How would you describe the foundational beliefs of a Christian?

1
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Everyone has built a foundation for their
  Christianity. But what kind is it?

2
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Everyone has built a foundation for their
  Christianity. But what kind is it?
• There were two kinds of foundations describes in
  the Sermon on the Mount. (Mt 724-27)

3
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Matthew 724-27 (NKJV) - Therefore whoever
  hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I
  will liken him to a wise man who built his house
  on the rock 25and the rain descended, the floods
  came, and the winds blew and beat on that house
  and it did not fall, for it was founded on the
  rock.

4
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine,
  and does not do them, will be like a foolish man
  who built his house on the sand 27 and the rain
  descended, the floods came, and the winds blew
  and beat on that house and it fell. And great
  was its fall.

5
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• To build a foundation on Christ is to emphasize
  the relationship! (1 Cor 311)

6
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• 1 Corinthians 311 (NKJV) - For no other
  foundation can anyone lay than that which is
  laid, which is Jesus Christ.

7
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• What kind of material are you using? (1 Cor
  311-15)

8
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• 1 Corinthians 311-15 (NKJV) - For no other
  foundation can anyone lay than that which is
  laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone
  builds on this foundation with gold, silver,
  precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each ones
  work will become clear for the Day will declare
  it, because it will be revealed by fire and the
  fire will test each ones work, of what sort it
  is.

9
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• 14 If anyones work which he has built on it
  endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyones
  work is burned, he will suffer loss but he
  himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

10
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Understanding the nature of God to the point you
  are willing to trust Him and build your life on
  Him is the essence of our foundation.

11
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Understanding the nature of God to the point you
  are willing to trust Him and build your life on
  Him is the essence of our foundation.
• We are rooted in Christ! (Col 26-7)

12
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Colossians 26-7 (NKJV) - As you therefore have
  received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
  7rooted and built up in Him and established in
  the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in
  it with thanksgiving.

13
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• We are rooted in His love! (Eph 317-19)

14
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Ephesians 317-19 (NKJV) - that Christ may dwell
  in your hearts through faith that you, being
  rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to
  comprehend with all the saints what is the width
  and length and depth and height19 to know the
  love of Christ which passes knowledge that you
  may be filled with all the fullness of God.

15
How would you describe the foundational beliefs
of a Christian?

• Is this your foundation? How would you know that?

16
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• If we do not understand Gods forgiveness we have
  no foundation!

17
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• If we do not understand Gods forgiveness we have
  no foundation!
• In order to understand forgiveness we need to
  know the righteousness of God! (Rom 1122 Rom
  116-18)

18
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Romans 1122 (NKJV) - Therefore consider the
  goodness and severity of God on those who fell,
  severity but toward you, goodness, if you
  continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will
  be cut off.

19
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Romans 116-18 (NKJV) - For I am not ashamed of
  the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God
  to salvation for everyone who believes, for the
  Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it
  the righteousness of God is revealed from faith
  to faith as it is written, The just shall live
  by faith.

20
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
  against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
  men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

21
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• What are we saved from?

22
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• What are we saved from?
• If we do not understand the bad news, then we can
  never appreciate the good news! (Jn 821, 24)

23
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• John 821 (NKJV) - Then Jesus said to them
  again, I am going away, and you will seek Me,
  and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot
  come.

24
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• John 824 (NKJV) - Therefore I said to you that
  you will die in your sins for if you do not
  believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.

25
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• The contrast of two individuals. (Lk 736-39)

26
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Luke 736-39 (NKJV) - Then one of the Pharisees
  asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the
  Pharisees house, and sat down to eat. 37And
  behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner,
  when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the
  Pharisees house, brought an alabaster flask of
  fragrant oil,

27
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping and
  she began to wash His feet with her tears, and
  wiped them with the hair of her head and she
  kissed His feet and anointed them with the
  fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had
  invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself,
  saying, This Man, if He were a prophet, would
  know who and what manner of woman this is who is
  touching Him, for she is a sinner.

28
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Simon, the Pharisee, saw his personal
  righteousness and knowledge and
  considered his efforts to place him well before
  God.

29
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Simon, the Pharisee, saw his personal
  righteousness and knowledge and
  considered his efforts to place him well before
  God.
• He viewed others sins as a means of comparison
  and would exalt himself in this as
  well as even put Jesus down.

30
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Simon and others like him looked to the outward
  and would use peer pressure to control and run
  off the imperfect. They could not understand
  Jesus and his work of changing the heart. (Mk
  215-17 Jn 940-41)

31
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Mark 215-17 (NKJV) - Now it happened, as He was
  dining in Levis house, that many tax collectors
  and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His
  disciples for there were many, and they followed
  Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw
  Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners,
  they said to His disciples, How is it that He
  eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?

32
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, Those
  who are well have no need of a physician, but
  those who are sick. I did not come to call the
  righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

33
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• John 940-41 (NKJV) - Then some of the Pharisees
  who were with Him heard these words, and said to
  Him, Are we blind also? 41Jesus said to them,
  If you were blind, you would have no sin but
  now you say, We see. Therefore your sin remains.

