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All right, we're going to, we were going to be in Philippians chapter 3, but I'm actually going to, because of certain issues, mechanically, not mechanically, the door and stuff, electronically, I'm going to have to be preaching somehow to preach next week or the week after Omar, because I've got those notes, but I don't have a computer, and so be patient with me if I get kind of squirrely.
One of the most irritating things that I constantly try to correct in other pastors, I am speaking at five different conferences until December, or about through December, and I talk to these peoples, and you know, these, some of these preachers, they don't know what they're talking about.
These pastors are just, man, they're all alone. They don't have anyone. The only people they have are orphans, widows, and lazy folks, and I try to be patient with some of their thoughts and theology, but some of it borders on heresy, and some of it, man, it's just like stigma, I'm going to tell you.
One of the things that I always try to get them to say, get them to change their thinking, is they always say something like this, hey, Pastor Jeff, will you and your church join with us so that we can win many souls to Jesus?
And I always tell them, we can't win souls to Jesus, son. I need you to come out of the 1970s. We can't win souls to Jesus. That's not, I don't have that power, but I wish I did a little bit, but then I would be responsible for people's souls, so no, I don't.
We can't win people to Jesus. So where does salvation come from? Well, I know I preach a bunch in opposition to the sinner's prayer. I hate it. Now, if you were converted by saying that prayer, you're wrong.
If you were converted by the faith and grace of God as you were saying that prayer, that's something totally different. But I've never heard, if I walk down the aisle, will a skippy do for you? I'd skip one for the two of us.
I don't know about that stuff anymore. Walking down an aisle doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes you a convert, you know what I mean? We've got to come to a point where we understand where salvation really emanates from.
Some people call it or think it's from a creed, the Nicene Creed or the 1644 London Confession. There's a new one out today in liberal churches. They usually have rainbow flags right under the Christian flag.
It's called the Sparkle Creed. Sparkle Creed. If you don't believe me, look it up on Google Chromes. Where does salvation really come from? I'm going to ask you to turn with me in Titus chapter 3 and I'm going to show you, not from my understanding or my beliefs or my feelings or my thoughts, but what God's word says salvation comes from.
Titus chapter 3, it's towards the back of your book. Now you have to understand that 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus are what are called pastoral epistles. They were written to pastors giving instruction on how to be a pastor.
But they are also very beneficial to the church at large because it should be a litmus test or a measuring rod by which you are to judge your pastor. Not by what a deacon body says or what the world says or culture says or denomination says, but everything must be held to the standard of God's word.
But today, let us look in Titus chapter 3 and I'm going to start in verse 1. He writes the Titus, remind him to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle and to show perfect courtesy towards all.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, let us stray slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice, envy, hatred by others and hating one another. But with the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done in all righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ.
Our Savior. So that being what? Justified by grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The same is trustworthy and I want you to insist on those things so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good work.
These things are excellent and profitable for people. Three things this morning about where salvation comes from and then the results of what that salvation means. Now for those of you who have spent your life sitting on the back pew worrying more about what people are wearing than actually studying the Word of God, let me familiarize yourself with a few terms.
Salvation and conversion are two completely different things. When were you saved? Before the foundation of the earth. You don't know the value. Speak up! Before the foundation of the earth. Before the foundation of the earth.
You see, I was saved not when Billy Graham preached on TV or I walked down an aisle or said some silly prayer. I was saved by the formation of God through His sovereignty that yet in and in I sit. God looked down throughout time and said, that's my boy.
Now for those of you who may be familiar with current trends in theological circles within the Baptist Convention say, oh, oh, he must be so Calvinist. No, I'm not Calvinist. I'm not. I reject that term.
I'm a spiritualist. I believe he's here. Salvation is a work of God. Now listen, listen, try to learn something. Some of you have already got sour pushed lips on your face. Do me a favor, go right out the door of your car, park, and lock, take two baby aspirins, roll up at one exit.
Alright? Alright? Learn something today. Learn something today. Conversion is what happened to Paul and us, all of us that are truly believers, when we came to an understanding of what God had already done in your life.
When we were converted, we realized that we were truly something more than the pathetic, tongue-in-cheek, populous heathens that we had already known ourselves to be. See, we were converted by God. But I want you to look here, understanding those two terms, understand that salvation comes from God.
I'm looking here at verse four. But with the goodness and loving-kindness. Dronius and Philadelphia, those are the two Greek words that are here meaning goodness and loving-kindness. Now, if you will note, that first word sounds awful like Carice.
