Fearless Unity in Love Through Justification by Faith

The ultimate goal of God throughout history, creation, and redemption is the exaltation and communication of His glory. Our lives should reflect the infinite worth of Christ and the cross, living in a manner worthy of the gospel. This involves a life characterized by the unity of love and fearlessness in the face of adversaries, which Paul describes as "The Fearless Unity of Love." This life is rooted in humility, counting others more significant than ourselves, and devoting ourselves to the welfare of others.

As we delve into Philippians chapter 3, we encounter two significant obstacles that Paul faced in living this kind of life and being right with God. The first obstacle was Paul's pre-Christian sense of superiority, which hindered his ability to serve others humbly. The second obstacle was the inadequacy of his superiority to make him right with God. Despite his religious achievements, Paul realized that they were insufficient for righteousness before God. He overcame these obstacles by counting his achievements as rubbish and relying entirely on the righteousness of Christ.

The doctrine of justification by faith is central to this transformation. It is a controversial yet essential truth that has been attacked and misunderstood throughout history. Justification by faith means that our righteousness comes not from our own law-keeping but through faith in Christ. This righteousness is not merely a verdict of innocence but the imputation of Christ's perfect obedience to us. It is the foundation for our acceptance with God and the basis for our sanctification and unity in love.

Historically, this doctrine has been at the heart of significant revivals and awakenings, such as the Reformation and the Great Awakening. It remains crucial for spiritual renewal today, especially in contexts where the lines between Protestant and Catholic teachings have blurred. Preaching and teaching justification by faith alone can lead to profound spiritual transformation and unity among believers.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The ultimate goal of God is the exaltation of His glory, and our lives should reflect the infinite worth of Christ and the cross. This involves living in a manner worthy of the gospel, characterized by unity and fearlessness. [00:14]
• 2. Paul faced two obstacles: his sense of superiority and the inadequacy of his achievements for righteousness before God. He overcame these by counting his achievements as rubbish and relying on Christ's righteousness. [02:54]
• 3. Justification by faith is not merely a verdict of innocence but the imputation of Christ's perfect obedience to us. This righteousness is the foundation for our acceptance with God and our sanctification. [14:26]
• 4. Historically, the doctrine of justification by faith has been central to significant revivals and awakenings. It remains crucial for spiritual renewal today, especially in contexts where Protestant and Catholic teachings have blurred. [46:20]
• 5. Preaching and teaching justification by faith alone can lead to profound spiritual transformation and unity among believers. It is the foundation for fearless unity in love and the basis for our acceptance with God. [48:14]
  ** [48:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - God's Ultimate Goal
• [00:33] - Living Worthy of the Gospel
• [01:16] - Fearless Unity of Love
• [02:35] - Obstacles to Living Worthy
• [03:10] - Paul's Pre-Christian Superiority
• [04:25] - Inadequacy for Righteousness
• [05:22] - Overcoming Obstacles
• [06:11] - Justification by Faith
• [11:18] - Law and Righteousness
• [13:19] - Union with Christ
• [15:10] - Controversies in Justification
• [19:49] - New Perspective on Paul
• [22:28] - Faith and Obedience
• [27:55] - Righteousness in Christ
• [36:02] - Pressing On in Faith
• [46:20] - Historical Revivals
• [48:14] - Preaching Justification by Faith

1. What are the two obstacles Paul faced in living a life worthy of the gospel, as mentioned in Philippians 3? ([02:35])
2. How does Paul describe his religious achievements before knowing Christ, and what does he consider them after his transformation? ([08:16])
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the doctrine of justification by faith in Paul's life and teachings? ([06:11])
4. How does Paul’s understanding of righteousness change from his pre-Christian life to his life in Christ? ([14:26])

1. How does Paul’s pre-Christian sense of superiority hinder his ability to serve others humbly, and what does this reveal about the nature of humility in Christian life? ([03:10])
2. In what ways does the doctrine of justification by faith challenge the idea of achieving righteousness through personal accomplishments? ([06:11])
3. How does Paul’s transformation illustrate the concept of "The Fearless Unity of Love" as described in the sermon? ([01:16])
4. What role does the imputation of Christ's righteousness play in Paul's understanding of being right with God, and how does this differ from his previous beliefs? ([14:26])

1. Reflect on a time when you felt superior to others in your faith journey. How can Paul's example of counting his achievements as rubbish help you cultivate humility? ([03:10])
2. The sermon emphasizes living in a manner worthy of the gospel. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect the infinite worth of Christ in your daily life? ([00:33])
3. Justification by faith is described as a foundation for spiritual renewal. How can you incorporate this doctrine into your personal spiritual practices to foster renewal? ([46:20])
4. Consider the concept of "The Fearless Unity of Love." How can you practice fearlessness in your faith when facing adversaries or challenges? ([01:16])
5. Identify an area in your life where you rely on personal achievements for validation. How can you shift your focus to rely more on Christ's righteousness? ([08:16])
6. The sermon mentions the historical significance of justification by faith in revivals. How can understanding this history inspire you to seek spiritual revival in your community? ([46:20])
7. How can you actively participate in promoting unity and love within your church or small group, especially in contexts where doctrinal differences might exist? ([48:14])