Catechism Challenge - L.D. 12

Lord’s Day 12 – Study Notes

Q. 31 Why is he called "Christ”, meaning "anointed"?
A. Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher who perfectly reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God for our deliverance; our only high priest who has set us free by the one sacrifice of his body, and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and our eternal king who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us.

1. What three major offices among the people of Israel in the OT? (2 Sam. 7:2; 1 Sam. 30:7; 2 Sam. 5:3)
2. What are Christ’s three offices? (Acts 3:22; Heb. 7:17, 21; Matt. 21:5)
3. What was Jesus Christ anointed by the Holy Spirit to do? (Isa. 61:1)
4. How is Christ the chief prophet? (Acts 3:22-24; Deut. 18:15; John 1:18)
5. How is Christ the only high priest? (Heb. 2:17; 3:1; 7:17, 21; 9:12; 10:11-14)
6. How is Christ the only eternal king? (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:34-26)

Q. 32 But why are you called a Christian?
A. Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name, to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity.

1. How did you come to be called a Christian? (Eph. 2:8-9)
2. In what way do you share in Christ anointing? (Acts 2:17; 2 Cor 1:18-22; 1 John 2:19-21, 27)
3. How does are being called Christian inform our purpose? What are they?
4. What is our first purpose? (Mat. 10:32; 1 John 2:23)
5. What is our second purpose? (Rom 12:1; Phil 4:18; Heb. 13:15)
6. What is our third purpose? (Rom. 6:12, 14; Gal 5:16-17; Eph. 6:11; 1 Tim. 1:18-19; 2 Tim 2:12)

Audio - Heidelberg Catechism L.D. 12

Reason for Preaching the Gospel from an Atheist

When Peace Like a River - The Story

When Peace Like a River - The Song

How Can Jesus Be Both God and Man

The Gospel Coalition is a group of pastors from around the country and even the world from various denominations, who are committed to the Centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Church and the world. May the Gospel of Jesus Christ saturate your knowing, being and doing for your good and God's Glory.

The video posted below answers the question: How can Jesus be both God and Man? I hope to post two videos/week from Gospel Coalition pastors which address import theological truths for your growth in the Gospel and Godliness. Amen.

CATHECHISM CHALLENGE - L.D. 7

Lord’s Day 7 – Study Notes

Q. 20 Are all saved through Christ just as all were lost through Adam?

A. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all his blessings.

Q. 21 What is true faith?

A. True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in his Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation.

Q. 22 What then must a Christian believe?

A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith—a creed beyond doubt, and confessed throughout the world.

Q. 23 What are these articles?

A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

1. Will everyone be saved? Who will be saved? (Matt. 7:13-14; John 3:16-18, 36)

2. How are you kept grafted into Christ? (Rom 11:17-21; Eph 2:8-9)

3. What is true faith? (Heb. 11:1-3)

4. What are the causes of true faith? (Eph 2:8-9; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21; John 3:3-7; 1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:21)

5. How do you experience true faith? (Rom. 4:18-5:1; 10:10; 12:1-2)

6. What must a Christian believe to live well? (Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:30-31; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

7. What is “the articles of our Christian faith” called? (Q&A 23)

Audio: Heidelberg Catechism - L.D. 7

Is Jesus the Only Way?

Lee Strobel in his book The Case for Christ demonstrates that Jesus is the only way. This video is an excellent summary answering the question "is Jesus the only way to salvation".

ESV Study Bible - Part 2

The ESV Study Bible is simply the best study bible I have ever used. If you are seeking to dig deeper into God's Word and desire the tools to do it well, get the ESV Study Bible. I hope to do a series on the features of the ESV Study Bible with downloads, so that you may see for yourself this excellent resource for studying God's Word.

I have attached a video introducing the reader to the features of the ESV Study Bible.

What Does it Mean to Give Thanks at All Times with Sincerity?

The Gospel Coalition is a group of pastors from around the country and even the world from various denominations, who are committed to the Centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Church and the world. May the Gospel of Jesus Christ saturate your knowing, being and doing for your good and God's Glory.

The video posted below answers the question: What does it mean to give thanks at all times with sincerity? I hope to post two videos/week from Gospel Coalition pastors which address import theological truths for your growth in the Gospel and Godliness. Amen.

CATHECHISM CHALLENGE - L.D. 6

Lord’s Day 6 – Study Questions

Q. 16 Why must he be truly human and truly righteous?

A. God's justice demands that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for its sin; but a sinner could never pay for others.

Q. 17 Why must he also be true God?

A. So that, by the power of his divinity, he might bear the weight of God's anger in his humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.

Q. 18 And who is this mediator—true God and at the same time truly human and truly righteous?

A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.

