Winter Quarter: Enduring Beliefs of the Christian Faith

By Rev Adrian Grubbs

“Grace and Reconciliation” is the theme of study for January, and it covers four topics: Sin, Repentance and Faith, Prayer, and Christian Growth.

Sin. 1 John 1:5-2:6 begins by declaring, “This is the message” – the announcement, the proclamation: God is pure light with no shadow of darkness. The rest of this text hinges on that declaration. In John light represents righteousness and darkness stands for sin and evil. God is light, and humans were created in His image (Genesis 1:27). To tarnish that image in any way is Sin, and we are all contaminated with sin. But we have the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus, and he stands at our side as an advocate whenever we sin. In this text “if” is used seven times as a teaching tool – if we say we have fellowship with him …, if we walk in the light …, if we say we have no sin …, if we confess our sins ..., if we say we have not sinned …, if one does sin …, and if we obey His commandments …. Please take time to look up and consider each “if.”

Repentance and Faith. Someone has said that repentance is an inner change that produces outer changes. Luke 15 begins with a complaint that Jesus associates with sinners – he even eats with them! In response, Jesus gives three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Celebration is called for when each is found. This lesson focuses on the third parable, often called The Parable of the Prodigal Son (15:11-24). The father waited patiently and watched persistently for the return and restoration of his son to full sonship. Great celebration is called for because “this son of mine … was lost and is found.”

After Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the people asked, “What should we do?” Peter told them to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the Holy Spirit (2:38-39). About 3,000 people repented and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that day.

Prayer. We have four prayers to consider. In Genesis 18 Abraham pleads with God on behalf of Sodom. His nephew, Lot, and his family lived there, but the LORD had decided to destroy the city because its wickedness. Abraham questioned if God would destroy the righteous along with the wicked. In the end, the righteous, Lot and his family, were rescued and the city was destroyed (by-the-way, the destruction was not for homosexuality but for inhospitality, cruel attitude toward strangers.) In Luke 18 Jesus tells of the self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee and the repentant prayer of the Publican. Which one was justified in his prayer? 1 John 5:14 speaks of our prayers. We have the assurance that Christ Jesus hears our requests when we ask according to the will of Christ. Some people hear only the first part and expect Christ to grant whatever they ask; but Jesus included the stipulation that we ask in accordance with His will.

Christian Growth. In Matthew 4 Jesus called the first four disciples who happened to be fishermen, including Simon Peter. By the time we get to Matthew 16 Simon is able to answer for all the disciples the question Jesus asked – “Who do you say that I am?” He confessed boldly that Jesus “is the Christ (the Messiah) the Son of the living God.” Jesus used a play on the Greek word for rock (petros) when he gave Simon the nickname Peter (“Rocky”?) and declared that His Church is built on Peter’s confession (té petra, this rock). The disciples struggled with their faith; they had their ups and downs in their spiritual growth. For example, Peter denied Christ three times. Then, in John 21, the risen Lord asks Peter three times if he loves Him, Peter declares three times that he does, and three times Jesus tells Peter to “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep,” “feed my sheep.” Peter, as a struggling disciple (student), was commissioned to serve, to nurture, Christ’s Church. Finally, 2 Peter 3:14, 15, 18 commands us, as we wait for new heavens and new earth, to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus.