Larry's Lines » Salvation http://larryslines.com Helping Christians be conformed to the image of the Son of God. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:53:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Helping Christians be conformed to the image of the Son of God. Larry's Lines no Helping Christians be conformed to the image of the Son of God. Larry's Lines » Salvation http://larryslines.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://larryslines.com/./salvation Thank God For The Grace of God! http://larryslines.com/salvation/thank-god-for-the-grace-of-god.html http://larryslines.com/salvation/thank-god-for-the-grace-of-god.html#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:23:53 +0000 Larry Miles http://larryslines.com/?p=347 “For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men.” We find these words in Titus 2:11. This is the opening passage to the thoughts in Titus 2:11-15. This passage might be titled “Christian Living in Expectation of the Return of Jesus.”

In this passage “grace” is both a person and an action. It is evident to the reader that this verse is talking about the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus. In the fulness of time, God sent forth His Son (Gal. 4:4-5) to redeem mankind. We have the promise of God  throughout the Old Testament to send forth the Redeemer prophicied in Genesis 3:15. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10); He came to save all mankind (Romans 5:8).

This grace is also an action. The saving grace of Jesus illustrates His great love for mankind. God so loved the world (John 3:16). It is in this action that we have the Godhead showing forth this great love towards mankind. The grace of God is truly  wonderful and beyond description.We  never will deserve it, but we  praise God that we can  enjoy the  blessings of grace through our Lord Jesus Christ

The main crux of the verse is that both of these thoughts in Titus 2:11 bring salvation. There is no salvation outside of Jesus (John 14:6; and Acts 4:12). Let’s embrace Jesus as our Savior and Lord and never fail to praise Him and thank Him for His great mercy “in that while we were yet sinners.” He died for us.

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]]> http://larryslines.com/salvation/thank-god-for-the-grace-of-god.html/feed 0 The Example of the Thessalonian Church http://larryslines.com/salvation/the-example-of-the-thessalonian-church.html http://larryslines.com/salvation/the-example-of-the-thessalonian-church.html#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:28:31 +0000 Larry Miles http://larryslines.com/?p=298 The Apostle Paul visited the city of  Thessalonica on his  2nd  missionary  journey.  He was there  preaching about 3  weeks.  The  theme of the Epistle is a least fourfold:

  1. To confirm the young converts in Thessalonica in the foundational truths

  2. To exhort them to a life of personal holiness pleasing to the Lord.

  3. To comfort them concerning those who had died; and

  4. To instruct them concerning their own hope of the Lord’s return.

Paul commended the believers there because, according to I Thes. 2:13, they accepted the message.  because it came  from God, not men.  There are many  things we can take from this congregation. 

The word “example” can  have both  a positive and a  negative aspect. We see the “positive” aspect  in this  account. The believers not  only accepted the  teaching that  Paul gave and became a  congregation of  faithful ones, but  they did not  keep the   “Good news” to themselves.  

They embodied  the  Lord’s teaching in the Great Commission to “go into all the  world and preach the gospel…”  They had been  called out  of the darkness of the  kingdom of Satan and were now in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, the  Church of Christ.

Their  faith was  known not only in their own  city, but  it  spread  to other parts of the  country. Paul tells  about that in I Thes. 1:8-10.  

Verses 9-10, especially show the transformation that the Gospel can  accomplish in the   hearts and  minds of  those willing to learn more about  Jesus and be  used  to  bring  Him  glory.  They believed in  letting their  light shine for their Lord.  They had  left the life of  serving  idols and  had  replaced that with “the living and  true God.” (I Thes. 1:9)

Paul tells us in I Thes. 1:10 that they were “waiting for  His  Son from Heaven…”  The  belief  that the Lord Jesus is coming again motivated this congregation, and  should  motivate  us to greater service for our Lord.   We must be  found not only looking for and waiting for the  Lord’s return, we must be actively working  for Him.

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]]> http://larryslines.com/salvation/the-example-of-the-thessalonian-church.html/feed 2 Seeking the Lost http://larryslines.com/salvation/seeking-the-lost.html http://larryslines.com/salvation/seeking-the-lost.html#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:45:06 +0000 Larry Miles http://larryslines.com/?p=11 In the Great Commission, (Matthew 18:18-20; Mark 16:15-16) Jesus gave the command that His people were to be an evangelistic church. We have been given the privilege of “taking the Name of Jesus with us.” Wherever we go. We can have a part in reaching the lost for the Lord Jesus.

We are to preach the Gospel! The Gospel consists of (1) Facts to believe, (2) Commands to obey , and (3) Promises to enjoy.

The Facts: Jesus died on the Cross for the sins of mankind, He was buried and rose again on “third day according to the Sciptures.“

The Commands to Obey: Believe on Jesus, repent of your sins, confess Him before men, and be buried with Him in baptism.

The Promises to Enjoy: having your sins forgiven and receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Everywhere w e go we are to be ambassadors for the Lord of Glory! We must uplift Him as the ONLY hope of this sin-cursed world. Have we been doing this?

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