Rev. David Holwick I
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
March 3, 1991
Habakkuk 2:4
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I. Hab 2:4 a critical verse in Reformation.
A. In 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 theses on church door.
B. Errors in church and issue of salvation paramount. (??)
1) Prayer to saints and relics.
a) Examples of relics given......
2) Indulgences.
II. Does salvation require a struggle?
A. Martin Luther fought with God.
1) Unworthy before God.
2) Trembled at communion.
3) Pilgrimage to Rome.
B. He turned to the Bible.
1) Read it for 10 years.
2) He finally came to Romans 1:17. (Hab 2:14)
3) He felt born again.
III. Romans 1:17.
A. "Faith to faith."
1) Based on faith from first to last.
2) Faith implies loyalty, belief, total acceptance and trust.
B. Barclay and 3 stages to faith:
1) Being receptive.
2) Giving mental assent.
3) Total surrender.
IV. Habakkuk 2:4.
A. Promise to Israel that if they are faithful, he will rescue.
B. Jews also applied promise to individuals.
1) If you are justified by faith, you will live.
a) Justified means God makes us acceptable in his sight.
b) You enter into a new relationship with God.
c) Not what we do, but what God has done.
d) "Live" refers to present life and eternal life.
1> Relics or saints cannot provide it.
2) Second view: Once justified, live by faith.
a) Such living doesn't save you, but shows you're saved.
b) Romans 5 to 8 stresses living by faith.
V. Both Views important.
A. We cannot please God by our own efforts.
B. Have you been born again?
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