And what is Carice? Grace. Grace, thank you. One, two, three people. I've only been preaching about that for 18 years now. Thank you for the evaluation. God's grace. It is by grace we are saved. Oh, the pastor.
I've had my letter in this church for 31 years. I feel so good. Now, that was gas. Who cares? Who cares who your Syrian membership is? The real question is your name. It is by grace we are saved. Not the meritorious works of the flesh that we want to manifest as some sort of gold prize.
Salvation comes from God's grace. And then look at this. For especially for you stalwart Reformed people who love the limits of atonement. I want you to understand that the Greek word Philanthropia here, where it says loving-kindness.
Is the idea of loving-kindness, wait a minute, to all mankind. For God, for God so loved the cosmos, the world, that he gave his only begotten son. You see, for a doctrine to be a doctrine in the Bible, it can't be one verse.
It must be through Genesis, through Revelation, and be a non-contradiction to any other doctrine. The understanding that God's word has gone out in a general revelation to all mankind. When he says in Isaiah, look unto me and be ye saved.
For I am God, there is no other. It's both a call to repentance. But I fear for most it will be an evidence of damnation. For you have received and been revealed to the hope and the calling of God. Yet you have spurned it because of pride or some sort of silly religion.
And again, look at verse 5. It says this. He saved us not because of a work done in righteousness, but according to his own mercy. I'm going to be honest with you. One of the things that I struggle with is mercy.
It's one of the things I struggle with. I can be merciful, but it is a learned behavior post-conversion. And I'm not going to give you an example of the antithesis of the mercy I have now because that would somehow heighten or glorify sin.
But I can tell you, mercy was not in my bailing wig before I was a Christian. But you know what it tells me? Notice what the word in that. According to his mercy. The mercy I now have is but a mere reflection of the mercy that I received.
Hello? Do you have trouble with mercy? Maybe you need to go back and figure out if you've ever received mercy. Because mercy is available. It is a never-ending pool from the hand of Almighty God. Here in the world of lamentations, because of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed.
His compassions fail not. Wait a minute. They are new. When you walk down the aisle and say, Master, I've sinned. They are new. And great is thy faithfulness. You see, even when I am faithless, the mercy of God is still full.
And I can draw from that well no matter how many times I have failed. I can know the loving kindness and mercy of God. Even when I don't deserve it. Because you know when mercy is never more powerful is when you realize you will never earn it or deserve it.
Salvation comes from God. Now I'll tell you. I'll tell you. I have a problem with you. And I'm going to be honest with you. I've looked it up in Greek. It says, when God appeared. Now the Greek word there is epiphany.
Epiphany. You've probably heard that word. As it is used in our colloquial language even now. But I want to ask you. When did God ever appear? And if you're thinking a theodotic idea of the Old Testament.
When God appeared as a pillar of smoke. Or as a... Is it a pillar of smoke or a pillar of fire? Yeah, a pillar of fire. A cloud of smoke. I don't know. You know what I'm talking about. When he showed up and wrestled Jacob.
Was that the theophany that we're talking about here? Well it could be except for this. The idea of epiphany is something that is revealed. And is self evident. Huh. Except for the children of Israel.
And the Egyptians learning how to swim. Not everybody understood that. But you see today. We can truly show the epiphany of God. Because there is something other than that. You see Jesus Christ came. John 1 .14 says.
And we beheld the glory of God. We beheld Jesus full of grace and truth. Guys. God himself is the author of salvation. He is the one that makes grace, mercy, and loving kindness so evident. Now you say.
Well pastor. I really know that up here. But I don't know it in here. And if you're part of the last three generations in America. Feelings are so important to me. Oh you need Joel to stroke your little soul.
And tell you. My God loves you. Like some idiot. No I'm not going to say that. He's just an idiot. But. You need someone to make you feel something. You know how do you feel grace? You want to know how you feel grace?
The greatest way for you to experience the grace of God. If your worship is a little low. As I saw some of you this morning. Picking your nose. Looking at your palms. Scratching. While we were worshiping and praising God.
If your worship is a little low. If the motivation to serve God is a little low. I would ask you to have a mind of contrast and comparison. Now go back to the first word of verse four. But. But. You see there is a contrast.
Because it says. For we ourselves were once foolish disobedient. You know why your grace grows cold? Because you look at the homosexual and are disgusted. You look at people who have done wrong. And you say.
Oh I would never do that. Let me tell you something. According to the word of God. You are found guilty of all sin. For there are nine righteous. No not one. Would you want to understand the grace of God?
