Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

The scriptures for this week include Revelations 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, and John 14:1-7.

A note to begin: Solus Christus orders the other solas, as Christ is the source and giver of salvation. We are saved by grace alone (sola gratia), from the Father through the work of Christ alone on the cross (Romans 5:21). Further, we receive this grace through faith alone (sola fide), but our faith is simply the receiving of Christ's give of grace. In other words, Christ's life and death are the means of our salvation from beginning to end. His work is sufficient insofar as we need nothing further for salvation. In addition, it is exclusive, as salvation cannot come from another. Christ's exclusive identity as god and his atoning work is the only way to salvation. This sola does not mean that God the Father and the Holy Spirit are not part of the salvation of believers, too. Christ's work on the cross is the atoning sacrifice, but this is not in exclusion of the work of the Father and Son. Throughout the Scriptures, the salvific work of God is discussed in trinitarian language.

Day 1 (Monday): As you read through the "note to begin," consider this question -- "Why does our culture often find exclusive religious claims offensive?"

Day 2 (Tuesday): Read John 14:1-7. In John 14, Jesus makes a bold claim. He says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." What do these words mean for our lives and the lives of those who desire more than this world offers?

Day 3 (Wednesday): Some people may find Jesus' statement in John 14:6 exclusive or narrow-minded. How can we understand and explain this exclusivity in a way that allows us to live a world with many other belief systems in an evangelistic rather than crusader-istic way?

Day 4 (Thursday): Consider this question -- "In what ways have you experienced the significance of Christ alone in your own faith journey or life experiences?"

Day 5 (Friday): Consider this question -- "How can the understanding of "Christ Alone" foster unity among Christians despite denominational differences or theological nuances?"

Day 6 (Saturday): Consider this question -- "How does the concept of "Christ Alone" align with the other solas we have talked about (grace alone, scripture alone, and faith alone)?"

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Lutheranism 101 Baptism" by Charles Lehmann
• "The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life" by Louie Giglio

Watch this week's sermon or read the entire message & GPS here.