CLT on Romans 8

Last week at CLT we looked at Romans 8:1-13. I didn't really have notes, so I'm posting an exposition of Romans 8:1-17 here. I pray it proves beneficial to you. Have a Bible open as you read it.

Exposition
We’re at the point in Romans where something extremely significant is going to be brought up. In chapters 1-5, Paul defended the doctrine of justification by faith alone on the basis of Jesus’ work alone.

That gave rise to an objection: if justification is by faith alone, can we go on sinning? Paul says no in several ways. First, in Romans 6, he says that we have had a change of nature, therefore we can no longer live in sin. Second, in Romans 7, he says as Christians, Jesus has already met the demands of the Law for us so we no longer have something to rebel against or try to be justified by.

And that brings us to the third answer – and that is in Romans 8. The answer – in short – is the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of God’s people.

Now, Romans 8 begins where Romans 7 leaves off. The point of the end of Romans 7 is hat trying to obey God’s Law will just result in realizing that you can’t. Hence the cry at the end ‘who will save me from this body of death?’ The answer: God, in Jesus.

But if you can’t obey the Law by trying to obey it – where does that leave us? Paul gives us the answer in Romans 8: the Holy Spirit causes us who have received Jesus to obey him. Let’s take a look.

vv. 1-4
In verse 1 we have a statement. Note that there is a ground for it, given that it starts with ‘therefore.’ The ground comes in the verses after it (and whole chapters before). Note that there’s no condemnation now for everyone in Christ. That is, already, even before the future judgment, there is at this point in history, no condemnation, which by the way is the opposite of justification. Justification is being declared righteous; condemnation is being declared guilty and being punished for it.

Who’s ‘in Christ Jesus?’ It’s helpful here to consider Romans 6’s language of inclusion into Jesus – unification with him. Everyone unified to Jesus, and thus spiritually alive and believing, is in Jesus. So those people – right now, have already had the end time judgment of condemnation pass by them and have been judged righteous in Jesus.

What’s the reason for this, though? V. 2 says that the reason is that there are two governing principles – or worlds, realms, or Kingdoms at work. He’ll flesh this out more in vv. 5-8, but here, note that there’s no condemnation because the principles of the Spirit’s Kingdom have freed us through Jesus’ actions from the principles of the old realm, which is going to be condemned.

Verse three tells us how this happened. The law couldn’t save sinners, because sinners rebel against the law. What God did in Jesus is to kill, or condemn, sin by killing Jesus. And notice that it’s not ‘sins’ – it’s ‘sin.’ The old nature. The part of us, that is, according to ch. 6, now dead because Jesus died.

Verse four tells us that God had a purpose in destroying the old nature in the death of Jesus. That purpose is that our behavior would be transformed – that we’d walk according to God’s Holy Spirit and do what the law requires.

vv. 5-11
In this section, Paul’s going to contrast the two types of possible people then – people that live in the old world – old Kingdom – the ‘flesh.’ – vs. people that live in the new Kingdom in the Spirit.

Note that vv. 5-7 begin with the word ‘for’ – and so they’re providing a basis for what precede them. So in v. 5, the introduction of this idea – there’s two kinds of people – in the Kingdom and out – is the basis for what comes before, that God did stuff to cause us to walk in obedience to him.

But note what the differences are. If you’re in the flesh – in the old world, your thoughts are governed by it, will cause you to die, is hostile to God because it doesn’t submit to God’s law and actually is incapable of doing so.

If you’re in the Spirit, your thoughts are governed by the Spirit, he gives you life and peace,he wells in you, causes us to belong to Jesus, and has given us and will give us new life.

vv. 12-17
In this section, Paul begins to exhort believers to obey God and trust him through suffering.
Note that 12 is the conclusion of what precedes it. The Holy Spirit has given us new life and will raise us from the dead, so we don’t owe anything to the old world – the flesh – living according to its ways.

What’s the basis for that? 13 – because if we do live like that, we’ll die. However, if in the Spirit we kill the deeds of the body, we’ll live. Of course here it’s talking about eternally live and die. So in other words – we’re not debtors to the flesh because if we acted like that, we’d die. The other option – is trusting in the Spirit and relying on Him and doing the things he’s commanded in Scripture, actively fighting sin in our lives. If we do that – we belong to the Spirit and we will rise from the dead – live.

His basis for that statement is that if we’re doing that – being led by the Spirit to put to death evil deeds, we’re God’s children. Or in other words, we belong to God, not the flesh.
How do we know we’re sons of God? We got the Spirit that causes us to cry out to God, who bears witness that we’re his children, assuming that we suffer trusting ourselves to Jesus, looking forward to our future glory with him – our future being with him in the completely remade new creation.

CLT Audio

It's coming. God willing. A good brother's working on it!

