Throughout the Gospels and, also other Old and New Testament narrative sections, look for phrases that add to your congregants’ understanding of saving faith. These phrases provide an opportunity to explore what saving faith is and what it does. Like a cut diamond, saving faith and genuine Christianity contain many facets.
For instance, in Luke 20:27-40 Sadducees approach Jesus to ask Him about what life is like “in the resurrection” (a concept they don’t believe in). In the middle of Jesus’ answer, He states, “but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead…” (v. 35).
That phrase is one way to describe a genuine Believer or follower of Christ. This is what genuine saving faith creates: a person who is “considered worthy to attain to that age…” Saving faith takes people “of this age” (v. 34) and transforms them into those “considered worthy to attain to that age…”
It is tempting to spend the majority of sermon time on Jesus’ cryptic description of life in the resurrection. It demands much attention because any exposition has to come to grips with the revelation Jesus provides in vv. 35-36. Jesus corrects the Sadducees’ understanding. He wants them to know that “the dead are raised” (v. 37) and that God is “not the God of the dead, but of the living…” (v. 38).
Leave room, though, to answer the question Jesus doesn’t answer: How does a person become “considered worthy to attain to…the resurrection from the dead…”? That question inevitably delves into what saving faith is and does.
Before Sunday, see if your preaching portion contains any phrases that explain a facet of genuine faith and Christianity. Over time, the cumulative effect of this kind of exegesis will help limit the number of surprises at the Judgment.
Preach well so God receives glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21).
Randal
This post was originally published on March 23, 2015.
This is a very insightful and powerful truth. One of the dangers of pastoring/preaching is that we assume all the nice people that listen to us are saved – but that’s just not true. So to explain true salvation and saving faith and the real life of God in the soul, and the a new heart, and a living hope, etc. in various and glorious ways each week is essential. It’s like we’re explaining the Thanksgiving dinner with all the various main dishes of meats, then the side dishes that make your mouth water, then we get into the whole slew of desserts! When people have never ever seen or tasted such a feast, and all they know are beans and rice, the lights may come on that they are missing the main thing!
I have a friend who went to Christian school from middle school thru high school. He was a “good” kid. He was also very academically inclined and studied the Bible. It wasn’t until a chapel service in his senior year when a preacher taught on the fruit of the Spirit that he realized he didn’t have the Spirit, or real salvation. He got saved that day!
I love the imagery of the Thanksgiving meal! Your story about “a friend” is multiplied hundreds of times over. So important that we give the Gospel clearly. Yet, as I read Scripture I find many different kinds of Gospel invitations, all effective when heard with ears that can hear. Glad we can study preaching together!
I may have commented on this already, but I appreciate your image of the Thanksgiving dinner. I am finding more and more confusion about the meaning and meat of the Gospel (to use some of your imagery!), which means more and more clarity is needed on Sunday’s.
Is there any relationship between saving faith, and the resurrection from the dead?
Yes, saving faith is the moment a person moves from spiritual death to spiritual life. What could more life-changing?!