Calvin's Enduring Legacy: Worship, Justification, and Governance

Devotional

Day 1: Worship Aligned with God's Revelation

True worship aligns with God's self-revelation in Scripture, countering the human tendency toward idolatry. John Calvin emphasized that worship should not be based on personal preferences but should adhere to the regulative principle of worship, which insists that worship must be conducted according to God's terms as revealed in Scripture. This principle challenges modern churches to evaluate their practices against biblical standards, ensuring that worship is not an act of idolatry but a genuine response to God's revelation. Calvin's insights remind us that worship is a sacred act that requires careful consideration and alignment with divine instructions. [12:47]

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: What specific aspect of your church's worship service could be more closely aligned with Scripture, and how can you contribute to that change?

Day 2: Justification by Grace Through Faith

Calvin's doctrine of justification highlights salvation by grace through faith alone, countering the human inclination to rely on personal merit. This understanding fosters humility and gratitude, recognizing the sufficiency of Christ's work. Calvin taught that justification is a gift from God, not something earned by human effort. This doctrine encourages believers to rest in the assurance of salvation, knowing that it is entirely a work of God. By embracing this truth, Christians are called to live lives marked by humility and gratitude, acknowledging that their salvation is not a result of their own deeds but a testament to God's grace. [20:48]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself relying on personal merit for your sense of worth or salvation, and how can you shift your focus to God's grace today?

Day 3: Sacraments as Visible Signs of God's Promises

Calvin viewed sacraments as visible signs of God's promises, meant to strengthen faith. He argued against the Roman Catholic view of sacraments as a means of grace controlled by the clergy, instead presenting them as confirmations of God's promises to believers. This understanding underscores the importance of integrating word and sacrament in worship, emphasizing that sacraments are not mere rituals but vital expressions of faith that confirm God's promises. By participating in the sacraments, believers are reminded of God's faithfulness and are encouraged to trust in His promises. [34:55]

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach the sacraments with a renewed understanding of their significance as confirmations of God's promises in your life?

Day 4: Biblical Church Governance

Calvin advocated for a church structure ordered by Scripture, emphasizing the role of pastors and elders in teaching and shepherding. This model encourages churches to prioritize biblical patterns of governance over contemporary trends. Calvin's views on church governance challenge modern churches to consider the biblical roles of leadership and the importance of adhering to scriptural guidelines in organizing church life. By following these principles, churches can ensure that their governance reflects God's design and supports the spiritual growth of the congregation. [48:37]

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to support and encourage your church leaders in their biblical roles of teaching and shepherding?

Day 5: God's Sovereignty and Human Identity

Calvin's teachings on providence and anthropology offer valuable insights for today's challenges, providing a biblical perspective on God's sovereignty and human identity. His understanding of God's sovereignty provides comfort and assurance, while his anthropology offers a biblical perspective on human identity amidst contemporary debates. By recognizing God's control over all things, believers can find peace in the midst of uncertainty and gain a deeper understanding of their identity as created in the image of God. Calvin's insights encourage Christians to trust in God's plan and to view themselves through the lens of Scripture. [57:52]

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:16, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's sovereignty and your identity in Him change the way you approach current cultural and personal challenges?

Sermon Summary

In our discussion today, we delved into the profound legacy of John Calvin, exploring his influence on theology, church practices, and the Reformation. Calvin's insights remain relevant, offering guidance on worship, justification, sacraments, and church governance. His emphasis on worship was not merely about preference but about aligning with God's revelation. Calvin saw idolatry as the fundamental religious problem, urging that worship must be conducted according to God's terms as revealed in Scripture. This principle, known as the regulative principle of worship, challenges modern churches to evaluate their practices against biblical standards.

Calvin's doctrine of justification was another focal point, emphasizing salvation by grace through faith alone. This doctrine counters the human tendency to rely on personal merit for salvation, highlighting the sufficiency of Christ's work. Calvin's pastoral approach to this doctrine encourages humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God.