34
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Now consider this humble woman. (Lk 740-50)

35
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Luke 740-50 (NKJV) - And Jesus answered and
  said to him, Simon, I have something to say to
  you. So he said, Teacher, say it. 41 There
  was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One
  owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
  42 And when they had nothing with which to repay,
  he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore,
  which of them will love him more?

36
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose the one
  whom he forgave more. And He said to him, You
  have rightly judged. 44 Then He turned to the
  woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman?
  I entered your house you gave Me no water for My
  feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears
  and wiped them with the hair of her head.

37
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 45You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not
  ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.
  46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this
  woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47
  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many,
  are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom
  little is forgiven, the same loves little. 48
  Then He said to her, Your sins are forgiven.

38
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began
  to say to themselves, Who is this who even
  forgives sins? 50 Then He said to the woman,
  Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

39
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Do you know that you have been forgiven? (2 Pt
  19)

40
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 2 Peter 19 (NKJV) - For he who lacks these
  things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and
  has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old
  sins.

41
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• The power of real forgiveness is so great that it
  will result in a heart of praise! (Rev 15-6)

42
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Revelation 15-6 (NKJV) - and from Jesus Christ,
  the faithful witness, the firstborn from the
  dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
  To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins
  in His own blood, 6and has made us kings and
  priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory
  and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

43
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• This becomes the basis for our talking to others!
  (Ex. Work Why are you happy? (Psa 5110-15)

44
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• Psalm 5110-15 (NKJV) - Create in me a clean
  heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit
  within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your
  presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from
  me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
  And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I
  will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners
  shall be converted to You.

45
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
  The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing
  aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my
  lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

46
Gods forgiveness is the first step in building a
foundation

• If thanksgiving and praise is not a
  characteristic of you life, then look at
  your foundation.

47
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• How can a man be just before God?

48
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• How can a man be just before God?
• Any man who sees the true God will be terrified
  at his own sinfulness. (Isa 61-7)

49
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• Isaiah 61-7 (NKJV) - In the year that King
  Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne,
  high and lifted up, and the train of His robe
  filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim
  each one had six wings with two he covered his
  face, with two he covered his feet, and with two
  he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said
  Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts The
  whole earth is full of His glory!

50
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the
  voice of him who cried out, and the house was
  filled with smoke. 5 So I said Woe is me, for I
  am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
  And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean
  lips For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of
  hosts.

51
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in
  his hand a live coal which he had taken with the
  tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth
  with it, and said Behold, this has touched your
  lips Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin
  purged.

52
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• God in His righteousness must punish every sin
  that has been committed. (Rom 323 623)

53
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• Romans 323 (NKJV) - for all have sinned and
  fall short of the glory of God,

54
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• Romans 623 (NKJV) - For the wages of sin is
  death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
  Christ Jesus our Lord.

55
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• How then can a man be righteous? He is proclaimed
  righteous through the blood of Christ. (Rom
  324-26)

56
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• Romans 324-26 (NKJV) - being justified freely
  by His grace through the redemption that is in
  Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a
  propitiation by His blood, through faith, to
  demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
  forbearance God had passed over the sins that
  were previously committed,

57
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• 26 to demonstrate at the present time His
  righteousness, that He might be just and the
  justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

58
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• The other possibility is that men keep all of
  the law of God without sin.

59
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• The other possibility is that men keep all of
  the law of God without sin.
• Only Jesus has done that! Those who try to be
  right with God on this basis will fail. (Rom
  327-28)

60
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• Romans 327-28 (NKJV) - Where is boasting then?
  It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by
  the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a
  man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of
  the law.

61
Gods forgiveness is free but costly!

• The issue before every man is Am I forgiven by
  the blood of Christ?

62
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• It is either conditional (there is something we
  must do) or unconditional (All men will be saved).

63
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• It is either conditional (there is something we
  must do) or unconditional (All men will be
  saved).
• God has chosen that men will be saved
  conditionally. The condition of our salvation is
  faith. (Rom 326-27, 29-31 Eph 28-9)

64
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Ephesians 28-9 (NKJV) - For by grace you have
  been saved through faith, and that not of
  yourselves it is the gift of God, 9 not of
  works, lest anyone should boast.

65
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• This law of faith is contrasted with the deeds
  of the law. These are two contrary approaches to
  God.

66
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• This law of faith is contrasted with the deeds
  of the law. These are two contrary approaches to
  God.
• Those who seek to be justified by law must
  constantly ask How much is enough? The truth
  is they can never do enough.

67
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• There is a bondage to those who seek to be right
  with God by law alone. (Rom 714, 23-81)

68
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Romans 714 (NKJV) - For we know that the law is
  spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

69
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Romans 723-81 (NKJV) - But I see another law
  in my members, warring against the law of my
  mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law
  of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man
  that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of
  death? 25 I thank Godthrough Jesus Christ our
  Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the
  law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

70
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Romans 81 - There is therefore now no
  condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
  who do not walk according to the flesh, but
  according to the Spirit.

