Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Two Years Ago Today...

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we to all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."        ~ Ephesians 1:1-10

Two years ago today, the Lord Jesus Christ, opened my blind eyes to His truth, saved my lost soul, forgave me of my sins, gave me a new heart, and became my Saviour.
It was two years ago that I attended the Rebelution Conference with Brett and Alex Harris where I was given the gospel and asked to examine my heart and my life.
The Lord was so gracious and showered His mercy upon my life and saved my soul from an eternity separated from Him in hell, wasting my life on my selfish ambitions, blinded to my self-righteousness, calling myself a Christian when living only for self and the pleasures of this world.


"For the grace of God has appeared, brining salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."      ~Titus 2:11-14

To know that I am His child...that I am called, beloved, and kept by my Saviour for eternity.
That He would love me....a sinful wretch like me.
That He chose me before the foundation of the world.
That He predestined me to adoption as His daughter.
That He would grant me forgiveness of sins.
That He would grant me salvation.
That we would obtain an inheritance through Him.
That He would enlighten the eyes of our hearts to know Him.
That one day we will live with Him for all eternity in heaven.
How can I ever grasp such love? How can I love Him more?


How can I thank you, O Lord
For taking my place on the cross?
And how can I thank you, O Lord
For all of your mercy and kindness?
For drawing me to you
For letting me hear you
For opening my heart
to the gospel...

As long as I have breath, I will praise You
As long as my heart beats I will sing
As long as life flows through my veins
I will bless Your name!

by Mark Alrogge


I thank you, Lord, for all of your mercy and kindness! You are my God, and I thank you for your gift of salvation! You are worthy of all my praise and adoration, and I will serve You forever!

The Character of Genuine Saving Faith

I.  Evidences That Neither Prove Nor Disprove One's Faith

A. Visible Morality:                       Matthew 19:16-21; 23:27
B. Intellectual Knowledge:            Romans 1:21; 2:17ff.
C. Religious Involvement:             Matthew 25:1-10
D. Active Ministry:                        Matthew 7:21-24
E. Conviction of Sin:                     Acts 24:25
F. Assurance:                                 Matthew 23
G. Time of Decision                      Luke 8:13,14



II. The Fruit/Proofs Of Authentic/True Christianity:

A. Love for God:                    Ps.42:1ff; Matt. 22:37; Rom.8:7
B. Repentance from Sin:    Ps.32:5; Rom. 7:14ff; 2 Cor.7:10     
C. Genuine Humility:             Ps.51:17;James 4:6,9ff
D. Devotion to God's Glory:   Ps.105:3; 115:1; 1 Corin. 10:31
E. Continual Prayer:               Luke 18:1; Eph.6:18ff;
F. Selfless Love:                      1 John 2:9ff; 3:14; 4:7ff
G. Separation from the World:    1 Cor.2:12; James 4:4ff
H. Spiritual Growth:       Luke 8:15; Eph. 4:12-16; John 15:1-6
I. Obedient Living:            Matt.7:21; Rom.16:26; 1 John 2:3-5

If List 1 is true of a person and List II is false, there is cause to question the validity of one's profession of faith. Yet, if List II is true, then the top list will be also.


III. The Conduct of the Gospel:

A. Proclaim it:                         Matthew 4:23
B. Defend it:                            Jude 3

C. Demonstrate it:                   Philippians 1:27
D. Share it:                              Philippians 1:5
E. Suffer for it:                        2 Timothy 1:8
F. Don't hinder it:                   1 Corinthians 9:16
G. Be not ashamed:                 Romans 1:16
H. Preach it:                           1 Corinthians 9:16
I. Be empowered:                   1 Thessalonians 1:5
J. Guard it:                              Galations 1:6-8