Norm Wells

MATT 26:28

I think sometimes we make Christianity more difficult than it really is. We need—as much as possible—to keep things as simple as we possibly can.

Regardless of where we are at in our life; there are really only two things that we should be concerned with:

Then we must Believe that good news about Christ.

Then we must Repent—we must make up our mind to repent, as we see in Ac 2:38

Please pay close attention to this next statement, so that it will not be taken out of context:

Repentance does not mean a change of life.

What repentance does mean is having a change of heart—which then brings about a change of life.

Repentance does not mean that all of a sudden, we stop doing all the wrong things and start doing all the right things.

One who is about to become a christian doesn’t even know what all those wrong things are; much less know what all the right things are.

But rather, you have a change of heart—you make up your mind that you are going to spend the rest of your life letting the Bible tell you what is wrong and what is right.

And because we are human, we forget or just let slip from time to time—that which is wrong, and that which is right.

Whether we are studying ourselves, or studying with someone else, we must be very careful to remember what repentance really is.

Even after we become christians, people can tell from our lives, that we still make mistakes---

People can tell from our lives that we still do things that we shouldn’t do—so we don’t want to give the impression that when one repents, he automatically makes the switch in life from bad to good.

But what we do want them to understand, is that when we repent, we have a change of heart---we have a change of mind—which will gradually help us move from a life of wrong-- to a life of right.

So, when we hear the gospel of Jesus, we believe it; --

we make up our mind to follow that gospel;

and then upon our confession of our faith in Christ, we are baptized in the name of The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the forgiveness of our sins/Ac2:38.

That, then, is our initial salvation—getting right w/ God—

We do that by obeying the gospel call.

The 2^nd part, then, is staying right w/ God.

Many people refuse to get right w/ God to begin with, because they truly think that they can’t stay right w/ God.

They may think that the lifestyle they are living or the temptations they face in their life, is something that they just can’t overcome.

EXAMPLE; We may have something that we want—maybe it’s something that we really need-we give it some thought-we know we can afford it-and we decide that we really should go ahead and get it.

But then we get to thinking about it, and even though we want it—even though we know we need it-even we know we can afford it--we make the decision not to get it. We start to worry that maybe something will happen that we might not be able to finish making payments on it. And we decide not to get it.

And some people look at salvation in that same way---

I CAN’T START IT BECAUSE I’M AFRAID I WON’T BE ABLE TO FINISH IT.

I’m afraid that I won’t be able to complete what God expects of me as a christian. That’s just too much responsibility for me to handle.

But I’m here to tell you today, that according to the scriptures—that love which will bring you that initial salvation thru baptism—

that love which will enable you to GET RIGHT WITH GOD—

is the same love that will enable you to STAY RIGHT WITH GOD.

The love which will bring us to that initial salvation, is the same love that enables us to maintain that salvation.

In Matt 26, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He said in vs. 28—FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE N T, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.

Ac 2:38—THEN PETER SAID UNTO THEM, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

When we are baptized, the blood of Jesus cleanses us of our sins.

But—the power of the blood does not stop there.

We must realize and accept the fact that we have the chance to be just as clean today, as we were the moment we came up out of the water when we were baptized.

The blood of Christ will do the same thing for us today, as it did when we initially received salvation at baptism.

In Rev 21:8, John tells us that unbelievers will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone—the everlasting Hell.

And so, it is vitally important for us to understand and believe, that even as we continue to sin, we can stay saved—because of the blood of Jesus.

In Rom 4, Paul illustrates justification by faith.

In ch. 1, the Gentiles are described as lost

In ch. 2, the Jews are described as lost

In ch. 3, both of them are described as lost

And at the end of ch 3, he shows justification by faith in Christ.

Rom 3:22-24 EVEN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WHICH IS BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, UNTO ALL AND UPON ALL THAT BELIEVE; FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE;

FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD;

BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THRU THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

Rom 4:8 BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN.—or will not hold that sin against him.

Do you believe that? DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?

Here is a man, who when he sins—it is not held against him.

And remember, he is talking to christians here—

--those who have already 1.- heard the Word; 2. believed,

3. repented, 4. confessed, and 5. were baptized.

--he is talking to the N T christian—those who already—

GOT THEIR LIFE RIGHT WITH GOD.

Rom 8:1 THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.

Who is it who are not condemned?

There is no condemnation to the man who 1. is in Christ Jesus—and you get into Christ Jesus by obeying the gospel.

Rom 6:3,4 KNOW YE NOT, THAT SO MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?

THEREFORE WE ARE BURIED WITH HIM BY BAPTISM INTO DEATH; THAT LIKE AS CHRIST WAS RAISED UP FROM THE DEAD BY THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, EVEN SO WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE

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I Cor 12:13 FOR BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, WHETHER WE BE JEWS OF GENTILES, WHETHER WE BE BOND OR FREE, AND HAVE BEEN ALL MADE TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT.