CLT IV - The Gospel

The Gospel

Intro
Pray – and say questions can come during (and/or after)
Christians need the gospel
Not just to know how to share it well, but also…
To grow
To remember reality
To serve
To love the unloveable
For holiness in all of life
To view sex rightly
For confidence in living the Christian life
For hope
Thus, beware thinking you’ve outgrown it
Every prayer
Every time you read the Bible
Every relationship
Every word you speak
Titus 3:4-8
Rest of our time: defining the gospel
Before that, though, consider this: gospel = good news.
Let’s look at the world the good news is delivered to
-Sex trafficking (define – ave. age in US – 14, poss 100k this year; ave. age is 10-15 in Asia – even forced into it by parents)
-Thousands (i.e. 83 yr. old woman) losing homes to foreclosure
-man tries to explain to his autistic son why their house burned down in ca
-Haiti – wait and see if kids live to name them – oft choose which live/die
-Iraq – car bombs kill 1 person, injure around 20 – Tuesday
-People are born blind, without limbs, and into starvation
-marriages that began in love, end in messy divorce
-children molested by family, teachers, religious leaders
-hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, AIDS
-and you will work really hard your whole life to get by, looking to entertainment and relationships and even spirituality for happiness, only to find that they don’t satisfy your deepest needs – and then you will die.

And into this mess that we often ignore, Jesus has come to give us good news: Mark 1:15. The good news is that the Kingdom of God has come near.
Outline Why the Kingdom is good news
5 facts about the King
conquers hearts
has authority to forgive
changes lives
creates a loving family
will finish what he started

Why the Kingdom is good news
-saw bad situation
-contact point with unbelievers
-do not dull yourself with entertainment against reality (ecc. 7:4) (James 1:9-12) (my liking Bond…),
-The Kingdom is good news because of what the King will do - Joel 2:23-26 (provision – food, etc.); Is. 2:3, 4 (peace between nations, people obeying God’s laws); Dan. 12:2 (resurrection of the just and unjust); Jer 23:5 (KING who will do justice always); Is. 25:6-8 (joy, provision, resurrection, bringing all peoples together); Micah 2:1-3 (punishment of oppressors); Micah 2:12-13 (The LORD himself is King and shepherds his people); Is. 9:2-3 (joy in the experience of God);
-Why do you think Jesus did miracles?
-To starving Christians in Haiti – one day you will feast!
-To our brothers and sisters suffering in war – one day God will stop all conflict
-To those who are oppressed as in India (117 churches, 5k homes, 65 dead)
-To all of us who are pained and need the face of God – we will see his glory in his Son
-THINK of the gospel as good news (vs. boring)
-TELL the gospel because it’s good news

-repeat point

Fact 1: Jesus the King conquers hearts
-Problem: who we are by nature
-Rom 1:30 – ‘God-haters’
-Eph. 2:2 – obeyed Satan
-Matt. 7:11 – we’re evil
-Rom 8:7 8 – incapable of obedience
-John 6:65
-Rom. 3:10-12
-Rom. 1:18-22
-evangelism application (describing depth of sin)
-ev application – what we should expect from unbelievers’ views of data
-remember this to remember what you’re saved from!
-But Jesus has come as King, and conquers hearts…
-John 6:37-39
-Matt. 11:27
-John 3:5-8, 19-21 (result = coming to Jesus in faith!)
-app: thank God for conquering your heart!
-plead with him to conquer the hearts of others – because he CAN
-communicate confidently because he WILL
-don’t for a second think that you did a thing to bring yourself, lest you rob God of glory

Fact 2: Jesus the King has authority to forgive
-paralytic story in Mark 2
-Jesus’ coming as King is good news – but there’s a problem
-Is. 13:9
-God’s solution – justification by faith (define)
-Nah 1:3a
-solution – a substitute!
--punished in our place (Is. 53:5, 6, 10)
-firing squad analogy
-implication – no judgment awaits those who believe in Jesus
-turn to each other and say ‘God poured the fullness of hell on Jesus instead of you’
-‘Judgment day’ already begun (Jesus’ passion narrative!)
-obeyed in our place
-again: judgment by works
-Rom. 4:6 – Let me talk about crediting – (tax analogy)
-2 Cor. 5:21
-God looks at us in Jesus – since Jesus obeyed…
-Turn to the person next to you and say, “Jesus obeyed God for you – and all his rewards will be given to you”

-application: NO condemnation for you. But REWARD.
-if EVER you feel as if you are condemned…
-imperfect Christians are perfect in Jesus’ eyes (Jas. 4)
-basis for forgiveness - not some weird mysticism. Unbelievers are RIGHT when they say good people will go to heaven

-repeat point

Fact 3: Jesus as King changes lives
(repeat points so far)
-(whole point of next CLT – so not much time)
-Rom. 6:17-23 (context first!)
-point – God has promised the obedience of his children (parable of the sower)
-trust him for it
-thank him for it!
-answering non Christians re: can we just go on sinning?
-beware moralism!!!

-repeat point






Fact 4: Jesus the King creates a loving family
-Matt 19:29 (my experience)
-Ephesians 4:9-16
-Eph. 2:17-22
-Ps. 65:4 (picture of entering the temple – where God lives!)
-appreciate it
-participate in it
-love it – but realize that experience is from God’s Spirit AND word and isn’t perfect yet
-invite people into it

Fact 5: Jesus the King will finish what he started
-1 cor 15:21-28 (explain)
-rev 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 12-17, 20-21
-application – 1 peter 1:6, 7, 13; mark 8:32-34

-So what’s the good news?

Pray

Dissing Dispensationalism

If you don't know what dispensationalism is - and don't care how it affects how you interpret the Bible, this post will be quite boring to you.

That said, I was pointed to an article by Dan Phillips, one of the authors of the Pyromaniacs blog (here), called Twenty-Five Stupid Reasons for Dissing Dispensationalism (here).

Now, I admit, I do like to make fun of dispensationalism. Not out of spite or anything. I have great respect and love for Team Pyro. They love Jesus. And we agree on a heck of a lot.

But I thought I'd take a few moments and write a brief response to Phillips' exposition of these 25 Stupid Reasons.

That said, I took these 'reasons' as actual arguments, rather than merely 'disses.' I'm not sure technically what 'dissing' entails to be honest. So that said, I'm considering these arguments legitimately made against dispensationalism.

Here we go.

My response to ’25 Stupid reasons for dissing dispensationalism’

My responses are in italics.

1) All of the coolest guys are covenantal.

That’s just true. Granted, it’s a stupid argument. Not even an argument, really. But it’s true. It’s more like a kind hearted jab. Well, hopefully kind-hearted. Us Reformed can be jerks at times.

2) It’s new.

Well, it is. Though the solas and five points weren’t systematized before the Reformation, they were certainly around. Dispensationalism was not. Premillenialism was. They are not the same.

3) It’s not Reformed

This is true. Semantic issue, though, really. And agreed – bad argument.

4) So many dispies are goofs.

This is also true. I think there are more crazy dispies than crazy Reformed people, though.

But yeah – bad argument.

5) Dispy writers have made false predictions.

Again, true – but agreed, bad argument.

6) The best scholars hate dispensationalism.

I mean, yeah, this is, again, true. Even the good ‘dispensational’ scholars aren’t true dispies – they’re progressives.

But point conceded – scholarship doesn’t prove something. Arguments must be analyzed.

7) But someone wrote a book destroying dispensationalism.

I’ve never heard that one. I’ve never read a book that attempts to do so. But…. That’s okay. No response needed or given.

8) You can’t prove all those dispensational distinctives and prophetic features from the NT alone.

Never heard this argument. I agree, not a good one. But I also believe that we should base doctrine out of the many clear passages which interpret the few harder ones.

9) It isn’t a spiritual hermeneutic.

I don’t know what this even means.

10) Dispensationalists are antinomian.

Depends on what you mean by antinomian. If by it you’re referring to the OT moral law, then yes you are antinomian. That doesn’t mean you don’t care about morality, though.

11) We should interpret the OT by the NT.

And we should. We should look at how the NT interprets OT prophecy. Sometimes it is indeed difficult. Jesus held people accountable. They didn’t see because they were stupid. They didn’t see because of sin. Same is true of us.

12) You can’t take everything literally.

Again, I’ve never heard nor would I ever use this argument. What I would say is that you can’t take stuff in isolation.

13) Dispies are overliteral.

I’d never use this. Nor have I ever heard it.

14) I think Hal Lindsey is stupid. I like making fun of him.

I admit, I like making fun of Hal Lindsey. Granted, not an argument. But it’s so very much fun. I’d also probably do more than make fun of Harold Camping. I’d probably excommunicate him.

The only problem is that he wouldn’t mind.

15) People have converted from being dispy to other things

Agreed. Stupid argument.

16-19) Disp. Is divisive, defeateist, fatalistic, and escapist.

Eh, people who hold it can be. But agreed. Stupid argument.

20) Dispensationalism teaches a false offer by Christ.

Now, okay, I’ve never heard this. I’m not sure what’s meant, exactly. If it means that Jesus was offering them the physical fullness of the Kingdom then – then… that’s just silly.

21) ‘All the promises of God find their yes in him.’ – 2 Cor. 1:20.

Dan’s argument here is interesting. I think the difference is that he’d take it to mean that Jesus mediates God’s promises, and we’d take it to mean that the promises are sure to those in him.

This requires much more serious discussion than Dan gives it.

22) Dispensationalism teaches two ways of salvation.

