862 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 3 Part 2 Book 72 - The Big Picture Salvation and Good Works 2

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 2 * BOOK 72 THE BIG PICTURE SALVATION & GOOD WORKS - 2 My, it’s good to see everybody. We’ll go right into program number two. You can turn with me to Romans chapter 5 verse 1, and we’re going to continue for a few moments yet on this glorious Gospel of the Grace of God, and how that it’s by faith plus nothing in what Christ has done on our behalf. Those of you joining us on television, we’re just an informal Bible study. I don’t try to grind an ax with anyone. We just want folk to see what the Book says. Look at it with an open eye. You know, I always have to be a little bit aware of clichés, like—don’t empty your brain and then not be aware of what replaces it. I don’t want you to do that, but on the other hand open your mind to carefully search the Scriptures. We’ve had I don’t know how many people write that they prayed, definitively, “Lord, just open this Book so that I can understand it.” And then along comes my teaching and there it is. It’s plain as day. I mean it’s really not that difficult. So, those of you out in television, if you will join us, we will read a few verses here in Romans chapter 5 which will carry on that same theme. Romans 5:1-3a “Therefore being justified by faith, (plus nothing) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:…” In other words, as soon as, especially in Paul’s ministry, those pagans believed the Gospel and came out of that paganism, what did they face? Immediately it was persecution! And I’m always so amazed that they stayed with it. Because not only were they persecuted by their fellow pagan Gentiles, they were persecuted by the Roman government, and they were persecuted by the Orthodox Jews—who, of course, hated the name of Jesus Christ. And yet they stayed with it. That’s where Paul was commending them. All right, I want to get down to at least verse 8, and then we’ll continue our thoughts for just a moment on how this glorious work of the cross is all we need for salvation. All right then verse 4: Romans 5:3b-6 “…knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4. And patience, experience; and experience, (works) hope: 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God (There’s that term again. It’s the love of God.) is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given unto us. 6. For when we were yet without strength, (While we were yet, as we saw at the end of the last program, while we were sinners. We had fallen short of the glory of God. So--) in due time Christ died for (What kind of people?) the ungodly.” He didn’t die for the good people. He died for the worst of sinners. And then verse 7: Romans 5:7-9 “For scarcely for a righteous man would one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” All right, now that’s the kind of language that you do not find anywhere but in the writings of the Apostle Paul. All right, let’s go to I Corinthians. And that’s going to be our subject matter for at least the first half of this program - a continuation of the Gospel of the Grace of God and that when a sinner believes it, immediately the Holy Spirit places him into the Body of Christ. And that’s the only membership that counts for eternity. Are you a member of the Body of Christ? You can be a member of umpteen other denominations and that won’t cut it unless you’re a member of the Body of Christ. That’s the only thing that counts for eternity. All right, I Corinthians chapter 1, oh, my goodness, I guess verse 17 is a good place to start in this particular chapter, because again, we want to emphasize that work of the cross. Verse 17—now remember who Paul is writing to. He is writing to Gentile believers down there in the wicked city of Corinth. And he says: I Corinthians 1:17-18a “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;…” The lost world around us, they think we’re nuts. You might as well be honest. They think we’re weird to believe that that horrible work of the cross is all we need for eternity? But you see - that’s what the Book says. I Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.” The same power that he referred to in Romans chapter 1. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible