PULPIT MESSAGES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 149, 20 March 1933, Page 10

PULPIT MESSAGES

Wellington Churches SIN AND DEATH Justification by Faith “Justification by Faith” was the subject of the address last evening at the Christadelphian meeting, Victoria HalL Commencing, the speaker stated that before the Scriptural principles which underly the teaching concerning Justification by Faith, could be understood and appreciated, some elementary knowledge regarding the Bible doctrine of Sin and Death was necessary. There was a time in the history of the Adamic race when sin did not exist, a time when there was no transgression, and at that time the race was not under the sentence of death. Sin and death had not marred the earth. Death is allied to sin—indeed it is “the wages of sin” (Rom. 6-23). Death came as a result of sin (Rom. 5-12). The speaker pointed out that man’s first parents’ transgression not only affected them but also all their posterity, for in them “all have shined” (Rom. 5-12). “In Adam all die” is the inspired statement (1 Cor. 15-22), consequently it must follow logically that ag death came as a result of sin, the forgiveness of sins should bring hope of life.

This conclusion, the speaker contended, is confirmed by the words of Jesug (John 3-16),,“G0d so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life." We must realise from these words that the world apart from God’s intervention is in a perishing condition. We understand what it is to perish, and, studying again God’s dealings with our first parents, we notice that they were sen- . fenced to return to the ground, and in like manner all their posterity. The speaker said that no one would question God’s justice in His condemnation of mankind, and yet we do question it by our unbelief and disobedience. We find that God has not left the world hopeless, for we read, “When there was no eye to pity and no arm to save. His own arm brought salvation (Isaiah, 59-16). This God did by the Lord Jesus Christ, through whose shed blood wa obtain remission of sins (1 J’hn, 1-7). The remission of our sins brings us salvation, or safety from eternal death. Jesus Christ said, “I give my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish” (Jhn., 10-28). This eternal life is only to be obtained for those who have died, by a resurrection from the dead. For continuing, Christ says, “I will raise them up. again at the last day” (.Tn., 6-40); for “I am the resurrection and the life” (Jn., 11-25).' Continuing, the speaker asked, how we could benefit by this merciful provision of God—how we could be the recipients of God’s offered salvation, and ultimately become partakers of the Divine nature. The Scriptural answer is: By coming unto God through Jesus Christ, for His is tlie only name under Heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. (Acts 4-12.) The way is simple—belief and obedience. These form the gateway to life in Christ Jesus. “It has pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinth. 1-21.) Belief necessitates knowledge—Obedience exhibits Faith. We read: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2-8.) Concluding, the speaker pointed out from the Scriptures how we may justify God and obtain justification ourselves. We read that the people who heard John and were baptised in Jordan, justified God by their act of obedience, but the Pharisees frustrated God's purpose by not being baptised. (Luke 7-29-30.) The same position holds to-day. God has commanded all men everywhere to repent. (Acts 1730.). To believe the things of the Kingdom and the name —(Acts S-12) — and to be baptised into the saving name of Jesus (Gal. 3-27). We are able to reject this plan, to our own undoing, like the Pharisees of old, but, as Paul says, “I am persuaded better things of you.” and. being justified by faith through the sacrifice of Christ, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. LESSON-SERMON Christian Science Churches “Matter” was the subject of the Les-son-Sermon in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, on Sunday. The Golden Text was from Isa. 2613: “O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name ” Among the citations which comprised the Lesson-Sermon were the following from the Bible: “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness : for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. They are vanity and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.” Luke, 12-15; Jer.. 10-15.) Also the following passages from the Christian Science text-book: “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” by Mary Baker Eddy: -That matter is substantial or has life and sensation, is one of the false beliefs of mortals, and exists only in a supposititious mortal consciousness. Divine Science deals its chief blow at the supposed material foundations of life and intelligence. It dooms idolatry.” (Pp. 278. 535.)