Some hypers did. Qutoing Berkhof there isn’t really relevant . Not sure Dan understands what Berkhof was saying.

23) I’m CT and use a grammatical-historical approach…

We do. We just don’t do it in isolation from the rest of Scripture, using our best guesses as assumptions for what we think God meant.

24) Dispensationalism divides the people of God.

Never heard this as an argument. It’s just kinda defining what dispensationalism is.

25) Dispensationalism fails to see Jesus in every verse of the Bible.

I think this is more of a charge of what practically happens in dispensational preaching. Often, it tends to be moralistic, rather than gospel centered.

That’s not an argument. Just an observation.

But yeah, I think Dan does reveal the problem with dispensationalism in this critique. He fails to understand covenants. The promises were not made to everyone in the visible community, dude. And we are in covenant relationship with Christ. And engrafted into Israel.

This isn’t decoder ring. This is just taking seriously what the Bible has to say about covenants, our position in Christ, and its own interpretation of OT texts.

We don't believe that the Church merely replaces Israel. We believe that those promises are made to elect Israel, ultimately through union with Christ, with whom the Church is united and engrafted into the covenant promises.

There is no replacement of Israel. Just an expansion of its borders.

You Need to Love the Law

You realize if you don't love God's Law - his commandments - his rules - you're in rebellion, right? (Read Psalm 119.)

You've probably heard that you need to preach the gospel to yourself daily. This is true.

But there is no Good News without the Law showing us what we're saved from. And to, for that matter (obedience to the Law - Romans 8:1-4; Hebrews 8, etc).

So, preach the Law to yourself daily. Tear yourself to shreds with it. Feel the pain of your rebellion against your Maker.

Then run to Jesus.

Do You Want to Know God Personally?

A personal relationship with God without an understanding of why Jesus died,
how he reigns as King,
faith alone apart from works,
and repentance from sins,

is naught but a personal relationship of hostility from both sides.

O God, reconcile your elect people to yourself!

John Owen on the idea that Jesus died for everyone

...in itself the whole is in expression so barbarous and remote from common sense, in substance such a wild, unchristian madness, as contempt would far better suit it than a reply.

Homosexuality in the news...

First, eHarmony has been forced to open a site for homosexuals. eHarmony was founded by a Christian, who, as such, believes homosexuality to be a breach of God's Law.

You can read the story here.

Is this the beginning of the government interfering with the Church exercising it's right - yea even duty - to act according to the gospel of Jesus Christ? I admit I'm surprised. Didn't expect this kind of stupidity this soon.

In a related story, Tony Jones, one of the heavy hitters in the emergent (we like to think happy thoughts, just not about Scripture) circles, decided that homosexuality is a-okay.

That story is here.

He says in the story that now his detractors have more ammo to say that he's continued his leftward slide.

Yes, you let go of Scriptural authority, and you will start calling evil 'good.' And you will let people go to hell feeling just a tad bit better about themselves.

CLT III - Discipleship - Notes

CLT III – Discipleship

Intro
-So one day an old friend called me… (Pat story)
-An important question (answers not only ‘how do I disciple’ – but also – what am I as a disciple)
-Where we’re going: 4 texts of Scripture – then ‘how to disciple someone’ steps
-Pray

-Get out your notes ‘n’ bibles, folks!

Matt 28:18-20 (remind, read)
-Authority!
-(Illustration: list: planets, molecules, cells – your soul, your heart, your mind – and everyone else’s!)
-Commands – go AND disciple the nations
-(he owns it – letting all nations know and inviting them to act accordingly)
-discipleship = baptism and teaching people to obey
(grammar lesson!)
-baptism –
represents what? (Matt. 3; Mark 10:38, 39);
-illustration: noah’s flood
act of worship (obedience, repentance towards God) (1 Peter 3)
-illustration: (as opposed to me coming out of the water and having people cheer for me)
-Baptism = important! (gospel; gift, worship towards God, command!)
-Also, teaching them to obey all I’ve commanded!
-So what does that say about you?
-About evangelism?
-illustration – (two circles)
-About the source of content in discipleship?
-‘I think’ and mere advice should never come from a teacher’s mouth!
-teach includes doctrine
-Think about the hearers of this: original recipients of the apostles.
Christ – exercising authority over all creation. He has sent out 12 dudes to invite people into that reign – that Kingdom. And we enter and are learning to obey what he said – all by his grace. We join him in his death and life through grace.
-Summarize!