Gal 3: 26,27 FOR YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.

FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST.

Back to Rom 8:1--#2. there is no condemnation to the man who walks not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

And that means, keep on going to the scriptures-BACK TO THE BIBLE, and keep in step w/ your brothers and sisters in Christ—in accordance with the scriptures.

Paul says there is no condemnation to that man who-

Why? Rom 8:2 FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH.-----

That’s the gospel of Christ—the complete gospel of Christ—

that delivered by Christ himself, and by the apostles, as revealed to them by the H S.

This gospel does more than just make you free from your past sins.

Obeying the gospel of Christ, puts you into the realm of the new covenant.

Ezek 18:4—THE SOUL THAT SINNETH, IT SHALL DIE.

Gen. 2:17 –BUT OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT, FOR IN THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST THEREOF THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.

Paul is saying in Rom 8,-- the gospel has made you and me free from that old law of sin and death.

The old law that said, IF YOU SIN, YOU DIE, does not apply now.

Why do you think that Christ paid the price?

What do you think Christ died for?

There is therefore no condemnation to those 1. who are in Christ Jesus, and 2. who are trying to stay in Christ.

Ask yourself this question:

What is the best thing that can happen to a christian?

REPEAT.

TO DIE TRYING.

I knew a man who said it aggravated him that often when he was praying at bedtime, he fell asleep while praying. Stop and think about that—think about falling asleep while we are praying at the end of the day.

It can’t get any better than that—to fall asleep having the peace of mind—talking to God. It can’t get any better than that.

What better way for us to die, than to die trying-knowing that we have been faithful to God and His commandments.

What are we doing when we are trying? we are walking—walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

Even if I do not reach someone else’s expectation for what they thought I should be or what I should do.

Even if I don’t reach all of my own expectations for myself.

As long as I die trying—that will give me the assurance that there is no condemnation in my life.

I think it would be a real tribute to someone who has passed away to say—they never missed a service in 35 years.

Wouldn’t that be fantastic?

But I’ll tell you something even greater than that—to say—

They died forgiven—they died trying.

And that is what the christian life is all about—dying forgiven.

And we die forgiven when we die trying.

And the only way I can be assured of dying forgiven, is to:

Because w/ that, there will be no condemnation.

Within the christian life, the 1^st thing we must be aware of—is that the grace which brought me out of a world of being lost, and into the realm of being saved------is that same grace—that same blood—that helps me to maintain that salvation.

And that[in itself], should encourage each of us to do more work for the Lord.

If the only reason you want to go to Heaven—is to stay out of Hell, then you will be most miserable.

The christian life is a wonderful life—a life full of enjoyment and blessings here on this earth, as well as the assurance of life in Heaven.

Heb 8:12 FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE.

Here are the benefits of the new covenant.

Which sins? Which iniquities?

All sins,--past, present, & future.

THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE.

Remember, we read from Rom 8:12 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NEVER COUNT AGAINST HIM.

And Rom 8:1 THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.

And now, in Heb 8:12 THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE.

Why don’t you accept the gospel of Christ today?

Is it because you are afraid you can’t finish what you start?

Remember—the same reason for obeying the gospel of Christ, will be the same reason for finishing.

Matt 5:3 BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

The reason for obeying the gospel of Christ, is realizing and accepting the fact that we must be totally dependent on God.

You cannot take yourself to Heaven.

This a.m., turn your life over to Christ, and allow that shed blood of Christ, to put you into Christ, and that same blood of Christ, will continue to cleanse your sins, as long as you walk in the spirit—

As long as you die trying.

I Jn. 1:7 BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP ONE WIH ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.

If we walk in the light, we have fellowship w/ God—we are right w/ God, and that same blood continues to cleanse us from our sins.

As a christian, we can have our cake and eat it too.

We can have forgiveness of our sins w/ our initial salvation at baptism, and we can continue to benefit from the cleansing of our sins as we continue to walk in the light.

If you are not a christian, why don’t you obey the gospel today—allow the Lord to wash away your sins, and make your life right w/ God?

If you are a christian, but have stopped trying—if you are no longer walking in the light, won’t you as well allow God to apply that same blood of Christ to your life—to continue to be cleansed?

STORY—There was a patient in the emergency room of a hospital with severe wounds—bleeding extensively.

The doctor came in, and the patient was gone.

He asked the nurse where the patient was.

The nurse answered—OH, HE WENT HOME-HE GOT WORSE.

We can’t get any better until we first get right w/ God.

And we can’t stay right with God, until we walk in the light and allow God to continue to wash away our sins.

If you have a change of heart, then come as we stand and sing.

Remember—1^st you must have a change of heart—then that change of heart will lead you to a change of life.

BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS—YOU CAN ACTUALLY FINISH WHAT YOU START.