Reflecting on the Sermon: 3/20/11

Rod began his series on church leadership in Acts 20:17-27.  He pointed to Paul's example of what and elder is to be.  He reminded us that all Christians are called to follow this example of godly living even if we are not official leaders in the church.  From this passage, we learn that a leader is to be a humble slave of the Lord (19), feel the pains of ministry (19, 31), teach and steward the Word of God (20), preach the gospel (21), and trust God (22-24).  One thing that stuck out to me was when he spoke about the call to teach the Word and said that a leader must remember, "soft words don't break up hard hearts."  May we have the courage to speak the truth in love.

Perseverance: Fitting the Comfort and Warning Together

As you read about the warning and comfort of this doctrine, you may be thinking I am engaging in some crafty form of doublespeak.  It may sound like these two points (warning and comfort) contradict one another.  But remember that the doctrine teaches us that we persevere in the faith because God preserves us.  So, a person who is truly saved will persevere till the end (the warning reminds us of this responsibility), and a true Christian is secure because God keeps those who belong to him so that none are lost (the comfort reminds us of this truth). 

God has ordained the ends (our salvation) and the means (how he causes us to persevere).  He uses means such as the fellowship and accountability we have with other believers in the church (Hebrews 3:12-13), the knowledge we get from his word (2 Tim. 3:16-17), and the strength we gain from prayer (Matt. 26:41).  He even uses the warning passages of Scripture to call us to preserve (Hebrews 10:26-30).

Let me draw your attention to one passage in particular to illustrate these truths.  Hebrews 12:3-11 makes it clear that the true child of God will not wander from God indefinitely.  The reason is that God, as a good Father, disciplines his children. 

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons (vv. 7-8).

Sometimes we joke about God striking us with lightning for disobeying him.  What is scarier, however, is if the lightning never comes.  If God allows a person to go on in sin without bringing discipline then that person is an illegitimate child and not a son, which is to say that God is not his Father.  God disciplines those who belong to him.  A true child of God will persevere till the end because his loving, heavenly Father keeps him securely.

So, it is not a contradiction to say that this doctrine provides both a warning and a comfort.  Both are true and biblical.  A genuine Christian can sin severely, but the difference is that he or she cannot live a habitual life of sin without God bringing discipline on him or her.  The true Christian perseveres because his Father preserves him.

Perseverance: A Comfort

The doctrine of perseverance not only provides a warning to us, it also provides a comfort.  The comfort is for those who are truly saved and is found in the promise "that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).  God began this work of my salvation, and he will complete it.  That is a promise.  The person who has been truly converted and made into a child of God will not be cast out of the Father's house.

In other words, my salvation is not dependent upon me, my goodness, or the strength of my faith.  It isn't more or less secure based on how good I did today or how faithful I was at reading my Bible yesterday.  It is based on God, the righteousness of Christ, and his powerful hold on me (see Romans 8:31-39 and John 10:27-29).  It is based on God, his nature, and his unchanging faithfulness to his promises.  He promises to save those who truly repent and believe in Jesus as the only means of salvation.  Since he does not lie and does not change in relation to his promises, this hope is secure for believers (Numbers 23:19). 

 
So, when you fail and sin, remember that your salvation is secure because of the righteousness of Christ and the promise of God.  Speaking of genuine Christians, the First London Confession of the Baptists written in 1646 says, "Though many storms and floods arise, and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock, which by faith they are fastened upon.”

Perseverance: A Warning

As we have studied the doctrine of perseverance, we have seen that one side of the coin is the fact that all true believers will persevere in the faith.  Those who are truly believers will manifest this fact by continuing to believe in Jesus (see the parable of the sower in Luke 8).  Those who fall away show that they were never true converts in the first place.

So, this doctrine is a warning to us.  We must not presume that we are saved if we are walking in a habitual pattern of disbelief and disobedience to God (though all Christians will struggle with sin and doubt).  We should not just look back on some decision we made many years ago and presume that it was a genuine conversion experience.  A Christian is one who is trusting in Jesus (present tense); not simply a person who “made a decision” at some point in the past (see passages like John 3:16 which says, “that whoever believes [present tense i.e. continuing to believe] in him should not perish but have eternal life”).   

The true Christian will, by the power of Holy Spirit, be persevering in the faith.  If he or she is not, this doctrine warns us that he or she might not be truly saved.  This is why we have passages that say you will be presented "...holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." (Col. 1:22-23 emphasis added).  Therefore, the first implication of this doctrine is a warning to continue in the faith and not shift from the hope of the gospel.

Perseverance: What Does it Mean for Me?

Now that we have considered objections to this doctrine and seen that they do not stand up, we will turn our attention to what this precious doctrine means for us.  You will remember that we took the following definition of this doctrine:  

The perseverance of the saints means that those who are truly born again will be kept by God's power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives, and that only those who persevere until the end have been truly born again (Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 788)  

What does it mean to say that God preserves every one of his children so that they will persevere in the faith and never totally or finally fall be lost?  I believe there are many implications.  We will examine two.  First, we will see the warning it holds for us.  Second, we will embrace the comfort it brings.