Contrast to the holiness and wrath of God. And you my friend. Were in the line of the buffet. Waiting to get crushed under the wrath of almighty God. God's hand was not steady. But we'll get to that in a second.
Notice this other part. Verse five. He said this not because of worship he had done before. But according to his own mercy. Now watch. By the washing of regeneration. And the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Ah there's those words like predestination and fornication. That for generations Baptist pastors have skipped over. I swear. Southern Baptist pastors is Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Romans. There are so many things that we leave out.
Because they're unpalatable to the traditions that we have created. But I must tell you again and again and again. That the idea that God found us and we didn't find him. Is permanent throughout all of scripture.
It appears that Noah found grace in the eyes of God. You say well of course. Because he was attending Sunday school and church worship. Every Sunday morning at first Baptist. You know there is no word showing Noah's righteousness.
Until he found the grace of God. In fact I will tell you this. Go to Genesis 6a if you want the reference. I will tell you this. It is impossible to reflect any type of righteousness. Unless first you have been made clean.
What does it mean? Regeneration. Well. Regeneration simply means to get power back to bring life to. You ever had a dead battery on your car? You know. Put the old jumper cables on it. You know. Fire it up.
Nothing happens. You take it over to Cletus above his garage. And he is sitting there with one tooth going north. One tooth going west. Just to go. Well I did not not care. God did not care. Charge it 75 bucks.
Put another battery in it. Runs good for two days. And it is doing it again. You take it back home to Cletus. And he says. You got a bad alternator. Or as they were known in the old days. We do not have many old people.
But what were alternators called in the old days? Generators. Generators. Generators. Because what it did. Is when you run the car. That generator keeps refreshing that battery. Refreshes it. We are not talking about generating.
We are talking about regenerating. Let me say this to you. If you are in this room today. And you have prayed Jesus Christ into your heart. That your Lord is standing there. If you sought out God. And you changed your life.
And you are going to go to church. And you. Notice the pronoun. You are not a believer. You are not. You are one of those countless millions of people. That have empowered the aisle of the church. And a prayer.
To save you with nothing but the blood of Jesus. You need to understand this. You have no way of understanding. How sinful you are. Or how great God's grace is. Without the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
The only way I can describe this. And I hate to do this. Because I think Billy Briggs is one of the greatest evangelists the world has ever known. But I must take umbrage with his theology. When it comes to salvation.
The reoccurring example that he would give. He would say man is treading in the ocean of sin. And he is about to go down for the third time. And he reaches his hand up finally to God. And says save me.
But the problem with that is. That is theologically nowhere in scripture. In fact from Ephesians 2. And from a multiplicity of references throughout the Old Testament and New. We know where man is. He is not treading water in the ocean of sin.
He is dead bones rotting in the ocean of sin. It tells us that we are dead in our trespasses and sin. Why is that so important? Because we have no ability to try to keep our heads above water. We have already been found guilty.
I know Christians and people always say. I am going to stand in the judgment seat of God. Let me let you in on a secret. You already have once been found guilty. You are damned from the Lord God. Right.
I think about my grandson who is facing to be born. Mr. Emmett. Amen. Finally after four sandwich makers. I am finally getting some. I asked Aisha the other day. Did I get you know a burlap sack. Like I see all these little yuppie kids wearing now.
Tie it to my chest. Paint it camouflage. Did they come sit in the deer stand with us already? Aisha said no. Will you serve? My grandson. I am looking forward to it. I have already bought him a little .22 rifle.
I repaired a little .14 shotgun that I found. I can't wait. I have already got him a UT hat. Stop. Stop. You call me godly for the word? Actually he is not. Yeah he is not. He is not finally born yet.
And I tell you that right now he is already condemned. For damnation. Go ahead and say it. Oh but that is not. You know what is not fair? Get wide exposed. That is not fair. That is not fair. The minute you cry fairness.
You just dismiss praise and mercy. There is no justice where I would go to heaven. Except through the propitiation and death of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes from God. It also comes from the Holy Spirit.
Let me press on here. The third thing is this. Look at our verse here. Verse 6. Whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Confusion creased the brow of Pastor Jeff as he looked.
And in a moment of panic realized that there was a contradiction in the scripture. For it just said. Lo and behold. It says in verse 4. God our Savior. But here in verse 6 it says Jesus Christ our Savior.
