1 / 35

The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance in the Saints Week 5

The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance in the Saints Week 5. Westminster Larger Catechism Q57-89. Where are we going?. Our theme for the next several weeks:.

livana
Download Presentation

The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance in the Saints Week 5

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance in the SaintsWeek 5 Westminster Larger Catechism Q57-89

  2. Where are we going?

  3. Our theme for the next several weeks: “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,…” (Eph 1:15-19)

  4. More background… • The WLC (and the WSC) is an OUTLINE of doctrine extracted from the Bible. • Answers many (most) of the questions that we might ask regarding the Christian life and experience. • We will look at the “Benefits of Redemption” or as Paul stated, “…that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,….” (Eph 1:18) • First the context in our outline of doctrine to establish the FOUNDATION:

  5. The WLC Begins with the End

  6. A Biblical Pattern: Believe => Do This pattern is not arbitrary – why did they outline it this way? Because it has its roots in Scripture: • Belief begets practice. What you believe WILL dictate how you behave. Examples: • Paul’s letters – Romans 1-11 explain the work of God then at 12:1 “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice…” • Ephesians 1- 3 declares the work of God in salvation then at 4:1 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,…” • Even in the giving of the 10 commandments we see this pattern: ““I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me….” [God: “This is Who I am and who you are – therefore DO this…”]

  7. Q. 57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace. me·di·a·tion /mēdēˈāSHən/ noun: mediation; plural noun: mediations • intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration. "the parties have sought mediation and it has failed" • intervention in a process or relationship; intercession. "they are offering sacrifice and mediation between God and man" re·demp·tion /riˈdempSHən/ noun: redemption; plural noun: redemptions • the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. "God's plans for the redemption of his world" • the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.

  8. What did Christ’s work accomplish? But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (Heb 9:11-12 ESV) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)

  9. Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost. … are made partakers… by the application of them … Who is doing the work here? Remember where we are in the catechism outline? What to believe about God > His works > His decrees > His works of providence What is the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit and that of Christ? Christ: redemption accomplished(Q 36 – 56) Holy Spirit: redemption applied(Q 57 – 90)

  10. Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:35-40, ESV)

  11. Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectuallycommunicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel. • What is that group of people called for whom Christ died? • His people • His sheep • His church • His body • The elect (Eph 1) • Those whom He foreknew (Rom 8:29-30) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30, ESV)

  12. … who are in timeby the Holy Ghost enabled to believe… The ETERNAL perspective [ABOVE ‘THE LINE’]: … even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:4 ESV) The TEMPORAL perspective [BELOW ‘THE LINE’: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (Ephesians 2:1-2 and 4-5 ESV)

  13. Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?A. They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of his body the church. What about the poor savage who has not had a chance to hear the gospel? God surely would not send them to hell if they never even had the chance to hear the gospel?

  14. Q.61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible. VISIBLE Church? INVISIBLE Church? Isn’t that double-speak? Where does the Bible say anything about a VISIBLE and an INVISIBLE church? If the invisible church is what really matters… then, can I just join that one?

  15. A visible church is deduced from the Scriptures… • “… tell it to the church….” (Matthew 18:15-17, ESV) • How can you “tell it to the church” unless there is a visible, organized group to which you can tell it? • Obey your leaders and submit to them,… (Hebrews 13:17, ESV) • How can you obey this command unless you know who “your leaders” are? • Can leaders give an account for everyone that crosses their path? • “… not neglecting to meet together, …” (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV) • We are to stir up one another to love and good works – how? • By (not neglecting) meeting together regularly…. • This is an encouragement to one another • This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— (Titus 1:5, ESV) • The church was visible and organized with leadership and members that could be seen.

  16. Q.62. What is the visible church?A. The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children. • A society • Those in all ages and places • Profess the true religion • And of their children

  17. How can you tell a TRUE church? • Belgic Confession • Article 29: The Marks of the True Church • the pure preaching of the gospel • pure administration of the sacraments • church discipline for correcting faults • Westminster Confession (25): • 4. This catholic church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular churches, which are members hereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.

  18. Q.63. What are the special privileges of the visiblechurch?A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, not withstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him.

  19. The Benefits of the Visible Church …enjoying the communion of the saints,… Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3 ESV) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)

  20. The Benefits of the Visible Church … the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel,… What is a means? Why does the WLC refer to the church enjoying the ordinary means?

  21. The Benefits of the Visible Church … the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel,… But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…. (Romans 10:8-9, ESV) How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17, ESV)

  22. The Benefits of the Visible Church … the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel,… And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:11-14, ESV)

  23. The Benefits of the Visible Church All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, ESV)

  24. To the extent that in more conservative circles preaching has been reduced to its didactic function or to inspiration and moral uplift, it is not surprising that younger believers look for alternative means of grace. Typically we prefer what we can see to what we hear: “ A picture is worth a thousand and words.” Our new images may not be statues that we venerate, but there is a real danger in Protestant churches of once again silencing God’s living and active speech (i.e., the exposition of Scripture) in a sea of our own insights, visual drama, and the blue luminosity of our computer screens. Yet our Lord chose not only the content but the medium. We do not find God; he finds us. Faith comes not by feeling, thinking, seeing, or striving, but by hearing. - Michael Horton, “The Christian Faith, A Systematic Theology for pilgrims on the Way”

  25. What do you expect in the public assembly of the church? Proclamation does involve doctrinal and ethical instruction, of course. The law and the gospel not only kill and make alive; they direct our life and doctrine. However, we must come to church expecting nothing less than God's gracious assault on the citadels of our autonomy, our supposing that we could ascend to God by our theological acumen any more than by our actions. This confrontation occurs not only in the sermon, but in the entire liturgy, including the singing, whose purpose is to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Col 3:16). While carefully distinguishing the Spirit's illumination of the preached Word from the Spirit's inspiration of the canonical Word, we can affirm that the content-Christ and all of his benefits-is exactly the same. This should create a sense of urgency and expectancy in our public assembly, as God addresses us here and now.'! - Michael Horton, “The Christian Faith, A Systematic Theology for pilgrims on the Way”

  26. Q. 64. What is the invisible church?A. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head. This could represent ALL of time and history. This could represent a snapshot in time. SIZE of CIRCLES NOT TO SCALE!!

  27. Q. 65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory. This question serves as a GATEWAY or OUTLINE to the following questions in the catechism …. What is union with Christ? What is communion with Him? What does that look like now? What will it look like in glory?

  28. QUESTIONS? • COMMENTS? • OBJECTIONS? • MUSINGS?

  29. The Hatfield & McCoy Feud Why were whole extended families involved?

  30. Where else can you see this kind of unity or association? Pearl Harbor Attack Attack on US on 9-11-01

  31. Q. 66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling. What is that union the elect have with Christ? • Matthew 25:41-46 – the least of these… • Acts 26:14 – confrontation of Saul • John 17:21 – …that they may also be in us… • 1 Corinthians 15:22 - …in Adam … in Christ… • 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – in Christ a new creation • Ephesians 5: 25-33 - … a profound mystery…

  32. How should that affect the way we live? What we do Christ does… • 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 … • Galatians 2:20 - It is no longer I who live… • Philippians 1:21 - … for me to live is Christ,…

  33. Q. 67. What is effectual calling?A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his Word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein. It is EFFECTUAL [Producing or sufficient to produce a desired effect; fully adequate.] • Romans 8:28-30 - … those who are called according to his purpose…

  34. What other kind of call is there? What’s the difference?

More Related