2 Tim. 4:1-4 (remind, read)
-vv. 1-2
-To preachers – not necessarily directly to you –but shows what content should be
-Command: to preach!
-Content? (1 Cor. 2 and rest of 2 Tim 4:2 – AND Titus 2!)
-Cross is everything – all Scripture – character
-Why’s this command important? (vv. 3-4)
-False doctrines that feel good
-examples: accept Jesus and life will be better; answers to ‘why’s there suffering’ – what about people who haven’t heard – believing one can go to heaven if he’s prayed a prayer – even if there’s no life change – believing that people are the center of God’s universe…
-So what’s this mean for you?
-what teachers do you run to?
-if you’re discipling – what are you teaching???
-Summarize

Ephesians 4:11-16 (remind, read)
-Jesus gave certain people!
-response – worship!
-goal – for us all to be equipped to serve (see 1 Peter 4)
-none of us are to be an audience
-END goal – that the Church would be doing the works of Jesus on earth
-framework emerges!


Now – discipleship for Christian leadership…
2 Tim. 2:2 (remind, read)
-The things from Paul!
-Not thought or ‘practical help’– from God – his word – his face
-Entrust to faithful dudes
-faithful! (character! Elder lists!)
-able to teach
-growth is possible – the content is Scripture – nothing else!
-about elders – but applicable to leadership
-So first – 1 Tim. 3:1 – desiring leadership is desiring something noble
-THEREFORE – character!
-so should one lead? Character? Go thru 1 Tim. 3:1-7
-talk about accountability. Confession. Common sins. (Titus 2:13)
-So are you ready to be trained for leadership? Maybe, maybe not. Strive for the character necessary to take on the noble task!

A framework for discipleship falls out of all this:
Doctrine (Gospel, God – the Trinity, Scripture, man, sin, etc.)
Character (Spirit-filled life; moral law; means of grace – Scripture, fellowship, prayer, sacraments, discipline)
Min Skill – (Evangelism, Discipleship, oversight-strategic planning, problem solving, decision making; teaching; hospitality)


The how to:
-Relationship! (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2)
-Modeling (2 Tim. 2:2 and Jesus)
(planning, evangelism, bible study, life stuff)
-Delegating (Mark 6 and sending the disciples to preach – but honestly just getting the body to serve! Everyone should be! Examples of what to delegate to?)
-Teaching the content (incl. accountability)

Tools of the trade:
-BIBLE.
-www.centerfieldproductions.com – Indianacru, pass – Indiana
-Westminster Confession of Faith on the 10 Commandments
-google
-Q. 137. Which is the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.[766]

Q. 138. What are the duties required in the seventh commandment?

A. The duties required in the seventh commandment are, chastity in body, mind, affections,[767] words,[768] and behavior;[769] and the preservation of it in ourselves and others;[770] watchfulness over the eyes and all the senses;[771] temperance,[772] keeping of chaste company,[773] modesty in apparel;[774] marriage by those that have not the gift of continency,[775] conjugal love,[776] and cohabitation;[777] diligent labor in our callings;[778] shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto.[779]

Q. 139. What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[780] are, adultery, fornication,[781] rape, incest,[782] sodomy, and all unnatural lusts;[783] all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections;[784] all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto;[785] wanton looks,[786] impudent or light behaviour, immodest apparel;[787] prohibiting of lawful,[788] and dispensing with unlawful marriages;[789] allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them;[790] entangling vows of single life,[791] undue delay of marriage,[792] having more wives or husbands than one at the same time;[793] unjust divorce,[794] or desertion;[795] idleness, gluttony, drunkenness,[796] unchaste company;[797] lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays;[798] and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.[799]

-What Jesus demands from the world – Piper
-your leaders – you want more? – tell us!

Summarize the whole thing! YOU are a disciple – doctrine, character, ministry.
Jesus has met this need
-Scripture
-leadership
-your giftings!
-End of all this? Eph 4 – the building up of Jesus’ body. His glory here. A mature spotless bride, his whole church, received unto him when he returns. Praise be to God!

Framework for the last three - most important subjects – The Gospel; The Holy Spirit; Means of Grace (Perseverance)

Stop Being Ethnocentric!

Dr. RC Sproul has a wonderful little article about how we western Christians tend to think of Christianity as a western religion: a religion ruled by the west and a religion primarily captured in, by, and for the west.

And how stupid that is. Check it out here.

How to Study the Bible - CLT I - Notes

The Scriptures



Intro
-Intro CLT (purpose, dates…)
-Felt Needs (direction, skill, boring, motivation)
-Real needs (salvation – rom 1:18ff, growth in obedience – 1 John 2:3, 4)
-Sufficient solution (2 tim 3:14-17)
-outline – 4 facts – w/ skills that go along with each; q/a follows
-pray

Spiritual
From the Spirit – from another world (2 tim. 3:16)
-transformers analogy
-someone telling a sweet story about biophysics (language, caring)
We’re in the flesh world (1 Cor. 2:12ff; rom 3:10-12)
-good news – 1 Cor. 3:6ff
-HS like decoder in transformers; transforming power that makes you care about/understand biophysics
Skill – confess dependence/pray
Skill – discipline (study, under teaching, meditation) – discipline comes from care/need (why you date)