Oh no. What shall we do about that boys and girls? Usually people who don't actually read scripture. Let me tell you something. If you are reading the Bible for a year. Stop it. Please stop it. Because all you are doing is wasting time.
It would be so much better if you would read one verse. As the word of God tells us. To meditate. Which means in a 360 degree look at every aspect. Understand it. And comprehend it. And be able to communicate it.
Than it is to speed read through a Bible. So you have good little glitzy feelings. And Mr. Adrian Rogers is proud of you. That's not how we learn people. You see I hear. Jehovah's Witnesses do this to Christians all the time.
They ask them. Do you believe in the Trinity? And of course the silly little Christian says. Well yes I believe in the Trinity. I have it right here in my King James Bible. And I say. Find the word Trinity in the Bible.
And I love the ignorance. Piled on ignorance of the Christian. As he sits there and goes. And then he does this. He will flip to the very back of his Bible. Oh not because there is scripture. Located there.
But that ever present concordance. That the ignorance of the modern church. Must depend on. God should be ready. In season and in hours. And when they look. And the word Trinity does not appear. You see a very little bitty drop.
Of sweats and beads. Start coming upon their forehead. As they start going. Well John 3 .16 says. Do you realize that the tribune nature. Of God is found. From Genesis to Revelation. Genesis 1 .26. Let us go down and make man.
In our own image. The very word God. In the beginning God. Is actually the word Elohim. Which literally means God. So. You see. When God appeared. He appeared as Jesus Christ. Our Savior. Now look what it says here.
It says this. And poured out on us. I can see. Eyes shifting. Heads swirling. Guys try. Take an Adderall and focus. Just for a second. Maybe y 'all need to bump a rail. Whatever you need to do. No bumping rails in here.
But I need you to really listen. I don't want you to go to a church service. And listen to a stupid sermon. I am not here to entertain you. I am not here to enlighten you. I am here to give you God's word.
That it may teach you. But you have to unstop those religious ears. And actually try to put forth. An effort to learn. So that you can put me in the state of baptism. For us y 'all. Listen. It says this.
That we are poured out on us so richly. That word poured out. I'm just going to give you. Just an awesome idea. I love watching old videos. What's on my computer? I have. Every night I type in stuff like.
Build shed by hand. Hand tools only. Building carts. I have this one nerd dude. He's somewhere up. And he rebuilds old 1800's wagons. Using hand tools. No power tools. Just do it by hand. Well this one dude popped up and said.
How they used to make wine in the old days. And I was like oh that's cool. So I put it. And yeah there was two dagos up there. You know stomping on the brakes and all that stuff. But once they stomped on the brakes.
They took all of the skins. And what was left. And they put it in this massive. Wooden press. And they started turning this huge screw. And they were pressing it. And the juice. More juicerous. Started pouring out all the sides.
Of that press. Do you know. For the blood of Christ to be poured out. On us so richly. He first had to be pressed. Isaiah 53. Tells us it was. God who took delight. In crushing. Jesus Christ. What is that doctrine called?
Thank you Pastor Josiah. Let me ask y 'all a question. Seriously. I want to offend some of y 'all today. Some of y 'all have been sitting in a Baptist church. Your entire life. And you're just as stupid today.
As the daddy John G is. What is wrong with you? What is wrong with you? How can you be given something so precious. As both salvation and the word of God. And be so ignorant of both of them. Is it true that there's mere apathy?
Is it true that there's mere stupidity? Is it true that you have been wrong to sleep. That simply by attending a church service. You have somehow made your sacrificial offering to God. Please for the love of God.
I actually had an old woman in my last church say this. Pastor can you quit using those fancy words. And start using Bible words. And I just looked at her. With just awe inspiring stupor. And go where do you think those words come from?
You old goat. Come. Learn the word of God. Proficiation. It is the wrath of God. Cast away from us. And turned unto. Jesus Christ. Oh by the way. If you were offended by what I just said. You're the old goat I'm talking to.
So if you come to this place. Where it says he was poured out. Understand that something had to be crushed. For it to be poured out. Now last thing. What is the result of all this? What is the result of all this?
Read this next verse. So that. We were this. But God saved us. So that. Verse seven. So that being justified by his grace. We may become heirs according to the hope. Of eternal life. What is justification?
I forgot. This is referring to the imputation. The final stage. And he's a paralyzed person. Which means. He's not that smart. Oh by the way Tim. Happy disability month. Did y 'all know there's a disability month here?
I didn't either. Happy cripple month Tim. Get an extra parking space. And you cripples get money. From the government. That's my top scholars. Watch verse eight. This thing. Now listen he's talking to a pastor again.