The sacraments, according to Calvin, are visible signs of God's promises, meant to strengthen faith. He argued against the Roman Catholic view of sacraments as a means of grace controlled by the clergy, instead presenting them as confirmations of God's promises to believers. This understanding underscores the importance of integrating word and sacrament in worship.

Calvin's views on church governance also remain pertinent. He advocated for a church structure ordered by Scripture, emphasizing the role of pastors and elders in teaching and shepherding the congregation. This model challenges modern churches to consider biblical patterns of governance over contemporary trends.

Finally, Calvin's teachings on providence and anthropology offer valuable insights for today's cultural and theological challenges. His understanding of God's sovereignty provides comfort and assurance, while his anthropology offers a biblical perspective on human identity amidst contemporary debates.

Key Takeaways

1. Worship and Idolatry: Calvin emphasized that true worship must align with God's self-revelation in Scripture, countering the human tendency toward idolatry. This principle challenges modern churches to evaluate their worship practices against biblical standards. [12:47]
2. Justification by Faith: Calvin's doctrine of justification highlights salvation by grace through faith alone, countering the human inclination to rely on personal merit. This understanding fosters humility and gratitude, recognizing the sufficiency of Christ's work. [20:48]
3. Sacraments as Signs: Calvin viewed sacraments as visible signs of God's promises, meant to strengthen faith. This perspective challenges the notion of sacraments as mere rituals, emphasizing their role in confirming God's promises to believers. [34:55]
4. Church Governance: Calvin advocated for a church structure ordered by Scripture, emphasizing the role of pastors and elders in teaching and shepherding. This model encourages churches to prioritize biblical patterns of governance over contemporary trends. [48:37]
5. Providence and Anthropology: Calvin's teachings on providence and anthropology offer valuable insights for today's challenges, providing a biblical perspective on God's sovereignty and human identity. These doctrines offer comfort and guidance amidst cultural and theological debates. [57:52]
** [57:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Acknowledging Recent Events
[00:25] - Introduction of Guests
[01:13] - Discussion on John Calvin
[02:12] - Calvin Study Tour
[03:36] - Ligonier Ministries Events
[04:44] - Calvin's Influence on Ministry
[06:40] - The Necessity of Reforming the Church
[09:13] - Key Areas for Church Reform
[11:04] - Calvin's View on Worship
[17:00] - Justification and Salvation
[23:43] - Modern Challenges to Justification
[30:59] - Understanding Sacraments
[38:39] - Word and Spirit in Worship
[41:02] - Role of Pastor and Teacher
[47:03] - Church Government and Modern Challenges

Sermon Clips

Calvin I believe had an incred L important biblical insight and that is that our our fundamental religious problem is not the problem of atheism the fundamental religious problem is the problem of idolatry uh we want to worship God in accordance with our own imagination or we want to worship God in the way we want to worship God but Calvin rightly understood from both his close reading of the old and the New Testament that if it is true that God is Spirit, the only way you can worship a spirit is on his own terms. [00:11:04]

Calvin notes that unfortunately the church itself had offended against both of those things the the church had ignored the biblical revelation self-disclosure of God in terms of who he is and it ignored what God had revealed in his word as to how we are to worship Him and and thus the church was actually Pro promoting idolatry and so if our fundamental religious problem is idolatry and the church is promoting idolatry we have a real big problem and so for Calvin worship is is an exceedingly important issue nothing else can be made right in the church if we don't get that issue right. [00:12:47]

Calvin's own principle is the right principle that the the only way you can get this right is that if you are absolutely unswervingly committed to the idea that we may only worship God in accordance with his word uh we we you know the the modern Anglican theologian Avid Peterson puts it this way uh worship is engaging with God on the terms that he proposes and in the way that he alone makes possible and Calvin saw that 500 years ago and I think until we really get that into our bloodstream we're going to struggle in this area. [00:20:48]