71
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• One of the reasons God gave the Old Law was to
  prepare men for a Savior. (Gal 321-25)

72
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• One of the reasons God gave the Old Law was to
  prepare men for a Savior. (Gal 321-25)
• When Christians turn back to a system of law for
  their justification, they will be lost. (Gal
  221-34)

73
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Galatians 221-34 (NKJV) - I do not set aside
  the grace of God for if righteousness comes
  through the law, then Christ died in vain.

74
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Galatians 31 - O foolish Galatians! Who has
  bewitched you that you should not obey the truth,
  before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly
  portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I
  want to learn from you Did you receive the
  Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing
  of faith?

75
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit,
  are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4
  Have you suffered so many things in vainif
  indeed it was in vain?

76
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• God accounts our faith for righteousness. (Rom
  41-8)

77
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• Romans 41-8 (NKJV) - What then shall we say
  that Abraham our father has found according to
  the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by
  works, he has something to boast about, but not
  before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say?
  Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to
  him for righteousness. 4 Now to him who works,
  the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

78
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• 5 But to him who does not work but believes on
  Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is
  accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also
  describes the blessedness of the man to whom God
  imputes righteousness apart from works 7
  Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are
  forgiven, And whose sins are covered 8 Blessed
  is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

79
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• This is an accounting term. What God sees is our
  faith and upon that basis faith is accounted for
  righteousness.

80
Upon what basis can I find this forgiveness?

• This is an accounting term. What God sees is our
  faith and upon that basis faith is accounted for
  righteousness.
• But what is faith as used in these verses?

81
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Do you treat sin lightly? (Rom 61, 15-18)

82
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Romans 61 (NKJV) 1What shall we say then? Shall
  we continue in sin that grace may abound?

83
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Romans 615-18 (NKJV) - What then? Shall we sin
  because we are not under law but under grace?
  Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom
  you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are
  that ones slaves whom you obey, whether of sin
  leading to death, or of obedience leading to
  righteousness?

84
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves
  of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form
  of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And
  having been set free from sin, you became slaves
  of righteousness.

85
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• In school there were those who proclaimed grace
  but cursed with their tongue.

86
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• In school there were those who proclaimed grace
  but cursed with their tongue.
• To know Gods forgives is to hate sin! (1 Thess
  43-8, Titus 116)

87
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• 1 Thessalonians 43-8 (NKJV) - For this is the
  will of God, your sanctification that you should
  abstain from sexual immorality 4 that each of
  you should know how to possess his own vessel in
  sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of
  lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God

88
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• 6 that no one should take advantage of and
  defraud his brother in this matter, because the
  Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also
  forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not
  call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8
  Therefore he who rejects this does not reject
  man, but God, who has also given us His Holy
  Spirit.

89
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Titus 116 (NKJV) - They profess to know God,
  but in works they deny Him, being abominable,
  disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

90
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• How do you view yourself? (1 Tim 115-17)

91
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• 1 Timothy 115-17 (NKJV) - This is a faithful
  saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ
  Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of
  whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I
  obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ
  might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to
  those who are going to believe on Him for
  everlasting life.

92
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
  to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory
  forever and ever. Amen.

93
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• If you are guilt-filled and bitter, it will be
  seen in your life.

94
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• If you are guilt-filled and bitter, it will be
  seen in your life.
• Some of the harshest critics are filled with
  anger and doubt.

95
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• If you are guilt-filled and bitter, it will be
  seen in your life.
• Some of the harshest critics are filled with
  anger and doubt.
• How do you deal with sin in others?

96
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Some view that they are strong because they see
  sin in others. (Lk 189-14)

97
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Luke 189-14 (NKJV) - Also He spoke this parable
  to some who trusted in themselves that they were
  righteous, and despised others 10 Two men went
  up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the
  other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and
  prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that
  I am not like other menextortioners, unjust,
  adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

98
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• 12 I fast twice a week I give tithes of all that
  I possess. 13 And the tax collector, standing
  afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to
  heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be
  merciful to me a sinner! 14 I tell you, this man
  went down to his house justified rather than the
  other for everyone who exalts himself will be
  humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
  exalted.

99
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Others think they are strong by ignoring or
  condoning sin in others. (Jude 22-23)

100
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Jude 22-23 (NKJV) - And on some have compassion,
  making a distinction 23but others save with
  fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even
  the garment defiled by the flesh.

101
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Helping our son deal with the guilt of sin.

102
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Helping our son deal with the guilt of sin.
• Will your foundation hold in the storms of this
  life?

103
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• As I get older, I can look back and see the paths
  many have taken.

104
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• As I get older, I can look back and see the paths
  many have taken.
• This foundation can be built and we can stand on
  it! (Jude 24-25)

105
What does your tongue say about your forgiveness?

• Jude 124-25 (NKJV) - Now to Him who is able to
  keep you from stumbling, And to present you
  faultless Before the presence of His glory with
  exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is
  wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power,
  Both now and forever. Amen.