This morning I am finishing up a series I’ve entitled “The Practical Gospel.” My goal for this series has been to examine what the implications are of the gospel for various areas of our life. In this way I am essentially trying to put into practice what Paul said in Philippians 2:12-13, where he told the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Now that you have been saved, now that you have believed the gospel, work out the implications of the gospel into every area of your life as God works in you. Not “work for your salvation” but “work out the implications of your salvation.”
So far we have looked at the gospel and your love life, parenting & family, work, money, personal growth, and community and friendships. This morning, I want to finish up the series by asking what difference the gospel makes for your relationship with the world. How must we be different because of the gospel?
Here is the gospel summary statement I will be using this series: “We are sinners who have been saved and justified by grace, learning to live as new creations according to God’s will, trusting in a certain and glorious eternal hope and future.”
If you read that statement closely, you will recognize that it has a past, present, and future dimension. Let me unpack those three aspects and examine what the implications are for the world. For this sermon, I want to work backwards, beginning with the last part of that statement.
We are sinners who have been saved and justified by grace