Q. 19 How do you come to know this?

A. The holy gospel tells me. God himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, he proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; finally, he fulfilled it through his own dear Son.

1. What kind of Deliver should we look for? (Q&A 16, 17)

2. Why must Jesus be truly human and truly righteous? (Rom. 5:12-21; Heb. 7:26-27)

3. Why must Jesus be also true God? (Col. 1:15-20; Isa. 53; 2 Cor. 5:21) Who alone could take upon himself the wrath of God for ALL Sin?

4. Who is your Mediator? (1 Tim. 2:5) What did your Mediator do? (1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Pet. 3:18) How does this truth give you comfort?

5. How can I learn about my Mediator Jesus Christ? (Q&A 19) When did God begin to tell that he would send a Mediator? (Gen. 3:15)

Audio: Heidelberg Catechism - Lord's Day 6

What Do Un-Believers Think of Christians

CATECHISM CHALLENGE - L.D. 5

Lord’s Day 5 – Study Questions

Q. 12 According to God's righteous judgment we deserve punishment both in this world and forever after: how then can we escape this punishment and return to God's favor?

A. God requires that his justice be satisfied. Therefore the claims of his justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or another.

Q. 13 Can we pay this debt ourselves?

A. Certainly not. Actually, we increase our guilt every day.

Q. 14 Can another creature—any at all—pay this debt for us?

A. No. To begin with, God will not punish another creature for what a human is guilty of. Besides, no mere creature can bear the weight of God's eternal anger against sin and release others from it.

Q. 15 What kind of mediator and deliverer should we look for then?

A. One who is truly human and truly righteous, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.

1. What do I deserve? (Rom 6:23) How can I be saved? (Acts 16:30-31)

2. Can you pay your own debt? (Read Matt. 18:21-35 – how big is the guys debt?) Do we accrue more or less debt? (Rom. 2:1-5)

3. Who is responsible for sin? (Ezekiel 18:4, 20)

4. Could the sacrifice of a goat, sheep, bull or your next door neighbor pay for my debt? (Heb. 10:1-4)

5. What kind of Deliver should we be on the lookout for? (Heb. 2:17; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Isa. 53:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26; Isa. 9:6-7; John 1:1-4)

Audio: Heidelberg Catechism - Lord's Day 5

Weeping Over My Father

Weeping...I am weeping over my father. It has been 12 years since my father's death. 12 years without his voice. 12 years without his sweet embrace. I miss him. I hurt for him. I do not know where my Jesus has set his soul in eternity. Where is his home? Where has God in all his justice and mercy eternally placed his soul. I do not know. I can not say.

I can only wonder and weep as I remember the tragedy of his life. A life I loved and still love. A life that fills my memory, my thinking, my speech and even my face. Where has he gone? Will I see his sweet face, and peer into those piercing blue eyes once again at the resurrection? I do not know. I can not say.

My heart yearns for the eternal happiness of his soul. My desire is to plead with God to have mercy, even though judgment day for my father was 12 years ago. The last chapter of my father's life did not end happily ever after, but in a horrible moral tragedy that still wanders down the hall of my haunted memory. Always replaying in my mind like a broken record skipping back, again and again. If only that moment could be played back once again, and my father could have turned back to God when the door of this life slammed shut. What hall did my father walk into eternity down? Was it the hall to heaven and everlasting happiness or the hall of hell and everlasting hurt. I do not know. I can not say.

How many lives are like that of my father? If only they could clearly reflect upon their lives before death rips us from life, how different the end of many would be. Johnny Cash was a man who was tormented by his own rebellion and who seemed at the same time to have it all. He was able at the end of his life to clearly reflect upon his life through the redemption he has in Jesus Christ, and call his empire of success and fame...DIRT. May you view all of your earthly goods and accomplishments as dirt, so that you may embrace what is of greatest importance...to love GOD and love OTHERS. Amen.

When Lancelot Comes Riding

Brett Harris of The Rebelution writes his second helpful post in a series called Modern Day Chivalry. I hope this post called When Lancelot Comes Riding will a blessing to young ladies. This is the second post of a fives part series that I hope will lead you in living for a greater glory than your own...God's Glory.

Link: When Lancelot Comes Riding

Great Sportsmanship

Here is a great video by ESPN on the essence of sportsmanship, and how the game of life should be played. Enjoy! (Logan)

Fasting: A Humbling of Ourselves

In my reading on fasting, Wilhelmus a Brakel in his magnum opus "The Christian's Reasonable Service" instructs his readers about fastings main purpose. He says:

"Fasting serves but one purpose: to facilitate the humbling of the soul; it has no significance beyond that."

He goes to explain what the humbling of ourselves consist of.