First we need to see even though Calvin starts us with worship and stresses that as the priority when he turns to justification he makes the very distinct point that there is no more controversial point or the point at which there is a greater contest between the reformers and the Roman Catholic communion than this doctrine of justification the question here really goes back to Calvin's two main questions as he starts off The Institute, that true wisdom consists in this the proper knowledge of God and the proper knowledge of ourselves and what we find out is that God is Holy and we find out that we are sinners and that's the human dilemma. [00:23:43]

What we find leading up to uh the reformers is that works were smuggled in to the doctrine of justification so there's a bit of Merit in me that somehow I contribute in some way to my own salvation and what the reformers did and this is where we go back to the solos very clear to say by grace alone through faith alone which is really shorthand to say by Christ alone so we're talking about the doctrine of justification we're talking about being saved by faith alone apart from any Works any Merit on our own. [00:30:59]

Calvin was so pastoral and I think even of Dr Godfrey's book on Calvin as pastor and pilgrim when Calvin's talking about the doctrine of justification he talks about the doctrine of imputation but he's quick to point out the takeaway here is two things humility and gratitude that when we come to realize what justification means that I contribute nothing then we can be truly humble before God and he alone gets the glory for the work that is done and it also then just fills me with gratitude knowing that I deserve none of the. [00:34:55]

Sacraments stood at the very center of Roman Catholic religion in the Middle Ages and so um many people believe that the source of Grace for them was to make use of the sacrements of the church and the the medieval Roman Church taught that there were seven sacraments and um these were sacraments very largely in the hands of the priests and so it gave to the priests of the church great spiritual power over the people and what the reformers wanted to do was uh first of all look into the Bible and say did Christ Institute seven sacraments and they concluded that he did not that he instituted only two sacraments baptism and the Lord's supper. [00:38:39]

They insisted that these sacraments had not been given to priests as an exclusive uh domain for them to rule over uh but that these sacraments were given by Christ to strengthen the weak faith of the People by giving the same message uh that they found in the Bible in a visible form and so the visible word of baptism is that God washes away our sins um now there's debate about exactly how baptism is related to the washing away of sins but all of the reformers were agreed that uh that's that's the message of baptism that Christians need to have their sins washed away by God. [00:41:02]

The message of the Lord's Supper is that it's only by the work of Christ the offering of his body and blood on the cross in particular that Christians are going to grow and be built up in the faith and so uh sacraments were crucial in the mind of Luther and of Calvin as ways in which the Lord teaches strength blesses and encourages his people and I think that the church today is greatly weakened by undervaluing the sacraments even where they're preserved they're often not thought about much at all it's just a kind of uh routine we go through and Calvin would be pretty appalled about that. [00:48:37]

Calvin believed that the government of the church ought to be ordered by the word of God and that is still an idea that is somewhat um uh novel and uh and uh extraordinary in the eyes of many many evangelicals today many evangelicals think that as long as you love Jesus Christ as long as you believe the Bible and preach the gospel it really doesn't matter how the church is ordered and Calvin believed that the that God cared a lot about that and taught about it in his word and that we needed to be as faithful as possible to follow biblical patterns of the governance of the church. [00:57:52]

He saw the rule of Pastor teacher Shepherd Elders as absolutely essential to making sure that the church taught in accordance with the word of God on worship and on salvation and so for for Calvin government is a very practical issue and uh in our own day and time uh historically congregationalists Presbyterians and Baptists have uh have believed that the church ought to be ordered according to the word of God but many many evangelicals don't believe that that's an issue at all so I do think that's one area where Calvin can help us today. [01:02:12]

Calvin's teaching on Providence is incredibly important and I find in our own day and time that when a person begins to doubt the Providence of God that person is one step away from walking away from the faith and so Calvin's doctrine of providence is actually very important for Faith and for the Christian Life. [01:02:12]

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