Authoritative
God breathed – true – binding – highest standard of knowledge (Rom 3:4; 2 Sam 22:31; Matt 5:19, 20; binding on mind, emotions, actions; compare to science- 2 Peter 1:16-21)
-personal application (if something rubs you the wrong way…)
-evangelism application
Skill – observation (bend the knee!) Rom. 1:8-17 (grammar note!) (questions too)

Human
Human product – specific people, places, situations – not written directly to YOU. (Gal. 5:12);
Skill – q and a (context – literary (2 are gathered!); analogy of Scripture- theological … essential truths of the Christian faith - sproul)
Skill 2: Big Idea of passage (Rom. 1:8-17) – (have ‘em do it)
Skill 2 ½: BI -> eternal big idea; theology book (Essentials – Sproul) – Rom. 1:8- 17…
Skill 3 – READING – forest/trees (what to look for when reading… THIS… segue)

Gospel Centered
What’s the gospel?
Give holistic definition
Luke 24:27; 44-47; Heb 1:1-3; John 1:12-18
Why is the Bible about the gospel?
-saves (Rom. 10; rom. 1)
-results in obedience – Galatians 3:1-3 (vs. commands -> death!)
-1 Corinthians 2:1ff; heb. 6; 2 cor 3:18
Skill 1 – Finding the sin condition(s)/need(s) that sin creates. How? Big idea
Do in Rom. 1
Skill 2 – Feel it. (Heb. 4:12 – ask how you break God’s commands – confess!)
-Decision Making (cuts, sufficient)
-Ferguson quote: (see below)
Skill 3 – Discover the gospel in the text – what’s Jesus’ cross done?
-this text?
-Matt 5:27-30 – (reading! Point of the gospel: Matt 27:46, 51-54)
-OT stuff is about Jesus! (Rom. 5:16; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Matthew 12:39-41; John 2:19ff)
-learn to search on biblegateway!
Skill 4 – Thank God for the gospel in the passage

Summary, Q and A following, prayer
Worship
Ann’c
Dismiss


Ferguson: "Christians in an earlier generation rarely thought of writing books on guidance. There is a reason for that (just as there is a reason why so many of us today are drawn to books that will tell us how to find God's will). Our forefathers in the faith were catechised, and they taught catechisms to their children. Often as much as half of the catechism would be devoted to an exposition of the answers to questions like the following: Question: Where do we find God's will? Answer: In the Scriptures. Question: Where in particular in the Scriptures? Answer: In the Commandments that God has given to us.

Why were these questions and answers so important? Because these Christians understood that God's law provides basic guidelines that cover the whole of life. Indeed, in the vast majority of instances, the answer to the question 'What does God want me to do?' will be found by answering the question: 'How does the law of God apply to this situation? What does the Lord require of me here in his word?'"

President-Bashing: The Biggest Problem in the Church?

I recently was pointed to an editorial which pointed out how our treatment of President Bush must make us look in the eyes of other nations. Here.

I wonder how many of us who call Jesus 'King' are also guilty of President-bashing? The root of the problem runs deeper than mere dislike of our current President, however.

It's a problem of authority. And it runs deep...
Who has authority?

Parents or children?

Pastors or church-members?

Governmental officials or citizens?

Men or their wives?

The Scriptures or my thoughts?

The Scriptures or my feelings?

The Scriptures or my experiences?

And ultimately... God... or me?

You Don't Have to Read the Bible... unless...

Modern Christians have the tendency of making principles from the Scriptures into binding Law for all Christians.

For instance, we are corporately commanded to make disciples of all nations. But if you haven't gone on a missions trip of some sort, you're sinning.

Or - we're commanded to meditate on the Scriptures. Let the doctrines dwell richly in us. Speak to others in doctrinal language. Sit under the right preaching of the Scriptures in a Bible-loving church.

But nowhere are we commanded to read the Bible (unless you're a pastor!) On the other hand - if you choose to read good Christians books written by good teachers (Piper, Sproul, Bridges, Bunyan, Packer, etc.) instead of the Bible, you're looked down upon.

Why? The command - the law - doesn't exist!

Surely the Scriptures are wonderful, and in them we see God revealed in Jesus - but lay Christians are not necessarily sinning if they don't study them. True - there may be a heart condition that is sinful and the reason they aren't.

But folks - let's not be legalistic. Let's hold people accountable to God's laws - not to 'spiritual disciplines' we made up.

Election Day Re-Post: How You Should Vote

A quick addendum to this before the repost.

God cares about social justice.

He cares about social justice because humans are in his image - and so a lack of compassion for hurting people is a lack of compassion for beings who exist to represent God.