Reflecting on the Sermon: 3/13/11

Rod preached on the third part of Grace Church's mission statement: Evangelize the Lost.  He spoke from 2 Timothy 2:1-7.  He mentioned that evangelism is the one thing that we will not be able to do in heaven.  Our calling, while we await the return of our Lord, is to share the gospel with those around us and around the world.  It was a good reminder of the urgency of the task that lies before us.  Also, he talked a little about what it means when it says God "desires all people to be saved."  If you missed it I encourage you to give it a listen.

"The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood"

Women, check out this sermon by Piper on "the ultimate meaning of true womanhood."  I believe you will find it encouraging as you seek to minister faithfully for the glory of God.  Here is a short excerpt:

...if you try to reduce womanhood to physical features and biological functions, and then determine your role in the world merely on the basis of competencies, you don’t just miss the point of womanhood, you diminish the glory of Christ in your own life. True womanhood is indispensable in God’s purpose to display the fullness of the glory of his Son. Your distinctive female personhood is not incidental. It exists because of its God-designed relationship to the central event of history, the death of the Son of God. (Emphasis added)

The whole thing is worth reading or listening to.

Perseverance: Objections Part 7e

Continuing our look at Hebrews 6:4-9.

A final confirmation of this interpretation of Hebrews six is provided in verse 9, "Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation."  The author is convinced that most of those he is writing to have experienced genuine salvation.  In contrast to those who he described in verses 4-6, he is confident that they have "things that belong to salvation."  This contrast makes it clear that those described in verses 4-6 are not true believers.

So, the terms in Hebrews 6:4-6 refer to those who were associated with the church, participated in many Christian things, and even had some religious experiences, but they do not have a saving faith.

Perseverance: Objections Part 7d

Continuing our look at Hebrews 6:4-9.

It is impossible to renew them again to repentance. Some take this to mean that these people have genuinely repented at one time and then committed apostasy.  For these people, they say, it is impossible for them to repent and be saved again.  I don't believe this is the case.  For one thing, repentance does not always refer to a genuine, heartfelt repentance unto salvation.  For example, in Hebrews 12:17, the word is used of Esau in regards to his change of mind over selling his birthright (this was not a saving repentance, for the verse tells us he was rejected).  Here, in Hebrews six, it seems that these people felt bad over their sin and even changed their mind on some issues (realized some things that they believed to be good were actually sin), but they did not truly repent unto salvation.  2 Corinthians 7:8-11 shows us that there is a sorrow which leads to true repentance and a sorrow which still leads to death.  

The second half of verse Hebrews 6:6 goes on to say why it is impossible to renew them to repentance: "since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."  In spite of seeing their sin and guilt and feeling remorseful over it, they willfully reject God's remedy to sin, namely the sacrifice of his Son.  These people have been "in" the church, tasted of the heavenly gift, seen the work of the Holy Spirit, been convicted of their sin and yet rejected it all.  Their hearts are hardened and calloused to the Word of Truth.  For these people, there is no hope because they have rejected the only possible hope- Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the Sermon: 3/6/11

Rod continued preaching on Why We Exist as a Church.  In this sermon he focused on the second part of our church's mission statement, Edify believers.  He spoke from Ephesians 4:11-16 and pointed out that the pastor's job is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry; not to do all the ministry.  This equipping occurs as the pastor uses the Word of God.  The point is to mature believers so that they are not tossed around by false doctrine and so that they minster to others.  I am encouraged that God's desire for us in the church is to be equipped for the work of the ministry.  Let's get equipped and continue ministering.

Perseverance: Objections Part 7c

Continuing our look at Hebrews 4:6-9
 
Have shared in the Holy Spirit. Does this mean they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit?  I do not believe so.  The word shared (or partakers in the NASB) "has a range of meaning and may imply very close participation and attachment, or may only imply a loose association with the other person or persons named" (Grudem, 797).  The context must determine how the word is to be understood (cf. Hebrews 3:14 where it is used as a close association and Luke 5:7 where it is used of a loose association).  In this case, if the context is describing people who appeared to be believers but who really were not, then the word carries the idea of a loose association with the Spirit.  It could be taken to mean that these people saw the Spirit of God at work influencing them (maybe convicting them of sin) but that they were not regenerated and indwelt by the Spirit in a saving way.  We see the Spirit work in and even through people who were not truly Christ's (see Matt. 7:21-23 where Christ tells people that cast out demons and did other mighty works that he never knew them).

Perseverance: Objections Part 7b

In these next few posts we will be examining Hebrews 6:4-9 in more detail.  You can read the introduction to this section here.  Each time we will look at one or two phrases.   

Once been enlightened. The Greek word for enlighten "refers to learning in general, not necessarily a learning that results in salvation" (Grudem, p. 796, cf. its usage in John 1:9 and 1 Cor. 4:5).  Therefore, this phrase can simply mean that these individuals came to understand the the truths of the gospel and does not need to mean that they responded with genuine faith to those facts. 