1. The confessioin of sin, accompanied with grief and shame...
2. Declaring ourselves to be worthy of judgment...
3. A supplicating for grace, frequently accompanied with weeping...
4. A renewal of the covenant with the wholehearted intent to forsake former sins and live a godly life...
5. The giving of alms
   

Father Brakel, as he was known in his day (1635-1711) also instructs the members of his congregation and the church about how long should a fast be and in what manner should it be preformed.

The duration of the fast is limited to a twenty four hour period - from evening to evening...Everyone has personal freedom in doing this...In so doing we will acquaint ourselves with the Lord; we will become more modest and holy, and the Lord generally grants more spiritual grace to such. In setting such a day apart, every one is free as the the extent to which he wishes to do so...It can be that he will desist from his labors if he is self-employed and if it is not to the disadvantage of his family; he can do this without anyone noticing this. Or it can be that he sets this day apart while nevertheless intending to do this work...and to eat a limited amount of food, so as to conceal form others the fact that he is fasting that day. The latter must very much be his objective according to the instruction of Christ in Matthew 6:16-18.

(The Christian's Reasonable Service - Fasting - Vol. 4, p. 3-10)

Operation World Country of the Week

The Church has been called to make disciples of all nations or peoples (Matt. 28:19-20). Because we have been called to such a glorious task for the fame of King Jesus, I hope to highlight one country each week from Operation World for your prayer support. Not only will we be praying that the mission of God will be accomplished throughout the globe (Matt 24:14), but in the process we grow in our understanding of the people of the world and God's work among the nations (Ps. 46:10; Ps. 47:8-9). Please pray for the peace of the nations, which can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ (Isa. 66:12; Jer. 33:9).

What Does It Mean to Fast?

The Gospel Coalition is a group of pastors from around the country and even the world from various denominations, who are committed to the centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Church and the world. May the Gospel of Jesus Christ saturate your knowing, being and doing for your good and God's Glory.

The video posted below answers the question: What Does It Mean to Fast? I posted as another voice on fasting, which I believe is helpful of thinking about fasting in broader context. I hope to post two videos/week from Gospel Coalition pastors which address import theological truths for your growth in the Gospel and godliness. Amen.

CATECHISM CHALLENGE - L.D. 4

Lord’s Day 4 – Study Questions

Q. 9 But doesn't God do us an injustice by requiring in his law what we are unable to do?

A. No, God created humans with the ability to keep the law. They, however, tempted by the devil, in reckless disobedience, robbed themselves and all their descendants of these gifts.

Q. 10 Will God permit such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?

A. Certainly not. He is terribly angry about the sin we are born with as well as the sins we personally commit. As a just judge he punishes them now and in eternity. He has declared: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

Q. 11 But isn't God also merciful?

A. God is certainly merciful, but he is also just. His justice demands that sin, committed against his supreme majesty, be punished with the supreme penalty—eternal punishment of body and soul.

1. God asked Job if he was just. (Job 40:2) If Job in all his suffering and seeming injustices against him could not accuse God of being unjust, can you? (Read: Job 40:1-42:6)

2. In what state did the LORD God create mankind? (Gen. 1:26-27, 31) Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were able to obey the law because God had created them in his image and very good. Was God then just in condemning our first parents unto death? (Q&A 9; Gen 2:17)

3. If God is just and must punish sin, how well have you done in obeying everything in the law? (Galatians 3:10) If you haven’t, what are you without trusting in Jesus finished work on the cross?

4. We know God is just, but isn’t God also merciful? (Ex 34:6-7; Heb 10:30-31) Can God be merciful without being just?

5. How then does God punish sin? (Matt. 25:31-46) Jesus’ parable of the Final Judgment chillingly portrays the eternity of those who lived for their own kingdom and did not want God’s rule. Are you a sheep or a goat?

Audio: Heidelberg Catechism - Lord's Day 4

YOUNG PEOPLE: Do Great Things for GOD

World Magazine writer Micky McLean reported the tenacity of Lia, a 12 year old girl who against all opposition was not deterred to speak out against abortion. Lia was told that her Persuasive Speech would not be allowed in the school wide competition, but she was determined to speak out against the horror of abortion. When I see stories like Lia's, I am hopeful about the untapped potential of young people to do great things for God. Not because they in themselves are so great, but rather because the truth they proclaim is so right. Righteous is Lia's cause to defend the unborn against the disapproval of adults because it is God's cause for all of us to walk justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Psalm 8:2 shouts, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger". Young people how are you praising God? First, I hope you are honoring your parents because all greatness in God's eyes begins with honoring our parents for God's glory. Second, I desire that all of you will dream big dreams of what God can do through you and others like you to impact the world for Jesus Christ. What is God calling you to do? Do Great Things for GOD. Amen.

Post: Persuasive Argument (Link)