So you are required to love social justice. So why don't you go and move to be with people who need you - and give freely of your own money? I mean, you could vote so the government gives handouts from mostly other peoples' money. But, I think you should probably just take responsibility before God for such things.

Also - what do you think God cares more about - making sure poor western people (who by the world's standards are NOT poor) have slightly more - or making sure his image is not destroyed while in the womb?

One more note: God doesn't really care about your portfolio. He cares about your holiness.

So stop and think. God loves justice - but that's because he loves himself. So vote to the glory of God.

So here are some principles from the Bible about God and government:

1) God created governments
2) God created governments to execute righteousness on earth
3) God’s righteousness is evinced in the Law – the OT Law
4) Other nations are held responsible for disobedience to God’s Law in the prophets
5) There is no normative ‘moral Law’ outside the OT Law – every time conscience/natural law is mentioned it’s negative and subjective
6) So the purpose of government is to uphold God’s Law
7) That includes everything in it – including just war, capital punishment, wisely taking care of the poor to an extent, and even the worship of God. – some things more important than others.
8) That will never actually happen until Jesus returns
9) But we have some authority in our government – and thus responsibility to make sure our government conforms to God’s Laws.
10) We also have the responsibility to be honest with our presuppositions – we don’t start from the position of pragmatism – we start with a belief that God owns us, and that his Law is an expression of love to bring us to Jesus.
11) We also have to start with the presupposition that international or national law (Geneva convention; Constitution) aren’t ultimate. We have to submit to law given, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek to change them.

Richie D, are you serious?

Richard Dawkins, infamous atheist and author of "The God Delusion," has decided that after his failed attempt at dethroning his creator and judge, perhaps he should set his sights lower.

On Harry Potter.

Richie, like many Christian critics of the series, has not read it. (He has read the Golden Compass and liked it. Surprising, I know - a radical atheist liking atheistic propoganda written for children.)

But, he thinks that raising children with stories that are 'non-scientific' may be negative.

He goes on to talk about how raising children in a religion is 'abuse' and 'evil.'

So, Dick, do you understand that...
1) you have no basis for belief in what may can be considered 'negative'?
2) you have no basis for belief in what may be considered 'good' nor 'evil'?
and 3) you have no basis for belief in conclusions from scientific data, the scientific data itself, nor truth in general...?

That is, you have no basis for belief in those things unless you make yourself the independent standard for declaring what is true. That isn't atheism, though. It's just declaring that, well, YOU'RE God.

Whoops.

I should note, that God has said that you do know him, by the way. You're just rebelling against said knowledge.

Click here for the article.

Manliness, manliness is what I long for...

I was having a conversation with a few guys about manhood a few days ago, and we got into a disagreement about what it means to be manly. So I figured, hey, let’s look at what the Bible has to say about manhood.

1) God expects us to just know what it means to be manly. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul says, ‘Act like men.’ And in 1 Corinthians 11:14-15, Paul says, “Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is a disgrace for him…?”

We’ll get to that ‘long hair’ issue in a second – but note this: God expects us to just know what manliness is.

2) Some of what manliness is is culturally relative. 1 Corinthians 11 is about head coverings. In the verse I just cited, Paul says, essentially, don’t you know that a head covering (long hair) on a man is effeminate?

Now, we don’t ‘know’ that per se. It was something unique to the Corinthian culture. But the fact is – they would’ve known that wearing a head cover in their culture was effeminate.

Application? There are things in our culture that are girly. So I can say you listen to girly music. Or like girly movies. Or talk in a girly way. Knock it off and toughen up, guys.

3) Only men are called to exercise authority in their families and in the Church of God. Of course that authority should be gentle (1 Peter 3), not domineering (1 Peter 5), and for the love of the saints/one’s wife (1 Peter 5; Ephesians 5:22ff).

But it’s still authority. That means a dude has to be decisive, responsible, and a leader. He has to own the direction for his family – and before he can do that, he needs to be decisive and responsible about his position as a Christian.

4) Godly men are to be willing to suffer. Ephesians 5:22 and following tells us a godly husband should suffer for the holiness of his wife because he loves her. So our love should compel us to suffer for the holiness of Christ’s bride and his people, in general.

Real men embrace suffering.

There’s a strength about that. You can look back to 1 Corinthians 16:13 about it.

5) Godly men protect God’s people against attacks against the glory of God.

Adam, as recorded in Genesis 2, was responsible for the commands God gave. Eve wasn’t even around when God gave them. And Adam did jack when Satan showed up.

He was supposed to speak up, act as his wife’s authority, and kill the serpent. Likewise, in the Church, the elders are commanded (Titus 1) to teach sound doctrine and silence those who contradict it.

Oh but that sounds so… harsh.

