2016 True Education Symposium

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Pattern Education

Michael Dant

In His Will... Forever

When you start getting really careful about trying to do what God wants you to do, sometimes we can get a little bit worried about that.

We need to be a little bit worried about that.

But as long as we understand the difference between legalism and obedience, And as long as we are obeying because we want to enjoy God to the fullest, because we want to stay close to Him, that's not legalism.

And the only difference between a legalist And a person who truly obeys is not how they obey.

The difference is how much they love God.

So tonight I'm going to talk about 2 subjects.

1 of the subjects is about legalism and salvation, obedience and salvation.

And the other topic I'm going to talk about is about the joy of surrender.

So I'm gonna actually do 2 shorter ones tonight.

The first 1 is about salvation and obedience.

What must I do to be saved is the title of this first part.

Most people don't like that question, do they?

Most people don't like that question because they feel that it's legalistic.

But I'd like to propose to you that it's not legalistic.

That there is something we must do for our salvation.

And we're going to look at that a little bit more in depth.

If you ask 20 Seventh-day Adventists The relationship between works and salvation, you will be lucky to get just 25 answers.

Have you ever noticed how in the Sabbath school we often talk about obedience and salvation and works and legalism, and we kind of seem that we always come back to the same thing again.

Yes, obedience is important, but we don't earn salvation.

We keep on coming back into this rotation that we never seem to get out of.

Can we understand obedience and salvation?

I'd like to share with you a scenario, a quick scenario, and kids, I think you'll like this.

It's about a guy named Henry who wants to become a Christian.

Henry is at this evangelistic series, and he's deeply moved by what he's hearing, and he's really impressed by it, and he wants to be a Christian.

So he talks to the pastor 1 day, he says, hey pastor, I've been wanting to talk to you, do you have a minute?

Sure, Henry responds to the pastor, what can I do for you?

Well, I've been coming to all these wonderful meetings, and I tell you, this is great stuff.

For the first time in my life, I understand what happens when we die and what the prophecies tell us about the end of the world.

And I see how important it is to follow God and to rest on the Sabbath from all my work.

I especially like the idea of eternal life and I'm wondering if you can help me get it." Chuckling, the pastor says, of course Henry, I'll be happy to help you get it, but the Bible tells us that salvation is free for the asking.

In fact, Ephesians says, for it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves.

It is the gift of God, not by work, so that no 1 can boast.

The only thing better than getting eternal life is getting it free.

You don't sign up Henry you just accept it Jesus tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life So the question is Henry.

Do you believe in Jesus and his love and salvation?

This is fantastic, I'm so excited, I can hardly keep still.

After a short prayer in which Henry accepts Jesus as his savior, Henry says, this is absolutely incredible, pastor, I am so happy.

I thought at the very least I would have to give up the adulterous affair that I'm having at work.

Oh, well, Henry, yeah, you are going to have to give that up.

Really, Henry responds, but I thought I just needed to believe and accept.

Well, because, Henry, adultery is breaking 1 of God's commandments.

Just a minute ago you said that salvation was a free gift and that it was all about God's grace and not about my works.

Now you're telling me that I can't have eternal life unless I keep the commandments.

Didn't that verse you quoted just say something about not by works?

Salvation is a free gift, Henry, and there is nothing you can do to earn it.

The Bible is clear that our righteousness does nothing to merit the least of God's gifts, and unless God gives us eternal life freely, we would never be saved.

We keep the commandments out of a heart filled with gratitude to God for His wonderful salvation.

Henry sighs and says, oh well, I guess I can give up my affair.

Things were getting a little stale anyway.

I really suppose it's not too much to ask for eternal life.

That's right, Henry, that's the right attitude, says the pastor, it's a small price to pay.

Well, he says, I'm pretty still excited about this whole thing.

I can't wait to tell all my friends about it.

In fact, I'm going to send out a text message right now and invite them to join me at the bar for a celebration.

Yeah, you know, beer, wine, vodka, martini, shaken, not stirred.

Oh, well, you know, Henry, the Bible tells us that the bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that strong drink is not healthy for us.

Well, Yeah, but drinking alcohol is not 1 of the 10 Commandments, is it?

Phew, that's a relief, says Henry, because giving up alcohol would be a serious problem for me.

But Henry, God doesn't want you to do anything that's unhealthy.

I realize that, but the question is, do I have to give up drinking in order to inherit eternal life?

Well, the Bible does say that those who practice drunkenness will not inherit the Kingdom of God, Galatians 5, 21.

Whoa, Pastor, this free gift thing is starting to get expensive.

I can't believe that just a few minutes ago I thought that eternal life was simple and easy.

You're looking at this all the wrong way, Henry.

It's about having a love relationship with Jesus.

When you love Jesus for all that he's done for you, then you gladly give up the things that don't please him.

Spending serious time every day in prayer and Bible study is very important so you can learn to love the Lord more.

Then keeping the commandments will be easy and you won't want to drink alcohol.

Henry sighs and says, prayer and Bible study every day, huh?

Wow, is that another 1 of the commandments?

This just keeps getting more and more complicated.

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In His Will... Forever

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