Christ Alone

Feb. 09, 2015 Monday Message:

Simon-Peter: “Why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these (new) believers?” Acts 15:10a

In Acts 15, the Church leaders met in Jerusalem to work out basic Christian Theology. What is obvious to us today was not so obvious back then. Yes, everyone agreed that following Jesus was a good thing, but what do we have to do to be redeemed? How does Christianity “work?”

If you had been present when Jesus fed the 5000 (Matt. 14,) it would have been obvious that he was a great man. You would probably agree that he was a prophet, heaven-sent. You might even decide to follow him. That’s a snapshot of one day, but you wouldn’t yet know the big picture. You wouldn’t understand the perpetual sin-problem in mankind, that Jesus would take those sins upon himself, and then conquer the sin-problem and the death-problem all in a single day! You wouldn’t know that we’re saved by grace through faith by Christ alone – that’s the BIG picture!

In Acts 15, Jewish Christians wanted all the Christians to follow Hebrew traditions and the Law of Moses. But the elders determined this to be unnecessary. Nothing we do will get us one inch closer to heaven. Our salvation is based on what Jesus has already done for us. It’s a gift, grace, and our belief in His work is called “faith.” We are saved by Christ alone. Obedience to the law comes from our gratitude for what Jesus did for us, AFTER the issue of salvation has been settled.

Norton Lawellin

Come - let’s worship together! Each Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Feb. 15, we close Acts 15 and move into Acts 16, the first split in the Christian church, Timothy gets on-board, and Paul’s group ministers in Philippi. Exciting times - bring your Bible!