6) Men have a natural tendency towards violence – and that’s not a bad thing. Adam was supposed to kill the serpent. The priests (Numbers 3) were supposed to kill anyone who dared desecrate the temple. Only men were called to be soldiers.

Sometimes protection means we rebuke people. Sometimes protection means we use force. And that’s what men are called to.

Of course that can be abused. But those abuses aren’t what we’re talking about right now. Some things require violent action, and men are put in those positions for violent action. No man gets an exception.

7) Men are to lead courageously. In Judges 4, Barak failed to courageously lead God’s people into battle. Deborah, a judge in Israel, calls him out and mocks him – because he wanted to be protected by a woman.

8) Men are to determine the actions of their churches. In Isaiah 3 God mocks Israel – saying that women are leading them. He does that to mock the men. They should’ve been sticking up and leading Israel. They failed.

So there’s just a little bit. I’m not talking about stuff like love and gentleness here- those things that every Christian is commanded to obey. It’s clear from these Scriptures (and more) that men are to be uniquely men.

They are to lead. Take authority. Take responsibility for the Church of God. Silence those who would lead the sheep astray. Take responsibility for their families.

So men – you know this stuff. A few things to do:

A) Own your own spiritual growth. Stop being a spiritual coward, start following Jesus your King. That means submitting to his word and taking your own sin seriously.

B) Own your family’s spiritual growth if you have one.

C) Step up in the Church. Think of ministries to do. Do them. Step up when they ask for volunteers. Stop looking to be entertained and start taking risks to serve God.

D) Know the Bible. Speak the Bible. Rebuke those who contradict the Bible.

Guys – any more you can think of?

Free Will

I hear a lot of people saying that the Bible teaches the idea of free will.

Really? Can you show that?

And what exactly does free will mean? Do you have a workable definition?

And do you really believe God has a free will? Think about that.

The Betrayal of Jesus was the Will of God

I was recently asked if Judas freely chose to betray Jesus, or if it was God's will.

Now, biblically, the answer is both.

Let me give you some Scriptures on the subject:

Acts 1:16 and John 6:64 show that Judas' betrayal was fulfillment was prophecy.
Acts 1:25 shows that Judas belonged to destruction.
John 17:12 - Jesus calls Judas the son of destruction - and says that what Judas did was intended to fulfill prophecy. By the way - catch that 'intent.' Who intended it? God.
Acts 2:23 says that Jesus was delivered up in agreement with the definite plan and foreknowledge of God

As far as God's rule over all things goes, look at Ephesians 1:11, Amos 3:6, Job 1:21, and Psalm 115:3. Isaiah 45:7-13. God has decreed whatsoever comes to pass.

The following verses show God works in the hearts of people. See Isaiah 44:28-45:6; Romans 9; Genesis 50:15-20.

Bad Worship Songs and Coming Soon...

Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Ministries wrote an article called 'Top Ten Ways to Write Bad Worship Songs.' I commend it to you. Check it out here.

Also, coming soon - Christian Manliness, and Modern Evangelicalism and Drinking (Booze!)

Christians and Vulgarity - a Summary - Part V

So we’ve looked at Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:4, and Colossians 3:8. I think it’s time for a summary. I’m just going to make three sections here: don’t – and do – and - how to obey God with your tongue.

Don’t
1) Do not speak as truth about God what Scripture does not teach.
2) Do not say things that will result in bad doctrine or bad behavior.
3) Do not say anything that doesn’t come from love of God and his people.
4) Do not say anything that will cause someone to lust sexually.
5) Do not say anything that will cause someone to desire things of this world – things that aren’t Jesus.
6) Don’t say things that you know will offend people unnecessarily. (Obviously, rebuking sin will offend people – we need to do that.)
7) Don’t say things to hurt people.

Do
1) Do seek to know sound doctrine so you can speak it.
2) Do live speaking to people about the cross of Christ.
3) Do consider what the people you’re talking to need from Jesus.
4) Do guard yourself against lust and greed.
5) Do publicly give thanks to God for the gospel.
6) Do love people from the heart – especially brothers and sisters in Christ.

How to Obey God with Your Tongue
1) Be quick to listen, and be slow to speak. Think before you speak! (James 1:19)
2) Control your tongue - but know you can't because your heart is indwelt with evil. (James 3:1-12)
3) Ask yourself what sort of heart/soul/self your speech reveals. (Matthew 15:18)
4) Admit how grave your soul’s sin is against God – to God and to people (1 John 1:9; James 5:16)
5) Tell yourself about the gospel! The passages we’ve examined occur in sections about how God has given us his Holy Spirit; about how we in Christ no longer are guilty because of Christ’s cross; about how Jesus’ death took away our old rebellious nature and guaranteed our heavenly future.
6) Pray for the strength to love Jesus – and to talk like you love Jesus.
7) Repeat steps 1-6 every day, and as often as your sin requires.