Humanity and Sin // Salvation and Last Things (Revelation)
The Theological Educational Discourses series explains Northland Church's main theological and doctrinal beliefs.
God created humanity in His image to reflect His glory, but humanity chose to sin, causing a separation from God. As a result of sin, humanity deserves God's wrath and punishment, but through the gift of God's grace, God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay for our sins. All who trust in Jesus as their Savior and King are forgiven of their sins and pass from death to life and are born into God's family and indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thereby become fully alive.
THIS WEEK'S BIBLE STUDY
SERMON QUOTES
From Pastor Josh Laxton
"As a result of sin, humanity deserves God's judgment and God's wrath."
"We need more than functional saviors. We need a Foundational SAVIOR."
DIGGING DEEPER
Imagine being in a perfect relationship with God and living in an ideal world. We would be able to walk with God. Nothing would go wrong. Relationships would be harmonious without strife, anger ,or bad feelings. It would be easy and enjoyable to make a living. Evil would not exist.
Unfortunately, our world is fractured between us and God, and us and other people, because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We don't live in peace and harmony because of sin. But God had a plan to save humanity. God sent Jesus to die for our sins. Romans 5:8 states, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." By Christ's death, we have been given the gift of salvation and reconciled to God.
So what are we to do about our sin? The Bible teaches we are to repent and confess our sins. We are to diligently study the Bible to learn what God expects from us, live godly, obedient lifestyles, and leave our sinful behavior behind us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, we are to share our faith with others and expectantly look for our Lord's return. As we serve others, we serve our Lord and Savior, King Jesus. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Man (Humanity)
KEY BIBLE VERSES
Genesis 1:26–28; 2:5, 7, 18–22; Psalm 8:3–6; Romans 1:19–22; 3:10–18, 23; 5:6, 12, 19; 6:6; 7:14–25; 8:14–18, 29; 1 Corinthians 1:21–31; 15:19, 21–22; Ephesians 2:1–22; Colossians 1:21–22; 3:9–11.
We believe that man (humanity) was the crowning creation of God. Humanity was created in the image of God to reflect His glory (His character, nature and attributes) throughout the created order. In the beginning, man was innocent of sin and was endowed by the Creator with freedom of choice.
By their choice humanity sinned, incurring not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve, all humanity has been marred by a sinful nature that turns away from God. We believe that man (humanity) has no possible means of recovery or salvation in their own power.
Because of the Imago Dei (Image of God), we value the following:
Human Life (Human Dignity)
Gender Distinction
Work/Vocation
Community
Creation (Creation Care)
As a result of the fall (original sin) sin affects our life:
Don't value all life
Relational conflict
Worship creation
Abuse creation/power
Identity theft - confused as to who we are
Sexually/Morally broken
Poor stewards
Misunderstood purpose
Experience pain/suffering
Impure motives
Salvation (Gospel)
KEY BIBLE VERSES
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11- 16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
We believe that salvation from the guilt and condemnation of sin is possible only as the gift of God's grace—through Jesus Christ. It cannot be gained by good resolutions, sincere efforts, nor submission to rules, regulations, or ordinances of any church, but is freely bestowed on all who put their faith in Christ and trust in the work of Christ which was accomplished on the cross of Calvary.
All who trust Jesus as the Savior and King pass from death unto life are forgiven of their sins, accepted by the Father, and born into God's family and indwelt by the Holy Spirit and therefore become fully alive.
Three Legs of Salvation
Justification: (John 3:16; Romans 3:23– 25; 10:9; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:1–10)
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. God looks at you just as if you've never sinned.
Sanctification: (Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Colossians 3:10)
Sanctification beginning at new creation is the process by which the believer, through the power of the Holy Spirit in surrender to the gospel and the Word, is formed more into the image and likeness of King Jesus.
Glorification: (Romans 8:30; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 21:1– 22:5)
Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
How Do You Know You're Saved?
Faith- Who is Your Faith In? (Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 10:9)
Focus - What Are You Focused On? (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 3:10; 1 John 5:10-12)
Fruit - What is Becoming of Your Life? (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-26; 2 Peter 1:3-10)
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, think about what you embrace and cling to that isn't God. Could it be family, friends, money, prestige, possessions or something else that is taking the place of God in your life? Consider how God is the ultimate source of your identity, security and significance. Based on what you have learned about our need for God and faith in Jesus Christ, what areas do you need to change so that your life bears fruit? Meditate and reflect on these verses:
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
2 Peter 1:3-11: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them, you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Who is your favorite superhero, and why?
Think of a time when you were saved from something that happened to you. How did you feel about the person who saved you?
What is sin?
What is salvation?
How do we know that we have been saved?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1- Humanity-Genesis 1:16-28; Psalm 8:3-8; Ephesians 2:1-22
Day 2-Sin-Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; 1 John 1:8-10; James 4:17
Day 3- Salvation-John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9
Day 4-Faith-Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 17:20
Day 5-Fruit-Galatians 5:22-23; Jeremiah 17:7-8; John 15:5
PRAYER
Lord, I am thankful for your love for me and for my salvation through my faith in Jesus Christ. Today, I ask that you put people in my path who need to hear the Gospel, the Good News about King Jesus. Help me to share that, as human beings, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and what He created us to be and that we need to repent of our sins. When I share my faith, help me explain that salvation is a gift from you that neither I, nor they, deserve. Give me the boldness to ask if they know You as their Lord and Savior, and most of all, let me be a reflection of Your glory and love others as I go about my week. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
–LIFE² Group - Sharing Your Hope with Others - starting September 10 with Dan Hardaway, Sunday mornings at 11 a.m.
Register: Sharing Your Hope with Others
–LIFE² Group - What is the Bible and Can it be Trusted? - starting September 12, with Pastor Derwin Anderson, Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.
Register: What is the Bible and Can It Be Trusted?
–LIFE² Group - Exploring the Spiritual Disciplines - starting September 10 with Pastor Gus Davies, Sunday mornings at 11 a.m.
Register: Exploring the Spiritual Disciplines
–LIFE² Group - Foundations of Your Faith - starting September 10 with Kari and Ed Maggard on Sunday mornings.
Register: Foundations of Your Faith.
-Reference Books for this series:
A Theology for the Church by Daniel Akin
Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks
Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie
Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams
Is the New Testament Reliable? By Paul Barnett
