But it is also merciful. You may be correct in saying "I deserve to be ____ in this situation." However, you would be right to say, "But I will have mercy, and let it go."

The choice to walk in agape love is a difficult choice. Because agape love is death to ourself.

Ephesians 5:22 and following.

Download the powerpoint at http://www.libertystl.com/downloads/sermons/20070922_agape_love_in_the_church.ppt

Love *is* the greatest virtue. But it still is only a virtue. For, in order to love, you need Jesus.

*Note* we will post the file for this week when it becomes available to us. Thank you.

1. Love does not meditate on evil.
i.e. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things"

2. Love does not wish evil.
i.e. "You'll see" "I told you so" "He'll learn his lesson"
Proverbs 17:5; 24:17; Job 31:24-30; Romans 12:17-21

3. Love does not attribute evil. Love gives the benefit of the doubt.
Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged"
John 7:24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
2 Samuel 6:12-22

4. Love does not keep a record of evil.
Romans 4:3-8

verse 23 -- And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.

These two commands are given to us as one, because they are inseparable.

1) Love validates faith

2) Sacrifice validates love

3) Service validates sacrifice

Rick Fister, Steve Inman, and Jake Olejniczak are installed as Deacons.

Brian Short, and Rob Witty also step down from their time spent serving the Church as Deacons.

1) Resurrection power is available
2) Resurrection power is essential
3) Resurrection power is obtainable

David Vaughan speaks from 1 Corinthians 13

Love does not behave unseemly (verse 5).

Love does not demand its own way (verse 5).

Love does not envy.
Genesis 30:1-24
Genesis 37:2-35
James 3:13-16
Numbers 11:16-17, 25-30

Love does not parade itself and is not puffed up.
Matthew 6:5; 23:1-7
Luke 18:9-14

Verse 13: Three things will last forever —- faith, hope, and love -— and the greatest of these is love.

Love is the greatest virtue
1 Corinthians 13:13
Love is the greatest commandment
Matthew 22:34-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5
Love is the greatest apologetic
John 17:20-23

Pastor David Vaughan also speaks from Romans 12:9-21

Dr. David Vaughan speaks plainly on why abortion is against God's laws.

(18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Amen.

(15) Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
(16) Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, (17) and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ (18) But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ (19) And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ (20) Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ (21) So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ (22) And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ (23) Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (24) For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”

(1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? (2) Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? (3) Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (4) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5) For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, (6) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (7) For he who has died has been freed from sin.