Tasted of the heavenly gift...the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. When you taste something, you may still choose to spit it out (cf. Matt. 27:34 where the same word is used).  In a figurative sense, the word can be used to mean that you get a small taste of what something would be like without actually possessing it.  For example, people who are living under an oppressive government might get a "taste of freedom" without truly possessing freedom (cf. BAGD, Greek English Lexicon, p. 157).  It can also be used in a figurative sense to mean that a person has come to know what something is like without fully experiencing it.  For example, a person may get a taste of some form of philosophy without embracing it (Grudem, 797 fn. 14).  So, it is perfectly legitimate to take our passage to mean that these people have seen and been around the work of the Holy Spirit (heavenly gift), learned about the word of God, and the powers to come without embracing it with saving faith.  These people were deeply involved with the church, saw the Spirit at work, but they only tasted of it without believing it. 

Perseverance: Objections Part 7a

So, it has been a long time since I posted for the series on the Perseverance of the Saints...hopefully it was worth the wait.  Today I will begin discussing Hebrews 6:4-9 (remember we are look at objections to the doctrine and specifically passages that seem to indicate a person who is saved can lose his or her salvation).

d. Hebrews 6:4-9
Now we have come to what is one of the most difficult passages in relation to the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.  We come to the passage that started my quest to lay out this doctrine for you.  The book of Hebrews has several "warning passages" and this one is surely the most difficult to interpret.  If any passage in Scripture taught that a Christian could lose his salvation, this would be it.  So, let's dive in and see what we learn.  

⁴For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. ⁷For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. ⁹Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

Let me start out by saying, I believe this passage shows us that some people who have fallen away may give many external signs of conversion without being truly converted.  The reason I say they are not truly believers is most clearly seen in verses 7-8.  Here, the author gives a metaphor to support what he has just said in verses 4-6.  In the metaphor, we see a two contrasting "lands."  The first land receives rain and produces a crop that is "useful" and that "receives a blessing from God."  The second land receives water too, but it bears "thorns and thistles" and is "worthless" and "its end is to be burned."  Scripture uses this metaphor in other places where we are taught that good fruit is a sign of true spiritual life and fruitlessness is a sign of false believers (see Matt 3:8-10, 7:15-20, 12:33-35).  Therefore, I believe we have a clear indication that the author is speaking of people that have received the "rain" of God's word, been around the fellowship of God's people, seen wondrous things, but were not truly converted.  This lack of true salvation is eventually made evident in the fruitlessness of their lives. 

Some object and say that the description of these people in verses 4-6 makes it seem as if they were truly saved and lost that salvation.  Over the next several days, we will examine some of the terms that are used.



Note: I will rely heavily on Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology in this section.

Mardi Gras

As some of you know I have a good amount of family in Louisiana, and spent almost a month of every summer from elementary school to high school there.  I enjoyed reading this article by Russel Moore as he reflects on Mardi Gras and Christianity.

Reflecting on the Sermon: 2/27/11

Rod spoke on Romans...wait...no he didn't.  He is taking a short break to preach on issues related to Biblical Church Leadership.  The sermon this week focused on why we exist as a church.  He is preaching on the biblical reasons our church exists: exalt God, edify believers, and evangelize the lost (our mission statement). 

This time he focused on exalting God.  One practical challenge I took from the message was when he was focusing on God's glory and the fact that God is worthy of all our worship.  He said, "You don't come to church to get something out of it, you come to give God glory in worship.  It is only as we focus our attention on God and ascribe glory to him that we find peace and joy."  A good reminder to come each Sunday ready to exalt God (and to exalt him everyday).

ESV Study Bible on Sale for $24.99

If you were looking for study Bible that is full of great study notes, articles, charts, and diagrams, you may want to check out the deal at Christianbook.com today.  You can buy the hardback version of the ESV Study Bible for 50% off the retail price. This is a wealth of information to help you as you study the Bible and all for only $24.99.  If you don't own a good study Bible this is a good investment.  This deal is available now until Monday at 11:59pm.

Making the Most of a Spring Break Car Trip

I don't have tell you that Spring Break starts this coming week.  So, I wanted to suggest a few items for your edification.  Below are a few free things that you could download to your MP3 player and listen to as you travel.  This is a good way to use your time and grow spiritually while you drive.

Sermon's/ Conference Audio
The Give Me an Answer Collegiate Conference held at Southern Seminary in 2010 and 2011 is available online. 

• 2010 "Does God Still Speak"
• 2011 "Recalibrate" (not sure what that means in this context, but I'm sure it is good)
• I listened to a talk by Dr. Russel Moore on James from the 2010 conference and found it encouraging.

Book on "Tape" (Guess it is a "book on hard drive" now-a-days)

• "The Holiness of God" by RC Sproul.  I just began reading this book yesterday.  It is a classic book that will enlarge our view of our Holy God.  You can download an audio version for FREE during this month at Christian Audio by clicking the link.

I hope you enjoy your travels and grow in your knowledge and love Jesus during the break.