This thing is trustworthy. And I want you to insist on these things. Basically what I just did. Insisting. So that those who have believed in God. As you Christians. May be careful. To devote. Themselves.
To good works. What is the result of salvation? I'm going to go to heaven. And get a little heart. And some little wings. I'm going to get a brand new white King James Bible. I'm going to get down and sit.
And talk to Paul. I'm going to get inquired for 10 ,000 years. You are such a deej. That's not. The immediate result. You know what the immediate result of salvation is? To go to work. This is the part where you say amen.
In perspective. If you look at yourself. Realize that you've been sitting in a pew all your life. And haven't done jack. This is that moment where conviction should set in. And you should kind of pedal paddle up here to the altar.
And ask for forgiveness. But before we get to that. Understand and insist upon the idea. That you were saved. For service. Working. Pastor. I tithe every week. Do me a favor. Keep your money. I know brother Brandon is going to come up.
Listen. Do me a favor. If you don't want to work. I say this with all genuine sincerity. Go somewhere else. And retire. Right through here. And I'll tell you why. Because I got. You're not that lucky.
Where is she? Pardon. I got an 80 something year old Protestant kid. Who does more work for Jesus Christ. Than most able bodied people. I got old women. Who write birthday cards. Who don't do a thing.
Something else. And their birthday cards do more ministry. Than other people do. Who got two able bodied legs and a job. You know what I'm saying? Guys go to work. For the love of God. Go to work. You are never going to know the fulfillment.
Of why God saved you. Until you start investing in God's kingdom. People say. Pastor I'm fasting. I've been this far apart from God. I don't know what's wrong. Here's the answer. Habitual sin. Habitual laziness.
Repent this. Go to work. I'll get you some money out for you. I promise you. Something else. I know. I know. I know. I know. 33 years. This August. But I will tell you this. I will tell you this. What I'm telling you is absolute truth.
Absolute truth. I'm not here to make you feel better. I'm here to do what God told me. I'm here to insist. On things. That you should devote. To do. You want a job. When I get a cousin. I don't want God to say.
Where were you on that Jake thing? Where were you on that Britney thing? Where were you on that Faye thing? Where were you? So we're going to have a hymn of invitation. Or a song. The music nerds come on.
Listen. If you're in this room. Listen. There's a Pavlovian. If you're in this room. And you pray Jesus Christ into your heart. As your Lord and Savior. And nothing has changed in your life. You're not a Christian.
You are going to hell. But my mama said. My pastor said. I had a little feeling. It's all a lie. You see the word of God says this. If you claim to know the truth. And you continue to walk in darkness.
You are a. And the truth is not in you. Sorry if facts disturb you. That's just facts. If you're not sure of where you are. With Jesus. That's what God made all the pastors for. I can't say. I am just like you.
I'm just one idiot. Telling other idiots where to find faith. There's no more spirit God in me. Than there is in anybody else in this room. But what I do have. Is an infinite knowledge of God's word. That I can open up.
And show you where to go. That's all I am. Number two. If you are not a member of a church. And your idea of being a member of a church. Is going and sitting in an air conditioning room. And singing a few hymns.
Getting an inspiring sermon. And going home and doing nothing. This is not the place for you. But if you want to be held accountable. In your life. For people who are going to get all up in your business.
And know where you're at. And why aren't you working. And what did you miss in that sermon this morning. If you need that kind of accountability. Come on up and join me. And I'll be honest with you. We might take it.
Okay. We might. Number three. If you're in this room today. And you are a Christian. And you know you're not living. Like God wants you to. Sitting there. Holding on to the back of the chair. Looking at that screen.
As the conviction of the spirit. Starts fading away. As you keep trying to press it down. You're going to walk out of here. The same way you walked in. Right? Is that too much truth for some of you? Here's an idea.
How about walk down here. Find another brother or sister of Christ in the room. Who is struggling the same way you are. And say hey man. Can we call each other every day? Can we get together? Can we talk?
Can we get. What's that A word? Accountability. James chapter 5. Come on y 'all. Accountability. James chapter 5 verse 16 says this. Confess your faults one to another. That you may be healed. Maybe we should start something different.
Instead of saying a silent prayer for the last 30 minutes. Right? Let's all stand up. And if you are a believer. You're in good stead. Do me a favor. Don't stand where you are. Don't talk to someone. Don't minister to someone.
Be the church. And be obedient. As God leads.
